Jindal begins second term today

In the shadow of the BCS national championship, Gov. Bobby Jindal begins his second term in office today with a focus on improving Louisiana’s dismal education statistics and a pledge not to rest on the accomplishments of his first four years in office. Jindal is to be sworn in at noon on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River at the Old State Capitol. The 40-year-old Republican made history when he took office in 2008, as the nation’s first elected Indian-American governor and Louisiana’s first non-white governor since Reconstruction. He made history again for his second term, winning his re-election bid with the highest margin in a Louisiana primary since the state moved to open primaries in 1975. The ceremony will feature cannon fire and an F-15 flyover. Deacon John will sing “God Bless America,” and a Louisiana National Guard soldier wounded in Afghanistan will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Jindal will take the oath of office from Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball, with his hand resting on the family Bible. “It is a humbling feeling to get up there and take that oath of office,” Jindal says. The governor also joked that he’ll keep his speech short so people can get on the road to New Orleans for the big game. Read the full story by The Associated Press here. In conjunction with today’s inauguration, Louisiana Public Broadcasting is sponsoring an “Inauguration Quiz Challenge.” Contestants can take the online quiz here. Answer 10 of the 12 questions correctly and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a copy of LPB’s six-part Louisiana: A History series and the companion book, Louisiana: An Illustrated History. LPB spokesman Bob Neese says the deadline for entries is Jan. 18.