News

On Wednesday, the Metro Council will again be asked to vote on an ordinance that will impact LGBT people in the capital city. The proposal, which is similar to laws passed in Shreveport and New Orleans, is a local law that bans discrimination of gays, lesbians and transgender people in employment, housing and public accommodations.

East Baton Rouge City Council Member C. Denise Marcelle who is backing the ordinance, and Reverend Reginald Pitcher debate the subject while the phone lines explode.

Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson joins Jim in studio to discuss the happenings of the state police, recent legislation concerning the state police, and much, much more.

The Advocate's entertainment writer John Wirt joins Jim in studio to talk about recent entertainment events around the state, like the Essence Festival which set a record turnout.

Also, Christy Kirby and Pamela Vannorman stop by the studio to discuss their involvement with the 4th Annual BRAND Charity Golf Tournament coming up which is being held to raise money for disabled veterans.

After a rainy period in summer we typically see mushrooms popping up everywhere in the Baton Rouge area. 

Ed Haslam, author of Dr. Mary's Monkey joins Jim for the better part of today's show to discuss his book. The 1964 murder of a nationally known cancer researcher sets the stage for his gripping expose of medical professionals enmeshed in covert government operations over the course of three decades. Learn more at http://doctormarysmonkey.com.

Baton Rouge Green Program Director Robert Seeman drops by the studio to talk with Jim about the Plant Smart Baton Rouge Green Education Event. The event is tomorrow July 19th at the Hilltop Arboretum. Learn more at http://batonrougegreen.com/content.cfm?id=39.

Also, NPR's Political Junkie Ken Rudin joins he show for the last segment of the day to discuss everything politics in Louisiana. He and Jim discuss the upcoming Senate race between Sen. Mary Landrieu and Rep. Bill Cassidy; key issues in the upcoming elections, such as the state of Louisiana's economy; as well as Governor Bobby Jindal's popularity around the nation amidst his political goal of reaching the White House.

A couple of this fall’s congressional races could be particularly entertaining — with the “kissing Congressman”, Vance McAllister running for re-election in the 5th District in northern Louisiana, and ex-con/ex-governor Edwin Edwards running here in the 6th District. Jeremy Alford, publisher of LaPolitics.com, says both will be asking voters for forgiveness. 

Meanwhile, the Republican field in the senate race got a little thinner this week, with State representative Paul Hollis of St. Tammany dropping out. Congressman Bill Cassidy, of course, is still the GOP frontrunner to unseat Mary Landrieu. But another Republican, retired Air Force Col. Rob Manness, who has Tea Party support, is proving to be a factor. And Alford says this Senate race is already the most expensive Louisiana has ever seen.

David Clohessy, the Executive Director of the Snap Network (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) joins Jim for the first part of today's show to discuss the Louisiana Supreme Court's 6-1 ruling against seal of confessional in a recent case against a Baton Rouge Priest. Also, Attorney Michael Wolf joins the conversation in studio to discuss the recent court decision and explain the legal action taken.

Author Suzi Parker joins the show to talk with Jim about her book Sex in the South: Unbuckling the Bible Belt. Her book takes the reader on a private journey to an eccentric side of sin where Southerners secretly (and not-so-secretly) defy sexual convention.

Columnist for The Advocate Quin Hillyer and Director for the Louisiana Budget Project Jan Moller join Jim for the better part of today's show to discuss recent updates concerning Common Core, and much, much more.

Also, Executive Director of BR Walls Project Casey Phillips talks with Jim about the projects and murals his non-profit has set up around the city. 

LPB President and CEO Beth Courtney joins Jim as the day's first guest to discuss the documentary Breaking Away. Airing tonight on LPB, Breaking Away asks the question: would the breakaway city of St. George quash Baton Rouge's school desegregation process? It airs tonight on LPB at 10pm after the Frontline special Separate and Unequal.

Today on The Jim Engster Show, longtime political consultant Raymond Strother joins us for the full hour to discuss the upcoming U.S. Senate battle: Democrats v. Republicans. Considered the father of modern political consulting, Strother's former clients include Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Gary Hart. He predicts a Landrieu victory in the Louisiana Senate election coming up this November; talks on how campaigns strategically target gender; and even chimes in on Governor Bobby Jindal's bid for the presidency.

Heroin-related deaths in East Baton Rouge Parish spiked last year - the Coroner's office recorded 35 fatalities. Only Jefferson and Orleans Parish had as many.

To try to stop the deaths, a new law will allow not just paramedics, but all first responders to carry the drug Narcan - which can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose within seconds.

But some activists say the law doesn't go far enough. They say they'll keep distributing Narcan themselves directly to drug users illegally.