Jim Engster

Credit Tim Mueller
Host

Every weekday Jim engages listeners with compelling discussions ranging from presidential and gubernatorial campaigns to LSU football and the aftermath of disasters like Hurricane Isaac.

Jim serves as president of the Louisiana Radio Network and Tiger Rag Magazine and hosted the statewide offering Louisiana Live from 1998-2003. The Jim Engster Show has been part of the WRKF schedule since March 1, 2004.

In a career spanning more than three decades, Jim has interviewed nine Louisiana governors and has reported on every gubernatorial election since 1975. He has also shared the microphone with leaders of other states including Bill Clinton of Arkansas, Jerry Brown of California and Jesse Ventura of Minnesota.

Writers Ernest Gaines, Rex Reed and Immaculee’ Ilabagiza and two actresses who spent much of their youth in the Baton Rouge area---Debbie Allen and Lynn Whitfield -- are some of Jim’s favorite interviewees.

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Jim Engster
9:11 am
Fri March 15, 2013

FRIDAY: WAFB's Matt Williams, Advocate Columnist Ed Cullen, CNN's Bryan Monroe

WAFB Channel 9 morning news anchor and Crimestoppers reporter Matt Williams drops by, to talks about...everything.

A visit with Advocate columnist, and former  "All Things Considered" host Ed Cullen, who is retiring after 40 years with the paper.

CNN Politics editor Bryan Monroe, who'll be keynote speaker at the Diversity in Media forum Monday night at BRCC.  Jim will moderate that forum.


The Jim Engster Show
11:50 am
Wed March 13, 2013

THURSDAY: Child Welfare Expert Dr. Mark Courtney, Ad Exec Hunter Territo, Dan Borne

Jim talks with child welfare specialist Dr. Mark Courtney, from the University of Chicago, about foster care in Louisiana, and the challenges and problems therein. He's joined by Dana Hunter, from LSU's School of Social Work.

Advertising executive Hunter Territo, President of the American Advertising Federation - Baton Rouge, discusses the latest news on Governor Jindal's proposed tax reforms, and a threatened tax on media advertising.

Dan Borne, President of The LA Chemical Association and a deacon in the Catholic Church, talks about the new pontiff, Pope Francis I.

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The Jim Engster Show
12:03 pm
Tue March 12, 2013

WEDNESDAY: Education Expert Diane Ravitch, Actress Debbie Allen, BR Ballet's Molly Buchmann

Jim chats with education historian and former Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch talks about education reforms in Louisiana and recent court rulings against their constitutionality.

Actress, dancer, choreographer, producer & director Debbie Allen visits to talk about her annual  Debbie Allen Dance Academy performance here in Baton Rouge; a tribute to former Arts Council of GBR director Derek Gordon, who passed away last year.

Baton Rouge Ballet Artistic Director Molly Buchmann talks about the annual Spring Concert and other upcoming events.


The Jim Engster Show
10:14 am
Mon March 11, 2013

TUESDAY: Former Shaw Group CEO Jim Bernhard, NPR's Debbie Elliot

Jim chats with former Shaw Group CEO Jim Bernhard about Louisiana's economy and her politics.

NPR reporter Debbie Elliot drops by the studio to talk about covering Hurricane Katrina, The BP Oil Spill and now the Bayou Corne sinkhole. Debbie will speak tonight at the Reilly Theater at LSU


The Jim Engster Show
12:04 pm
Fri March 8, 2013

MONDAY: LSU's David Kurpius, Law Professor David Orentlicher, Chesley Heymsfield, Elissa Altman

Jim talks with LSU's David Kurpius about the Tiger Bridge program, which could allow students at a Baton Rouge Community College to live on the LSU campus.

Law professor and author David Orentlicher, who promotes  a bipartisan two president system in his book, "Two Presidents Are Better Than One:

Chesley Heymsfield, with the Louisiana International Film Festival, coming up in April.

Author & humorist Elissa Altman talks about her new book, "Poor Man's Feast"


The Jim Engster Show
11:01 am
Thu March 7, 2013

FRIDAY: ACLU Director Marjorie Esman, Rev. Chris Andrews, Politico Gus Weill

Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman talks about proposed prison sentencing reforms, for non-violent offenders,  endorsed by Governor Jindal.

Rev. Chris Andrews, with Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, talks about volunteer charity home repair projects going on this weekend.

A visit with veteran political consultant Gus Weill.


The Jim Engster Show
11:08 am
Wed March 6, 2013

THURSDAY: Author Jeffrey Frank, Singer Mary Wilson, Playwright John Biguenet

Author Jeffrey Frank discusses his new book, "Ike & Dick: Portrait of a Strange Political Marriage"

Legendary singer Mary Wilson, formerly of the Supremes, talks about her career and her upcoming performance Saturday at the LSU Union Theater in "Stormy Weather", a tribute to Lena Horne.

Playwright John Biguenet talks about his play "Rising Water", about the flooding of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, running now through the 17th at LSU's Swine Palace"

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The Jim Engster Show
10:18 am
Tue March 5, 2013

WEDNESDAY: State Rep. Ted James, American Cancer Society's Andrew Muhl

Rev. Timothy Keller gets the show started by discussing Christianity in America and the world today.

Jim talks with Baton Rouge state Representative Ted James and Andrew Muhl, with the American Cancer Society, about Governor Jindal's plans to raise tobacco taxes as part of his big tax reforms.


The Jim Engster Show
10:10 am
Mon March 4, 2013

TUESDAY: LDOR's Tim Barfield, Jazz Trumpeter Wayne Bergeron

A visit with Louisiana Department Of Revenue head Timothy Barfield, to talk about Governor Jindal's proposed tax reform plan.

Jazz trumpter Wayne Bergeron, who'll perform tonight at the LSU Union Theatre

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The Jim Engster Show
10:19 am
Fri March 1, 2013

MONDAY: Filmmaker Zack Godshall with Susan Schaller, Professors Geoff Nagle and Kirby Goidel

Jim chats with south Louisiana filmmaker Zack Godshall, director of the documentary "A Man Without Words", and author Susan Schaller, who wrote the non-fiction book upon which the film is based.

Tulane University's Dr. Geoff Nagle and LSU's Dr. Kirby Goidel discuss a recent joint study on early childhood development in Louisiana.

Jim talks with Dr. Jeff Carney, with LSU's Coastal Sustainability Studio.


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