August's Guest and Topics

August 30, 2005 Guest: Barry Keim, Ed Reed, Kendall Hebert Topic: Guests reviewing the damage from Hurricane Katrina included state Climatologist Barry Keim and Kendall Hebert of the Red Cross. Also featured was historian Ed Reed, who recalled previous hurricanes in Louisiana and remembered Huey Long on the 112th anniversary of his birth. August 29, 2005 Guest: Louis Miller, Bobby Jindal, Johnnie Brown Topic: Jim and Louis Miller, host of the Lawn & Garden Show, assessed the impact of Hurricane Katrina as the storm pounded south Louisiana. Guests included Congressman Bobby Jindal and State Trooper Johnnie Brown. August 26, 2005 Guest: Max Baer Jr., Herb Vincent Topic: Actor and producer Max Baer (Jethro Bodine from the Beverly Hillbillies) recapped his career and remembered his dad, Max Baer Sr., who was heavyweight champion of the world; LSU Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent previewed the Sept. 3rd opening of the LSU football season and discussed the incomplete additions to Tiger Stadium. August 25, 2005 Guest: Andrei Codrescu, Elaine Smith Topic: Poet, essayist, author and filmmaker Andrei Codrescu previewed an exhibit at LSU's Hill Memorial Library featuring his life and times. Library curator Elaine Smith also appeared. August 24, 2005 Guest: Karen Futrell, Andrew Ashmore Topic: National Conference for Community Justice executive director Karen Futrell talked about the closing of the NCCJ Baton Rouge chapter after 51 years of operation; Fox Sports Vice President Andrew Ashmore discussed consolidation in radio and how it has affected programming, including sports. August 23, 2005 Guest: Encore of July 20 (Louis DeAngelo, Angele Davis, Sally Nungesser) Topic: Encore presentation of July 20 program featuring Louis DeAngelo, Angele Davis and Sally Nungesser. August 22, 2005 Guest: Sam Maranto Topic: Father Sam Marano talked about his role as pastor of a racially mixed congregation at St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Maranto also addressed sex abuse scandals which have plagued the church in recent years. August 19, 2005 Guest: Molly Buchmann, Jeremy Johnson, Patrick Abadie Topic: Molly Buchmann previewed a performance by the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre in which Molly and Sharon Matthews are to be honored for 30 years with the threatre; Jeremy Johnson and Patrick Abadie discussed the Q Film Fest to be held this weekend at the Shaw Center. The festival will feature six films with gay themes. August 18, 2005 Guest: Darrell Ourso, Lori Burgess, Leighton Ku Topic: Metro Council members Darrell Ourso and Lori Burgess talked about their support for an anti-smoking ordinance that went into effect in East Baton Rouge Parish this week; Leighton Ku, professor of public policy at George Washington University, opined about his belief in health care reform led by state governments. August 17, 2005 Guest: Manuel Martinez, Bill Profita Topic: Baton Rouge tailor Manuel Martinez talked about his participation in the recent World Congress of Tailors in Berlin as one of five representatives from the United States; Baton Rouge Regional Airport spokesman Bill Profita noted increased fares and airline financial concerns due to soaring fuel prices. August 16, 2005 Guest: Kimberly Willis Holt, Noel Hammatt, Ray Green Topic: Author Kimberly Willis Holt detailed her career as the writer of books aimed at children, including the 1999 National Book Award winner "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town." EBR School Board member Noel Hammatt promoted improvements in the local school system; Ray Green remembered his interview with Elvis Presley nearly 50 years ago. August 15, 2005 Guest:J.L. Nave, Yael Ravia Zadok Topic: Baton Rouge Symphony President J.L. Nave previewed the upcoming season; Yael Ravia Zodok, consul-general for Israel, discussed the disengagement process which began today as Israeli settlers left their homes in the Gaza Strip. August 12, 2005 Guest: Sean O'Keefe, Arthur Smith Topic: LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe discussed his first six months as leader of the Baton Rouge campus; Imagine Magazine editor and publisher Arthur Smith talked about philanthropy in Louisiana. August 11, 2005 Guest: Joe Dean Topic: Open Line discussion about the shooting death of Baton Rouge narcotics agent Terry Melancon; Former LSU Athletic Director Joe Dean remembered the late Lady Tiger basketball coach Sue Gunter and looked ahead to another expansion of Tiger Stadium. August 10, 2005 Guest: Darrell White, Hugh Buckingham, Matthew Felling Topic: Judge Darrell White and LSU Professor Hugh Buckingham debated President Bush's support of the public school teaching of intelligent design; Matthew Felling of the Center for Media and Public Affairs assessed the career of ABC news anchor Peter Jennings, who died Sunday after a battle with lung cancer. August 9, 2005 Guest: Victor Bussie Topic: Victor Bussie recalled his 41 years as Louisiana's AFL-CIO leader. August 8, 2005 Guest: Jeffrey Dvorkin, Bob Neese, Tiki Lauden Topic: NPR ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin reviewed his tenure at NPR with controversies swirling about public radio content and ideology. Bob Neese and Tiki Lauden previewed a Louisiana public broadcasting documentary about radio in Louisiana. August 5, 2005 Guest: Fred Dent, Ted Schirmer Topic: Green Beret Fred Dent and Vietnam veteran Ted Schirmer discussed the war in Iraq. August 4, 2005 Guest: Ralph Sims, Larry Hunter Topic: Radio legend Ralph Sims recalled a career that began in 1939 at WJBO; Economist Larry Hunter assessed the challenges of President Bush to secure support for a revamping of the Social Security system. August 3, 2005 Guest: John Kennedy and Ed Steimel Topic: State Treasurer John Kennedy discussed his defeat in last year's U.S. Senate race and his initiative to return unclaimed property to state residents; Former Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Ed Steimel recalled sometimes violent squabbles between labor and business interests in the state. August 2, 2005 Guest: Scott Ritter, Suzanne Johnson, Patricia McGinnis Topic: Former U.N. Chief Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter discussed the recess appointment of John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations; Organizers Suzanne Nora Johnson and Patricia McGinnis previewed tonight's Town Hall Meeting at LSU on jobs and the economy in Baton Rouge. WRKF is a sponsor of the event. August 1, 2005 Guest: Bernie Siegel, Karen Sharpe, Alvin Smith Topic: Dr. Bernie Siegel relayed his belief that physical health is tied to psychological fitness; Karen Sharpe recalled her late husband, Hollywood film making great Stanley Kramer; Alvin Smith discussed Youth Oasis, a program for needy youngsters in Baton Rouge.

July's Guest and Topics

July 28, 2005 Guest: Denise Austin, Johnny Rivers Topic: Fitness expert Denise Austin gave reasons why she looks great at 48; Music legend Johnny Rivers recalled his youth in Baton Rouge and his four-decade long performing career. July 27, 2005 Guest: Barry Lynn, Joe Cook, Tom McClusky, Patrick Sullivan, Fred Jacobs Topic: Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Joe Cook of the Louisiana ACLU and Tom McClusky of the Family Research Council weighed the merits of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts; Patrick Sullivan and Fred Jacobs previewed a Veterans Job Fair in Baton Rouge on Sept. 1. July 26, 2005 Guest: Jacqui Vines Topic: Cox Communications General Manager Jacqui Vines discussed her responsibilities as supervisor for 600 employees with 180,000 subscribers in the Baton Rouge area. July 25, 2005 Guest: Phil St. Amant Topic: Retired Col. Phil St. Amant of Baton Rouge voiced support for the U.S. war effort in Iraq and defended President Bush's adviser Karl Rove, who is accused of exposing a CIA operative. July 22, 2005 Guest: Steve Zuckerman, L.D. Sledge Topic: Neurologist Steve Zuckerman and former attorney L.D. Sledge weighed in on the merits of prescription drug use after actor Tom Cruise denounced uses of various forms of medication. July 21, 2005 Guest: Eleanor Smeal, Scott Wilfong Topic: Former NOW President Eleanor Smeal analyzed President Bush's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge John Roberts while Louisiana GOP activist Scott Wilfong voiced support for Judge Roberts. July 20, 2005 Guest: Louis DeAngelo, Angele Davis, Sally Nungesser Topic: Louis DeAngelo discussed the success of his pizza restaurant business, which he started in 1991 at the age of 19; Secretary of Culture, Recreation and Tourism Angele Davis spoke about Louisiana's ten billion dollar a year tourism business; Republican activist Sally Nungesser advocated the confirmation of Judge John Roberts to the United States Supreme Court. July 19, 2005 Guest: Gus Weill Topic: Political consultant Gus Weill remembered Louisiana Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, who will be buried today in Columbia, La. McKeithen was in his fifth term as the state's chief elections officer when he was paralyzed after a fall at his home in February. He died Saturday at age 58. July 18, 2005 Guest: Smiley Anders Topic: Baton Rouge Advocate columnist Smiley Anders unveiled his book, which recaps some of his most memorable columns from 1979-1990. July 15, 2005 Guest: Michael Shoob (Chris Gautreau host) Topic: Guest Host Chris Gautreau talked with Michael Shoob, co-director of "Bush's Brain," a documentary about President Bush's embattled aide Karl Rove. July 14, 2005 Guest: Gene Lyons Topic: Columnist Gene Lyons surveyed the controversy involving President Bush's chief adviser, Karl Rove, who is accused of revealing the identity of a CIA agent. Lyons also criticized reporter Judith Miller for going to jail rather than comply with a special prosecutor. July 13, 2005 Guest: Clarence Page, Sean O'Keefe, Mike McDaniel Topic: Pulitzer Prize winner Clarence Page analyzed the controversy surrounding President Bush's chief adviser Karl Rove, who is accused of leaking the identity of a CIA agent; LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe, the former NASA chief, reported the return of the space shuttle program as the Discovery prepared for lift-off at Cape Canaveral; DEQ Secretary Mike McDaniel discussed efforts to comply with federal ozone regulations in Baton Rouge. July 12, 2005 Guest: Gloria Allred, Randy Hayden, Nicole Magee Topic: Lawyer Gloria Allred and political consultant Randy Hayden discussed the strategy involved in choosing the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice; Nicole Magee talked about cancer services offered at Woman's Hospital. July 11, 2005 Guest: Gloria Allred, Randy Hayden, Nicole Magee Topic: Lawyer Gloria Allred and political consultant Randy Hayden discussed the strategy involved in choosing the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice; Nicole Magee talked about cancer services offered at Woman's Hospital. July 10, 2005 Guest: Richard Reeves, George Kennedy Topic: Columnist Richard Reeves expressed indignation over the jailing of New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who has refused to reveal sources to a special prosecutor; Consultant George Kennedy analyzed reasons why no major candidate for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana opposed the war in Iraq last year. July 8, 2005 Guest: Ed Reed (Chris Gautreau host) Topic: Historian Ed Reed assessed the current and past Louisiana political scene with guest host Chris Gautreau. July 7, 2005 Guest: Jay Dardenne Topic: State Senator Jay Dardenne of Baton Rouge analyzed the 2005 legislative session and discussed possible plans to seek statewide office in 2007. July 6, 2005 Guest: John Wirt, Warren Triche Topic: Baton Rouge Advocate entertainment writer John Wirt reviewed summer movies; State Representative Warren Triche recapped the legislative session and expressed opposition to state payments for the New Orleans Saints. July 5, 2005 Guest: Bob Edwards, Chris Warner, William Taylor, Doris Glass Topic: Bob Edwards talked of his 24 years as host of Morning Edition; Chris Warner unveiled his new book "Tiger Among Us;" Meteorologist William Taylor survey the path of Tropical Storm Cindy; Doris Glass of Swine Palace spoke about the last week for "Pump Boys and Dinettes." July 4, 2005 Guest:John Spain, Bob Courtney (encore presentation of 5-25-05 program) Topic: John Spain and Bob Courtney discussed their careers at WBRZ in Baton Rouge. July 1, 2005 Guest: Howard Dean, Bob Downing Topic: Democratic Party National Chairman Howard Dean talked of efforts by his party to regain support in the South; Court of Appeal Judge Bob Downing analyzed the impact of the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor from the U.S. Supreme Court. Downing also examined the split decision from the high court on displays of the Ten Commandments.