WRKF-FM 89.3

07/16/2024

Thank you, Clare and Tom Lamparter, for donating your vehicle to WRKF! Your generous contribution provides quality programming for our community. We deeply appreciate your support! 🚗📻 https://wrkf.careasy.org/home

06/20/2024

Tonight (June 20th) MLB will host a game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL. In its 114-year history, the field has seen everything from segregated baseball, a women's suffrage event, a Klan rally, and the first integrated sports team in Alabama.

Check out Road to Rickwood, a podcast from WRKF and WWNO where host Roy Wood Jr. speaks with historians, former Negro Leaguers, and more to explore how Birmingham's civil rights story played out at America's oldest ballpark.

WWNO Public Radio for New Orleans providing NPR news, culture and the stories of the people, places, and events that make New Orleans unique.

06/07/2024

We are excited to announce that Jim Engster, host of our live daily call-in show for 17 years and former general manager, is this year's Founders Award Honoree.
Our Community Catalyst Award will go to Jenni Peters, owner of Varsity Sports, for her pioneering efforts in fostering a running culture in Baton Rouge and her unwavering commitment to encouraging citizens to participate in community planning.
We dropped by our honorees’ offices to tell them. Pictured are Jim with Development Director Barbara Clark, Board of Directors Event Chair Barbara Carey, and General Manager Paul Maassen. Jenni is shown with Barbara Carey and Barbara Clark.
WRKF's Eighth Annual Founders Luncheon with multiple Pulitzer Prize winner Marty Baron will be at Crowne Plaza Baton Rouge on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. https://bontempstix.com/events/wrkfs-8th-annual-founders-luncheon-with-marty-baron-9-27-2024

06/06/2024

We are proud of Taylor's recognition by the Folk Alliance. Read more in John WIrt's feature in The Advocate And listen to WRKF's own local folk music icon on Hootenanny Power Saturdays at 9 p.m.

It’s Saturday night on the radio and, once again, Taylor Caffery is cruising on “Hootenanny Power.”

05/21/2024

Looking for something fun😁to do? Want to connect with like-minded people who love Public Radio? Come join us today, Tuesday, for our Listener Meet-Up at MJ’s Cafe 🌱! Details below. We can’t wait to see you there!

04/30/2024

Afrofuturism has been codified in creative and science disciplines, including theater, music, literature, fashion, and science fiction. The 2018 and 2022 installments of the movie Black Panther then brought afrofuturism to the big screen, showcasing an emerging afrofuturistic approach to architecture in almost every scene. This talk will explore what that means in research and design from perspectives of imagination, technology, the future, and liberation.

01/08/2024

The New Orleans Police Department is the latest law enforcement agency in the region that’s turning to drones for help with investigations, but many residents are uneasy about the planned program.

The Gulf States Newsroom’s Kat Stromquist obtained more than 350 pages of public comments concerning the program for her latest report. Here’s what they said.

The Gulf States Newsroom obtained more than 350 pages of public comments concerning the NOPD’s planned drone program. Here’s what they said.

01/05/2024

Temperatures dropping across the Gulf South mean one thing — it’s gumbo weather!

But putting together this classic Louisiana dish can cost a lot more than expected at the grocery store these days.

The Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins and Stephan Bisaha went on a shopping trip with a New Orleans chef to see how the official inflation numbers match up against the gumbo inflation index.

With a variety of ingredients from across the region, making a pot of gumbo can illustrate a lot of the ways inflation impacts the average grocery shopper.

12/28/2023

It's PRIME TIME to give a year-end gift to WRKF. Thursday morning your gift is matched by the member challenge fund.
AND the person who gives the most Thursday 12/28 by 10 a.m. will receive eight six-ounce Prime boneless tenderloin steaks and eight six-ounce Prime ground beef patties from Allen Brothers, Chicago. wrkf.org/donate 855-893-9753

12/27/2023

Give before the year end and your gift will be matched by donors to WRKF's member challenge fund.

12/13/2023

Join the Gulf States Newsroom on Thursday, Dec. 14, for a virtual listening session and conversation on the “Place, Erased” series.

Details here ⬇️

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12/08/2023

The WRKF elves decorated the station for the holidays today. Thanks to Blythe for untangling the lights, which had been taken down by staff who were not members of our operations department 😊

11/29/2023

From mystery meat to the lunch lady, Pennington Biomedical Research Center registered dietitian Cathy Carmichael will offer insight into the challenges and joys of school lunch. For example, did you know that research shows that children who eat school lunch consume more fruits and veggies? Carmichael will share information on the importance of taste, nutrition, presentation and the school nutrition professionals serving school meals in this enlightening talk.

11/28/2023

It’s Giving Tuesday! Be a part of this global movement of generosity and support WRKF. Visit the Baton Rouge Area Foundation Giving Store at braf.org/givingstore or go to our website at wrkf.org. Thank you!

11/20/2023

When you think of jiu-jitsu, Decatur, Alabama, might not be the first place to come to mind. But for the last five years, it’s been home to the only professional jiu-jitsu league in the U.S.

The Gulf States Newsroom’s Joseph King latest details the growth of the Professional Grappling Federation, and how it’s brought competitive grapplers from all over the world to the small, North Alabama city.

For acclaimed grappler Brandon Mccaghren, Decatur, Alabama, was the perfect place to grow the Professional Grappling Federation from idea to reality.

11/16/2023

Over the last year, state legislatures in the Gulf South saw a deluge of bills aimed at LGBTQ people, especially transgender youth.

The unintended consequence of these policies? They’re causing some doctors to leave a region already experiencing a serious shortage of health care providers.

The loss of specialized doctors due to the influx of anti-LGBTQ laws is the latest blow to a region already dealing with a shortage of health care providers.

11/08/2023

WRKF will hold its Seventh Annual Founder’s Luncheon featuring NPR correspondent, Debbie Elliot. This year’s topic will be “Stories, Secrets and Scoundrels of the South.” Purchase a table or a ticket here: https://bontempstix.com/events/wrkfs-seventh-annual-founders-luncheon-with-debbie-elliott-11-30-2023. Hope to see you there!

10/31/2023

Have a happy and spooky Halloween, everyone!

10/28/2023

It’s a beautiful day at the Louisiana Book Festival. ☀️📚📻 We hope you’ll pop by our table to say hi!

10/27/2023

The 82nd Magic City Classic is going down this weekend in Birmingham.

The annual clash between Alabama’s two largest HBCUs is about much more than football, though. As the Gulf States Newsroom’s Joseph King found out, it’s also about fashion.

For many, the annual game between HBCU rivals Alabama A&M and Alabama State is about more than football. It’s a chance to connect and celebrate Black culture.

10/26/2023

With the global shift to electric vehicles accelerating, Southern states are betting on it ushering in a manufacturing renaissance in the region.

But as the Gulf States Newsroom’s Stephan Bisaha reports, some workers and experts caution that it must be done carefully.

While some believe electric vehicles could lead to a southern manufacturing renaissance, workers and experts caution that it must be done carefully.

10/24/2023

Journey with actor and LSU School of Theatre adjunct faculty member Joe Chrest as he takes us behind-the-scenes on the hit Netflix series, “Stranger Things.” He plays Ted Wheeler, the dad of Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard. Chrest will share his experience being part of a show that has become a cultural phenomenon.

Joe Chrest is a veteran of over 100 screen roles and more than 60 plays and musicals. He holds a B.F.A. Degree in Directing from Marshall University in his home state of West Virginia and an M.F.A. Degree from LSU. He is a co-founding member of the regional theatre, Swine Palace.
Chrest first appeared as the malevolent bellhop, Ben, in Steven Soderbergh's, “King of the Hill” and followed that with the widely acclaimed performance as Mr. Rodman in Soderbergh's,"The Underneath."

Nearly unrecognizable in many of his roles, Chrest continues the chameleon-like range of these early performances to the widely different characters of recent films, from the steely quiet sharpshooter, Mitchell, in "Mockingjay Part 2" to Jonah Hill's nerdy dad, David Schmidt in "21 Jump Street" to the despicable Southern aristocrat, Amos Deason in "Free State of Jones."

Chrest has also performed on stages from The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to The Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, working with Tony Award-winning directors.
He also served in the United States Air Force where he was recognized for "Cold War" service and expert marksmanship.

10/20/2023

This wrestling season will be one for the history books at Huntingdon College. That’s because the Hawks are fielding the only collegiate women’s wrestling team in the Gulf South.

The Gulf States Newsroom’s Joseph King traveled to Montgomery, Alabama for the Hawks’ season opener to learn more about the team.

Players, coaches and school officials hope Huntingdon's women's wrestling program can serve as a blueprint to continue the sport's growth in the South.

10/12/2023

A record-hot summer in the Gulf South meant cranking up the AC. But for some, the power bills that came with it are still a burden.

In the latest Utility Bill of the Month installment, Stephan Bisaha talks to one Mississippi man about the high cost of staying cool.

This summer’s high temperatures also brought higher utility bills. The spike caused some, like Christopher Bogan, to make tough choices with their budget.

10/02/2023

🎉It's New Member Monday: Avery Davidson from the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation is in the studio today with challenge money! They are matching donations from first time donors dollar-for-dollar.

Are you already a monthly donor?! Increase your monthly gift and Louisiana Farm Bureau will add a $50 bump to your donation.

🐊A gift of $10 a month or more will get you a pair of these sweet socks Avery is wearing.

Give now at wrkf.org/donate. Thank you!

09/29/2023

It's Fri-YAY! 🙌 And YAY for Mary Durusau, Museum Director for Louisiana's Old State Capitol. She's not only an integral part of our community but also a dear friend and a dedicated supporter of WRKF's mission. Thank you for taking the time to be on air with us during Morning Edition!

And what a fun bonus that her husband, Barry Irwin, President of CABL, followed her as the first guest on Talk Louisiana.

Talk about starting the weekend on a high note! 🚀 The only thing that could make this day better is hearing from YOU... support your public radio listening with a donation: wrkf.org/donate and THANKS!

09/28/2023

Meet Bea Cole, WRKF’s new Membership Manager. Let’s make her first day of WRKF's Fall Member Fest (as Membership Manager) a success. Donate at wrkf.org. Thanks!

09/28/2023

Thank you to Tyler Lane of Gerry Lane Chevrolet for helping us kick off the first day of WRKF's Fall Member Fest - the time of year we ask you to put a dollar amount on your listening.

When you make your donation this morning, your gift will be matched by the Gerry Lane Chevrolet Corporate Challenge Fund.

Call 855-893-9753 or click over to wrkf.org.

Thank you!

09/27/2023

It’s been six months since a catastrophic tornado ripped across the lower Mississippi Delta and into Alabama, killing at least 23 people and injuring dozens more.

Communities caught in the path of the storm are still rebuilding, but as the Gulf States Newsroom’s Maya Miller reports, some residents fear they’re being left behind.

As national attention wanes and volunteers head to other disasters, residents of Rolling Fork and nearby Silver City have been left to recover on their own.

09/26/2023

Join environmental planning and policy researcher Dr. Margaret Reams to learn more about how effective science communication can help address real-world problems for communities in Louisiana and beyond. Trusted sources are especially important when delivering technical information and can influence public risk perceptions about environmental hazards and new technology. One example Dr. Reams will discuss is the public’s perception of carbon capture, utilization and storage, which is a strategy aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate climate change.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Margaret Reams is the Joseph D. Martinez Professor of Environmental Sciences, and leader of the Community Engagement Core and a Co-Principal Investigator of the LSU Superfund Research Program, which is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. She studies a variety of policy issues related to environmental and ecological phenomena and community resilience. She was awarded LSU’s distinguished teaching award for graduate-level teaching. Dr. Reams has supervised over 75 master’s theses on various issues of environmental policy and public attitudes. She served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, helping to develop the Best Practices Manual for Resilient Coastal Communities.
LSU Science Café is presented in partnership with Campus Federal Credit Union and WRKF.