Pat Englade from Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation (CALEF) joins the show to discuss efforts to provide bulletproof vests to local law enforcement agencies, including the Baton Rouge Police Department, LSU Police, and Southern University Police. He emphasized the importance of officer safety and how CALEF works to ensure departments have access to critical protective gear. The initiative aims to support officers on the front lines by equipping them with life-saving equipment through community and organizational support. Englade also shares about the Bourbon Raffle, which will be held on August 15th at Bowie Outfitters. 

For more information, visit: https://www.calef.la/

Lieutenant Don Coppola from Capital Region Crimestoppers joins the show to discuss the effectiveness of anonymous tips that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of wanted criminals. Coppola also shares about the upcoming fundraiser featuring a concert by Ned Fasullo on Saturday, August 2nd.

If you have any information and would like to leave an anonymous tip, call 344-7867.

For more, visit: crimestoppers225.com and facebook.com/CS225

State Representative Josh Carlson of Lafayette had a productive legislative session, successfully passing four bills, including HB 466, which focuses on teacher pay raises. Carlson joins the show to explain that the bill repurposes underutilized constitutionally protected education funds—totaling around $2 billion—to pay down a significant portion of the state’s $8 billion teacher retirement system debt. This move would free up approximately $300 million annually, allowing school systems to redirect those savings toward a permanent $2,250 pay raise for teachers.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to bring Louisiana teacher salaries closer to the Southern average. The proposal will appear as a standalone constitutional amendment on the April 2026 ballot, aiming to avoid the confusion of previous, more complex amendments.Carlson also highlighted HB 137, which allows clinical and medical psychologists to conduct emergency mental health evaluations via telehealth. This bill corrects an oversight from earlier legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that psychologists can issue Physicians Emergency Certificates (PECs) remotely. These certificates authorize temporary psychiatric holds for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. Carlson emphasized the real-world impact of this bill, citing a personal story where a PEC helped save someone’s life. The bill maintains safeguards, requiring a nurse or other professional to be physically present during the telehealth evaluation to ensure accountability.

Attorney Franz Borghardt joins the show to discuss the legal implications of a federal investigation that led to the arrest of several Louisiana police chiefs, including Oakdale’s Chad Doyle. The chiefs are accused of participating in a $5,000 visa fraud scheme involving falsified police reports sold to undocumented immigrants. Borghardt emphasized the serious breach of public trust and potential federal charges stemming from the misuse of law enforcement authority. 

Bailey Richard from Off The Hook and Becky Prejean from Dreams Come True join the show to discuss their summer partnership benefiting children with life-threatening illnesses. Through August 24, Off The Hook is offering special Sno-Balls To Go frozen treats, donating $1 from each sale to Dreams Come True of Louisiana. The collaboration blends local flavor with heartfelt purpose, helping fund joyful experiences for children and families across the state.

Hunt Palmer joins the show to recap highlights from SEC Media Days, focusing on LSU football’s outlook for the upcoming season and the buzz surrounding quarterback Arch Manning. Discussions included team expectations, standout players, and how LSU is positioning itself in the competitive SEC landscape. Palmer also touched on Manning’s development and media attention, offering insights into how both LSU and the broader SEC are shaping up ahead of the fall. 

Adam Chapman, President of Forum 225 highlighted the company's involvement in Plan BR3, a visionary initiative shaping the future of downtown Baton Rouge. The plan emphasizes urban development, with a strong focus on revitalizing the riverfront through improved pedestrian access, new retail and hospitality spaces, and community engagement. Forum 225 plays a key role by connecting young professionals with planners and city leaders, ensuring fresh ideas and inclusive input guide the city’s transformation.

Jill Kidder from Visit Baton Rouge joins the show to highlight the significant impact of the USBC Open Championships, a major bowling event that has been hosted in Baton Rouge since March and wraps up on July 28. While the event didn’t lead to full hotel occupancy, it still brought a noticeable boost in tourism, with increased hotel stays and spending across the city and surrounding region. Preliminary estimates suggest an economic impact of around $130 million, with final numbers expected in September.Most bowlers stayed downtown, but the overflow benefited other areas as well.

Restaurants and attractions reported increased traffic, and many bowlers extended their stays, turning short trips into longer vacations. The event has been likened to hosting a large convention every night for nearly six months, providing consistent business rather than a short-term spike.Anecdotes from the event include a couple getting engaged, a 93-year-old bowler who hasn’t missed a championship in over 50 years, and even a perfect game. Despite many bowlers performing below their average, they expressed enjoyment of their time in Baton Rouge.After the event, much of the temporary infrastructure, including materials used to build out the venue, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, potentially helping to frame several homes.

While there isn’t a single grand champion due to the tournament’s format, the event still offers substantial cash prizes and is the largest participatory indoor sport in the U.S.Baton Rouge hopes to host the event again in the future, possibly in the early 2030s, continuing a successful partnership that benefits both the city and the bowling community.

Attorney Franz Borghardt joins the show to discuss the recent arrest of Oakdale Police Chief Chad Doyle, who is in federal custody following a raid on his home as part of a broader federal investigation. The operation, involving the FBI, IRS, and Homeland Security, also led to the arrest of Forest Hill Police Chief Glynn Dixon. Additionally, new BRPD bodycam footage surfaced showing a suspect wielding scissors, adding to the heightened scrutiny of law enforcement activity in the region.