The federal government has cited Louisville for violating a key air quality standard. And that’s the EPA standard for fine particulates. As WFPL’s Kristin Espeland reports, the city is on track to get back into compliance, and there’s a chance it can do even better.
Fall Meet at Churchill Downs
The temperature is dropping and daylight is waning with each day that passes in Louisville. It’s the opposite of the weather you might think of when you think of the Kentucky Derby. But Churchill Downs officials are using the lure of the Derby to try to boost their attendance numbers for the fall meet, which begins October 28th.
WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders talked with Churchill Downs spokesperson Jennifer Stevens about the main differences in the spring meet and the fall meet and how the intrigue of the Derby plays out in October.
The Peace Alliance
A grassroots effort to establish a U.S. Department of Peace has now grown to all 50 states. The bill has 68 co-sponsors in Congress … but it has had congressional support before now.
The notion of having a U.S. Department of Peace was first introduced to Congress in 1792. Tune in as WFPL’s Heidi Caravan talks with Dot Maver, the leader of The Peace Alliance.
Olmstead Parks Conservancy
People from all over Metro Louisville enjoy more than a dozen parks all designed by Frederick Law Olmsted or his sons … including Cherokee, Seneca and Iroquois parks, along with many other smaller, neighborhood parks. But many of them are in need of caretaking that goes beyond what Metro Parks can provide … that’s where the Olmsted Parks Conservancy comes in.
WFPL’s Susan Sweeney Crum spoke this week with Mimi Zinniel, the new head of the conservancy, about the current state of the parks and projects that are underway.
Michael Franti
Michael Franti is a musician, songwriter and poet who is known for his political stances on the Iraq War, homelessness, AIDS, police brutality and the death penalty. He’s also a member of the band Spearhead, which has released the albums “Stay Human” and “Yell Fire!”.
He spoke with Stacy Owen of our sister station, WFPK.
Louisville residents have been breathing polluted air for years. Now, there’s hope of improving air quality as several city programs take shape. One targets the tiny particles that come from burning fossil fuels. Another tackles toxic chemicals. WFPL’s Kristin Espeland has the first of two reports on their progress.
Delinquent Child Support Publication
In 2005, Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze made the bold move to publish the names of people who owed back child support. Although some criticized the effort, the supplement in the Courier-Journal newspaper caused a sell-out of that edition and calls poured into the County Attorney’s Office. A new list was issued last year.
The lists from 2005 and 2006 have been attributed with bringing in almost two million dollars in back child support. This year’s list of dead beat parents is due on October 28th. WFPL’s Heidi Caravan spoke with Maze about the program and why it’s successful.
Smoking ban
It’s been three months since Louisville’s smoking ban went into effect. Before the change, some bar and restaurant owners were crying foul, saying their businesses would be negatively affected by the ban. WFPL’s Julie Goodwin looked into how the ban has been enforced and what it’s meant for Louisville businesses.
Colin Thubron
The Silk Road, just the name is enough to conjure up exotic images of lush fabrics, intense spices, and foreign lands of long ago. Award-winning travel writer Colin Thubron wondered what the journey would be like today, so in 2003 he set out to follow the modern day equivalent of the Silk Road.
Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Thubron about his travels from Xian, China to Antioch, Turkey and his new book, “Shadow of the Silk Road”.
A Day in the Life
If you haven’t been to the Hall of Justice in downtown Louisville, it’s probably because you haven’t had to pay a fine or attend a court hearing. WFPL’s Heidi Caravan recently went to the Hall of Justice voluntarily – to shadow Judge Michele Stengel during warrant court. Presiding over warrant court is one of the many duties for Judge Stengel. Listen in as we explore a day in the life of a district court judge.
Kentucky Youth Advocates
With the stroke of a pen thousands of children are in danger of losing healthcare coverage, according to Kentucky Youth Advocates Executive Director Terry Brooks. President George Bush vetoed a bill last week to fund SCHIP – the State Children’s Health Insurance. Tune in to hear Brooks explain what the measure means to Kentucky and why the Commonwealth’s delegation in Washington, D.C. is being asked to help.
Emily Goldstein
Louisville teenager Emily Goldstein recently returned from a ten-day trip to Manitoba, Canada for a youth leadership conference to study polar bears and climate change. A few weeks ago, Emily was featured in Studio 619 to talk about her expectations and goals for the trip.
This week, WFPL’s Susan Sweeney Crum catches up with Emily for a debrief.
KentuckyShow!
Do you remember KentuckyShow? Chances are, you do if you lived in this region a couple of decades ago. For those who didn’t, KentuckyShow! was a huge slide and audio presentation highlighting the Bluegrass State and its people.
It was shut down about seven years ago, but is now making a comeback. A new, high-tech version of the presentation will premiere in September 2008 at its new permanent home in the Kentucky Center.
Its new marketing director is Tim King – he spoke with WFPL’s Rick Howlett.
Farai Chideya
Is there a new civil rights movement on the horizon for the United States? Some people who have been closely following the fallout from the Jena 6 case in Louisiana say yes. WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders speaks with Farai Chideya, host of NPR’s News and Notes, about a series airing this month on the show about civil rights in the U.S., and what a civil rights movement would look like in the 21st century.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac
It’s that time of year again – the Old Farmer’s Almanac has hit newsstands and WFPL’s Rick Howlett speaks with Senior Editor Mare-anne Jarvela this week in Studio 619.
As usual, the periodical contains astronomical charts, weather forecasts, folk remedies and offbeat articles.
Rick finds out what’s in store for the Ohio River Valley area.
Louisville Kings
So maybe you’ve played soccer, or rugby, or maybe even football. But have you ever played or even watched Australian Rules football? It’s a faced paced game with a devoted following and the U.S. Nationals are being held in Louisville this year.
Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with members of the Louisville Kings Australian Rules Football Club about the game, how it’s played and what’s it doing in Louisville. The United States Australian Football League National Championships will be held in Louisville on October 13th and 14th.
Jug Band Jubilee
Louisville is the site of the historic Kentucky Derby, is the home of legend Muhammad Ali and makes those famous Sluggers… but it also was an integral part in the birth of jug band music. The genre is still alive and well today and is celebrated next weekend at the third annual Jug Band Jubilee.
WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders learns more about jug bands, the history of jug band music and the Jug Band Jubilee from a member of one of the pre-eminent jug bands in the country: Mr. Fish of the Juggernaut Jug Band.
Nickole Brown
With work that has been called “dangerous,” “grim and vivid,” as well as “unflinching and deeply intelligent,” Louisville native Nickole Brown is releasing her first collection of poems entitled Sister. Special to this collection, Sister is a series of individual poems connected through a novel’s arc. Here, we are presented with a story that is told both lyrically as well as in the vernacular tongue of Kentucky.
Join in with WFPL’s Deb Celizic as we listen to Brown read from and discuss this powerful new book.
