Category: State of the News

Segment A: We’ll talk about the week’s metro news with WFPL staff.

Segment B: KPR’s Kenny Colston recaps the week in Frankfort, then the C-J’s Marcus Green joins us to talk about disappointing profits for the KFC Yum Center and the latest on the Ohio River Bridges Project.

Segment C: Are you battening down the hatches & locking yourself in your house for Saturday night’s basketball game? Or donning red or blue body paint and getting ready to party? We’ll talk basketball in our last segment, with sports journalists Bill Doolittle and Eric Craford, and the C-J’s Chris Otts, who reported on how Louisville bars and restaurants are preparing for the big game.

The weekly news round up got started today with some sports news.  Nothing But Net host Mark Bacon paid a visit to talk about the big NCAA upset last night of Louisville over Michigan, as well as to look ahead at other big games this weekend, including the UK/Indiana rematch.  Phillip Bailey discussed Rep. John Yarmuth’s bill that would end federal subsidies to oil companies and return the savings to American motorists.  The president and CEO of General Electric visited Louisville and gave a talk this week; Devin Katayama explained the new product line to be built at Appliance Park and the jobs that come with it.  Erica Peterson brought us up to date on some conversations between LG&E and the Metro Council, one involving a settlement on previous coal ash fines, and another about LG&E’s plans to convert some of their coal-fired facilities into natural gas plants.  Gabe Bullard had details on plans by the city to crack down on parking meter scofflaws, as well as Kroger’s recent decision to discontinue offering ground beef that contains the filler known as pink slime.  Finally, Erica Peterson discussed her feature about genetically modified corn finding its way into a signature Kentucky product, bourbon, and whether it matters or not.

In segment two, KPR’s Kenny Colston got us caught up on this week’s activities in the Kentucky General Assembly, including Senate budget changes, and the latest movement on the pseudoephedrine bill.  WFPL’s Erin Keane dropped in to talk about this week’s Humana Festival offerings, her chat with playwright Greg Kotis, and the unveiling of Actors Theatre’s 2012-2013 season.

For our last segment we spoke with the News and Tribune’s Jerod Clapp and LEO Weekly’s Anne Marshall for an update on tornado recovery in Southern Indiana, and some reflections on what it’s been like to cover the storm and its aftermath.

State of the News today got off to a start with a review of several recent stories involving 4th Street Live and the Cordish Company’s business relationship with Louisville’s leaders; Devin Katayama and Phillip Bailey fleshed it out.  A rose is a rose, but when is a cave not a cave? Erica Peterson explained how that question has come into play with LG&E’s plans for a coal ash landfill in Trimble County.  Devin Katayama described reactions at the first committee hearing on proposed changes to the Louisville’s landmarks ordinance.  Phillip Bailey explained an unusual situation in Indiana, where an election board has disqualified the residency of U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and ruled he is ineligible to vote in this upcoming re-election bid, meaning the longtime lawmaker will have to establish new residency.  This week Gov. Steve Beshear named Audrey Tayse Haynes as the new Secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services; Devin Katayama explained the circumstances and significance.

In segment two, we caught up with Kentucky Public Radio’s Capital Bureau Chief, Kenny Colston, for a rundown on the week’s activities in Frankfort.  Topics included three bills involving infrastructure and roads, UPIKE, the status of the state budget in the senate, pseud0ephedrine legislation, and more.

We also looked at the thriving automotive industry in 2012 in the U.S., and the corresponding boom and demand with auto parts suppliers.  We heard a feature from Michigan Radio’s Tracy Samilton, and followed that with a chat with Jere Downs, who covers Ford and the auto industry for the Courier-Journal.

Finally, we touched base with sports columnist Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal to hear his thoughts about the NCAA tournaments and his review of recent games involving area teams, and previews of upcoming games.

A quick look at today’s show:

1:06pm:  The major stories from Metro Louisville this week, including Mayor Fischer ordering an economic impact study of Fourth Street Live.

1:30pm:  Kenny Colston has the latest from Frankfort, including the governor’s appointment of a new Health and Family Services secretary.

1:40pm:  2012 is on track to be a big year for new automobile sales, which translates to lots of demand from auto parts suppliers, many of whom are hiring – if they can find the labor pool.  We’ll hear a feature from Michigan Radio and then speak with Jere Downs from the Courier-Journal about the local impact.

1:50pm:  Even WFPL News is not immune to March Madness.  We’ll go over some of the games and review teams with sports writer Eric Crawford.