State of Affairs Blog

The snow was flurrying this morning and it seems our first winter weather of the year has descended on us here in Louisville…in the second half of January. The unseasonably warm temperatures of this season have made the weather a topic for more than just small talk over the past few months. While not everyone's complaining about not having snow to shovel, the warm conditions have sparked new concerns about global warming and whether it's happening faster than we think. And just what is El Nino? Joining us this Wednesday are three local meteorologists to help us answer the question that's been on everyone's non-chapped lips … what's up with the weather?!

Guest:
John Belski, Chief Meteorologist, WAVE3-TV
Jay Cardosi, Chief Meteorologist, WLKY32-TV
Paul Emmick, Meteorologist, WDRB-TV, Fox 41

Links:
What's Up with the Weather? The Truth About Global Warming
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's El Nino Page
Severe Weather Primer

Posted by Laura Ellis at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In 1969, during the decade of the Summer of Love and Woodstock, President Richard Nixon declared a "war on drugs." The government made good on the rhetoric the following year with the Controlled Substances Act, the legislation upon which today's War on Drugs is based. In spite of tough consequences and strict enforcement, drug use in the U.S. is still a problem; our nation spent around $45.5 billion in the war on drugs in 2005. From the beginning, the government's anti-drug measures have had critics, and today is no different. Join us this Tuesday for a conversation about the U.S.'s War on Drugs, and call us with your thoughts and questions.

LISTEN

Guests:
Gary L. Fisher, author, "Rethinking Our War on Drugs"
Tony King, Resident Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville

Links:
Drug Enforcement Agency
Frontline: 30 Years of America's War on Drugs
Punishment & Prejudice: Racial Disparities in the War on Drugs
Partnership for a Drug-Free America

Posted by Laura Ellis at 09:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[Originally broadcast on Sept. 29, 2006]

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. For years, environmental justice groups like Rubbertown Emergency Action (REACT) and The West Jefferson County Community Task Force (WJCCTF) have been campaigning to stop toxic air pollution from Rubbertown chemical plants. But have they made any headway? What’s going on in other parts of the country? Join us Friday to find out more about environmental justice and how you can do your part to stop pollution in your community.

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Guests:
Tom Fitzgerald, local environmental activist, KY Resources Council
Eboni Cochran, local activist, member REACT Louisville
Fred Millar, PhD, Expert/lobbyist in nuclear waste transportation/ and chemical accident prevention

Links:
REACT Louisville
Kentucky Resources Council
Louisville's Bucket Brigade: Rubbertown's Environmental Crime Watch

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Could the stress from that looming deadline at work be causing your muscle cramps? Will your primary care physician laugh if you say you’d like to try acupuncture to alleviate your allergy symptoms? These and other questions are addressed in the fields of holistic health – treating the whole person, and looking at the patient’s life as a whole – and integrative medicine, which mixes traditional and alternative medical techniques to create an individual’s customized health plan. This Friday on State of Affairs, we’ll learn more about this pluralistic approach to getting and staying well – join us with your thoughts and questions about holistic health and integrative medicine.

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Guests:
Kim Evans, Nurse Practitioner, Certified in Holistic Medicine
Wendy Daly, MD, Pediatrician
Alan Simon, Pharmacist, Simon's Prospect Apothecary
John Baird, MD, Healing Options

Links:
American Holistic Health Association
Wikipedia: Alternative Medicine
To Teach or not to Teach: The Role of Alternative Medicine in Med School Curricula
Complementary Medicine & Alternative Medicine News
International Association of Yoga Therapists

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Be wary of shopping online if the vendor doesn’t list a customer service number and physical mailing address. Don’t sign up for home improvements from someone who comes knocking at your door offering a “special price” on them. Be conscious of the subtle psychology at work while you shop, and how product placement can affect you subliminally. Being an alert consumer involves being sensible with your money and not letting your desire to be thrifty override your common sense. But there are tips and tricks that even the smartest shoppers haven’t heard. Tune in this Thursday to hear them, and share some tips of your own, about being a savvy consumer.

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Guests:
Todd Leatherman, Executive Director, Consumer Protection, KY Attorney General
Charlie Mattingly, President, Better Business Bureau of Louisville

Links:
Louisville Better Business Bureau
Federal Trade Commission - Information for Consumers
KY Attorney General - Consumer Protection
Online Shopping Tips (PDF)
Savvy Shopping Secrets: The Tricks Supermarkets Use to Get You to Buy More
Store Credit Cards: Snappy Perks, High Interest

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

According to the Mankind Project, a nonprofit organization focused on spiritual training and coaching for men, every man has an inner warrior, but societal pressures cause them to repress it. Attendees of Mankind Project events call themselves “new warriors,” and say their experiences with the group have made them better husbands, fathers, and members of the community. The group does have its detractors – some are former members or their spouses – who say unhealthy practices go on at Mankind meetings and liken the group to a cult. Today we’ll talk to some members of the Kentucky chapter about their experiences with the organization.

LISTEN

Guests:
Wayne Luthi, Current Leader and Brother, MKP of Kentucky
Harold Cates, Founding Brother, MKP of Kentucky
Craig Henrick, Brother, MKP of Kentucky

Links:
Mankind Project of Kentucky
Mankind Project (National)
New 'Warriors' Bare Their Souls
Wikipedia: Mankind Project
Cult Education Project: Mankind Project

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Earlier this month, the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center biennial report on the trends shaping the future of Kentucky. The 194-page report, Visioning Kentucky’s Future: Measures and Milestones 2006, includes separate sections focusing on Kentucky’s communities, education, economy, environment, and government. The news is mixed – for example, while we’ve made statewide improvements in test scores and college enrollment, our education rankings relative to the rest of the country remains little changed. For more about this and the rest of the report’s findings, join us on Tuesday when we take a look at what the future holds for our Commonwealth.

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Guests:
Mike Childress, Executive Director, KY Long-Term Policy Research Center
Michael Smith-Mello, Senior Policy Analyst, KYLTPRC
Amy Watts, Policy Analyist, KYLTPRC

Links:
Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center
Kentucky State Data Center
Kentucky Statistics

Posted by Laura Ellis at 09:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[Original Broadcast on Sept. 12, 2006]

In the last few years, vehicle owners have become increasingly frustrated with rising fuel costs. While a number of steps have been taken to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector through the implementation of numerous laws and policies, it would appear as though little has been done to alleviate the growing energy supply problems. In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act. The objective was to reduce petroleum use in transportation by encouraging the use of alternative fuels in light-duty vehicles (cars and light trucks). So, what are alternative fuels? How are alternative fuels being used today? What new laws have been passed? What’s in store for the future? How can you become more involved in the use of alternative fuels? Join us Monday for the answers to these and other questions about alternative fuels.

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Guests:
Melissa Howell, Director, Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition
James Bush, KY Office of Energy Policy Program Manager, Renewable Energy
Nancy Cox, Phd, UK, Director, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Associate Dean for Research

Posted by Laura Ellis at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Do you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes? Do you smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol? If so, you could be at risk for heart disease. It's the leading cause of death in the U.S., accouting for a whopping 29 percent of deaths nationwide. Join us this Friday to learn more about different kinds of heart disease, explore the causes and treatments, and find out how you can reduce your risk and maximize your heart health.

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Guests:
Laman Gray, MD, Surgeon
Robert Dowling, MD, Surgeon
Steven C. Koenig, MD, Bioengineer

Links:
American Heart Association
MedLine Plus: Heart Diseases
New York Times Health News: Heart Disease
KY Heart Disease Fact Sheet (PDF)

Posted by Laura Ellis at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In its simplest sense, diplomacy is the art of negotiation - bringing parties with differing goals to a compromise with a minumum of ill will. In practice, in the political sense, it is a delicate give-and-take between those skilled communicators entrusted to speak on behalf of nations. Why is diplomacy important, and how do diplomatic exchanges shape nations' views of each other? Joining us this Thursday is Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, for a conversation about diplomacy.

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Ambassador Cavanaugh will give a presentation this evening at the Filson Historical Society, entitled Talk is Cheap - The High Value of Diplomatic Dialogue. The event is currently wait-listed; to be put on the list, call 635-5083.

Guest:
Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, director, Patterson School of Diplomacy & International Commerce, UofK

Links:
Wikipedia: Carey Cavanaugh
Wikipedia: Diplomacy

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The homicide rate is down, DUI arrests on New Year's Eve were up, meth labs are cropping up within the metro city limits, and the struggle to improve relations and build trust between the police and the policed continues. Amidst it all, the man at the helm seems to remain optimistic but realistic, and keeps working hard to make Louisville a safe and law-abiding town. Metro Police Chief Robert White joins us for his biannual visit this Wednesday, and it's your chance to ask questions and share your thoughts about the police department and law enforcement in Louisville.

LISTEN

Guest:
Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White

Links:

Louisville Metro Police Department
Louisville Crime Lab Metro Mapper

Posted by Laura Ellis at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[Note from Behind the Scenes: Our dear Julie Kredens is stuck at the Midway Airport in Chicago, so Producer Robin Fisher will be guest hosting today! Julie is expected to return this afternoon so she can host tomorrow's show with Chief White.]

Mention the name Muhammad Ali to a Louisvillian and you will get an unmistakable sense of hometown pride. Much of the drama of Ali's life has played out in Derby City, from when he was a child named Cassius Clay to the iconic - and possibly anachronistic - moment he flung his Olympic Gold Medal into the Ohio River. But what do we really know about the life and work of our hometown champ and what he's meant to our city? Join us this Tuesday for a converation about the man who called himself "the greatest," and a new film about his life and times in Louisville.

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Guests:
Steve Crump, Filmmaker, "Louisville's Own Ali"
Milton Metz, Louisville radio & television personality
Billy Reed, sports writer

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[Original Broadcast on Oct. 10, 2006]

For 45 years, attorney, author, and minister Fred Gray has led the fight for civil rights in America. As a college student, Gray vowed, “to become a lawyer, return to Alabama, and destroy everything segregated I could find.” At age 24 he began his unprecedented career by representing Rosa Parks whose actions initiated the Montgomery Bus Boycott. He was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s first civil rights lawyer and has successfully represented clients in such notable cases as Williams v. Wallace, where Governor Wallace and the State of Alabama were ordered to protect marchers as they walked from Selma to Montgomery to present grievances as a result of being unable to vote. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Gray was also the driving force behind the establishment of the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center and is the first African-American President of the Alabama State Bar Association. This Tuesday we'll rebpradcast our October interview with Civil Rights leader Fred Gray.

LISTEN

[Original Broadcast on Oct. 10, 2006]

Posted by Laura Ellis at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[Original Broadcast on Sept. 28, 2006]

In recent years, many grammarians have taken the position that proper grammar has fallen by the wayside in schools, homes and businesses across America. Scholars everywhere have been beating the eternal drum of language rules. There is even a new holiday celebrating punctuation and aptly named, National Punctuation Day. Educators have, of course, always faced the uphill battle of teaching proper grammar to our children, but it appears that much of it just doesn’t stick with us. Do you know the difference uses of to, too and two? Do you remember, from your school days, the proper use of quotation marks, a semicolon or ellipses? And when exactly are you splitting an infinitive? This Thursday we will put ourselves to the test and fight the grammar battle.

LISTEN

Guest:
Richard Lederer, author

Links:
Richard Lederer's Verbivore
Correct American: The Decline of Grammar
Common Errors in English
A Brief Overview of Punctuation

[Original Broadcast on Sept. 28, 2007]

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As usual, 2006 was a busy year for the Louisville Metro Health Department! They've administered countless flu shots - and there are plenty left if you still need yours. They've been keeping an eye on our restaurants to make sure things are sanitary and protect us from the food contamination occurring at an alarming rate elsewhere in the country. They've been consulted about the city's smoking ordinance and have even weighed in, so to speak, on the trans-fat ban. Catching up with us this Thursday is Dr. Adewale Troutman, Director of the Louisville Metro Health Department. Join us to hear what's new and ask your questions about Louisville's health.

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Guest:
Dr. Adewale Troutman, Director, Louisville Metro Health Department

Links:
Louisville Metro Health Department
Get the Facts on Flu Season
LMHD Food Hygiene Program
LMHD Center for Health Equity

Posted by Laura Ellis at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[PROGRAM NOTE: Today's originally-scheduled show about Neighborworks had to be rescheduled due to a guest's illness. We're working on rescheduling the show for a later date!]

In 2005 Louisville was named one of the "100 Best Communites for Young People" by Colin Powell's America's Promise organization. In bestowing the award the group cited Metro Louisville's various youth programs such as Every1Reads, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Mayor's Healthy Hometown. So, do you know what Lousiville has to offer its youth? Have you heard of the Metro Youth Development Office? Join us on Wednesday to learn more about Metro Youth.

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Guests:
Darrell Aniton, Director Metro Youth Development
Bob Markert, Coordinator Studio2000
Gloria Moorman, Coordinator, TYPE program, Youth Ladies program

Links:
Louisville Metro Office of Youth Development
Louisville Metro Alliance for Youth
Every 1 Reads
Louisville Named Among 100 Best Cities for Young People

Posted by Laura Ellis at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

photo from www.oldlouisville.com

What comes to your mind when someone says Old Louisville? The "pink mansion"? St. James Court Art Fair? University of Louisville? Or are you completely unfamiliar with the area? Join us on Tuesday when we learn some Old Louisville history, find out what's new, and maybe tell a ghost story or two.

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Guests:
Deborah Stewart, Realtor, Old Louisville historian
Tom Owen, Metro Council member, local historian
David Domine, author Ghosts of Old Louisville

Links:
Old Louisville Chanber of Commerce
Wikipedia: Old Louisville
Places in Time: Old Louisville
Ghosts of Old Louisville

Posted by Laura Ellis at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

[Original broadcast on Oct. 3, 2006]

Do you know your way around the U.S. judicial branch of our government? When was the last time you were called for jury duty? Have you ever had to file a criminal or civic case? The U.S. judicial system can be a complicated and confusing process to work through, but it doesn’t have to be. This week on State of Affairs, we will discuss judicial literacy concerns such as difference between a criminal and civil case, a petit jury and a grand jury, the federal courts versus the state courts, the jury selection process and much more. This Thursday, in a rebroadcasr edition of State of Affairs, we'll be talking about judicial literacy.

 LISTEN

Guests:
Judge John Heyburn
Leslie W. Abramson, Law Professor, UofL
Judge William E. McAnulty, Jr.

Links:
Judicial Branch, U.S. Government
U.S. COurt of Appeals for the 6th District
U.S. Federal Court
Federal Judicial Center

[Original broadcast on Sept. 5, 2006]

Posted by Laura Ellis at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We got a great shout out today in Beverly Bartlett's new Mom Matters Blog!

In a blog about advertising within our homes, she writes...

I sleep in a David Letterman t-shirt. My son wears shoes promoting a Disney movie. I drink, often enough, out of a State of Affairs mug. (It's the perfect size. And tastefully understated. And I love public radio!)

Beverly was a guest on our 2006 Summer Reading show. Public Radio loves her, too!

Posted by Laura Ellis at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's been a long-standing tenet of the American Dream that hard work brings financial success. The flip side of that, in many minds, is that people in poverty are poor because they aren't hard-working. The truth is that 71% of low income families DO work, but their wages aren't increasing proportionately with the rising costs of living. This has lead anti-poverty groups to call for the enactment of what's called a living wage - pay that is sufficient to meet workers' basic needs for housing, food, utilities, transportation and health care. Join us Friday to learn more about the living wage concept and those who are trying to make it a reality.

NOTES FROM THE CONTROL ROOM...
Once again you kept us super busy today with your calls and emails! Here are some examples of what you had to say:

Our first caller wondered if our standard of living is so high in the U.S. that what we consider the bare minumum might look like luxury to people living elsewhere. An employer called to explain why it's important to his company to pay a living wage - he also said he remembers working his way up from an economic disadvantage and encourages others not to give up. Another caller reminded us that doing a job you love or a job that helps others can outweigh the desire to seek a higher-paying job doing something else. And we heard from someone who's worked with CASA, calling to say that role models in children's lives can help break generational cycles of undereducation. As usual, great calls, and a lot to think about!

Guests:
Khalilah Collins, Women in Transition
Attica Scott, Kentucky Jobs with Justice
Kendell Nash, Metro Housing Coalition

Links:
Women in Transition KY
Kentucky Jobs with Justice
Metropolitan Housing Coalition
Fairness Initiative on Low-Wage Work
Frequently Asked Questions about Poverty

Posted by Laura Ellis at 06:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Over two years ago, a collaborative effort to improve environmental health and education in Louisville began. The result of this effort was The Partnership for a Green City. The three agencies involved, Louisville Metro Government, University of Louisville, and Jefferson County Public Schools, have identified areas such as education, the greening of the Metro area, and quality-of-life issues as common concerns of both the partnership and the Louisville community. Join us Thursday with your questions and comments when we discuss the programs and initiatives underway at The Partnership for a Green City.

NOTES FROM THE CONTROL ROOM...
The phones were completely packed today! Our apologies to anyone we didn't get to - we encourage you to have your say in the comments section of today's entry. Callers covered a wide variety of approaches to the idea of a green city. You wanted to talk about expanded recycling programs, more pedestrian access in the city, water quality, invasive plants taking over native plants, construction on Bardstown Road blocking the bike paths, and green roofs, which we in the control room had never heard of before.

Another caller we didn't have time for wanted to talk about the energy that's wasted by open refrigeration bins in the grocery stores. We'd never thought of that, but really - would you leave your fridge at home hanging open all the time like that? It lead us to wonder... would it really be that inconvenient for customers to have to lift a lid to pick up the frozen turkey? Are stores worried about liability if the lid closes on someone's fingers (or head!)? What do you folks think? And what green city ideas did we not get to today that we should have? Leave us a comment & let us know!

Guests:
Russell Barnett, KY Institute for the Environment & Sustainable Development
Dr. Allan Dittmer, UofL Center for Environmental Education
Dr. David Wicks, JCPS Center for Environmental Education
Casslyn Q. Harris, Louisville Metro Solid Waste Management

Links:
The Partnership for a Green City
Partnership for a Green City - 2005 One-Year Report (PDF)
'Green City' Effort Starts to Cut Costs

Posted by Laura Ellis at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For many Americans, weight loss is a never-ending struggle. While some of us could stand to lose a few extra pounds, others border on the obsessive, trying every fad diet that comes on the market. The Cabbage Soup diet, the French Woman’s diet, the Shangri-La diet, the Caveman diet, and on and on; the list seems endless. Why has dieting become such an obsession for Americans? How long has dieting been important to us? What does history have to tell us about dieting? These questions and more will be discussed on Wednesday. Please join the discussion with your questions and comments about dieting.

LISTEN

Guest: Eleanor Lederer, MD, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Links:
Belly Laughs at Early Fad Diets
Weight Loss Options: 6 Common Diet Plans
FadDiet.com

Posted by Laura Ellis at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Wii. The Zune. The ELPH. The VAIO. iPod Nanos and iPod Shuffles. Phones that play mp3s and check your email. These were a few of our favorite things in 2006 - and what many of us were hoping to breathlessly unwrap this Holiday Season. So now that you've got your new toys… how are you supposed to keep the video game controller from sailing through the televsion, and keep viruses off the new laptop? Or maybe you've been biding your time through shopping season and now that the stores are empty, you want to know which tech toys are worth the money and which are all hype. Tune in this Tuesday for Tech Talk - where our panel of experts answers your questions about the technological marvels that make life easier (or at least more fun).

LISTEN

Guests:
Matt Mercurio, technology guru
Wayne Perkey, Jr., technology guru

Links:
2006 Web Technology Trends
Time's Person of the Year: You
Tech Toys 2006: Video Games
Tech Toys 2006: Portable Music
Tech Toys 2006: Digital Photos & Video

Posted by Laura Ellis at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)