State of Affairs Blog

Another year of Derby cruising has come and gone, and by many accounts, things were more peaceful this year than they've been in years past. Other news has been mixed for the Metro Police Department - they received money for more officers in the latest city budget, but have also recently been criticized for their possibly injudicious use of tasers. This Friday it's time for our biannual conversation with the man at the force's helm. Tune in and call with your questions and thoughts for Louisville Metro Police Chief Robert White.

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The sun is shining; the birds are chirping. A soft breeze rolls through the air while you soak your feet in the pool. Summer is here! You are finally ready to relax, but you need some company. How about a good book? Whether you are looking for a historical page-turner or a light beach read; whether you have a question about an author or a recommendation of your own, tune in on Thursday for our discussion on this season's must-read books. Whip out the sunblock, get out the sweet tea, and crack open that intriguing summer reading.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Do you enjoy reading the newspaper with a bowl of cereal in the morning? Do you feel lost throughout the day without reading the paper? Even though the newspaper may be integral to your day, daily newspaper circulation has steadily decreased over the past 15 years. Will newspapers cease to exist in the future? Or will we only be able to access editions of newspapers on our computer screens or cellular phones? We will try to answer these questions and delve deeper into the possibilities for the future of newspapers. So join us on Wednesday, June 27, as we discuss the current state of the newspaper industry and what the future may hold, live from Bellarmine University.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

During the Cold War, American public schools emphasized math and science to accelerate our position in the space race and to improve national defense. Studies argue that somehow the emphasis eroded and that our young people today are falling behind in these two critical areas. But Jefferson County Public Schools, with the help of a $25 million GE Foundation College Bound District Program Grant, are leading the nation in a new and improved math and science curriculum. Tune in on Tuesday to discuss what changes will be made and how they will affect our community and our nation.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:31 AM | 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 Monday to learn more about the living wage concept and those who are trying to make it a reality. Because this is an archived edition we will not be taking calls.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 09:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Confused by internet lingo such as "POS" and "LMIRL"? These abbreviations for "parents looking over my shoulder" and "let's meet in real life" allow kids to communicate with strangers right under your nose. Internet slang, along with the widespread use of sites such as MySpace and Facebook, make it easier for child predators to meet their victims. A 2005 report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project says that more than half of American families with teens use Internet filters to monitor and regulate potentially harmful contact. Tune in Friday for our discussion on child predators to find out why these filters may be a good idea.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you had to guess, which of Louisville's neighborhoods would you say have experienced increases in property values over the last few years? You might be surprised to learn that, by some accounts, the biggest increases happened in the downtown area. Observers say this migration back to the heart of the city can be attributed to many things, including the relative affordability of homeownership in the area. The trend would be ecologically friendly, recycling older homes, cutting down commutes and reducing the use of gasoline. Are property values going up in urban Louisville? What are the real reasons, and what does it mean for the city? Join us this Thursday to find out more.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The first Louisville Girls Leadership Conference was held in 1997. In the past 10 years, the conference has evolved into a multi-day summit that allows for more intensive leadership training. But why does LGLS exists in the first place? What issues are facing girls in Metro Louisville? How does LGLS benefit the community? Join us on Wednesday when we learn more about the Louisville Girls Leadership Summit.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Summer is only a few days away, which means longer days to spend at the pool or beach. However, summer also creates new health issues, such as those pesky mosquitoes and heat-related problems. How do you treat these potential problems and where do you go? We discuss these summer health issues and much more with Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Adewale Troutman. He will also discuss the new Louisville smoking ban, which goes into effect July 1, along with a possible trans fat ban and the new name of the Metro Health Department. So join us Tuesday, June 19, as we dive into the summer health issues that will affect your everyday life.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:44 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 minimum 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? Join us this Monday as we talk with Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service about diplomacy.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 04:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are times when we all (okay – most of us) use shopping as a quick fix for the blues? But when does the quick shop become an obsession? If you like a pair of shoes, do you find yourself purchasing multiple pairs? Does the shopping make you feel guilty? Do you lie to others about your purchases? Or, do you show purchases to friends for validation? And what about all the returning? While the term “shopaholic” is often thrown about casually and in jest, there are over 5 million Americans who cannot control the urge to shop, even when it costs them their job, marriage, family and finances. Join us Friday for our discussion about compulsive shopping.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Have you ever left the doctor's office and realized you don't quite remember what you were told? How about your elderly parent, or a very ill friend? Wouldn't it help to have someone with you to absorb all the information you missed? That person is now being called a medical advocate. Join us on Thursday as we find out about the medical advocate's role in patient care, what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior, and how you can be a good medical advocate for yourself and others.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you a Buddhist? Do you value patience, generosity, unselfishness, integrity, and self-discipline? If so, some would say you are putting the transcendental virtues of Buddhism into practice in your life. Our guest today says that Buddhist principles are reflected in many of the world's moral edicts - from the ethical teachings of Confucius to the Boy Scout Honor Code. Join us this Wednesday to learn more about Buddhism from the man His Holiness the Dalai Lama calls the American Lama - Lama Surya Das.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Have you ever felt like the whole world was against you? Have you had no energy, problems with sleeping and overall feelings of being down? Or maybe this sounds like your spouse or a friend? At some point, depression will affect your life, whether it is your own or through someone you know. Over 18 million Americans deal with depression - almost 10% of the U.S. population. However, many myths still surround depression and many people fail to treat this medical condition. So join us on Tuesday as we discuss the truths and new discoveries about depression.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The caterer. The flowers. The officiant. The DJ. The church. The cake. The tuxes. And that big white dress (or 150 of your family and closest friends asking why you didn’t wear a big white dress). Whether you’ve been dreaming about embossed napkins since you were five, or thought you’d be single for life but fate intervened, planning a wedding can be overwhelming. This Monday on State of Affairs, we’ll talk with a couple of wedding planning professionals, to learn how brides and grooms can craft a day that’s meaningful, personal, and as stress-free as possible. Because this is an archived edition, we will not be taking calls. Please continue the conversation on our blog

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Have you been to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox? It's free. How about the Japanese Friendship Garden in Georgetown - free again. Oh, and then there's the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, and you guessed it - it's free. It’s vacation time and we have some great suggestions right in our own back yard. Join us on Friday when we talk with author James Bilodeau about his new book “Free Kentucky”. We’ll find out about all the hidden and free places to visit in Kentucky.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Either billions of years of evolution gradually created the world as we know it today, or God created it, fully formed, in seven days. Right? Not so fast, say the members of the growing movement called Evolutionary Christianity. Believers say the story of the world's creation doesn't have to be an either/or proposition. They point at the possibility of reconciliation between two forces that have seemed at odds throughout much of history: science and religion. Join us this Thursday to learn more, and join us with your thoughts on whether the two disciplines can coexist - and how.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Do you know your alphabet? You know, "A is for Alibi", "B is for Burglar"? Is it all "elementary my dear Watson"? If you are a fan of mystery and detective fiction, you won't want to miss Wednesday's show. We'll talk with mystery writer Sue Grafton and former Broadway producer Zev Buffman about mystery novels, plays and the Discovering New Mysteries - International Mystery Writers Festival.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hunger Awareness Day was created six years ago to bring attention to people throughout the world for whom having enough to eat is a constant concern. This year's theme is "The Face of Hunger" - a face that, research shows, is likely to be that of a child. But people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds are affected; the latest data shows that 35.1 million people in the U.S. and 854 million worldwide experience hunger. Join us this Tuesday to learn more about Hunger Awareness Day and find out what's being done - and what you can do - to alleviate hunger in your community.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 08:04 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. Monday on State of Affairs, we’ll learn more about this pluralistic approach to getting and staying well. Because this is an encore edition of State of Affairs we will not be taking calls.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 09:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to technology, chemical use, and mechanization, fewer farmers can produce more food in less time. Productivity has steadily increased since around the end of World War II, but some of the methods for increasing production have had unfortunate side effects like topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, and even the decline of social and economic conditions for entire rural communities. Over the past twenty years or so, the farming world has seen a movement towards sustainability, and the movement is gaining ground even within mainstream agricultural communities. Tune in this Friday to learn more about the move toward Sustainable Agriculture.

Posted by Robin Fisher at 07:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)