A New Website!
Stay tuned for the launch of a new WFPL website, including a new State of Affairs homepage & blog!
Tell us what you would like to see on the new blog - email SoA assistant Laura Ellis at lellis@wfpl.org.
February 29, 2008
Blueprint for Kentucky's Children
 | In 2006, 20 percent of Kentucky’s children were living in poverty. More than 90,000 had no health insurance, and there were 15,000 cases of substantiated child abuse. These numbers and many other barometers of child welfare in the commonwealth are compiled by the Kentucky Youth Advocates. Together with Metro United way, they have created a blueprint for Kentucky’s children – an agenda for improving the well-being of the bluegrass state’s youngest citizens. Join us this Friday to see what challenges kids face, and what the blueprint recommends for improving their lives and futures. |
Listen to the ShowGuests:
Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates
April Duvall, Executive Director; Kentucky Council for Mental Retardation
Pam Helm, President, The Family Place
The History of African American Religions
| Chained in the slave ships of the Middle Passage were Christians, Animists, Muslims and Magicians. At auction, families said goodbyes in Mende, Wolof and Bantu. In the fields, priests, peasants and princes labored together under the whip. Princeton Professor Dr. Albert J. Raboteau is a leader in the field of African American Studies. He joins us this Thursday when we discuss the complex history of African American religion, from praise houses and hush arbors to the Nation of Islam and the March on Selma as well as his personal story. |  (photo courtesy of Princeton University) |
Guest:
Dr. Albert J. Raboteau
February 27, 2008
Foreclosures Update
 | Call it what you want, the foreclosure crisis or the mortgage crisis. Either way, homebuyers over the past few years borrowed above their means, or got into risky loan products and are now defaulting on their mortgages. As the debate about fault rages on, the federal government and cities such as Louisville are coming up with their own plans to curb foreclosures. Join us on Thursday as we learn more about where we are now in dealing with the mortgage crisis. |
Guests:
Kimberly Bunton, Director, Department of Housing and Family Services
Cathy Hinko, Director, Metropolitan Housing Coalition
Adam Hall, President, Louisville Mortgage Bankers Association
February 26, 2008
Bipolar Disorder
| Sadness, impulsiveness, lethargy, racing thoughts, fatigue, grandiose thinking, self criticism, exhilaration, fatigue. These apparent opposites are actually all symptoms of the same mental health problem: Bipolar Disorder. The affliction, once called manic depression, affects 5.7 million American adults and recent studies suggest a similar prevalence among youth. Join us this Tuesday to learn more about the causes and treatment of Bipolar Disorder, and where to turn if it affects you or a loved one. |  |
Guests:
Dr. Rif El-Mallakh
Dr. Rana J. Roberts
February 25, 2008
Social Realities of Teen Drinking
An estimated 65% of underage drinkers are getting their alcohol from friends or family and some underage drinking parties are actually sponsored by parents who would rather have kids drink at home than out on the street. This issue brings up many questions. Should parents allow teen drinking in the home? What are the social host ordinances in Kentucky? What about the social ramifications for the teens? What are the effects of alcohol on the young adult brain? What methods prove effective to deter underage alcohol consumption? Tune in on Monday for our conversation on the social realities of teen drinking. Because today is an archive edition, we won't be taking calls this hour.
February 22, 2008
Social Worker Pilot Project
 | Jails and prisons in Kentucky (as in other states) are overcrowded. One reason for the overcrowding is the high recidivism rate of offenders. In 2006 the Kentucky General Assembly funded the Social Worker Pilot Project to study the causes of this overcrowding and whether or not utilizing social workers in public defenders offices could help this situation. The social workers were placed in four offices throughout the state to evaluate offenders for issues such as substance abuse and mental health needs, both of which might lead to reincarceration. Initial conclusions indicate the project was a success, both saving money for the counties involved and reducing the recidivism rates among offenders. Join us on Friday when we talk about the project and its implications for the state as a whole. |
Guests:
Rod Barber, UofL, Kent School of Social Work
Ernie Lewis, Director, Department of Public Advocacy
Rachel Pate, MSW
February 20, 2008
Kentucky Agriculture's Strategic Plan
 | Kentucky agriculture has long been synonymous with tobacco. But that started to change several years ago and we've now begun to diversify into other crops and livestock. And here lately there is a lot of talk about biofuels. In order to help Kentucky's agriculture economy grow and prosper, the Task Force on the Future of Agriculture was formed to develop a comprehensive plan for the state. Join us on Tuesday when we look at the New Strategic Plan for Kentucky Agriculture. |
Guests:
Tony Brannon, Chair, Kentucky Agricultural Commission
Bill Clary, KY Dept. of Agirculture
Todd Griffin, KY Dept. of Agriculture
February 19, 2008
Books into Movies
| We've all been there, you've just finished a great book, it's still fresh in your mind, what the main characters look like, the setting for the plot, how the romantic restaurant is decorated when the lovers first kiss, and then the movie is released. The process of adapting a book (or short story) for the big screen is a tricky one. Decisions have to be made as to what to keep, what to leave out and what to change. In the end, it seems impossible to please everyone. But some adaptations do work, some are disastrous and some stand on their own separate from the books. Join us on Tuesday as we talk about turning books into movies, what works and what doesn't, and call us with the ones you've loved, or hated. |  |
Guests:
Kevin Sullivan, book seller, film buff
John Risner, screenwriter, continuing education teacher
Tom Byers, English Professor, UofL
Running a Medical School
Have you ever wondered what it was like to run a medical school? Building a bridge between public service and personal education is no easy task. The administrators running medical schools juggle the interests of students, faculty, staff, and the community. Between being experts on the curriculum and planning for the university's future, the people in charge have a full plate in front of them. If you are interested in the administrative side of medical school, or you are simply curious about what the job entails, join us for our discussion on Monday to find out more about running a medical school. Because this is an archived edition we will not be taking calls.
Guest:
Dr. Edward C. Halperin, Dean of the UofL School of Medicine
February 14, 2008
Love Songs: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
In 1976, Paul McCartney wondered if the world had "had enough of silly love songs." In 1998, Billy Ocean warned that they often "make you cry." If you haven't had enough, join us this Valentine's Day when we'll spend an hour with some local music mavens to talk about love songs: the overwrought, the overplayed, and even some you may have overlooked. What makes a good love song so touching? What makes a love song so bad it's almost good? And why is it that, when we're brokenhearted, even the very cheesiest can bring us to tears? Tune in Thursday and call us with the love songs you love, and the ones you hate so much, they tempt you to take a vow of celibacy!
February 13, 2008
The Manufacturing Industry in Kentucky
More than 250,000 Kentuckians work in the manufacturing field, making forklifts, electronics, refrigerators, rubber hoses, cars, trucks, and hundreds of other things you've probably never thought about the origins of. Wednesday on State of Affairs, we'll learn more about the industrial side of the Commonweath's economy, how our manufacturing companies came to be here, how prosperous they are, and what the future may hold for manufacturing in Kentucky. Join us with your thoughts and questions.
February 12, 2008
Book Groups
Is a good book - like a good meal - better when shared? The folks who participate in one of the hundreds of book groups across the country seem to think so. Popularized by Oprah's Book Club, these enclaves where smart meets social have been popping up all over - and they're changing the way publishers think about marketing their books. Tune in this Tuesday for a conversation about book groups, and call to share your book group experiences. Continue the conversation on our blog, www.soablog.org.
Guests:
Chris Bohjalian, author Midwives, Double Bind
Carol Besse, Owner, Carmichaels Bookstore
Jen Marshall, Publicist at Large, Random House
Laura Younkin, Ballard HS Library, facilitator of Student Book Group, Member – adult book group
February 08, 2008
Is There a Physician Shortage?
As little as 10 years ago, the US had an oversupply of physicians. My how times change. According to a recent report released by the Kentucky Institute of Medicine, Kentucky is already near the bottom of the barrel, ranking 32nd out of 50 in patient to doctor ratio. With factors such as healthcare costs, aging population and litigation concerns on behalf of physicians, the shortage is predicted to worsen. So what is the solution? How can we assure adequate physician levels in both metropolitan and rural areas of the state? Join us on Friday when we explore the issue of the coming physician shortage.
Guests:
Dr. Kimberly Alumbaugh, OB/GYN
Dr. Emory A. Wilson, researcher; Director of the KY Institute of Medicine
Dr. Baretta R. Casey, Director of the UofK Cetner for Excellence in Rural Health
February 07, 2008
Food Allergies
| You see the warnings everywhere: "This product was made in a facility that processes nuts." Airplanes have hypoallergenic flights on which those ubiquitous pouches of airplane peanuts are forbidden. Do more people have food allergies these days, or have we just become more sensitive to those who do? What causes folks to have terrible, sometimes life-threatening reactions to shellfish, wheat, dairy products, eggs, or other foodstuffs? Join us this Thursday to learn more about food allergies - and how to minimize the risks if you or someone you love is affected by one. |  |
Guests:
Dr. Robert Wood, Director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Johns Hopkins, author of Food Allergies for Dummies
Dr. Jason Guinn, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, UofL
Food Allergies on the Web:
- Allergy Moms Blog delivers some questions and answers about peanut allergies
- The Kids With Food Allergies website offers information on how food allergies affect keeping Kosher for Passover
- GUBU wonders if food allergies are overdiagnosed
- Peter Greenberg has tips on how to deal with food allergies when travelling abroad
February 06, 2008
Kentucky Businesses Going Global
 | We've been hearing for years that the world is getting smaller. With ease of travel, advances in technology and demand for new products, doing business in the global market is becoming more and more the norm. But if you are a company in Kentucky with a good product, or great idea, how do you go global? Or maybe the question is - do you go global? There are companies tucked in everywhere in Kentucky who are doing business all over the world. From surgical instruments to manufactured goods to foodstuffs, Kentucky products and services can now be found almost everywhere. Should you be global too? Join us on Wednesday when we learn more about Kentucky businesses and going global. |
Guests:
Robert Brown, President, Kentucky World Trade Center
Lynn Cooper, Owner/President/CEO, BFW, Inc.
Mark Peachy, Director of International Trade, KY Cabinet for Economic Development
February 05, 2008
The Mind of the Market: Our Relationship with Money
| Would you rather be the least rich person in a posh neighborhood, or the richest person in a poor neighborhood? Studies have shown that for most people, the amount of money they have isn't as important as the fact that they have more than other people. Our attitudes, and (often irrational) behavior about money can be traced to our evolutionary roots - back to a time when brand loyalty meant sticking with the safety of your own tribe. Tune in this Thursday when we learn more about our sometimes dysfunctional, always emotional relationship with money with author Michael Shermer. |  |
Related Links:
- Michael Shermer's Homepage
- His essay, Why People Believe Weird Things About Money
- The Prosper Blog asks, does psychology play a role in your money management?
February 04, 2008
Child Predators
 | 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 Monday for our discussion on child predators to find out why these filters may be a good idea. Today's show is an archive edition of SoA, so we won't be taking calls this hour. |
The show is from the Archive, but here are some fresh links:
- Bruce Schneier's security & technology blog reports on how MySpace and State Attorneys General plan to stop sexual predators online
- The Intuitive.com blog thinks the measure will backfire
- A PBS Frontline special wonders how radically the internet is changing the experience of childhood (and the whole show can be watched online)
February 01, 2008
Professional Football
 | Hut, hut . . . . But wait, how many of us even know what that means? This Sunday is Super Bowl XLII, an most of us will be watching, either for the game or for the commercials. But how did the Super Bowl become so super? And just what is the history of professional football in this country? From the players to the coaches to the game itself, we'll try and cover it all and predict the winner of this year's Super Bowl during our show on Professional Football. So join us on Friday with your questions, memories, and best guesses. |
Guests:
Rick Bozich, sports columnist
Billy Reed, sports columnist
See Also:
Puppy Bowl IV