WDRB political reporter Lawrence Smith discusses Amy McGrath's survival in the June 23 Kentucky Democratic primary and the 'tightrope' she'll have to walk this fall against Republican Sen. Maj. Leader Mitch McConnell. Plus, Smith touches on a special election in northeast Louisville and Oldham County that may portend problems for the GOP with suburban voters.
WDRB anchor and reporter Gilbert Corsey joins the show to discuss his extensive coverage of Kentucky's problems with unemployment insurance. Last week's scene in Frankfort, with hundreds waiting in line for help, made national news. Host Chris Otts looks back on decisions he covered at the time in 2017 that are playing a role in what we're seeing today.
Do students need masks? Smaller class sizes? Social distancing on buses? What happens if a second viral wave hits? Kentucky public schools face a lot of uncertainty about the next academic year and what changes they'll need to make. WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley joins the podcast to discuss.
WDRB reporter Chad Mills worked nine-straight nights covering the protests over police violence and racial injustice on the streets of Louisville, and he's garnered a huge audience for his Facebook live streams of the events. Despite encountering gun shots and tear gas, Mills says the demonstrations have been largely peaceful.
Louisville's outbreak of violent protests has roots that are much deeper than the Breonna Taylor tragedy, the death of George Floyd or Monday's fatal shooting of David McAtee. WDRB anchor and reporter Gilbert Corsey explains what's happened over the last five days and how to place it context.
The Jefferson County Board of Education on May 21, 2021 approved a 9.5% increase in local property taxes , the largest annual hike in at least 22 years. WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley explains why the elected board members supported the dramatic increase amid the coronavirus pandemic and why voters might have the final word in November....
WDRB's Travis Ragsdale joins the show to recap the tragic Louisville police killing of Breonna Taylor, 26, at her apartment in March. Ragsdale discusses evidence recently uncovered by WDRB that challenges the official police narrative justifying the 'no-knock' search warrant. Louisville postal inspector: No ‘packages of interest’ at slain EMT Breonna Taylor’s home...
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer joined WDRB in the Morning anchors Candyce Clifft and Sterling Riggs on May 15, 2020 to discuss the controversial police shooting of former Metro EMT Breonna Taylor at her apartment on March 13. This bonus episode features the full interview. Mayor Fischer deflects questions of confidence in LMPD chief amid Breonna Taylor investigation...
WDRB reporter Travis Ragsdale joins the podcast to discuss the collective effort to clear out Louisville's often-crowded jail during the coronavirus pandemic. Has it gone too far? Background: LMPD Chief Steve Conrad calls release of some dangerous inmates by judges 'shocking'
By July 4, amusement parks and festivals could be open for business in Indiana, while pools in Kentucky would remain closed. WDRB.com reporters Chris Otts and Marcus Green explain why Kentucky and Indiana's governors have taken different approaches to reopening, and whether their lack of coordination complicates efforts to contain the new coronavirus.
Is now the time for a tax increase? Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer may have a different answer to that question than the members of the Jefferson County school board. WDRB's Chad Mills and Kevin Wheatley join the show to explain.
WDRB.com reporters Chris Otts and Marcus Green discuss Kentucky and Indiana's very preliminary plans to ease restrictions and reopen their economies amid the pandemic. Hear from both governors, Kentucky protesters and Mayor Greg Fischer on whether it's realistic to plan for a Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby. Recorded Monday, April 19, 2020.
Louisville's Perry Bacon Jr., a senior political writer for FiveThirtyEight.com, joins the podcast to discuss local and national politics amid the coronavirus pandemic. Topics include Gov. Andy Beshear's handling of the situation, how things might have been different under former Gov. Matt Bevin, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the recent dust-up between some conservatives and Mayor Greg Fischer over drive-in Easter church services.
What's a sports columnist to do when there is March Madness? WDRB.com sports columnist Eric Crawford talks about his recent pivot to covering daily virus news and offering commentary on the pandemic's impact on the Louisville community. Plus, Eric takes on Chris' most pressing question: Will there be football? Eric's recent work is available here .
This episode is an audio diary of a rally held March 28, 2020 by GE Appliances factory workers who were upset about having to return the assembly lines amid the coronavirus outbreak. The rally itself had to take on a different form in the age of 'social distancing.' Background: GE Appliances workers decry 'ludicrous' return to work amid outbreak...
How would Louisville handle a surge of critically ill patients stemming from the coronavirus outbreak? This bonus episode features our full interview conducted March 24, 2020 with Dr. Jason Smith, chief medical officer of U of L Health, one of the city's three main healthcare providers.
WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts discusses the anxiety many factory workers at Ford Motor Co. and GE Appliances feel about contracting COVID-19. Is 'social distancing' even possible on the assembly line? Also, hear from GE Appliances line worker Kenny Bratcher. NOTE: This show was recorded on March 23, 2020, before Ford said it would extend the shutdown beyond March 30. SUNDAY EDITION | Coronavirus spreads anxiety at Louisville’s biggest factories...
Harrison County was the first place in Kentucky with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, and its small school district soon became the first in Kentucky to close amid the outbreak. WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley joins the pod to discuss his Sunday story looking at how Harrison County teachers and students are coping. Wheatley also discusses what's next for Jefferson County Public Schools, including challenges with meals for kids and remote instruction. SUNDAY EDITION | As Kent...
Before it was renamed Muhammad Ali Boulevard, Louisville's Walnut Street was once a thriving hub of black-owned businesses. Then came the wrecking ball: A 1960s-era policy called Urban Renewal. More than 50 years later, Louisville is still paying the price for the destruction brought on by this foolish and racist government initiative. WDRB anchor/reporter Gilbert Corsey joins the show to discuss his recent special segment on Walnut Street. WATCH: Once a booming strip of black business, Walnut S...
WDRB's Marcus Green and Katrina Helmer sat down with Sr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Health & Wellness, to discuss the threat of coronavirus on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. This bonus episode features the full interview. Link: CDC tests three 3 Louisville residents for coronavirus; results negative...
Old criminal records -- even showing charges that were never proven in court -- remain a barrier for people seeking employment and reintegration into society. After a big reform in 2016, Kentucky lawmakers are considering further efforts to make expungement more accessible to everyday people. WDRB.com criminal justice reporter Jason Riley breaks it down, including a discussion with U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker, the Democratic state representative from West Louisville. Check out Riley's m...
Louisville Gas & Electric's Solar Share program continues to add customers who want solar energy without the expense and hassle of solar panels. The utility is building a massive solar farm off I-64 in Simpsonville, Ky. But, is Solar Share a good deal? WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts took a close look at the numbers. SUNDAY EDITION | LG&E’s ‘community’ solar farm is growing. Is it a good deal?...
This bonus episode features the entire interview WDRB's Travis Ragsdale conducted Tuesday with Braidy Industries founder Craig Bouchard. Bouchard spoke out shortly after news broke that he had filed a lawsuit seeking to replace the board of directors who fired him as the company's CEO on Jan. 28. The battle for control of the company comes as its ambitious vision to "rebuild Appalachia" by constructing a $1.8 billion aluminum plant remains just that -- a vision. Bouchard claims his ouster disrup...
WDRB anchor Valerie Chinn and photojournalist Doug Smith discuss their recent reporting trip to the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. Chinn and Smith got extraordinary access to U.S. Customs & Border Protection officers to see how they go about their daily jobs. They got a look at at a small section of President Trump's border wall and the fleet of 'predator drones' (costing $11 million each) that the government uses to patrol the boundary. And they talked to a Central American mother who was a...
As more homeowners and businesses get Ring and Nest cameras, police agencies in the Louisville region want to know where those cameras are and how they can get access to them. WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green discusses his Sunday story examining how police departments are forging 'partnerships' with Ring. Some cities are even subsidizing homeowners' equipment. Police say they're just looking to solve crimes, but some have raised concerns about civil liberties. SUNDAY EDITION | Louisville-area poli...
This bonus episode features the complete one-on-one interviews WDRB politics reporter Lawrence Smith conducted with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Louisville, on Thursday, Feb. 6 following President Trump's acquittal in the impeachment trial. Smith also gives his impressions. Time markers: McConnell (1:30 to 16:00) Yarmuth (16:00 to 32:00) Smith (32:00 - end) Story: As he celebrates a momentous political win, McConnell says impeachment can'...
Kentucky spends a lot, compared to border states, on 'incentives' for businesses to create jobs in the state. Is the money worth it? WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts discusses his recent Sunday story examining the corporate giveaways. Then (14:00), the conversation turns to Kentucky's best-known economic development deal: Braidy Industries. The company has devolved into a power struggle as it still lacks the $1.7 billion needed to construct its much-heralded aluminum plant in eastern Kentuc...
County jails throughout Kentucky regularly collect 'booking fees' and 'per diem' charges from inmates, as if they were hotels. One person got a $4,000 bill for a jail stay in Clark County after he was released with no conviction for any crime. Is this fair? Is it constitutional? WDRB.com criminal justice reporter Jason Riley explains the history of the practice and efforts to reform it. SUNDAY EDITION | Kentucky court to decide if jails can force inmates to pay before conviction...
In this two-part episode, WDRB political reporter Lawrence Smith weighs in on Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's agenda and what's happened so far in the 2020 legislative session (01:00 - 13:00). Smith's discusses Beshear's efforts to bridge divides with the GOP , sports betting , medical marijuana , voter ID issues , the push to prevent 'sanctuary cities ,' prison reform and more. Then, WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley discusses his Sunday story examining how Kentuckiana high school teacher...
Louisville's Dixie Highway has received an expensive makeover in the last two years. This busy and poorly planned corridor is known as the Dixie Die-way because pedestrians are killed at three times the rate of comparable roads. Did new medians, sidewalks and other improvements help the situation? Are businesses happy about the changes? WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green explains. Appearances: Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Councilman Rick Blackwell and business owners along the highway. Background: SUND...
