The Louisville area's last video store
Remember perusing the new release aisle on Friday nights? WDRB's Gina Glaros joins the show to talk about the final days of Family Video's lone remaining store in Kentuckiana.
Jan 13, 2021•14 min
Uncovered by WDRB News
The former newspaper reporters of WDRB.com in Louisville, Ky. take listeners inside their stories about business, criminal justice, education, government, infrastructure and more. Episodes are released every Tuesday morning.
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Episodes
Louisville fires two more cops in Breonna Taylor case. What comes next?
WDRB reporters Jason Riley and Travis Ragsdale explain the recent decision by Louisville Metro police to fire two more officers in the Breonna Taylor case. Why is the agency only now starting the process of terminating the officers, and what questions are still unanswered nearly a year after the tragedy?
Jan 06, 2021•20 min
Inside 'Pappyland' with Wright Thompson
The story of Pappy Van Winkle, the world's most sought-after bourbon, isn't as neat and tidy as you might think. WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts interviews Wright Thompson, author of the new book,“ PAPPYLAND: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last ." The book carries special significance for the podcast audience, as much of it unfolds in Louisville, home of the Van Winkle family and the Stitzel-Weller distillery that Julian 'Pappy' Van Winkle once ran....
Dec 29, 2020•41 min
Digital decline: the cost of Louisville's virtual school year
WDRB's Gilbert Corsey talks about his special assignment looking at the long-term impact of Louisville's virtual school year. How are families and teachers navigating online instruction? If grades are any indication, Jefferson County Public Schools students are falling behind. Superintendent Marty Pollio says it will take two or three years to make up for the lost learning. And another looming challenge: Even if JCPS goes back to school in mid-February, as many as a third of teachers will still ...
Dec 22, 2020•24 min
Pandemic cuts traffic on Louisville's new toll bridges
Kentucky and Indiana finally managed to build two new interstate bridges over the Ohio River in Louisville in 2016 based on the assumption that toll collections would grow every year to help pay for them. But the pandemic has changed commuting patterns, cutting down on toll revenue. WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green explains why state officials aren't "hitting the panic button" yet. Background: RiverLink crossings down $5 million in 2020...
Dec 15, 2020•16 min
Kentucky COVID-19 rules hit bingo harder than 'slots'
What's the difference between charity bingo and slot-like 'historical horse race' gaming? A lot, at least in the context of Kentucky's fight against COVID-19. Gov. Andy Beshear's rules limit charity bingo 25 people while allowing hundreds or even thousands to play indoor slot-like machines at the state's racetrack-owned gaming venues. WDRB business reporters Chris Otts and Katrina Helmer explain. Their story: Beshear restrictions hit charity bingo harder than slot-like gaming...
Dec 08, 2020•24 min
Louisville police shootings | Less transparency after Breonna Taylor?
In the wake of the Breonna Taylor tragedy, Louisville implemented a number of police reforms meant to increase public trust and transparency. But a change in how police shootings are investigated has so far had the opposite effect. Police used to release body camera footage of any officer shooting in a day. In the latest shooting, it took more than a week. And Mayor Greg Fischer says his hands are tied. What is going on? WDRB's Travis Ragsdale explains.
Dec 01, 2020•21 min
Economist on why Kentucky's COVID-19 data is 'wrong'
University of Kentucky economist Kenneth Troske joins the show to explain why he thinks Kentucky's COVID-19 restrictions are based on flimsy data, and how the state could obtain more useful information. Troske doesn't dispute the serious of the virus, but he says better data would lead to more effective, less costly policies. Masks, for example, are nothing but a small inconvenience. Closing school classrooms statewide, meanwhile, comes at an 'enormous' cost to children. "It's when we start impo...
Nov 24, 2020•54 min
Kentucky State Police fights to keep lid on troopers' lawbreaking
When the feds informed Kentucky State Police that four of its troopers got caught up in an illegal prescription drug operation emanating from Florida, what did the agency do? WDRB spent thousands of dollars on a two-year legal battle to force state police to release public records that tell the complete story. WDRB's Gilbert Corsey explains. The story: INVESTIGATION | 4 KSP troopers caught in illegal steroids operation, agency tries to withhold records...
Nov 17, 2020•29 min
GOP strengthens grip on Kentucky legislature
There was no suburban revolt against President Trump in Kentucky. In fact, Republicans further cemented their control by adding to dominant super-majorities in the state legislature. What are the implications for Louisville, the Democrats' remaining stronghold? What policies will the GOP pursue that it hasn't already? Will Democrats figure out a way to appeal to rural Kentuckians, or embrace their role as the urban and progressive minority in a largely white, rural state? WDRB political reporter...
Nov 10, 2020•20 min
Dems on offense in east Louisville suburbs
On Election Day 2020, WDRB political reporter Lawrence Smith talks about a handful of Kentucky House races in which Democrats are trying to gain more ground in the once safely Republican east Louisville suburbs. Smith also shares some insight from an election eve interview with Sen. Maj. Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Then, WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley discusses the major ruling on the JCPS property tax increase and why the 10% hike isn't even a factor in this year's school bo...
Nov 03, 2020•28 min
Embracing 'anti-racism' at the University of Louisville
University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi has elevated the concept of 'anti-racism', even adding the words to U of L's official mandate. But what precisely does anti-racism mean to her? And what will U of L actually do differently to become a 'premier anti-racist metropolitan research university'? On this episode, WDRB.com reporters Chris Otts and Katrina Helmer discuss their recent in-depth story on the initiative, with extended clips of interviews with Bendapudi, U of L's Pan African ...
Oct 27, 2020•29 min
Lawrence Smith on McConnell vs. McGrath
Democrat Amy McGrath had a strong Oct. 12 debate performance against U.S. Sen. Maj. Leader Mitch McConnell, but she still faces long odds in her bid to unseat the six-term Kentucky Republican. WDRB political reporter Lawrence Smith breaks down the race, including key points in the debate and how the contest differs from the 2019 governor's race won by Democrat Andy Beshear and from the 2014 McConnell trouncing of Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes.
Oct 20, 2020•30 min
Why Louisville's business lobby supports the JCPS tax hike
Voters in Louisville aren't just a picking a president and U.S. senator. They're also being asked to weigh in on a 9.5% property tax increase for Jefferson County Public Schools. In the this episode, Iris Wilbur Glick of Greater Louisville Inc. explains why the city's main business group is pushing the tax hike. Chambers of commerce usually aren't enthused about local tax increases. Then, WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley explains the legal wrangling over the increase and why the result...
Oct 13, 2020•24 min
The Breonna Taylor grand jury tapes
WDRB.com reporters Marcus Green and Chris Otts discuss what we learned -- and what we didn't -- from the release of 15 hours of audio from the Jefferson County grand jury that considered charges against police officers in the tragic shooting death Breonna Taylor.
Oct 07, 2020•28 min
Louisville's corporate jobs landscape after Papa John's exit
WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts discusses Louisville-grown Papa John International's decision to decamp for Atlanta and how Louisville has been affected by other corporate moves, mergers and buyouts over the years. What are the lessons of these decisions? What can Louisville do in response? Background: News Analysis | After Papa John’s burn, Louisville has one way to combat corporate flight...
Sep 29, 2020•27 min
Explaining the Breonna Taylor decision
WDRB.com criminal justice reporter Jason Riley analyzes the Louisville grand jury's decision to charge only one of the three police officers in the Breonna Taylor shooting with wanton endangerment, and the long anticipated investigation by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Plus, Riley discusses what's still ahead in the Taylor case.
Sep 24, 2020•22 min
Which Louisville judge let police raid that house?
Louisville police could not have burst into Breonna Taylor's apartment, where they fatally shot her in the middle of the night, without a judge's approval. But in Louisville, it's often unclear which judge approved what search warrant. Jake Ryan of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting and Travis Ragsdale of WDRB News join the show to discuss their special report, " Which Louisville judge let police raid your house? Most signatures are unreadable ."...
Sep 22, 2020•27 min
Losing confidence in Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer
Under fire for his handling of the Breonna Taylor investigation and the ensuing protests -- and other scandals at the police department and city bus agency -- Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer faces a symbolic 'no confidence' vote at the Metro Council on Sept. 17. Will some Democrats cross party lines to join Republicans in rebuking the mayor? How did things get to this point for Fischer, a three-term mayor who cruised to re-election in 2014 and 2018? WDRB reporter Chad Mills explains. Background: L...
Sep 15, 2020•21 min
Louisville police's new chief on reform, Breonna Taylor and community healing
WDRB's Stephan Johnson goes one-on-one with Yvette Gentry, a native Louisvillian who is returning to Louisville Metro Police as interim chief during a tumultuous period. Gentry talks about police reform, the Breonna Taylor case, perceived racism in traffic stops and why she doesn't want the job permanently even though she was passed over for it eight years ago. After the interview, Johnson offers his observations about Gentry's return to the department.
Sep 09, 2020•30 min
The pandemic's effect on crime in Louisville
The kind of crimes you hear about on the news -- shootings, car-jackings, robberies -- are up substantially in Louisville this year. But more common crimes -- car break-ins, burglaries, drug possession -- are down. WDRB reporters Travis Ragsdale and Marcus Green discuss the factors leading to a confounding picture of the crime landscape as Louisville juggles the pandemic and racial-justice protests. Background: 2020 in Louisville: Violent crime up, property crime down...
Sep 01, 2020•18 min
The politics of Daniel Cameron's Breonna Taylor decision
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is the first Black person elected independently to a statewide office in Kentucky. Now, all eyes are on the Republican rising star as he navigates the investigation into the Louisville police shooting of Breonna Taylor, whose death in March sparked national protests over police violence against African-Americans. Special guest Perry Bacon Jr., a senior political writer for Five Thirty Eight and a Louisville resident, discusses his recent Bluegrass Beat ne...
Aug 25, 2020•30 min
Kentucky's 'slot' machines return to Supreme Court
The decade-long battle over the legality of slot-like "historical horse racing" machines has reached the Kentucky Supreme Court for the second time. WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts breaks down the history of the dispute, the tremendous growth of the casino-lite industry and what's at stake now. Hosted by WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green. Background: Legal battle over slot-like racing machines returns to Kentucky Supreme Court 'Silence' of Kentucky legislature at issue in debate over slot-lik...
Aug 18, 2020•27 min
Crystal Rogers' mother speaks
We return to the new developments in the case of missing Bardstown, Ky. mother Crystal Rogers and her father, Tommy Ballard, who was shot to death. Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother and Tommy Ballard's widow, talks about the emotional toll of losing both of them and, after four years, being on the cusp of answers. Also, why is the FBI going door to door in Bardstown? Why are they retrieving Rogers' car from a storage unit? Are the remains found in a creek bed those of Rogers? WDRB's Fallon Glick jo...
Aug 12, 2020•22 min
BONUS: A breakthrough in the Crystal Rogers case?
WDRB's Fallon Glick joins the podcast to break down new developments in the case of missing Bardstown, Ky. mother Crystal Rogers, who disappeared nearly five years ago. FBI agents fanned out across Nelson County serving search warrants Thursday as the feds took control of the case.
Aug 07, 2020•33 min
Eric Crawford on college football, Kentucky Derby
WDRB.com sports columnist Eric Crawford joins the show to discuss the still-developing plans for college football, Louisville-area high school football and the Kentucky Derby.
Aug 04, 2020•33 min
Coronavirus update: Kentucky, Indiana hit the brakes
Kentucky and Indiana are nowhere near Florida and Texas when it comes to the coronavirus, but there have been some troubling signs in the last few weeks. WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green joins the show to discuss each state's latest steps and what might lie ahead.
Jul 29, 2020•31 min
'History is repeating' | Louisville's police protests of 1968
Five decades before Before Breonna Taylor, there was Manfred Reid. Police treatment of an African-American brought people to the streets of Louisville, and some say the Parkland neighborhood never recovered. WDRB anchor Gilbert Corsey joins the pod to discuss his recent special assignment " The Movement | Call for change after Breonna Taylor's death similar to Louisville 1968 protests ." What's changed in 50 years? What hasn't?...
Jul 22, 2020•27 min
New developments in the Breonna Taylor case
WDRB.com criminal justice reporter Jason Riley discusses explosive allegations by Breonna Taylor's family that the 26-year-old's shooting death at the hands of Louisville Metro police stems from a mayoral-led redevelopment project in west Louisville. Riley also discusses his story about how the police 'internal' investigator who convinced Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker to talk without a lawyer present hours after the March 13 shooting then testified against Walker as he was charged with murde...
Jul 14, 2020•33 min
Sen. Mitch McConnell on more federal aid, masks and renaming military bases
This week's show features WDRB political reporter Lawrence Smith's full interview with U.S. Sen. Maj. Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, conducted July 6, 2020. Smith asks the country's most powerful senator about the prospect of federal aid for states and cities, extending what McConnell calls the unemployment insurance 'bonus' of $600 per week, removing the names of Confederates from military bases, McConnell's embrace of masks in public settings and his re-election campaign against Democrat ...
Jul 07, 2020•23 min
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