On Track

Kentucky has instituted major reforms to its systems that handle sexual assault cases. Those reforms include requirements for providing, testing and tracking rape kits, mandated trauma-informed training for first responders, and clearing a backlog of more than 3,000 untested rape kits. But there are more areas for improvement, as revealed in The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting's invest...

The rate of foster youth entering Kentucky's foster care system has grown since 2011, and a decreasing percentage of those youth are being reunified with their parents or guardians. That data was outlined in a report from the nonprofit Kentucky Youth Advocates that was released this November. Though the report suggests some child welfare measures to improve, many of those solutions cost money and...

The Louisville Story Program's new project, "Better Lucky Than Good," is an oral history of Churchill Downs backside workers and people who lived near the track. WFPL's In Conversation talked with subjects from the book about their experiences and how the racing industry has changed. Our guests included Syl’s Lounge Proprietor Sylvia Arnette, who grew up 'The Hill' neighborhood near Churchill Down...

Philanthropy in Louisville is changing. Cuts to the city's budget slashed nonprofits' funds as officials look to philanthropic organizations for help. But the most recent data from the Kentucky Nonprofit Network shows growth in the industry: Nonprofits made up 9.1 percent of Kentucky’s workforce in 2015, and the industry grew to 19,009 organizations in 2016 — a 9 percent increase when compared to...

Kentucky's Republican party won big in the 2019 election, securing all but the governor's seat. With Democrat Andy Beshear preparing to follow through with policies of his platform, In Conversation looks at what's next when it comes to the governor's race, in which current Gov. Matt Bevin has requested a recanvass, policies under Beshear and more. Our guests were WFPL Political Reporter Ryland Bar...

Louisville officials opened an $11.6 million animal shelter last week, expanding animal services for strays animals and pet owners. Also last week, a local animal abuse registry went live--it requires anyone convicted to animal abuse in Jefferson County to self-register. WFPL's In Conversation talked with officials about what other animal services are available and about how owners can take better...

Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear is in a tight race for governor against Republican incumbent Matt Bevin, according to a recent Mason-Dixon poll. That poll also shows Bevin has shored up support within his party, and that Beshear has more support among women and younger voters in metropolitan areas. This week on In Conversation, we ask Beshear about his agenda if he is elected governor, an...

It has been a memorable year for Louisville and Mayor Greg Fischer. Last November, Fischer was elected to his third and final term in office and major projects, like a track and field complex and a new YMCA, are finally underway. Fischer has used his office to take up issues like gun control, but state and federal laws could hamper city efforts. Then, there's also the city's budget challenges as i...

Louisville is hosting the inaugural Define American Summit this weekend, welcoming hundreds of visitors to comedy shows, work shops and discussions about race, culture and identity. It all aligns with the nonprofit Define American's mission to share stories and stir change around immigration, identity and citizenship. This week on WFPL's In Conversation, we talk with officials and guests taking pa...

Debate around gun access and gun violence has spilled into Kentucky and the rest of the nation amid high-profile mass shootings. Some states, like California, are taking steps to ban assault weapons. But Kentucky legislators have been hesitant to support bills restricting access to guns, and last year the General Assembly approved a bill expanding access for people who carry concealed guns in publ...

Climate change has increased Kentucky's average temperature, contributed to heavier rainfall and is associated with other weather-related changes in the state. Activists like Greta Thunberg have brought more attention to the issue, but panelists on WFPL's In Conversation said more that action from those in power at the federal and state level is necessary to make a substantive change. Our guests i...

Suicide among veterans is still a big problem across the nation, but Kentucky outpaces the nation with a reported 36 veteran suicides per 100,000 people in 2016. Advocates talked about what's being done to address veteran suicide and how people can help as part of WFPL's In Conversation. Our guests were Gulf War Veteran Sherry Whitehouse, Veterans Club Founder Jeremy Harrell, Kentucky Department o...

Louisville's western neighborhoods are about to witness unprecedented investment, with nearly $1 billion flowing into projects in and around the Russell neighborhood. But residents worry those investments could gentrify the area and displace them -- a topic explored in WFPL's Here Today podcast. This week for In Conversation, we talk with members of the podcast team about what they learned and wha...

Marijuana is still illegal in Kentucky but advocates and officials are shifting their attitudes towards the drug. The Jefferson County Attorney's Office said it would prosecute fewer marijuana-related offenses in Louisville, and state lawmakers have pushed for the passage of medical marijuana. This week on In Conversation, panelists talked about how other states have handled legalizing the drug, a...

Kentucky now has the highest rate of child abuse and neglect in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children's Bureau. Panelists talked about what has driven Kentucky's child abuse, state workers' struggles to address it and how the community can help. Our guests were Courier-Journal Reporter Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Child Fatality Review Panel Member Dr. Melis...

This week In Conversation, we talk about the University of Louisville's plans to buy Jewish Hospital and other properties and how those plans could affect the commonwealth. U of L announced last week that it had cemented plans to buy the hospital and other facilities owned by its parent company for $10 million. But it hinges on a $50 million loan from the state, and lawmakers said a special sessio...

This Week In Conversation, we talk labor. From recent right-to-work legislation in Kentucky to groundbreaking reporting on failures in the way the state investigates on-the-job deaths to Harlan County miners protesting to demand their pay, these issues have been in the news lately. We talk with AFL-CIO of Kentucky President Bill Londrigan, University of Louisville labor law professor Ariana Levins...

This Week In Conversation, we talk with University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi. A lot has happened at the university over the past few years, from the school's former president resigning and being sued to the head basketball coach and athletic director being fired amid a federal bribery investigation. We talk with President Bendapudi about starting at the university under those situati...

The more than $90 million Sherman Minton renewal project would add up to 30 years of life to the aging bridge. But construction could have a huge effect on traffic and nearby local economies. One option for the bridge would close it down and speed up the construction process, but some residents have argued against that option and say it would devastate the local economy. We talk with officials and...

Louisville officials closed another homeless camp last week, continuing a string of camp shutdowns as the city struggles to find solutions for its homeless population. There were more people experiencing homelessness in Louisville last year according to a count by the nonprofit Coaltion for the Homeless. That count reported 6986 homeless people between October 2017 and September 2018 — a 4 percent...

Though substantial evidence of nation-wide raids by Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) last weekend failed to materialize, the threat affected Louisville's immigrant population and may have discouraged some from getting basic services. We talk with advocates about President Trump's immigration policies and how the community has become accustomed to the threat, yet continually impacted by it...

The Louisville Free Public Library nearly lost two branch locations and $2.26 million from its overall library funding under Mayor Greg Fischer's proposed budget cuts. Lawmakers ultimately approved less drastic reductions, but the library system will still have to close its branch location in Fern Creek and curtail services. We talk with officials about the system's services, and why they are call...

We look back on previous episodes of In Conversation. These include discussions about the increasing number of youth in Kentucky using electronic cigarettes , the obstacles and successes of Louisville's park systems , and work to promote awareness about vaccinations . Our guests were: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky President Ben Chandler University of Louisville Professor of Medicine Dr. Daniel...

Kentucky's public pension system is putting a crunch on the budgets of regional universities and "quasi" state agencies. Those entities will be required to have a massive increase in their pension costs starting July 1. Some agencies say the changes will affect their services and hurt residents in Kentucky. WFPL's Ryland Barton talked with legislators and others about the pension issue....

Kentucky's hemp industry is booming, reporting a $41 million growth in sales last year when compared to 2017. The passage of the federal 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized the crop and opened it for research and farming. WFPL's Rick Howlett talked with industry experts about the crop and how it might affect Kentucky's agricultural landscape. Our guests were: Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Rya...