WUKY In-Depth News

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where friends and families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. Today we have an essay written by Darlene Haponik of Pulaski County about John, her husband of 37 years. The reader is Donna Jo Thorndale.

Tom Wilmes of Business Lexington returns this week with behind the headline observations on the comings and goings of Lexington's dining and spirits scene.

This week on the Business Side we check in with Business Lexington editor Tom Wilmes to go behind some recent local business headlines. Among the topics, Lexington's landing of a USL franchise, a one on one interview with Keeneland's new leader and how state tax incentives helped a Lexington-based media company retrofit a long-shuttered cineplex.

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where friends and families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. Today we have an essay written by Jenna Tobbe of Daviess County who lost her aunt, Mary Lea Brown.

Is this a sign that Kentucky's economy is ‘hitting on all cylinders?' Ford Motor Co. and Korea-based SK Innovation announced the single largest economic development project in the history of the commonwealth last month celebrating a transformative $5.8 billion investment that will create 5,000 jobs and places Kentucky at the forefront of the automotive industry's future. This week on the Business Side we talk with Lane Report executive editor Mark Green who attended the rollout ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol in Frankfort.

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where friends and families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. Today we hear from Jamey Hill Temple of McLean County who has this fond remembrance of her grandmother June Hill.

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where friends and families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic can pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. Today we hear from Julie DuVale who fondly remembers her uncle, Sidney Vincent.

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where friends and families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic can pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. Today Steve Cambron remembers his friend 'Northeast Tony.'

Last June, U.S. Supreme Court justices invalidated the NCAA's ban on collegiate players being paid for use of their name, image or likeness (NIL) as counter to the general right of publicity law enjoyed by individuals throughout the rest of society. Not surprisingly this has already opened the door to a lot of new opportunities, and more than a few questions. This week on The Business Side we talk to Lane Report Executive Editor Mark Green who recently wrote an in depth feature on the issue.

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic can pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. This week WUKY's Dan Collins talks with Martha about bringing some of those stories to our airwaves and platforms. For more information or to read other heartfelt stories click here.

With the last soldier airlifted out of Afghanistan America's longest war is officially at an end. Now comes the aftermath. Earlier this week WUKY's Alan Lytle spoke with Walt Leaumont, a retired member of the Kentucky Army National Guard who served two tours in Afghanistan. One of his first assignments was to train Afghans to fight. He talks about that effort which ultimately ended in frustration and futility and shares his thoughts about what to tell his fellow veterans and their families; especially the families of the 13 men and women killed in last week's terrorist attack by Isis K.

University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy Interim Director Dr. Kathleen Montgomery has spent much of her time working on projects in Afghanistan, including efforts to bolster opportunities for women in the country. Now, she says watching the panicked scenes unfold amid the U.S. troop withdrawal has been "horrifying."

To celebrate the paperback release of his autobiography Changing The Game – WUKY's Alan Lytle recently sat down with college sports marketing pioneer and WBKY alum Jim Host. Over the course of his multi-faceted career Jim was involved in state politics, working for Republican Governors Louie B. Nunn and Ernie Fletcher. Those political and business ties were put to good use in the construction of Rupp Arena, the Kentucky Horse Park and the KFC Yum! Center. In this in depth interview Jim talks about his use of bundling to secure lucrative sports marketing deals and makes a strong argument for tax reform in Kentucky and weighs in on the NCAA's new Name Image and Likeness policy for student athletes.

The 141st Fancy Farm Picnic happens Saturday afternoon in Graves County. The political speeches didn't take place last year because of COVID-19 and this year the event promises to be a very one-sided political affair. For a preview we turn to Laura Cullen Glasscock, the editor and publisher of the Frankfort-based Kentucky Gazette.

This week on The Business Side, Tom Wilmes, editor of Business Lexington, is back for a deep dive on the ongoing service and staffing challenges for area bars and restaurants. Some emerged from the pandemic better than others. Some favorite establishments called it quits altogether. Bottom line, whether tried and true or brand spanking new, adaptability appears to be the key to success.

It's been awhile since we checked in with Tom Wilmes, editor of Business Lexington to go behind some of the latest local business headlines. There's news this week about a Bourbon Distillery expansion in Bardstown, the Liquor Barn is under new ownership, the city's new convention space appears to be paying off, plus we talk about some comings and goings on the local restaurant scene.

Tourism accounts for more than 11 billion dollars of revenue annually for the state of Kentucky, and this week on the Business Side WUKY's Alan Lytle talks with Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Mike Berry. He says Kentucky has launched a multi-prong approach to bring more visitors and their money back to the commonwealth.

For the last decade and a half an important part of Juneteenth activities in Lexington involves a ceremony at African Cemetery #2 on East Seventh Street, which contains the graves of more than a hundred military veterans; some of them are former slaves who served in the U.S. Colored Troops of the American Civil War. WUKY's Alan Lytle recently spoke with board member and noted Lexington historian Yvonne Giles for a preview of this year's Juneteenth Jubilee.

For the first time in its history the University of Kentucky will recognize Juneteenth as a campus-wide holiday this Friday. June 19 th has become a significant date on the calendar, particularly for African Americans, and for some perspective on Juneteenth's impact WUKY's Alan Lytle recently spoke with noted historian Dr. George C. Wright; he's the Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and a Senior Advisor to UK President Eli Capilouto.

WUKY's Joe Conkwright talks with Elisha Holt with Francisco's Farm Art Fair. She talks about what to expect at this weekend's event in downtown Midway.

The Field is set for the 147 th running of the Kentucky Derby and Essential Quality, has been installed as the morning line, 2 to 1 favorite. It’s been thirty years since a Bluegrass Stakes winner (Strike the Gold 1991) has triumphed on the First Saturday in May but could it happen this year? Joining us to talk all things Derby are two representatives from the Lexington-based Paulick Report ; Features Editor Natalie Voss and News Editor Chelsea Hackbarth.

The Kentucky Historical Society and WUKY are back with another episode of 120: Common Threads of Kentucky History. This week we discover and discuss a number of unique stories tied to Kentucky's role in the Civil War. We talk with Amy Murrell Taylor, associate professor of history at the University of Kentucky about her book, Embattled Freedom; Journeys Through The Civil War's Slave Refugee Camps, which recently won the prestigious Frederick Douglass prize for the study of global slavery, and Chuck Welsko, manager of the Kentucky Historical Society's Civil War Governors project. We also hear a number of first-hand accounts of Kentuckians who were caught up in the conflict. Once again your hosts are WUKY's Alan Lytle and Greg Hardison & Stuart Sanders of KHS.

As we continue to inch toward that 2.5 million vaccine goal in Kentucky, which will bring about a loosening of COVID restrictions, spring is usually a time when we see ramped up social activity, with that thought in mind WUKY's Alan Lytle recently spoke with Mary Quinn Ramer, the president of VisitLex about lessons learned from 2020 and what to expect going forward post-pandemic.

Over the years it’s had many names: “Gunntown,” “Kinkeadtown,” and “Goodloetown,” and thanks to the talented and driven Black professionals in Lexington’s East End neighborhood, it was also a center for creation and growth for the horse racing industry in Kentucky. Now, Keeneland and the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation are teaming up on a virtual walking tour of the area using a new state of the art phone app. For more details on this new project WUKY's Alan Lytle spoke with Brittany Sams, she’s a historic preservation specialist with the Blue Grass Trust For Historic Preservation.

Last week on Capitol Chat WUKY's Alan Lytle and Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock discussed 3 major accomplishments, mainly bipartisan, of the recently concluded Legislative Session. Today they look at the flip side of that coin, the partisan battles between GOP lawmakers and constitutional officers versus the gubernatorial administration of Democrat Andy Beshear.

As more people get their COVID-19 vaccines, we’re starting to see more of them dip their proverbial toes back into the social waters – while also maintaining the necessary masking and social distancing protocols. Such was the case recently for me and five of my friends who, as it turned out like dozens of others, teamed up to ramble through the streets of downtown Lexington looking for clues to solve an online LexRipper murder mystery game. So we donned some Steampunk-themed costumes, dubbed ourselves the “Fiend Finders” opened up our phone apps and had at it. Here’s a little audio diary of the day.

This week on WUKY's Capitol Chat Alan Lytle and Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock discuss three major issues Kentucky Lawmakers tackled in the 2021 Legislative Session.

In 1880, forty-three women walked into the president's office at the University of Kentucky and signed the student register, becoming the first female students at a public college in the commonwealth. But gaining admittance was only the beginning. WUKY wraps up our salute to Women's History Month with a conversation with Terry L. Birdwhistell and Deirdre Scaggs, co-authors of Our Rightful Place: A History of Women at the University of Kentucky, 1880—1945.

The GOP dominated Kentucky General Assembly is now in recess after passing a flurry of bills last week, some will earn the Democrat governor’s signature, while others will garner his veto. And lawmakers certainly aren’t done yet with this year’s session with several pieces of legislation still in play. For some analysis on Capitol Chat we turn once again to the editor and publisher of the Frankfort-based Kentucky Gazette Laura Cullen Glasscock.

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington is home to the Kentucky Aviation Hall Of Fame where more than a dozen women have been enshrined. WUKY's Alan Lytle recently took a trip to the museum and talked with long-time board secretary Marty Schadler. Special thanks to Marty and operations manager Hunter Moore for the museum tour.

If you listen closely you can almost hear the clock ticking down on this year's legislative session. This week on Capitol Chat WUKY's Alan Lytle and Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock discuss several bills that are on the fast track to the governor's desk and others that are still languishing in committee.

As part of our salute to Women’s History Month WUKY's Alan Lytle recently spoke with UK History Professor Melanie Beals Goan about her new book, “A Simple Justice – Kentucky Women Fight for the Vote," which chronicles the many high profile and unsung heroes of the suffrage movement. Not surprisingly much of that discussion centered around the complicated legacy of Laura Clay.

This week on WUKY's Capitol Chat Alan Lytle and Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock discuss a number of election-oriented bills making their way through the General Assembly.

For years, people from all over the world have been coming to Ashland the Henry Clay Estate to learn more about the 19 th century politician known to history as the Great Compromiser. But starting in 2020 they’ve also been exposed to the not so virtuous side of this famous Kentuckian. Henry Clay – Popular Statesman AND Slaveholder. Traces is the only known guided Slavery tour in the entire state. WUKY's Alan Lytle recently took the tour and he files this report.

In 2018 the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park opened Black Horsemen of the Kentucky Turf , a permanent exhibit to celebrate the forgotten contributions of African Americans to the horse industry in Kentucky. Some three years later a companion interactive website, Chronicle of African Americans in the Horse Industry , has been launched to collect more rare and vital information on this aspect of our signature sport. WUKY’s Alan Lytle recently spoke about the ongoing project with IMH Director Amy Beisel.

The Kentucky General Assembly resumes its 30 day session Tuesday with a very long to-do list. Last month the GOP controlled legislature passed a flurry of bills, some of which have already been vetoed by Democrat Governor Andy Beshear. So what can we expect in the coming weeks even as the state continues to grapple with vaccine shortages, case counts and rising COVID Deaths? For some analysis on Capitol Chat we turn once again to the editor and publisher of the Kentucky Gazette Laura Cullen Glasscock.

WUKY's Karyn Czar recently spoke one on one with State Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray about Kentucky's COVID-19 vaccination program.

We are now a week into the 2021 Session and as expected Republican lawmakers have wasted no time in crafting legislation that would have a profound effect on how the state’s governor could navigate the commonwealth through an emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrat Governor Andy Beshear has also outlined his proposed spending plan for the coming year but with super majorities in both the House and Senate how much input will the current administration have in the final product? We pose that question to Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock in this week's edition of Capitol Chat.

The Kentucky General Assembly gavels into session this Tuesday. Republicans hold super majorities in both the House and Senate and have promised to look at curbing Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's emergency powers. Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock joins WUKY News Director Alan Lytle for some pre-session analysis.

In this holiday weekend edition of our podcast series 120 - Common Threads Of Kentucky History, WUKY's Alan Lytle and the Kentucky Historical Society's Stuart Sanders and Greg Hardison bring you a variety of stories surrounding the Commonwealth's signature spirit. Enjoy!

Last week on WUKY's Capitol Chat we started a discussion about the Kentucky Democratic party and where they go after major losses in the last election. They gave the task of rebuilding the brand to Colmon Elridge, the first African American to hold the post. WUKY's Alan Lytle and Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock discuss the road ahead. They also discuss growing Republican opposition to new COVID-19 restrictions enacted by Democrat Governor Andy Beshear.

As predicted election night in Kentucky was a good night for Republicans running for the legislature, but not so much for the Democrats. With the GOP solidly in charge of the General Assembly what does the Kentucky Democratic party do to rebound? For starters they elected Colmon Elridge the new state party chair. He's a former advisor to Governor Steve Beshear and he is the first African-American to lead the Democratic party in Kentucky. For some analysis we turn once again to Laura Cullen Glasscock, the editor and publisher of the Frankfort based Kentucky Gazette.

He's got three horses in the Breeders' Cup Classic and he's been commanding even more attention, scrutiny and criticism due to some serious off-track issues. WUKY's Alan Lytle talks with Paulick Report editor in chief Natalie Voss about two time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert's recent troubles and his odds for on-track success this weekend at Keeneland.

Welcome to a special WUKY News program examining the topic of voting in the age of COVID-19. H ear from election officials, voters, political observers, and others grappling with the challenge of doing their civic duty - casting and counting ballots during a global pandemic.

In our ongoing effort to clear up some misconceptions about the 2020 Elections WUKY and the LexVote coalition, a non-partisan voter information and civic participation continue our 'Misinformation Mondays' series of conversations. Alan Lytle talks one more time with LexVote Elections Fellow Matt Young. You've got questions? He's got the answers.

No. It won't be like 2015 (after all how could it be in the age of COVID-19?) but Lexington is rolling out the virtual red carpet for horse fans across the world for the 2020 Breeders' Cup Festival. WUKY's Alan Lytle talks with festival chair Kip Cornett about what will be different and what will be improved upon this time around.

The Kentucky Historical Society and ABC 36 are bringing some of the stories behind the creepiest artifacts in the KHS collection to a TV near you just in time for Halloween. ‘Haunted, Historic Kentucky’ will take viewers on a spooky deep dive into the Kentucky Historical Society to examine numerous artifacts and Kentucky treasures that are reportedly “Haunted” or cursed. WUKY's Alan Lytle talks with KHS Foundation Director, and former ABC 36 Anchor Doug High about the project.

WUKY is bringing you a series of conversations we’re calling “Misinformation Mondays" to get you the accurate information you need to know before casting that all-important ballot. Matt Young is with UK’s Martin School of Public Policy and he's the 2020 Elections Fellow for the LexVote coalition, a non-partisan voter information and civic participation organization. You've got questions? He's got the answers.

This week on Capitol Chat Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock provides a rundown of the competitive legislative races in Central Kentucky. While not on the ballot this time around Andy Beshear, the state's Democratic Governor, could be a factor in several.

For months they’ve been taking shots at each other through the media, especially with increasingly vitriolic campaign ads but tonight Democrat Amy McGrath and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will face each other in a televised debate on WKYT TV. For a preview of the match-up we turn once again to the editor and publisher of the Kentucky Gazette, Laura Cullen Glasscock.

The first of two 6 th Congressional District debates will take place later tonight on the CW Lexington as Republican Incumbent Andy Barr and Democrat challenger Josh Hicks face each other for an hour beginning at 7 p.m. To preview the matchup we turn once again to Laura Cullen Glasscock, the editor and publisher of the Kentucky Gazette.