Podcasts about kentuckians

The Killing of Wild Bill Hickok and the Two Trials of Jack McCallJump to the AD-FREE Safe House EditionEpisode 493 begins in Deadwood, August 1876, six weeks after Custer dies at Little Bighorn. A small Kentuckian named Jack McCall walks into Saloon No. 10 with a Colt revolver and a brother who never existed. Wild Bill Hickok sits with his back to the door because his friend will not switch chairs. The miners acquit. The federal government has other plans.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-historian--2909311/support.You can pay more if you want to, but rent at the Safe House is still just a buck a week, and you can get access to over 400 ad-free episodes from the dusty vault, Safe House Exclusives, direct access to the Boss, and whatever personal services you require.We invite you to our other PULPULAR MEDIA podcasts:If disaster is more your jam, check out CATASTROPHIC CALAMITIES, telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything!For brand-new tales in the old clothes from the golden era of popular literature, give your ears a treat with PULP MAGAZINES with two new stories every week.

Ralph speaks to historian Omer Bartov about his new book “Israel: What Went Wrong?” with special guest, international law expert Bruce FeinBruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.Many of the things that you describe in Israel apply in spades in the United States. We also have an administration that says we're being invaded militarily by Venezuela gangs, so we have to go kidnap their president and annex Venezuela. We've stated that Iran is an existential threat to the United States because at some future time, it's conceivable they may get one nuclear weapon. We have 5,000, Israel probably has 300 or 400. Or make the argument that we are being invaded by defenseless immigrants across the southern border. And it does seem to me that all countries—I don't think it's unique anyway to the United States or Israel, but it's generally true those in power are there to manufacture fear, to inflate fleas into elephants and say “My gosh, tomorrow the sky is falling down. We need to have national emergencies, rule by decree.” Everything is “an imminent danger”, the Communist domino theory. It's a very challenging issue. I say what you've described in Israel is not unique to Israel. We confront it every day right in the United States. And it works.Bruce FeinOmer Bartov is the Dean's Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University. A historian, Professor Bartov was born on a kibbutz, grew up in Tel Aviv, and served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Yom Kippur War. He went on to become a leading scholar of the German army and the Holocaust, before turning his attention to his native country. His early research concerned the Nazi indoctrination of the Wehrmacht and the crimes it committed in World War II. He then turned to the links between total war and genocide and interethnic relations in the borderlands of Eastern Europe. His current interest is reflected in his recent books, Genocide, the Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis, Israel: What Went Wrong?, and the forthcoming The Broken Promise: A Personal Political History of Israel and Palestine. The whole idea of creating a Jewish state (and it says so in the Proclamation of the State from May 1948) is that it would be a state for Jews—that it would be both Jewish and democratic. And that has proven to be not possible. A Jewish state can be both Jewish and democratic only if the overwhelming majority (if not all) of its citizens are Jews.Omer Bartov[Zionist zealots] believe that history is on their side—so in that sense, they are similar to Communists they're similar to Fascists they're similar to Nazis in that they believe that they can see the way forward, they know the logic of history, and the logic of history as they see it is on their side.Omer BartovIn Israel, since the 1980s (really since after the War of 1973, with the rise of the right wing in Israel in particular) the Holocaust has come to serve a particular purpose. Instead of being commemorated as an event that happened in the past that we should remember and commemorate and research, it's become a kind of image of an imminent danger to Israel. And the farther Israel has moved from the actual event of the Holocaust, and the more the Israeli army has become the military hegemon in its region, the more this alleged threat of an “Auschwitz around the corner” has been used by Israeli governments. Why has it been used? Because Israel actually needs to explain to itself and to its citizens: Why is it bossing it over millions of Palestinians? Half of the population under Israeli control are Palestinians. Two million are citizens, but they don't have equal rights, and the others have no rights at all (they're simply under arbitrary military rule). So how do you explain that? You explain that by telling your population and the rest of the world that those Palestinians—who have no power, who can never pose a threat to you—are an existential threat. And in Israel, that has worked quite well.Omer BartovBecause of the focus on Hebrew—to create Hebrew as a mother tongue for children whose mothers didn't speak Hebrew—because of that, there was a great antagonism towards speaking any other language. And the notion of having bilingual schools (that is, of having schools in Palestine where people would learn both Hebrew and Arabic, the language of the place) is not entertained by the vast majority of educators. Now, if you think about what would have been the result of having bilingual schools already in the 1920s and 30s, that children could speak each other's language and recognize each other's culture—that could have had a huge effect on how Zionism developed and how the state would have developed. But in today's Israel, the only bilingual population are the Palestinians. Palestinian citizens of Israel speak Arabic and Hebrew. Most Israelis don't speak Arabic. And most Israelis who trace themselves (quite large numbers) not to Europe, but to North Africa and the Middle East, where their parents and grandparents spoke Arabic (this was their language) have forgotten that language and were ashamed of their parents speaking it because it associated them with the Arabs. So the loss in this kind of creation of a nation around one language was the ability to imagine yourself as sharing the space with another group.Omer Bartov * Our top story concerns a progressive insurgent running in a must-win Senate race – and not the one you're thinking of. Late last week, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed won the endorsement of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The New York Times notes that this is AOC's first Senate endorsement of this cycle, coming just about a month ahead of the August 4th Michigan primary. El-Sayed is quoted saying that he is “honored for what her support says about what this campaign is building and what we're fighting for,” adding that he thinks that “too many establishment Democrats are…afraid that I will win.” He pointedly attacked Senator Chuck Schumer, charging that the Minority Leader “doesn't want to see me on the inside of the U.S. Senate,” because El-Sayed would “call out the kind of politics where we take money from corporations and AIPAC to run milquetoast campaigns and don't say anything about the problems that everyday people are facing.” El-Sayed has announced that he will campaign with AOC and Senator Bernie Sanders in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids on July 18th and 19th, per MLive.* Another earthquake occurred in the Michigan Senate race on July 5th, when State Senator Mallory McMorrow announced that she would be withdrawing from the race – turning what was a competitive three-way race into a head-to-head between El-Sayed and the Democratic establishment pick, Congresswoman Haley Stevens. The Detroit Free Press notes that this announcement “comes after absentee ballots have already been mailed out to some voters and too late to remove her name from the primary ballot,” though voters are able to rescind their absentee votes and submit new ones up through Friday, July 24th. In a video statement, McMorrow maintained that “People are crying out for change and we need to listen.” McMorrow once led her opponents in this race but saw her support collapse and was trailing in a distant third place in recent polls. Rumor also had it that outgoing Senator Gary Peters was privately calling for her to exit the race so centrists could consolidate around Stevens. While many of her supporters are expected to go to Stevens, El-Sayed is energetically courting McMorrow's voters as well. The Detroit News reports McMorrow herself has announced that she will remain neutral in the remaining days of the primary, leaving her voters to vote their own consciences.* In more Michigan news, DSA-backed congressional candidate Donavan McKinney is running strong in his primary campaign against incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar, whom McKinney has labeled “​​Detroit's own Elon Musk,” according to the New York Post. If McKinney pulls it off, he will join the growing group of DSA members in the House, along with Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier and AOC from New York, Chris Rabb and Melat Kiros from Pennsylvania and Colorado respectively, and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan. Another candidate endorsed by his local DSA chapter, Kyle Blomquist, is running for Congress in Michigan but even if he wins his primary he is not expected to flip the deep red 1st congressional district.* In Missouri, Cori Bush has also won the support of DSA for her comeback congressional run against Wesley Bell, who defeated her in the 2024 primary, Andrew Solender reports. Bush had already won the support of her local DSA chapter, along with many other progressive organizations, and has been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, and former Congressman Jamaal Bowman. This week though, she won the support of the national DSA. In a statement, Bush wrote “I am honored to be once again endorsed by the Democratic [Socialists] of America as I campaign to return to Congress and keep building our movement to fight for economic justice, Medicare for All, abolishing ICE, and a world where everyday people have a real voice in our workplace's neighborhoods and society.” Bush also praised DSA for its “decades of organizing…[mobilizing] thousands of people across the country to demand an economy that works for all of us…[and] take on war profiteers, the for-profit healthcare industry, and the billionaire funded lobbies that subvert our democracy.” There has been little polling of this race, but what there has been appears to show the race in a statistical dead heat. One sign that Bush is being taken seriously is the new $865,000 ad buy taken out by the United Democracy Project, an AIPAC cutout.* Ironically, it would seem that American Jews have a more favorable view of the progressive left than Israel. According to the Forward, a new AP poll found that “44% of American Jews hold a favorable opinion of Zohran Mamdani, compared with 39% who view him unfavorably.” This is in contrast to the 32% of respondents who said they have a favorable opinion of Netanyahu and 59% who said they have a negative view of the Israeli PM. Perhaps more surprisingly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a “staunch supporter of Israel,” garnered only a 41% favorability rating, though far more respondents said they don't know enough about him to have an opinion than said they have a negative view.* Turning back to the Senate, the other major story this week of course is the fall of Graham Platner. Accusations of sexual assault, detailed in a POLITICO article, resulted in a deluge of opprobrium that cascaded upwards culminating in Platner's earliest and highest profile supporter, Senator Bernie Sanders, calling on him to drop out of the Senate race in Maine. In a video message released Wednesday, Platner stated that he would be suspending his campaign effective immediately, later telling staff that he plans to wait until Monday, the final possible day, to formally withdraw from the race, Axios reports. In the same video, Platner categorically denied the accusations calling them “all false,” and maintaining that the “things that have been claimed did not happen.” He implied that the scandal was orchestrated by “those in power“ who would “rather see Susan Collins win than have me be the next Senator from Maine.”* Platner's impending, late-stage withdrawal from the race has set off a chaotic blitz primary to replace him as the Democratic nominee. Numerous candidates have announced they are running including former Maine Senate president Troy Jackson, former Director of Maine's Center for Disease, Control and Prevention Nirav Shah, co-founder of Maine beer company Dan Kleban, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and state lawmaker Valli Geiger, along with Jordan Wood and Paige Loud, both of whom ran in the Maine second congressional district Democratic primary. The actual process for selecting a nominee has been the subject of debate – with many progressives arguing for caucuses – but POLITICO reports that by July 27th, “600 delegates must be selected,” including 500 from the state's 16 county parties, and these delegates will decide on a candidate to replace Platner via “an unprecedented nominating convention,” wherein all delegates come in unpledged to any candidate setting the stage for “what could be a raucous and unpredictable free-for-all.” It remains to be seen how this will all shake out, but it is notable that almost all of these candidates poll very strongly against Senator Susan Collins, with many polling higher than Platner ever did, while the Democratic Party's handpicked primary candidate, sitting Governor Janet Mills, still polls lower than Platner even since the scandal broke.* For our final Senate story, we turn to the senior Senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell. McConnell was recently found unconscious in his Washington, DC home and has been hospitalized since, and while Republican Senators and media figures like Scott Jennings claim to have spoken with him directly, his being sequestered away from the public has fueled rampant speculation about the severity of his condition and why it is being kept so secretive. Forbes reports that some figures on the right, including Steve Bannon, are “suggesting the Republican establishment is shielding the state of McConnell's health from the public to allow him to remain in office long enough to avoid [Kentucky Congressman Thomas] Massie running for his seat.” Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene told TMZ, “Thomas Massie would make a great senator.” The Hill reports that Andy Beshear, the Democratic Governor of Kentucky, sent a letter to McConnell's Senate office strongly requesting an update on the Senator's health, noting that “Over the last several weeks, Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of Sen. McConnell,” and that “Allowing speculation to continue in the media is not fair to the Senator or to Kentuckians, and my hope is that this provides him the opportunity to share the information in a transparent manner, direct from the source.”* In more positive news, AP reports former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who helped an immigrant escape ICE by ushering him through her jury room door was spared prison time in her sentencing this week. After the incident in her court room, Dugan was convicted of felony obstruction in what was widely seen as a political trial designed to exact retribution on behalf of the Trump administration. Dugan resigned her circuit judgeship under this assault; in her resignation letter, she warned that this prosecution threatened “the independence of our judiciary.” Dugan was fined $5,000.* Finally, in spiritual news, a story in the National Catholic Reporter recounts how Pope Leo XIV excommunicated thousands of clergy and followers of the far right, schismatic group, the Society of St. Pius X. While bishops and priests are judged prima facie schismatic for their consecration in the Society, lay followers of the sect will be judged schismatic if they consciously choose “adherence to the society over obedience to the pope,” and “exclusive participation in Lefebvrian ‘ecclesial' acts, without taking part in the acts of the Catholic Church,” a reference to the group's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The proximate cause of this excommunication was the Society creating four new bishops in open defiance of Pope Leo, essentially daring the Church to act. This piece notes that the Society “has long been a thorn in the side of Rome,” and notes that the new papal decree rolls back privileges granted to the sect under Pope Francis, including administering the sacrament of penance and solemnizing marriages.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In part two of Red Eye Radio with Gary McNamara and Eric Harley, Marconi award winning talk show host Dan Mandis fills in for the guys this week and we begin this hour with concerns for ailing Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is directly asking McConnell, the state's most powerful figure in Congress, to disclose more about his condition after three weeks of silence from the 84-year-old since he was hospitalized in Washington. The letter released Wednesday from Beshear, says, “Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned about the current state of your health and well-being, and ability to hold office.” Senator McConnell's wife also released a statement explaining her absence as she left for China after her husband was admitted to the hospital. Also criticizing the SCOTUS ruling upholding birthright citizenship, some of President Trump's allies said having that right has opened the doors to "birth tourism." China and Mexico in particular are in the spotlight. For more talk on the issues that matter to you, listen on radio stations across America Monday-Friday 12am-5am CT (1am-6am ET and 10pm-3am PT), download the RED EYE RADIO SHOW app, asking your smart speaker, or listening at RedEyeRadioShow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The U.S. strikes Iran for a second straight night. More than 90 targets have now been struck as President Donald Trump warns Tehran it could get much worse. Plus, Democrats are back to square one in Maine. Graham Platner drops out amid mounting pressure, forcing the party to replace its nominee in a race that could decide the Senate. And Kentucky's governor demands answers from Sen. Mitch McConnell. After nearly three weeks of silence, Andy Beshear says Kentuckians deserve a public update on the senator's health. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, July 9, 2026.

The U.S. strikes Iran for a second straight night. More than 90 targets have now been struck as President Donald Trump warns Tehran it could get much worse. Plus, Democrats are back to square one in Maine. Graham Platner drops out amid mounting pressure, forcing the party to replace its nominee in a race that could decide the Senate. And Kentucky's governor demands answers from Sen. Mitch McConnell. After nearly three weeks of silence, Andy Beshear says Kentuckians deserve a public update on the senator's health. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Meidas Touch Chief Washington Correspondent Scott MacFarlane joins Chris and Amy every Wednesday. The segment starts with concerns from Kentuckians and colleagues in Washington over the health of Senator Mitch McConnell, who was recently hospitalized; Pres Trump is at a NATO summit; peace plan appears to be falling apart with Iran; Main senate race is in turmoil for Democrats.

New reporting regarding the hospitalization of U.S. Sen. McConnell, Kentucky's education commissioner explains how the KDE is adopting to new legislation, why Jefferson County is undergoing a county-wide election audit, and see how Kentuckians are helping earthquake victims in Venezuela.

Flooding kills three people in Madison County, plus a look at the damage caused in several other Kentucky counties ahead of a major heat wave, the Trump administration signals support for Kentucky's hemp industry, and a new center opens its doors for Kentuckians with mobility and communication needs.

In this episode, Fightin' Kentuckian and Wyndehurst Productions apply the lessons learned from previous interviews on scenario design to recreate one of the famous engagements of the American War of Independence, Alexander Hamilton's assault on Redoubt 10 during the Siege of Yorktown. Chosen in honor of America's 250th birthday, this episode explores the history, research, and design decisions behind bringing this iconic battle to the tabletop. So grab your Tricorne and Musket, and join us on this episode of On Patrol! Huzzah!

This week on The DeCesare Group Podcast, join Jim DeCesare for his conversation with Historian Sam Terry. https://samterryskentucky.com/As we approach the 250th anniversary of America's independence, Sam Terry shares his thoughts on what Kentuckians should better understand about this state's role in shaping the nation, which historical figure from Kentucky he believes deserves far more national recognition, and what patterns from the past are repeating themselves in America today.Terry is a historian, author, speaker, and the creator of a popular blog sharing Kentucky history. While serving as managing editor of his local newspaper, his syndicated weekly column, “My Kentucky,” evolved into “Sam Terry's Kentucky,” a daily blog featuring a mini lesson in Kentucky history for each date on the calendar. Now eight years later, the blog serves up a daily dose of history to over 46,000 subscribers.Catch The DeCesare Group Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform and every Sunday morning at 7 on 95.1-WGGC. If you enjoy The DeCesare Group Podcast, leave us a review, and to learn more about The DeCesare Group visit our website, https://www.thedecesaregroup.com/ and check us out on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeCesareGroup.

University of Kentucky superfan The Beasman ain't having it when fans celebrate the Louisville Kings. He claims that UK sports dominate all Kentuckian brains. There's no room for some flimsy Pop Warner NFL wannabes in the Commonwealth because BLUE GETS IN!And on another note, Beasman rails at the University of Kentucky for hiring a nebbish numbers nerd as athletics director when Coach Cal is available to return to Lexington. His first move should be to hire Karl Anthony Towns as a replacement for Mark Pope.These dark days for the Cats would spin into greatness with those two simple moves. Let's do it, BBN! Beasman is NEVER wrong!

Beshear admits he is trying to sell the idea of data centers to Kentuckians.I discuss exactly why politicians everywhere are giving away tax incentives and taxpayer cash in order to attract massive data centers to their areas, despite the citizens they are supposed to represent not wanting them there. Beshear gave us a huge hint as to why with his statements.

Since 2010, the Kentucky Historical Society has been the proud home of the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, a digital project committed to understanding and interpreting Kentucky's role in the Civil War. Over the past decade, CWGK has digitized thousands of letters that crossed the desks of Kentucky's five wartime governors. The letters offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Kentuckians—men and women, free and enslaved, Unionists and Confederates. It's been another busy year for CWGK, and I recently sat down with the team to discuss their new website, other achievements, and their goals for the future. Join us for a discussion with Drs. Chuck Welsko, Jacob Wood, and Chase McCarter. Dr. Welsko earned his Ph.D. from West Virginia University. He specializes in the cultural, social, and political history of the Civil War era, with a focus on border regions, loyalty, slavery, nationalism, and identity formation. Welsko has published in West Virginia History: A Journal of Regional Studies as well as in the edited collection Slavery and Freedom in the Bluegrass State: Revisiting My Old Kentucky Home. He is currently working on a book manuscript tentatively titled, Breaking and Remaking the Mason-Dixon Line: Loyalty in Civil War America. Dr. Jacob T. Wood is a nineteenth century political historian who works as an editorial specialist with the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2023 with his PhD under the supervision of Mark Summers. His current research focuses on party politics in the decades before the Civil War. His current book project "Any Changes, Eh?" studies the prevalence of party switching in the antebellum era. Dr. Chase H. McCarter is a historian of the U.S. Civil War era and a former editorial specialist with CWGK. His research focuses on the collapse of the Confederacy, the Lost Cause, and histories of racism. Chase received his Ph.D. in U.S. history in 2025 from the University of New Mexico under the direction of David Prior. His current book project explores the emotional underpinnings of the ex-Confederate diaspora to Latin America after the Civil War. Learn more about Civil War Governors of Kentucky: https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/ Hosted by Dr. Allen A. Fletcher, associate editor of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society and coordinator of our Research Fellows program, which brings in researchers from across the world to conduct research in the rich archival holdings of the Kentucky Historical Society. history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/for-re…earch-fellowships Kentucky Chronicles is presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, with support from the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation. history.ky.gov/about/khs-foundation This episode was recorded and produced by Gregory Hardison, with support and guidance from Dr. Stephanie Lang. Our theme music, “Modern Documentary,” was created by Mood Mode and is used courtesy of Pixabay. To learn more about our publication of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, or to learn more about our Research Fellows program, please visit our website: history.ky.gov/ history.ky.gov/khs-podcasts

A new report outlines a plan for attracting data centers to Kentucky while protecting Kentuckians from soaring electricity prices, NKU lobbies for more money to bring high school students to campus, the state is rolling out a new driver licensing system, a new police training academy is being built in Kentucky, and a central Kentucky historical site is reopening under new ownership.

The Fayette County school board chair sues over a new law that would bar him from serving, Republican lawmakers criticize Governor Andy Beshear's gas‑tax freeze, expanded medical‑marijuana eligibility opens new pain‑management options for Kentuckians, and Congress looks to Kentucky as it works to set national rules for consumer‑data collection.

In 1806, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark return from their journey—having led the Corps of Discovery across eight thousand miles of rapids, mountains, forests, and ravines—they bring an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled survivalists, underrated scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. While there is truth in those descriptions, there is also distortion. From one of the most exciting new historians to emerge in the past decade, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026) offers a novel take on the expedition: a gripping narrative that draws on lost documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Craig Fehrman spent five years visiting more than thirty archives, interviewing more than a hundred sources, and collecting oral history passed down over centuries. He came to see that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But here we meet John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' hulking barge. We hear from Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men. Each chapter moves to a different person's point of view, describing their desires and contradictions. We see Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest—his secret political maneuvers to fund the expedition, revealed here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. We witness the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, completely upending our understanding of Lakota-American diplomacy. York, in his chapters, finds ways to wield power and make choices in an era that didn't allow him much of either. Clark is not a folksy Kentuckian but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman discovered his college notebook; no previous biographer even realized that he went to college.) Lewis is someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country and his mentor, Jefferson. In the end, the captains are men who needed help—from Sacajawea, from the Corps, and from each other. Mile after mile, the expedition pushes on through hailstorms and flash floods, frostbite and infections, rattlesnakes and rabid wolves, with the Spanish cavalry in fierce pursuit. Fehrman balances the story's adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. The result is a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us. Craig Fehrman is a journalist and historian. He lives in Indiana with his wife and children. Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In 1806, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark return from their journey—having led the Corps of Discovery across eight thousand miles of rapids, mountains, forests, and ravines—they bring an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled survivalists, underrated scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. While there is truth in those descriptions, there is also distortion. From one of the most exciting new historians to emerge in the past decade, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026) offers a novel take on the expedition: a gripping narrative that draws on lost documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Craig Fehrman spent five years visiting more than thirty archives, interviewing more than a hundred sources, and collecting oral history passed down over centuries. He came to see that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But here we meet John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' hulking barge. We hear from Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men. Each chapter moves to a different person's point of view, describing their desires and contradictions. We see Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest—his secret political maneuvers to fund the expedition, revealed here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. We witness the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, completely upending our understanding of Lakota-American diplomacy. York, in his chapters, finds ways to wield power and make choices in an era that didn't allow him much of either. Clark is not a folksy Kentuckian but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman discovered his college notebook; no previous biographer even realized that he went to college.) Lewis is someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country and his mentor, Jefferson. In the end, the captains are men who needed help—from Sacajawea, from the Corps, and from each other. Mile after mile, the expedition pushes on through hailstorms and flash floods, frostbite and infections, rattlesnakes and rabid wolves, with the Spanish cavalry in fierce pursuit. Fehrman balances the story's adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. The result is a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us. Craig Fehrman is a journalist and historian. He lives in Indiana with his wife and children. Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/native-american-studies

In 1806, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark return from their journey—having led the Corps of Discovery across eight thousand miles of rapids, mountains, forests, and ravines—they bring an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled survivalists, underrated scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. While there is truth in those descriptions, there is also distortion. From one of the most exciting new historians to emerge in the past decade, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026) offers a novel take on the expedition: a gripping narrative that draws on lost documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Craig Fehrman spent five years visiting more than thirty archives, interviewing more than a hundred sources, and collecting oral history passed down over centuries. He came to see that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But here we meet John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' hulking barge. We hear from Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men. Each chapter moves to a different person's point of view, describing their desires and contradictions. We see Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest—his secret political maneuvers to fund the expedition, revealed here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. We witness the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, completely upending our understanding of Lakota-American diplomacy. York, in his chapters, finds ways to wield power and make choices in an era that didn't allow him much of either. Clark is not a folksy Kentuckian but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman discovered his college notebook; no previous biographer even realized that he went to college.) Lewis is someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country and his mentor, Jefferson. In the end, the captains are men who needed help—from Sacajawea, from the Corps, and from each other. Mile after mile, the expedition pushes on through hailstorms and flash floods, frostbite and infections, rattlesnakes and rabid wolves, with the Spanish cavalry in fierce pursuit. Fehrman balances the story's adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. The result is a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us. Craig Fehrman is a journalist and historian. He lives in Indiana with his wife and children. Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

In 1806, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark return from their journey—having led the Corps of Discovery across eight thousand miles of rapids, mountains, forests, and ravines—they bring an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled survivalists, underrated scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. While there is truth in those descriptions, there is also distortion. From one of the most exciting new historians to emerge in the past decade, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026) offers a novel take on the expedition: a gripping narrative that draws on lost documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Craig Fehrman spent five years visiting more than thirty archives, interviewing more than a hundred sources, and collecting oral history passed down over centuries. He came to see that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But here we meet John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' hulking barge. We hear from Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men. Each chapter moves to a different person's point of view, describing their desires and contradictions. We see Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest—his secret political maneuvers to fund the expedition, revealed here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. We witness the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, completely upending our understanding of Lakota-American diplomacy. York, in his chapters, finds ways to wield power and make choices in an era that didn't allow him much of either. Clark is not a folksy Kentuckian but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman discovered his college notebook; no previous biographer even realized that he went to college.) Lewis is someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country and his mentor, Jefferson. In the end, the captains are men who needed help—from Sacajawea, from the Corps, and from each other. Mile after mile, the expedition pushes on through hailstorms and flash floods, frostbite and infections, rattlesnakes and rabid wolves, with the Spanish cavalry in fierce pursuit. Fehrman balances the story's adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. The result is a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us. Craig Fehrman is a journalist and historian. He lives in Indiana with his wife and children. Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

In 1806, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark return from their journey—having led the Corps of Discovery across eight thousand miles of rapids, mountains, forests, and ravines—they bring an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled survivalists, underrated scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. While there is truth in those descriptions, there is also distortion. From one of the most exciting new historians to emerge in the past decade, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026) offers a novel take on the expedition: a gripping narrative that draws on lost documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Craig Fehrman spent five years visiting more than thirty archives, interviewing more than a hundred sources, and collecting oral history passed down over centuries. He came to see that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But here we meet John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' hulking barge. We hear from Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men. Each chapter moves to a different person's point of view, describing their desires and contradictions. We see Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest—his secret political maneuvers to fund the expedition, revealed here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. We witness the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, completely upending our understanding of Lakota-American diplomacy. York, in his chapters, finds ways to wield power and make choices in an era that didn't allow him much of either. Clark is not a folksy Kentuckian but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman discovered his college notebook; no previous biographer even realized that he went to college.) Lewis is someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country and his mentor, Jefferson. In the end, the captains are men who needed help—from Sacajawea, from the Corps, and from each other. Mile after mile, the expedition pushes on through hailstorms and flash floods, frostbite and infections, rattlesnakes and rabid wolves, with the Spanish cavalry in fierce pursuit. Fehrman balances the story's adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. The result is a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us. Craig Fehrman is a journalist and historian. He lives in Indiana with his wife and children. Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-west

In 1806, when Meriwether Lewis and William Clark return from their journey—having led the Corps of Discovery across eight thousand miles of rapids, mountains, forests, and ravines—they bring an incredible tale starring themselves as courageous explorers, skilled survivalists, underrated scientists, and peaceful ambassadors. While there is truth in those descriptions, there is also distortion. From one of the most exciting new historians to emerge in the past decade, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark (Simon & Schuster, 2026) offers a novel take on the expedition: a gripping narrative that draws on lost documents, stunning analysis, and Native perspectives. Craig Fehrman spent five years visiting more than thirty archives, interviewing more than a hundred sources, and collecting oral history passed down over centuries. He came to see that the success of Lewis and Clark depended on much more than just Lewis and Clark. We all know Sacajawea, and some of us know York, the Black man Clark enslaved. But here we meet John Ordway, a working-class soldier who fought grizzlies and towed the captains' hulking barge. We hear from Wolf Calf, a Blackfoot teenager who watched his friend die in a battle with Lewis and his men. Each chapter moves to a different person's point of view, describing their desires and contradictions. We see Thomas Jefferson operating in an age of bitter partisan unrest—his secret political maneuvers to fund the expedition, revealed here for the first time, are a case study in presidential power. We witness the strategy and strength of Black Buffalo, completely upending our understanding of Lakota-American diplomacy. York, in his chapters, finds ways to wield power and make choices in an era that didn't allow him much of either. Clark is not a folksy Kentuckian but a student of the Enlightenment. (Fehrman discovered his college notebook; no previous biographer even realized that he went to college.) Lewis is someone willing to sacrifice everything for his country and his mentor, Jefferson. In the end, the captains are men who needed help—from Sacajawea, from the Corps, and from each other. Mile after mile, the expedition pushes on through hailstorms and flash floods, frostbite and infections, rattlesnakes and rabid wolves, with the Spanish cavalry in fierce pursuit. Fehrman balances the story's adventure with the humanity of its protagonists. The result is a thrilling reminder that even the most familiar moments in history can still surprise us. Craig Fehrman is a journalist and historian. He lives in Indiana with his wife and children. Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senator McConnell and Congressman Guthrie announce millions in funding for upgrades to a Kentucky county's water system, Congressman McGarvey proposes guaranteeing income for young adults, dozens paddle the Ohio River to highlight its recreational opportunities and restoration needs, and meet two Kentuckians participating in the Transplant Games of America.

Kentucky's Speaker of the House on the primary election, the state earns national recognition for getting students back on track in reading and math, leaders attend ceremony for UK's new agricultural sciences building, layoffs loom for Kentucky's court system, the BBB talks about scams to watch out for, and a summit gives Kentuckians an opportunity to learn about lifelong brain health.

This week on Truth to Power, in this important mid-term election year, we bring you a conversation with U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn about his book "The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation," with Louisville's former Congressman John Yarmuth. Jim Clyburn is the U.S. Congressman representing South Carolina's 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. He previously served as House Majority Whip from 2019 to 2022 and 2007 to 2010, making him the first African American to serve multiple terms as Majority Whip. Currently, he serves as the Ranking Member on the Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. The recipient of 39 honorary degrees, Congressman Clyburn's numerous awards include: the Lyndon Baines Johnson Liberty and Justice for All Award in 2015; the Harry S Truman Foundation's Good Neighbor Award in 2021; the NAACP's highest honor — the Spingarn Medal — in 2022, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation's highest civilian honor — in 2024. His endorsement of Joe Biden for president in 2020 is credited with boosting him to an overwhelming victory in the South Carolina and subsequent primaries and setting Biden on the path to the presidency. Clyburn's book, The First Eight, is an extraordinary work of living history. It explores the powerful, untold story of the pioneering Black politicians from South Carolina who were elected to Congress in the aftermath of the Civil War, and a revealing explanation of why it took nearly a century before the ninth, James Clyburn, was elected. Learn more about the book at https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/book/9780316572743 John Yarmuth is a former United States Congressman who served eight terms as the representative of Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District (2007-2023) and was chairman of the House Budget Committee from 2019-2023. He was the primary sponsor of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Yarmuth became the first Kentuckian to join the Progressive Congressional Caucus. He has been recognized for his work to improve education and expand access to affordable health care. Prior to his congressional career, he founded and edited the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO), a weekly alternative newspaper. During his 15 years with LEO, Yarmuth won nearly 20 awards for column and editorial writing. This conversation was held before a live audience at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville on November 24, 2025. It was produced by the UofL Kentucky Author Forum and was released in January as the fifty-ninth episode of Great Podversations (https://kentuckyauthorforum.com/podcast/great-podversations-episode-59-clyburn-yarmuth/). Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 7pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

Gov. Beshear launches a Pre-K for All pilot program, renewed calls for State Rep. Grossberg to resign, Sen. Paul weighs in on the race to replace Sen. McConnell, a record amount of unclaimed property is returned to Kentuckians, and a conversation with Kentucky-born journalist Michael Collins.

This week on Truth to Power, we continue our community conversation focused on reviewing the results of the 2026 Kentucky Legislative Session. Last week we focused on Housing & Energy Bills with the Metropolitan Housing Coalition. This week we bring you "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!" Every year, the Kentucky Resources Council (KRC) publishes The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly to give Kentuckians a clear-eyed look at how the General Assembly's decisions are shaping our environment, energy systems, and communities. This year brought a mix of outcomes: some meaningful progress, but also bills moving Kentucky in the wrong direction by prioritizing polluters over people, sidelining science, and weakening protections for vulnerable communities. KRC's legislative wrap-up highlights key wins, setbacks, and everything in between, with a focus on what these decisions mean on the ground for communities across the Commonwealth. This virtual presentation hosted by KRC's Executive Director, Ashley Wilmes, took place on Monday, May 4th. Watch the presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wop4g3NU1s. Read the full report at https://kyrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-THE-GOOD-THE-BAD-UGLY.pdf Learn more and support the work of the Kentucky Resources Council at https://kyrc.org/ Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 7pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 7, 2026) — Growing up on a farm in Paris, Kentucky, Jinger Ballinger's future seemed mapped out long before she had the chance to imagine anything different. Days were spent working alongside her family raising tobacco — a life rooted in hard work, but far removed from classrooms, cap-and-gown ceremonies or college dreams.  In high school, Ballinger made a decision that would shape the next chapter of her life: she left high school at age 15 to work full-time on the farm. Years passed. She got married, raised five children and built a life, but quietly, a question lingered.  "What if?"  When her children got older, Ballinger took her first step back into education by enrolling in community college, earning an associate degree. Around the same time, she began working at the University of Kentucky in an entry-level role making ID badges — her first exposure to campus life.  What started as a job quickly became something more.  "I decided, one way or another, I was going to get my bachelor's degree," she said.   As a first-generation college student, Ballinger entered unfamiliar territory. She hadn't grown up around higher education and the transition wasn't easy. Early on, even simple assignments felt overwhelming. But instead of discouraging her, those moments became part of the process.  "I had never done anything like that before," she said. "It was a learning curve for me."   With the support of advisors and professors, she adapted — and thrived.  Ballinger chose to pursue a degree in communication from the College of Communication and Information, a decision that would prove transformative both professionally and personally.  Through her coursework, she developed skills she had never been exposed to — from digital tools to public speaking — skills that directly impacted her career.   "I only knew the dialect I learned on the farm," she said. "The college helped me learn how to present myself in a professional setting."   That growth paid off. Ballinger began working as an account clerk at UK's Veterinary Diagnostic Lab's business office. Then, while completing her degree, she earned promotions, eventually becoming an Accounts Payable supervisor with UK HealthCare — a role she never imagined for herself years earlier.  "Every aspect of my life that I know today has been afforded to me in large part by the University of Kentucky. And I started out in a very, very entry level position and it was a great job," she said. "I enjoyed and it was honestly the first time that I ever had to learn to navigate Lexington by myself. To be able to look back to that time and to now is incredible that we've come this far."  At the same time, she excelled academically, earning a spot on the Dean's List twice and maintaining a 3.8 GPA.  ****  Ballinger's journey wasn't just about returning to school — it was about doing so while balancing the demands of life.  "There were a million times I thought, 'I can't do this,'" she said. "But I didn't quit."   That determination didn't go unnoticed — especially at home.  Her children watched her push through exhaustion, stress and doubt. And in doing so, she changed how they saw their own futures.  Her daughter, once skeptical of college, now hopes to pursue higher education herself.  "They've seen that where you start isn't where you have to stay," Ballinger said.   On graduation day, Ballinger won't be walking that stage alone.   Her journey has been shared every step of the way by her faith and her family, especially her children, who have witnessed her perseverance firsthand.  "For them to see that we can come through anything as a family — that means everything," she said.   One moment stands out above the rest: receiving her cap and gown alongside her mother, who had never experienced the milestone of witnessing her daughter graduate.  "My mom was just grinning from ear to ear," Ballinger said. "It was something we had both waited a long time for."   For Ballinger, graduation isn't the finish line — it's the beginning of something even bigger.  Already accepted into UK's MBA program, she plans to continue building her career in accounting and expanding her leadership opportunities.  "I've got the soft skills now," she said. "But I want to keep growing."   If there's one message Ballinger hopes others take from her story, it's simple:  "It's never too late."  Hear Ballinger's full story on this week's special edition of "Behind the Blue."  "Behind the Blue" is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.  "Behind the Blue" is a production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show's blog page.   Discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing the Commonwealth.  This interview has been edited for time and clarity.  As the state's flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

Figures like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass are household names within the abolitionist movement. In Kentucky, well-known figures like Cassius Clay also occupy a prominent place in the antislavery narrative. But what about the everyday men and women who joined the fight against slavery in Kentucky and beyond? Although many of their names have been lost to history, scores of Kentuckians went to prison for challenging slavery. Join us today for discussion with a historian who has written about the various ways that Kentuckians resisted slavery. James M. Prichard received degrees in history from Wright State University, supervised the Kentucky State Archives Research Room for 23 years, and served as adjunct professor of history at Kentucky State University. Most recently, he was employed as a cataloger in the Filson Historical Society Special Collections. He has contributed to numerous magazines, encyclopedias, historical journals, and documentaries. He is the author of Embattled Capital: Frankfort, Kentucky in the Civil War and coauthor of 10th Kentucky Cavalry, C.S.A. Hosted by Dr. Allen A. Fletcher, associate editor of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society and coordinator of our Research Fellows program, which brings in researchers from across the world to conduct research in the rich archival holdings of the Kentucky Historical Society. history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/for-re…earch-fellowships Kentucky Chronicles is presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, with support from the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation. history.ky.gov/about/khs-foundation This episode was recorded and produced by Gregory Hardison, with support and guidance from Dr. Stephanie Lang. Our theme music, “Modern Documentary,” was created by Mood Mode and is used courtesy of Pixabay. To learn more about our publication of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, or to learn more about our Research Fellows program, please visit our website: history.ky.gov/ history.ky.gov/khs-podcasts

Send us Fan MailEarly Life & Background Kim and Nathaniel grew up in rural Kentucky, meeting in high school with lockers across the hall from each other. They worked together at a local Winn-Dixie grocery store before college, where Nathaniel pursued psychology and Kim studied occupational therapy. Both eventually moved to the Lexington area after graduating.Rise in Rock Crawling The couple stumbled into competitive rock crawling through friends in Lexington, entering their first competition—NeuRock at Paragon in Pennsylvania—in a stock class YJ. Kim finished 3rd out of 30 competitors that year. They progressed quickly, building courses at EROC events, with Nathaniel becoming a head judge and Kim earning recognition as one of the few female competitors on the East Coast.Competition Highlights Their most memorable moment came in a rock race at Alabama where Kim flipped her buggy twice, landed on all fours, and continued without hesitation. They competed from 2003 to 2011, attending King of the Hammers twice and nearly finishing in Kim's second attempt with just 13 miles remaining. A serious injury at the Badlands early in their marriage reminded them of competition's risks.Life After Competition As they prioritized family and saw unlimited-class costs skyrocket, they retired from racing to start a family. Nathaniel discovered brewing, earning his certification and launching Next Level Brewing Company in December 2019. Kim remained in occupational therapy for 22+ years. Now they coach youth football, fish, and enjoy outdoor activities with their son Mason and three rescue boxers. Support the show

"When I launched this campaign, I made it about Kentuckians. Every male elected official that was asked about my launch tried to make it about them. I'm looking forward and all these guys can just keep looking in the mirror for all I care."Kentucky gubernatorial candidate & sitting Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman to Terry Meiners on WHAS Radio

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 9, 2026) – When people hear that the University of Kentucky has an $8.6 billion budget, it can sound like a single pot of money. In reality, that figure represents an "all-in" financial plan that supports everything from patient care and research to student success, facilities, and the daily operations that keep a major public university running. On this week's episode of Behind the Blue, UK Strategic Communications' Kody Kiser is joined by Dr. Eric Monday, the University of Kentucky's executive vice president for finance and administration, for another installment of The Business of UK. The series is designed to bring greater clarity and transparency to how the university works.  In the conversation, recorded earlier this spring, Monday breaks down what the $8.6 billion figure includes and how it is structured. He notes that roughly $5.1 billion is associated with UK HealthCare, about $3.3 billion supports the university's education, research, and public service mission, and roughly $200 million is tied to athletics. He also explains that the university's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The budget itself is a plan built from months of work and reviewed and approved by the UK Board of Trustees. Monday addresses common misconceptions about the size of the budget, including the assumption that a large number automatically means unlimited flexibility. He explains that much of the university's budget is restricted by purpose, including grant funding, philanthropic gifts, and certain reimbursements. Only a portion of funds can be shifted to address changing needs or priorities. The episode also explores the state's role in supporting UK's mission. Monday notes that in fiscal year 2026, Kentucky's state appropriation is $364 million, which is about four percent of the total budget. He describes it as the foundational investment that helps make possible the rest of the university's work, including supporting instruction, keeping academic buildings running, and enabling capital projects. Finally, the discussion looks at how external factors can influence budget planning, including shifts in federal grants, changes in health care reimbursement, and broader economic volatility. Monday also highlights how UK works with partners at the state, federal, and local levels, along with public-private partnerships, to invest in facilities and capacity that expand the university's ability to serve Kentuckians. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and ideas for future 'Business of UK' episodes by emailing businessofUK@uky.edu. Upcoming installments will explore how the university operates as a complex organization, including how decisions are made and resources are managed across the institution, as well as how UK works with partners in Kentucky and beyond to advance education, research, health, and service at a statewide, national, and global scale. 'Behind the Blue' is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university. 'Behind the Blue' is a production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show's blog page.  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here. This interview has been edited for time and clarity.

Beshear lied about HB1 to further his presidential aspirations.Shocker, I know — but Governor Beshear straight-up lied about what House Bill 1 actually does for school choice in Kentucky.He vetoed it, claiming it would take money from public schools and hurt Kentucky kids. That was false.HB1 simply lets Kentucky families participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Kentuckians can donate up to $1,700 to approved scholarship organizations and get a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. Those funds help K-12 students (public or private) with tuition, fees, and education costs. Not one penny comes from Kentucky state taxes or public-school budgets.The legislature overrode his veto overwhelmingly (House 77-14, Senate 31-5), and now it's law.I sat down with Corey DeAngelis to break it all down — what HB1 really does, how Beshear misrepresented it, and why he put special interests and his presidential ambitions ahead of Kentucky families.

All Bones Considered: Laurel Hill Stories #085-4   John Christian Bullitt was a native Kentuckian who was pro-slavery, but who made his career as a Philadelphia lawyer. His constitutional knowledge and skills led to him rewriting the City's Charter, which immediately became known as The Bullitt Bill. He also helped clear Fitz John Porter of his court martial charges 15 years after the fact. His statue has stood at the northwest corner of City Hall for more than a century. 

Scams are evolving, and they're costing Kentuckians millions.In this episode, we hear from Department of Financial Institutions Information Officer Tasha Stewart and take a closer look at the Stop Scams Initiative led by the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet and its new partnership with the Kentucky State Police to better equip law enforcement agencies across the commonwealth.We discuss:What the Stop Scams Initiative is and why it was createdHow the partnership with the Kentucky State Police supports law enforcement across KentuckyThe types of resources now available to agenciesCommon scams currently impacting KentuckiansHow officers can respond when encountering scam victimsPractical tips for the public to avoid becoming a victimFor more information about the Stops Scams initiative, follow this link.The Bluegrass Beat is recorded and produced by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training's Public Information Office, a proud member of Team Kentucky. Like what you hear? We appreciate everyone who takes the time to subscribe and rate this podcast.Have a suggestion? Email host Critley King-Smith at critley.kingsmith@ky.gov to share feedback. Music by Digital Juice and StackTraxx.

The On Patrol Podcast is back with another brand NEW episode! In episode 33, The Fightin' Kentuckian and Wyndhurst Productions cross the Alps and vie for control of the Mediterranean in a rules review of Age of Hannibal, a fast-play ancient wargame built to deliver the flavor of massed ancient battles on your tabletop in a short amount of time. We cover what the system is trying to achieve, how mechanics like the Morale Clock and card-driven battlefields work, and whether it strikes the right balance between historical feel and playability. We also touch on gaming in 6mm and available supplements, bringing the Punic and Pyrrhic Wars to life with detailed scenarios, army lists, and campaigns. Is it accessible? Is it fun? And is it worth your time? Grab your gladius, sarissa, or scutum and join us on this episode of On Patrol to find out!

This week, we bring you highlights from the Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Mayoral Candidate Forum on Clean Energy organized by the Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (REAL). The moderator for the evening was Tom Fitzgerald (Kentucky Resources Council), and we were joined by four Mayoral Candidates: Shameka Parrish-Wright, Jody Hurt, Lisa Holliday Harris, and Matthew Bailey. Listen in as Louisville candidates for Mayor answer questions about achieving the city's resolution to reach 100% clean energy by 2040. All candidates were invited to attend. Brought to you by the Renewable Energy Alliance of Louisville (https://renewableenergylouisville.org/) and co-sponsored by: Interfaith Environmental Action Network, Kentucky Conservation Committee, Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentuckians for Energy Democracy, Louisville Climate Action Network, Kentucky Chapter of the Sierra Club, Kentucky Chapter of the Sierra Club-Greater Louisville Group. There are 11 registered candidates for Louisville Mayor who will appear on your non-partisan ballot on the May 19, 2026 Primary: Matthew Bailey, Tina Burnell, S. Dattilo, Bob DeVore, Craig Greenberg, Lisa Holliday Harris, Jody Hurt, Douglas Edward Lattimore, Shameka Parrish-Wright, Bill Wells, and Jeffrey Yocum. Learn more about the May 19th Primary, get registered to vote at your current address before the Registration Deadline on April 20th, find out when and where you can vote, and access a sample ballot so you can research all the candidates beforehand at govote.ky.gov Watch a full recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_V1qIFnS_4&list=PLu1P1So1_KZe1BWYi167uEImKGIZqDnok&index=14&t=4s Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 7pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at http://forwardradio.org

Amy interviews Author and Agricultural Professor Dr. Sarah Hall. This is a description from University of KY of her book - From University of KY Press - Sown in the Stars brings together the collective knowledge of farmers in central and eastern Kentucky about the custom of planting by the signs. Sarah Hall interviews nearly two dozen contemporary Kentuckians who still follow the signs of the moon and stars to guide planting, harvesting, canning and food preservation, butchering, and general farmwork. Hall explores the roots of this system in both astrology and astronomy and the profound connections felt to the stars, moon, planets, and the earth. Revealed in the personal narratives are the diverse interpretations of the practice. Some farmers and gardeners believe that the moon's impact on crop behavior is purely scientific, while others favor a much wider interpretation of the signs and their impact on our lives. Featuring photographs by Meg Wilson, this timely book bridges the past, present, and future by broadening our understanding of this practice and revealing its potential to increase the resiliency of our current agricultural food systems.

Tune in for a virtual Town Hall held on March 16, 2026: Our Common Health, Our Commonwealth: Who Decides What's Safe? hosted by Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentucky Conservation Committee, and Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter. Connecting Legislation, Pollution, and Our Health. Environmental health, public health, and civic health are deeply intertwined. The condition of our air, water, and land shapes the wellbeing of our communities and the strength of our democracy. Who shows up, who speaks, and who votes determines whether decisions reflect the public's best interests or the priorities of corporate lobbyists. Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentucky Conservation Committee, and Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter hosted this discussion on how environmental decisions affect public health and how current proposed legislation would prioritize polluter profits over the health and safety of every day Kentuckians — making it nearly impossible for communities to hold corporations accountable when our most basic necessities are at risk. Additionally, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky shared findings from their report How Can They Do That?, which examines how legislation can advance through the process with limited public visibility. The Town Hall starts out with testimony from Calvert City, Kentucky resident Joshua Tabor sharing his family's experience with angiosarcoma, a rare cancer linked to environmental exposures, and why these environmental protections are deeply personal for many Kentucky families. Together, we examined how decisions made in Frankfort affect Kentucky's natural resources and communities, and what Kentuckians can do to shape a healthier future. Speakers include: KWA's Michael Washburn, Joshua Tabor, KRC's Audrey Ernstberger, KWA's Nick Hart, KCC's Lane Boldman, LWA's Jeanie Lindel, and SC's Julia Finch. Watch full recording: https://vimeo.com/1174496139 Connect with the organizers: Kentucky Waterways Alliance: https://www.kwalliance.org/ Kentucky Resources Council: https://kyrc.org/ Kentucky Conservation Committee: https://kyconservation.org/ Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter: https://www.sierraclub.org/kentucky

Funeral plans are set for a Kentuckian killed as part of the U.S. fighting Iran, state lawmakers considering changes that could kick 47,000 Kentuckians off SNAP, a Paducah Republican is urging Kentucky to develop a nuclear energy pilot program, and the Senate votes to override the governor's veto of House Bill 1.

Kentucky's war on woke is far from over—our public universities are openly defying the law!I talk with Adam Guillette from Accuracy In Media (AIM) to break down their recent explosive undercover investigations that have exposed Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky. Hidden cameras caught staff admitting DEI is still alive and embedded in curricula—rebranded, hidden, and funded by YOUR tax dollars—in direct violation of Kentucky's ban.We dive into the MOST RECENT video: AIM's undercover footage from Western Kentucky University (WKU), where an admin casually admits they're still forcing "anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion" down students' throats using an accreditation loophole. They think we're too dumb to notice. Why does stopping these DEI policies matter? Because DEI lowers standards, discriminates against qualified Kentuckians based on race or sex, wastes millions in taxpayer money, and drags down academic excellence for EVERYONE.Plus: SB 199 lets chemical manufacturers hide real risks behind EPA-approved labels. DEIinKentucky.com

An Army Sergeant from Hardin County is the latest U.S. soldier to be killed in the attack on Iran, President Trump plans to discuss affordability during a visit to Northern Kentucky, the House overrides Gov. Beshear's first veto of the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly, and two Kentuckians seek to intervene in the DOJ's case against Secretary of State Michael Adams.

Larry talks with Dr. Pete Lynch, a political professor at UK, running as an independent with the support of a new political group, The Kentucky Party. As an economic populist, he is committed to representing the interests of average Kentuckians and average Americans across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In hour two, Larry talks with Dr. Pete Lynch, a political professor at UK, running as an independent with the support of a new political group, The Kentucky Party. As an economic populist, he is committed to representing the interests of average Kentuckians and average Americans across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Robert dug into HB 1 -- what the new charter school legislation means for Kentuckians and how the federal program it supports functions. Jazmin looked into the two other bills that the legislature has passed.

Our guest today is Kay Tillow, Kay Tillow is currently the chair for Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare Insurance. Kay Tillow was the keynote speaker at the Louisville Fellowship of Reconciliation “Third Thursday Lunch event. The Third Thursday Lunch event that featured Kay Tillow occurred February 19th, 2026, at Hotel Louisville before a live audience. We would like to thank the Louisville Fellowship of Reconciliation for helping to produce today's presentation that features Kay Tillow

Dr. Austin Stone joins the podcast to discuss his recent experience with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Traveling Fellowship and how that impacts the Kentuckians he treats.

Kay Tillow, Chairperson of Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare and Guest Dare Cima, Social Justice Activist and a member of DSA, on Medicaid Cuts impact on Eastern Kentucky. Dare hails from the foothills of Appalachia in Southeastern Kentucky and still has family there. Dare is uniquely qualified to speak on the state of healthcare while growing up in the region.

Jane Armstrong Tucker was a Boston stenographer scrabbling to get by as a single woman in the Gilded Age, until she was offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Madeleine Pollard was a Kentuckian with humble roots who had used charisma to work her way into the parlors of the Washington, DC, elite. Tucker hid behind an alias―Agnes Parker―but Pollard had a secret, too. Alias Agnes: The Notorious Tale of a Gilded Age Spy (UP of Kentucky, 2025) details the story of Jane Tucker, who took a job as an undercover detective with a ten-week mission. Her target: Madeleine Pollard, former mistress of Congressman William C. P. Breckinridge, whom she had sued for breach of promise when he failed to marry her. Exploring the intricacies of this trial and a scandal that captivated the nation, author Elizabeth A. DeWolfe demonstrates that a shared lack of power did not always lead to alliances among women. DeWolfe uncovers the strategies women used to make their way in the world, drawing parallels between the previously forgotten and incomplete tales of Tucker, Pollard, and the women who testified in the trial―from formerly enslaved persons, to white socialites, to single government clerks, to divorced physicians.Written in engaging prose with all the intrigue and suspense of a detective tale, Alias Agnes chronicles the lives of women at the cusp of the twentieth century―the opportunities that beckoned them and the challenges that thwarted their dreams. New Books in Women's History Podcast Jane Scimeca, Professor of History at Brookdale Community College Website here @janescimeca.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kentuckians took to the roads—not just to travel, but to protest. In this episode, we explore the dramatic and often violent events of the Toll-Gate Wars, a grassroots movement against private toll road companies that charged travelers fees to use public routes. https://linktr.ee/Kyhistorypod

Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, once considered a protégé of Sen. Mitch McConnell, is now running to replace him. Cameron served as legal counsel for McConnell, who is retiring next year after four decades in the U.S. Senate. McConnell's departure after more than 40 years in office, leaves an opening for Kentuckians to elect a more conservative, Trump-loyal candidate. FOX's Ryan Schmelz speaks with Daniel Cameron, former Kentucky Attorney General, who explains why he is running to replace his former boss, Senator Mitch McConnell. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices