One of the worst moments in broadcasting is having to announce the death of one of your friends. The numbness of the loss takes hold but the message must be delivered to the audience.

Junior Bridgeman, a colossal figure in Louisville philanthropy, a servant of the Lord, and gracious community leader, was struck by a medical crisis at a public luncheon today. He was onstage and told the assemblage "I think I'm having a heart attack."

The word spread quickly and millions of Americans waited for an update. It came about 4 hours after the luncheon. It was not the answer to our prayers.

The devastating loss of Junior Bridgeman leaves an irreparable void in Louisville, Kentucky, the United States, and the world.

Author and renowned caver Roger Brucker tells the tragic story of Floyd Collins, trapped in a Kentucky cave in 1925. News updates mesmerized people around the world. Even after Collins' death, the media circus continued. 

Mr. Brucker co-authored TRAPPED! The Story of Floyd Collins. The book is being reissued in April around the same time as the Broadway play opens in New York.

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book description: When Floyd Collins became trapped in a cave in southern Kentucky in early 1925, the sensationalism and hysteria of the rescue attempt generated America's first true media spectacle, making Collins's story one of the seminal events of the century. The crowds that gathered outside Sand Cave turned the rescue site into a carnival. Collins's situation was front-page news throughout the country, hourly bulletins interrupted radio programs, and Congress recessed to hear the latest word. Trapped! is both a tense adventure and a brilliant historical recreation of the past. This new edition includes a new epilogue revealing information about the Floyd Collins story that has come to light since the book was first published.

Former TV news anchor & investigative reporter John Boel - WINNER OF 106 EMMY AWARDS! - sat down for a wide ranging conversation on life, service, peace, and journalism.

He's the best of the best of the best in our media business, now heading off to retirement so that he can care for ailing family members in Wisconsin.

We never got around to talking about our Green Bay Packers fandom so that will be an excuse to reconnect this fall.

University of Louisville director of athletics Josh Heird discusses the watershed year ahead for NIL demands, Louisville's chances to overachieve, Pat Kelsey's contract, senior night protocols, and the women/men's ACC tournaments.

Thoroughbred racing legend Pat Day discusses his early rodeo days, wrestling matches, and other pursuits that led him to become one of the greatest jockeys in history.

The Race for Grace event is set for Monday of Derby Week, April 28th at the First Turn Club at Churchill Downs.

Tony Cruise, Rich Gimmel and I chop it up with Pat Day on 840WHAS

A Kentucky Lantern story by Deborah Yetter updates the odyssey of Jonah Bevin, adoptive 18-year-old son of former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and (now estranged) wife Glenna. Jonah describes abusive behavior at a Jamaican youth facility where he was sent several years ago. Jonah tells Yetter that his place in the blended family "just didn't work." By age 8, "I told them I didn't want to be in that house."

The Bevins have not responded to Kentucky Lantern's requests for comment. Jonah says Matt Bevin offered him passage to his native Ethiopia after hearing reports that Jonah's birth mother is still there.

Jonah currently lives with friends in Utah and reports that he has very few personal effects beyond his passport and a toothbrush. 

Meanwhile, activists are working to improve Jonah's situation in addition to bringing the operators of the Jamaica facility in for questioning.

Our 840WHAS conversation with reporter Yetter has much more.

Jonah Bevin, the adopted son of former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and his (now estranged) wife Glenna, is struggling to find footing after being released from a controversial Jamaican youth facility. 

Atttorney Dawn Post, a children's rights activist, has been working pro bono to help Jonah get his life back on track after the Bevins separated themselves from their adopted son. Jonah claims that he and other teens were abused at the Jamaican facility which is now under legal scrutiny.

Ms. Post says that Jonah was misled by his parents into thinking that his birth mother and other family members were alive in Ethiopia. The Bevins offered passage for Jonah back to Ethiopia but attorney Post said the details were sketchy and she advised Jonah decline the offer.

She is continuing her work to assist several of the young men who allege that they were abused in Jamaica.

Click the link to hear our complete discussion.

In the summer of 1987, the cicadas returned to the Louisville area and people were disgusted by a billion dead bugs everywhere.  But not Terry Meiners. The infestation helped him reconnect with an old friend who promises to keep showing up every 17 years.

audio from WHAS11, June 1987

Kentucky Free is a right-center nonprofit working to advance legislation. Today's conversation centers of a bill to reduce the number of nonviolent parents in area prisons. Sarah Durand says Kentucky's economy would bounce forward if the state legislature would pass alternatives to imprisoning parents whose convictions did not involve violence or child abuse.

Kentucky lawmakers in both the house and senate are getting a look at The Family Preservation and Accountability Act.

Sarah described its contents on 840WHAS, saying she is receiving support from both liberals and conservatives.

Legendary golf instructor Moe Demling will be inducted into the Catholic Sports Hall of Fame after a brilliant career of playing, teaching, and promoting the game.

We had an excellent chat on 840WHAS.

This is the 11th induction class for the Archdiocese of Louisville's Catholic Sports Hall of Fame.