Kentucky artist Helen LaFrance Orr died in November of 2020 at the age of 101. She was known for her paintings depicting scenes from her life in rural Kentucky. One of those paintings is now on view at Louisville’s Speed Art Museum.

In JCPS, each elementary school has a family resource coordinator whose job is helping students and their families overcome challenges like poverty and trauma.

This year, the phrase “essential worker” became commonplace as COVID-19 forced many to continue working in-person. In honor of those who served in these key roles by choice or necessity, WFPL is highlighting local essential workers who made it possible for the rest of us to manage in 2020.

Nayelyi Sanchez, the immigrant coordinator for the Center for Women and Families, helps victims of domestic violence navigate the court system.

The pandemic has made it difficult for hundreds of thousands of Louisville households to put food on the table. In fact, the national group Feeding America reports that COVID-19 is rolling back any advancements made in food insecurity since the Great Recession. WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf met some essential workers helping feed Louisvillians.

Christmas Day can be difficult for many, even when we aren’t in the grips of a worldwide pandemic.

WFPL’s Kate Howard talked with Laurel Sims-Stewart, a licensed professional counselor at Bridge Counseling and Wellness here in Louisville, about coping strategies for people who may be struggling right now.

Three anonymous grand jurors from the Breonna Taylor case took the highly unusual step of challenging secrecy and speaking out publicly. They contradicted Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s claims. And they describe him as a bully who impeded their civic duty. WFPL’s Amina Elahi spoke with them this month about what’s happened since.

A beloved figure in the Louisville arts community died last week. Barbara Cullen was a choreographer and director at many of the local theaters. But she’s best known as a caring and gifted dance teacher. WFPL arts reporter Stephanie Wolf has this remembrance.

Louisville kids can make masks for people experiencing homelessness using just scissors and a T-shirt. The activity is part of social-emotional curriculum from a Louisville nonprofit.

This year, the phrase “essential worker” became commonplace as COVID-19 forced many to continue working in-person. In honor of those who served in these key roles by choice or necessity, WFPL is highlighting local essential workers who made it possible for the rest of us to manage in 2020. WFPL’s Amina Elahi profiles emergency room nurse Austin Gramps.

The new Netflix Christmas movie “Jingle Jangle” is about a brilliant toymaker named Jeronicus Jangle, who is betrayed by his apprentice. Justin Cornwell grew up in Louisville, and stars as the young Jeronicus. He said being a part of a Christmas film with a largely Black cast has meant a lot to him as a Black actor.