On Track

The Louisville Urban League will publish its new State of Black Louisville report in the coming weeks, documenting issues that affect African-American residents and their livelihoods. The report is expected to address topics like criminal justice, affordable housing and more, and features essays from local leaders who will suggest solutions to issues and barriers faced by residents. This week for In Conversation, we talked about the upcoming report, concerns affecting African-Americans and potential solutions. Our guests were Louisville Urban League President and CEO Sadiqa Reynolds, District 7 Councilwoman Paula McCraney and freelance writer and author Michael Jones.

Recent changes in Louisville's arts scene have drawn attention to the industry. StageOne Family Theatre's artistic director left his job after two years with the company, and nine Actors Theatre employees were laid off as part of "organizational restructuring. News of those layoffs comes just ahead of Actors Theatre's 44th Humana festival, which attracted more than 38,000 people and generated a $593,705 economic impact for Louisville last year.

WFPL's In Conversation talked about the state of the arts in Louisville, and asked leaders what they expect in the months and years ahead. Our guests were Fund for the Arts President and CEO Christen Boone, Looking For Lilith Theater Company Co-Founder Shannon Wooley Allison and Actors Theatre of Louisville Executive Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming.

Kentucky's 2020 legislative session has thus far included bills on school safety, immigration, abortion and more. With Democratic Governor Andy Beshear's budget address proposing funding changes for education, health care and other areas, WFPL's In Conversation discussed what has happened so far and what may be ahead for the legislature. Our guests were Kentucky Senate Minority Leader Morgan McGarvey, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence President & CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey, Kentucky Voices for Health Board Chairperson Dr. Sheila Schuster and Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Ryland Barton.

Each year before the Kentucky Derby, state and local advocates raise awareness about potential "spikes" in human trafficking. Governor Andy Beshear highlighted the topic last week when he declared January as "Human Trafficking Awareness Month." But major sporting events can present challenges to stopping human trafficking, and the Kentucky Department of Education says the state's location, degree of youth homelessness and poverty make the commonwealth conducive to human trafficking. This Week In Conversation, we talked about research on human trafficking, what signs indicate someone is being trafficked and what resources are available for victims. Our guests were: People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky Program Director Jaime Thompson, Women of the Well Ministry Founder Summer Dickerson and University of Louisville Human Trafficking Research Initiative Director Dr. Jennifer Middleton.

Thousands of Kentuckians have expunged their records since a 2016 law made some low-level offenses eligible to be cleared. Greater Louisville Inc. has endorsed expungement as a way to boost Kentucky's workforce development and economy, but the process is still unaffordable and difficult for some to complete. WFPL's In Conversation talked about record expungement, who is eligible for it and what resources are available for those who qualify. Our guests included Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy Education Branch Manager Melanie Foote, ACLU of Kentucky Field Organizer for Juvenile Justice Keturah Herron, Greater Louisville Inc. Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy Iris Wilbur and Legal Aid Society Staff Attorney Jenn Perkins.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says expanded gaming could become a new revenue source which could help fund the state's struggling pension systems. Some lawmakers have proposed bills that support expanded gaming, but two top Republicans say Beshear has overstated potential revenue from casino gambling and say proposals to legalize it are "off the table." WFPL's In Conversation talked about gambling addiction, how other states have used gambling money and whether expanded gaming bills will gain traction in Kentucky's upcoming legislative session. Our guests were Kentucky Council On Problem Gambling President Dr. Herbert "Bud" Newman, Democratic State Representative Al Gentry and Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Ryland Barton.

In Conversation covered a lot in 2019. From homelessness and vaccinations to bourbon and marijuana, more than a hundred guests joined the program this year to talk about dozens of topics. This week, WFPL's In Conversation looked back on some of our favorite shows: our program with the University of Louisville's president and her optimism for the school's future, our show with advocates who said more funding and support is needed to address homelessness in Louisville, and our talk with officials about marijuana laws in Louisville and the rest of the state.

Eastern High School's principal apologized and the school has changed its policies after girls were turned away from their homecoming dance for violating dress code this fall. Their dresses were measured before some girls were told they cannot enter the dance, sparking controversy from parents and students who alleged such rules are sexist. And Jefferson County Public School data shows that in schools without dress codes, where rules can be applied more subjectively, girls are cited more often for dress code violations than boys. WFPL's In Conversation talked with Courier Journal Education Reporter Olivia Krauth, University of Louisville Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Chair Dawn Heinecken and Democratic State Representative Attica Scott about dress codes and whether they help students learn.

Kentucky has instituted major reforms to its systems that handle sexual assault cases. Those reforms include requirements for providing, testing and tracking rape kits, mandated trauma-informed training for first responders, and clearing a backlog of more than 3,000 untested rape kits. But there are more areas for improvement, as revealed in The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting's investigation "Prosecution Declined". The project, part of KYCIR's new podcast called "Dig", found that Louisville police rely heavily on prosecutors' judgement for whether rape cases should prompt an arrest. Prosecutors often decline such cases, resulting in only 15 percent of rape cases reported in 2017 ending with an arrest.

WFPL's In Conversation discussed how Kentucky has reformed its systems for handling sexual assault cases, described what services are available for victims, and highlighted what areas need improvement. Our guests were Investigative Reporter Eleanor Klibanoff with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting and Survivors' Corner Founder and Director Donna Pollard.

The rate of foster youth entering Kentucky's foster care system has grown since 2011, and a decreasing percentage of those youth are being reunified with their parents or guardians. That data was outlined in a report from the nonprofit Kentucky Youth Advocates that was released this November. Though the report suggests some child welfare measures to improve, many of those solutions cost money and the state could face a $1.1 billion budget shortfall and fiscal needs from its underfunded pension system. WFPL's In Conversation talked with Kentucky Youth Advocates' Executive Director Terry Brooks, Republican Senator Julie Raque Adams and Voices of the Commonwealth member Christopher Hagans about why the rate of foster youth has increased, what issues in the child welfare system should be addressed, and how legislators might address child welfare during this upcoming legislative session.