On Track

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On Track episodes

September 13, 2019 Here Today, Here Tomorrow? Tracking West Louisville Changes With WFPL's New Podcast
Louisville's western neighborhoods are about to witness unprecedented investment, with nearly $1 billion flowing into projects in and around the Russell neighborhood. But residents worry those investments could gentrify the area and displace them -- a topic explored in WFPL's Here Today podcast. This week for In Conversation, we talk with members of the podcast team about what they learned and what's next for the neighborhood. Our guests were WFPL City Reporter Amina Elahi and WFPL News Editor Jonese Franklin.
41 min
September 06, 2019 Looking to Other States, Officials Expect Marijuana Will Be Legalized In Kentucky
Marijuana is still illegal in Kentucky but advocates and officials are shifting their attitudes towards the drug. The Jefferson County Attorney's Office said it would prosecute fewer marijuana-related offenses in Louisville, and state lawmakers have pushed for the passage of medical marijuana. This week on In Conversation, panelists talked about how other states have handled legalizing the drug, and what Kentucky could learn from them. Our guests included Colorado Public Radio Reporter Ann Marie Awad, State Representative Nima Kulkarni, Metro Councilman Brandon Coan and Marijuana Policy Project Legislative Analyst Matt Simon.
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53 min
August 30, 2019 Kentucky Officials Ask Community To Help Address Soaring Child Abuse Rate
Kentucky now has the highest rate of child abuse and neglect in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Children's Bureau. Panelists talked about what has driven Kentucky's child abuse, state workers' struggles to address it and how the community can help. Our guests were Courier-Journal Reporter Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Child Fatality Review Panel Member Dr. Melissa Currie and Kentucky Department of Community Based Services Commissioner Eric Clark.
54 min
August 23, 2019 Experts Say Concerns Ahead for Jewish Hospital Purchase
This week In Conversation, we talk about the University of Louisville's plans to buy Jewish Hospital and other properties and how those plans could affect the commonwealth. U of L announced last week that it had cemented plans to buy the hospital and other facilities owned by its parent company for $10 million. But it hinges on a $50 million loan from the state, and lawmakers said a special session to approve that loan might not happen.
Our panel talked about the plan and what the hospital means to the community. Guests included State Senator Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville), State Senator Stephen Meredith (R- Leitchfield), WFPL Health Reporter Lisa Gillespie and University of Louisville Emeritus Professor of Medicine Peter Hasselbacher.
54 min
August 16, 2019 What's The Outlook For Labor In Kentucky?
This Week In Conversation, we talk labor. From recent right-to-work legislation in Kentucky to groundbreaking reporting on failures in the way the state investigates on-the-job deaths to Harlan County miners protesting to demand their pay, these issues have been in the news lately. We talk with AFL-CIO of Kentucky President Bill Londrigan, University of Louisville labor law professor Ariana Levinson, Eleanor Klibanoff of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting and Sydney Boles of the Ohio Valley ReSource. Click here to support the work we do.
55 min
August 09, 2019 U of L President Optimistic For Schools Future
This Week In Conversation, we talk with University of Louisville President Neeli Bendapudi. A lot has happened at the university over the past few years, from the school's former president resigning and being sued to the head basketball coach and athletic director being fired amid a federal bribery investigation.
We talk with President Bendapudi about starting at the university under those situations, and what's next for the school.
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55 min
August 02, 2019Officials: Sherman Minton Bridge Construction Is Disruptive But Necessary
The more than $90 million Sherman Minton renewal project would add up to 30 years of life to the aging bridge. But construction could have a huge effect on traffic and nearby local economies. One option for the bridge would close it down and speed up the construction process, but some residents have argued against that option and say it would devastate the local economy.
We talk with officials and about the project, what they've heard from the community so far and what plans are ahead for the 57-year-old bridge. Our guests were:
One Southern Indiana Vice President Mike Hall
Sherman Minton Renewal Spokesperson Andrea Brady
Michael Baker International Engineering Lead Aaron Stover
Michael Baker International Environmental Lead Wendy Vachet

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53 min
July 26, 2019Advocates Say More Funding, Support Needed To Address Homelessness In Louisville
Louisville officials closed another homeless camp last week, continuing a string of camp shutdowns as the city struggles to find solutions for its homeless population.
There were more people experiencing homelessness in Louisville last year according to a count by the nonprofit Coaltion for the Homeless. That count reported 6986 homeless people between October 2017 and September 2018 — a 4 percent increase from what they counted the year before. The city has worked to find solutions, commissioning a five-month study to find proposals and putting more than $500,000 towards low-barrier shelters and item storage.
We talk with advocates and officials about homelessness and what challenges they face in addressing it. Our guests were:
Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Natalie Harris
Metro Government Chief Resilience Officer Eric Friedlander
Wayside Christian Mission CEO Nina Moseley
Wayside Christian Mission client Aaron Jones
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55 min
July 19, 2019Advocates: Immigrant Community Fearful But Resilient Amid Deportation Policies
Though substantial evidence of nation-wide raids by Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) last weekend failed to materialize, the threat affected Louisville's immigrant population and may have discouraged some from getting basic services. We talk with advocates about President Trump's immigration policies and how the community has become accustomed to the threat, yet continually impacted by it. Our guests were:
Americana Community Center Executive Director Edgardo Mansilla
Define American Executive Director Ryan Eller
Mijente Louisville Spokesperson Jesús Ibañez
Click here to support the work we do: https://wfpl.org/supportinconversation.
55 min
July 12, 2019Louisville's Library System Copes With Cutbacks
The Louisville Free Public Library nearly lost two branch locations and $2.26 million from its overall library funding under Mayor Greg Fischer's proposed budget cuts. Lawmakers ultimately approved less drastic reductions, but the library system will still have to close its branch location in Fern Creek and curtail services. We talk with officials about the system's services, and why they are calling for public support ahead of their expected challenges. Our guests were:
Louisville Free Public Library Director Lee Burchfield
Educational Justice Coordinator Katelyn Robalino
Library Foundation Executive Director Chandra Gordon
Click here to support the work we do: https://wfpl.org/supportinconversation.
55 min

About On Track

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On Track brings you news and conversations about what matters most to you. We meet people who enrich our community, and take a closer look at the issues that challenge us, in Louisville, Southern…