On Track

Louisville’s tap water is award-winning and nationally recognized. But so-called “forever chemicals” are raising new questions about what’s really in our drinking water. We talk with health and environmental reporter Morgan Watkins from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting about PFAS in Louisville’s water and what’s being done to keep the Ohio River safe.

Your child’s mental health matters, but between school pressures, social media, and life changes, it can be hard to know what kids really need. On this episode, Dr. Katy Hopkins of Norton Healthcare joins us to share what families should watch for, and how to build habits that support kids’ mental health.

Everyone in Louisville knows there’s a right and a wrong way to say the name of our city. So then why are there so many different ways to pronounce it? And how did it evolve this way? We're revisit our conversation about the many ways to say Louisville, and how language can become a stand-in for identity, and belonging.

Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is one of Kentucky’s most beloved natural spaces, connecting people with nature in the region. It protects rare wildlife and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. We talk with Bernheim’s President and CEO, Mark Wourms, and Director of Conservation Andrew Berry, about the forest’s mission, challenges, and future.

If you’ve been driving through downtown Louisville lately, you’ve probably noticed construction zones, lane closures, and shifting traffic patterns. The city is in the middle of a major transportation overhaul that could reconfigure how key streets work. So what’s being done to keep traffic moving, and make our streets safer for everyone? Jennifer Caummisar-Kern, Executive Director of Metro Louisville Public Works, joins us to talk about it.

Black Louisvillians have higher rates of cancer, heart disease and stroke than their white neighbors. And men here have a lower average life expectancy than women do. On this episode, we meet Kamari Wooten, the coordinator of Black Men’s Wellness Day. It’s an event featuring health screenings, a 5K and more, all focused on improving the health of Black men in our city.

A new school year just started. Has your student come home with the sniffles yet? From rising measles cases to COVID-19, flu, and other bugs, what should you be watching for? And how can you set your child up for good health this year? Dr. Eva Stone, District Health Manager for JCPS, joins us to talk about vaccines, preventative care and building healthy habits for the year ahead.

The Kentucky State Fair starts later this week, and we have a look behind the scenes, with Ian Cox Executive Director of Communications for Kentucky Venues. From deep-fried foods to prize-winning livestock, we’ll talk about what makes the fair so important—and fun. And we’ll go over some pro tips for getting the most out of your fair experience.

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of child abuse in the country—nearly double the national average. We’re looking at the factors that contribute to abuse and neglect in our state, and what’s being done on the ground to make a difference. We talk with Elea Fox, President and CEO of Family & Children’s Place, about what abuse can look like, what to do if you suspect a child is being mistreated, and how our systems can better support kids and families to prevent abuse in the first place.