Republicans and Democrats have continued to struggled to find common ground on what should be in the next round of coronavirus relief. More for schools? For state and local governments? The negotiations have seemed to stall for now, but one thing legislators must stay away from as they aim for a final draft is price controls. Price controls, or benchmarking, would be a disaster for America's healthcare industry. Rural hospitals already operating with razor thin margins would be forced to close and many Americans would lose reliable healthcare access. So, what should be in the final coronavirus relief package? We know one thing that shouldn't - price controls.

As we get closer to the beginning of the fall semester, it seems increasingly likely that multiple school districts will be closed for in-person teaching. Despite recommendations to reopen from the Director of the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, teacher unions and more have taken strong opposition to reopening schools. So where does that leave families? On today's podcast Kentucky Senator Rand Paul joins us to discuss his proposal, the SCHOOL Act, to give families more options and flexibility with their child's education this fall. Listen now!

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What would be the implications of not reopening our schools this fall? On today's podcast Dr. Gary Houchens, a Pegasus Institute Senior Fellow, and Professor of Educational Administration, joins us to discuss the seriousness of making sure we take the steps to get our kids back into the classroom. A spring semester showed the shortcomings of virtual learning, and another year of this threatens us with losing out on too many at risk kids.

Does Kentucky's Governor have too much power when it comes to emergency declarations? Frankly, it is a question that many have asked over the last few months. While most emergency declarations are short lived, and tend to focus on droughts or extreme weather, the coronavirus has put Kentucky's emergency powers to the test. With huge changes in policy taking place through just one of Kentucky's branches, it has legislators wondering, 'Should we get a say in this?' It is exactly what Rep. Savannah Maddox, believes and if she gets her way, will change. Listen to our conversation on this week's podcast about the issue, and why we need reform.

The last few months presented America’s justice system with many unprecedented challenges. As our public safety officials worked to balance both the safety or their communities, and the need to keep prisons, jails, courts, and more COVID19 free, we saw new issues and new successes. Cities across the country worked to safely reduce jail population, transfer non-violent offenders into treatment programs, or back into the workforce. Unfortunately, in many instances, jails and prisons became coronavirus hotspots, and these officials had to work quickly to adjust. Now, as we work to continue keeping all of our institutions virus free, our justice system is in desperate need of resources.

On today’s podcast, Kevin Madden, VP of Advocacy for Arnold Ventures, joins us to discuss the importance of assisting and advocating for safe alternatives to incarcerations during these unprecedented times. Issues of safety and health should not be partisan issues. Keeping our fellow citizens in safe institutions should not be controversial. It is time we recognize the value of these programs, and invest in their success.

So, what should be in the next COVID relief package? We talk all about what should be in and out of the next round of federal government assistance with Kevin and our team. Listen now!

For many years, America's largest cities saw decreasing crime rates. Places that once suffered from thousands of homicides, like New York City, saw decreases down into the low hundreds. Major cities like Los Angeles and Boston saw significant reductions in violent crime. Unfortunately, in the last decade, as pundits have celebrated low violence numbers on the aggregate, many cities, and specifically a very select few neighborhoods in our country saw tremendous increases in violent crime. Louisville suffered from its most violent year ever in 2016 and each year since has had above average rates of violent crime. In 2020 the city is on pace to have its most deadly year ever.

So what might be causing some of these current spikes in violent crime? Rafael Mangual, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins us on this week's podcast to give perspective on just how drastic some of these violent crime spikes are, and what cities must recognize are effective data-driven solutions to reduce crime.

Cities across the country are seeing unprecedented violent crime surges over the last few weeks. Louisville, which saw its most violent year in 2016, and has been trending in the wrong direction for years, is on pace to see its most violent year ever. Cities like NYC and Los Angeles which have consistently decreased violent crime for years are now seeing record breaking shootings and homicides. With more calls to "Defund the Police", a remarkably bad idea, how can cities balance necessary reforms while still decreasing and preventing crime? Check out our conversation on this week's podcast.

The Boston Tea Party aka that cold December night a bunch of Massholes sparked a revolution. On this year's special Fourth of July podcast, Professor Nathan Coleman returns to take us through the one of the most infamous nights of the American revolution. What led to a bunch of Bostonians throwing tea in the harbor? Why is so much of what happened that night so secret? We discuss all of this and more on this week's podcast! Happy 4th of July!

Changing Candidates, Campaigns, and Voting Rules with Guest Tres Watson by Pegasus Institute

Christopher 2X joins us on this week's podcast to discuss his experiences over the last couple of weeks and months in Louisville. From the struggles of the economic shutdown, to personal concerns over COVID-19, rising violent crime rates, and most recently the protests, Christopher 2X gives his perspective on these many events, and how we can help heal our city.