This is a discussion among election officials from 4 states (Colorado, Arizona, Washington and Utah), alerting us to the alarming numbers of election officers across the country leaving their jobs as a result of the rise in intimidation, threats and violence directed at them and their families ever since the 2020 election. Guests share concerns regarding what this means for our democracy. This event was hosted by Issue One - The Faces of Democracy Campaign and moderated by Michael Beckel.

On October 25th, more than 200 medical journals from around the world (representing physicians and other medical professionals) published the same editorial. It was a warning about global climate change and loss of biodiversity. Today's show discusses their statement. Then, J Scott Miller tells us what stars, planets, meteor showers and galaxies we can see in the night sky this month. Finally, Rob Weber interviews Dr. Mahdi Yazdanpour, Stefano Pecile and Kayleigh Moore of Northern Kentucky University about their research on using robotic gloves to automatically translate sign language into text and speech. Here is the letter simultaneously published in 200 journals: https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj.p2355 ‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science’ is a weekly radio program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BenchTalkRadio/posts/?ref=page_internal

On this week’s Sustainability Now!, we bring you highlights from the 2023 Louisville Sustainability Summit - Livable Louisville: Addressing local climate risks through planning and design, that was held back on Oct 17th at Louisville Visual Art. Today, we bring you the keynote address on Sustainability Lessons from NYC to KY, by Jennifer Bloom Leone, AIA, LEED, Chief Sustainability Officer NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development. Jennifer oversees the strategic development and implementation of standards, programs and policies to meet the goals of the Mayor's Climate Action Plan "PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done” to tackle climate change and other strategic initiatives. In this keynote, she discusses how her Department’s new standards, policies and programs ensure that the city’s affordable housing can meet New York City’s ambitious climate goals while addressing the unique health and safety needs of the vulnerable populations. She will also discuss next steps and lessons learned and how businesses and non-profits can work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Learn more at https://www.louisvillesustainabilitycouncil.org/summit As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com

Kay Tillow and Dr. Claire Cohen discuss the Medicare Advantage Program and the privatization of the Medicare Program - impacts on patients and providers

Richard Rubenstein was educated at Harvard College, Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar) and Harvard Law School. Before coming to teach at George Mason University in 1987, he was a practicing lawyer in Washington DC, a political science professor at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a law professor at Antioch School of Law in Washington DC. At George Mason he joined the faculty of the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and served as its director from 1988-1991. He retired from full-time teaching in 2023 and is now University Professor Emeritus at the Institute's successor, the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Prof. Rubenstein is the author of ten books on political violence and conflict resolution. Rubenstein has written many scholarly articles and is a frequent contributor to journals like Transcend Media Service and CounterPunch. He organizes conferences and dialogues on key issues involving contemporary social conflicts. In 2023 he became chair of the Carter School Advisory Board.

Patty and Brian talk about recent election media and critical thinking ideas related to it. Lots of discussion of unconscious and conscious biases.

An interview with Debra Hamelback of the Ky Veterinarian Medical Association on Kentucky's vet shortage and its implications. Also, a discussion on the importance of different equine industries to Kentucky.

Medea Benjamin is the Co-Founder of CODEPINK, Women for Peace. Medea Benjamin is a long-time political activist and author of six books, her latest being War in Ukraine: Making Sense out of a Senseless Conflict. On October 31st, 2023, the nationally known Medea Benjamin spoke in Louisville about the war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Medea Benjam called for an end to the conflict in both of these wars and a return to peace.

For show notes for any episode, go to our website at www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. We are also on Instagram @perksofbeingabookloverpod and on FB Perks of Being a Boo kLover. To send us a message, go to our website and click the Contact button. We interviewed Alix E. Harrow in the before times (2019) when her first novel, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, was published. We drove to Berea, Kentucky and recorded in Berea College’s library, where Harrow graduated from and where she lived for a time. In the years since her debut, Harrow has come out with several new and cool entries into the speculative fiction genre. Her most recent book, Starling House, is a NYT, Washington Post, and USA Today bestseller. It is the October pick for Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. Books mentioned-- 1- Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 2- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow 3- The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe 4- Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe 5- The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe 6- What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher 7- Foundation by Isaac Asimov 8- Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher 9- The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnomes by Margaret St. Clair (short story) 10- Gideon the 9th by Tamsyn Muir 11- The City We Became by N. K. Jemesin 12- The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry 13- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 5 Star Read Recommended by Fellow Booklover Mackenxie @kenzathome- The Ever King by LJ Andrews Shows mentioned-- 1- The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix, 2024) 2- Foundation (Apple TV, 2021 - present)

In this edition (just prior to the Nov. 2023 election), Bonny Jean Feldkamp, Opinion Editor at the Courier-Journal, asked pre-selected questions of candidates for Family Court Judge, 5th Division. Candidates are: Emily Craddock, Mason Trenaman Sr., Judge Laura P. Russell (appointed by Gov. Beshear to fill that vacated seat), Jessica Stone, Allison Spencer Russell and Claudette W. Patton. This event took place at Seneca High School on Oct. 25, 2023.