Kentucky doesn't have money for teacher raises, but the GOP-dominated legislature recently passed or advanced several new or expanded tax giveaways. WDRB's Chris Otts and Lawrence Smith discuss a sweetheart deal for the well-connected developer of a Louisville hotel, an effort to lure remote workers from other states and the controversial school choice bill that would give breaks for supporting private education.

An accused child rapist and violent predator in Louisville is on the cusp of being let out of jail once again thanks to a loophole in Kentucky law: one that allows a person to be both mentally incompetent to face criminal prosecution and too mentally ill to be kept in psychiatric treatment. Now, Louisville-area lawmakers are trying to make up for lost time, mounting a last-minute push to close the loophole before the end of the legislative session this month. WDRB reporter Chad Mills explains.

The pandemic has kept most of Louisville's downtown office workers at home for nearly a year. But even before COVID, the downtown office scene was stagnant despite all the other things happening in the Central Business District -- the Yum! Center, bourbon distilleries, a plethora of new hotels. What happens if workers never return to the office? And, how does the remote work paradigm present an opportunity for an approachable city like Louisville? WDRB's Chris Otts and Katrina Helmer discuss their recent in-depth story.

Republican State Rep. Jerry Miller joins the podcast to explain why he's pushing a bill that would make the Louisville mayor into a nonpartisan position, reduce the mayor's power and make other changes. Miller makes no bones about challenging the Democratic power structure in Louisville. He even thinks removing the 'Democrat' and 'Republican' labels from mayoral candidates might make Louisville more likely to elect its first Black mayor.

Tae-Ahn Lea was a senior at Central High School in 2018 when Louisville police cuffed him, patted him down and searched his car after the teenager made a wide turn in a high-crime neighborhood. Video of the stop went viral. Many in the community were outraged. But despite the attention, and all the police reforms promised in the wake of Breonna Taylor, the internal investigation into Lea's traffic stop failed to include the main detective involved and was swept under the rug by exception in 2020 after lingering untouched for months. Even today, the police department won't release the full file. WDRB reporters Gilbert Corsey and Jason Riley explain. 

Background: LMPD detective said he handcuffed teen in viral traffic stop to 'calm him down'

Kentucky's Republican-dominated legislature finally confronted the reality of slot-like gaming in the commonwealth last week. The vote to legalize "historical horse racing" machines showed deep differences among GOP lawmakers about how to help the poor, "trickle down" economics and whether morality should be legislated. WDRB's Chris Otts and Lawrence Smith break it down. 

The Louisville detective who has obtained more residential search warrants than any other during the last 18 months is facing serious questions about his work. Eleanor Klibanoff of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting and Travis Ragsdale of WDRB explain the latest story in our newsrooms' joint investigation into LMPD search warrant practices in the wake of the Breonna Taylor shooting.

Background:

LMPD’s Top Warrant Cop Accused Of Sexual Abuse, Questionable Tactics

Dig: Klibanoff's 2019 investigative report and podcast series on LMPD rape investigations

After the killing of Breonna Taylor, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer ordered a "top-to-bottom" review of the Louisville Metro Police Department. The audit is out, and it isn't flattering. WDRB reporters Chad Mills and Jason Riley break down the key findings, the reaction from the Black community and what happens next. 

Background: LMPD review finds department needs 'major changes'

Kentucky transportation planners are looking at ways to improve Interstate 64 in Louisville, and one of the options is to widen the highway and expand the Cochran Hill tunnel. Is this a realistic plan? Will it happen anytime soon? What about the impact on Cherokee and Seneca parks? WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green discusses his recent story on the topic.

More Republican-dominated than ever, Kentucky's legislature has begun its 2021 session by passing bills curbing Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's COVID-19 emergency powers, as well as measures relating to abortion. WDRB's Lawrence Smith takes stock of the first couple of weeks of the General Assembly and what's ahead. How will Republicans' budget priorities differ from Beshear's? Will they muster the votes to save slot-like gaming in the state?  And is a citizen petition to impeach the governor gaining any traction?