Earlier this year, we set out to take a deep look at why Louisville's West End is changing -- and how. In this last episode of Here Today, we address the uncertainty that lies ahead, and how that could affect the people who live west of Ninth Street.  Here Today is a listener-supported project. You make it possible for us to hold the people in power accountable for the promises they make. Click here to chip in: wfpl.org/supportheretoday

Earlier this year, we set out to take a deep look at why Louisville's West End is changing -- and how. In this last episode of Here Today, we address the uncertainty that lies ahead, and how that could affect the people who live west of Ninth Street. Here Today is a listener-supported project. You make it possible for us to hold the people in power accountable for the promises they make. Click here to chip in: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a>

The World Still Goes Around And Round

Just as we started working on Here Today, our colleagues on In Conversation, WFPL's weekly talk show, did an episode about the investments coming to west Louisville.After the show aired, the station got this email from a listener:Please stop calling the West End "West Louisville!" There is another town, way down river from here, called West Louisville. Here in the Metro, we have the South End and the East End and the West End.  Calling the latter by another town's name further acts to make it "other" and not belonging to all of us in the South End, where I grew up, and the East End, where I now reside.After some lively conversation, we decided that on Here Today, we would use both terms, "west Louisville" and "the West End," interchangeably, but the conversation didn't end there. We started asking folks we interviewed for the show which term they use, and why.On this episode, you'll hear some of those answers. And we'll speak to a linguist who's from Louisville, about how the language we use shapes the way we think and feel.We couldn't do this work without your support. Click here to contribute: wfpl.org/supportheretoday

Just as we started working on Here Today, our colleagues on In Conversation, WFPL's weekly talk show, <a href="https://wfpl.org/how-will-changes-in-west-louisville-affect-residents/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">did an episode about the investments coming to west Louisville</a>. After the show aired, the station got this email from a listener: <blockquote>Please stop calling the West End "West Louisville!" There is another town, way down river from here, called West Louisville. Here in the Metro, we have the South End and the East End and the West End.  Calling the latter by another town's name further acts to make it "other" and not belonging to all of us in the South End, where I grew up, and the East End, where I now reside.</blockquote>After some lively conversation, we decided that on Here Today, we would use both terms, "west Louisville" and "the West End," interchangeably, but the conversation didn't end there. We started asking folks we interviewed for the show which term they use, and why. On this episode, you'll hear some of those answers. And we'll speak to a linguist who's from Louisville, about how the language we use shapes the way we think and feel. We couldn't do this work without your support. Click here to contribute: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a>

A Rose Is Still A Rose

After learning about all the ways revitalization could go wrong, we wanted to learn about the city's plan for avoiding the pitfalls that have happened elsewhere. Here's a section of Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's third inaugural speech, given in January of this year:  "[L]ook at what’s happening in west Louisville. Nearly a billion dollars of investment funding catalytic projects: The expansion of Waterfront Park, the Louisville Urban League Sports and Learning Complex at 30th and Ali, the YMCA and the new Passport Headquarters at 18th and Broadway, and the Beecher Terrace and Russell revitalization. For that work, we’re collaborating with the people of Russell, along with businesses, faith groups and other community partners to make sure we restore the great legacy of this neighborhood – once celebrated as the Harlem of the South – without displacing anyone who wants to remain there."  That last bit of emphasis is ours. This week on the show, we sit down with the mayor to ask what plans are in place to prevent displacement in the West End, and we hear from some experts about whether the city is on the right track. Here Today is a listener-supported project. YOU make it possible for us to hold the people in power accountable for the promises they make. Click here to chip in: wfpl.org/supportheretoday + 

After learning about all the ways revitalization could go wrong, we wanted to learn about the city's plan for avoiding the pitfalls that have happened elsewhere. Here's a section of Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's third inaugural speech, given in January of this year: <blockquote> "[L]ook at what’s happening in west Louisville. Nearly a billion dollars of investment funding catalytic projects: The expansion of Waterfront Park, the Louisville Urban League Sports and Learning Complex at 30th and Ali, the YMCA and the new Passport Headquarters at 18th and Broadway, and the Beecher Terrace and Russell revitalization. For that work, we’re collaborating with the people of Russell, along with businesses, faith groups and other community partners to make sure we restore the great legacy of this neighborhood – once celebrated as the Harlem of the South – without displacing anyone who wants to remain there." </blockquote> That last bit of emphasis is ours. This week on the show, we sit down with the mayor to ask what plans are in place to prevent displacement in the West End, and we hear from some experts about whether the city is on the right track. Here Today is a listener-supported project. YOU make it possible for us to hold the people in power accountable for the promises they make. Click here to chip in: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a> +

Let Me Understand Your Plan

Homeownership has been touted as “the American dream” for decades -- and some advocates say it’s also the way to prevent gentrification in west Louisville. On this episode of Here Today, we take a look at homeownership in the West End, and whether owning your own home really leads to inter-generational wealth. Support this work, by clicking here: wfpl.org/supportheretoday

Homeownership has been touted as “the American dream” for decades -- and some advocates say it’s also the way to prevent gentrification in west Louisville. On this episode of Here Today, we take a look at homeownership in the West End, and whether owning your own home really leads to inter-generational wealth. Support this work, by clicking here: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a>

The House I Live In (I Bought It)

When you rent a place to live, you’re subject to the whims of your landlord. Whether you’ve lived in your place for a year or 10 years, if your landlord decides to sell, you could be forced out.  The changes happening in west Louisville are affecting the people who live there, and most of them are renters. As property values rise in the West End and property owners consider selling, what does that mean for the renters there? Did you learn something new from this episode? Click here to make a donation that helps us keep learning stuff together: wfpl.org/supportheretoday

When you rent a place to live, you’re subject to the whims of your landlord. Whether you’ve lived in your place for a year or 10 years, if your landlord decides to sell, you could be forced out.  The changes happening in west Louisville are affecting the people who live there, and most of them are renters. As property values rise in the West End and property owners consider selling, what does that mean for the renters there? Did you learn something new from this episode? Click here to make a donation that helps us keep learning stuff together: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a>

It’s Hard Out Here For A Renter

The site where Beecher Terrace was built has a story that's much older than the housing complex itself. Louisville's first black doctor had a home there with his family. The city's first cemetery occupied what's now Baxter Square Park. Before we move on from Beecher Terrace, we spend some time this week learning more of that story. Click here to support Here Today: wfpl.org/supportheretoday

The site where Beecher Terrace was built has a story that's much older than the housing complex itself. Louisville's first black doctor had a home there with his family. The city's first cemetery occupied what's now Baxter Square Park. Before we move on from Beecher Terrace, we spend some time this week learning more of that story. Click here to support Here Today: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a>

Diggin' on Beecher Terrace

Construction of the new Beecher Terrace continues, and fewer than a hundred families are living in what’s left of the old complex. Several hundred others are settling into their new homes throughout the city. While some displaced residents await the new and improved Beecher, others are content to leave it behind and start anew. Those who do come back will find themselves living with lots of new neighbors -- not all of whom are low income folks, like before. Will it still feel like home? Last week we talked about the “big four” West End investments. Today on Here Today, we focus in on the biggest: the over $200 million dollar redevelopment of Beecher Terrace. *Click here today support the work we do on Here Today! *wfpl.org/supportheretoday Today's additional music:  "Catching Feelings," Audiobinger  "Manele," Blue Dot Sessions "Never Can Stop It," Lobo Loco

Construction of the new Beecher Terrace continues, and fewer than a hundred families are living in what’s left of the old complex. Several hundred others are settling into their new homes throughout the city. While some displaced residents await the new and improved Beecher, others are content to leave it behind and start anew. Those who do come back will find themselves living with lots of new neighbors -- not all of whom are low income folks, like before. Will it still feel like home? Last week we talked about the “big four” West End investments. Today on Here Today, we focus in on the biggest: the over $200 million dollar redevelopment of Beecher Terrace. <h2>*Click here today support the work we do on Here Today! *<a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a></h2> Today's additional music: <ul> <li><a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Audiobinger/%7E/Catching_Feelings" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Catching Feelings," Audiobinger </a></li> <li><a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Cloud_Harbor/Manele" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Manele," Blue Dot Sessions</a></li> <li><a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lobo_Loco/Hoh_Hey/Never_Can_Stop_It_ID_830" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Never Can Stop It," Lobo Loco</a></li></ul>

Can't Find My Way Home

When someone makes a promise to you and then doesn’t follow through, would you believe them the next time? And if you trust them a second time and they don’t come through, what about a third time? In recent years, plans for new developments in the West End -- like the FoodPort and a Super Walmart -- have come and gone. Now, west Louisville residents are again being asked to put their faith in planned developments aimed at revitalizing the neighborhoods, particularly Russell. Will things be different this time? For some projects, the answer seems to be yes -- things are going along as planned. For others, the future seems less certain. _ Here Today is listener supported, and every little bit helps. Click here to support the work we do: wfpl.org/supportheretoday

When someone makes a promise to you and then doesn’t follow through, would you believe them the next time? And if you trust them a second time and they don’t come through, what about a third time? In recent years, plans for new developments in the West End -- like <a href="https://wfpl.org/plans-west-louisville-foodport-canceled/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the FoodPort</a> and <a href="https://wfpl.org/walmart-canceling-plans-west-louisville-store/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a Super Walmart</a> -- have come and gone. Now, west Louisville residents are again being asked to put their faith in planned developments aimed at revitalizing the neighborhoods, particularly Russell. Will things be different this time? For some projects, the answer seems to be yes -- things are going along as planned. For others, the future seems less certain. _ Here Today is listener supported, and every little bit helps. Click here to support the work we do: <a href="http://wfpl.org/supportheretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org/supportheretoday</a>

Promise Of A New Day (Again)

What comes to mind when you hear “west Louisville?” Do you picture the families who live there? People coming together for barbecues and neighborhood block parties. Kids playing in the park. Neighborhood churches. Or when you think of the West End, are you reminded of the last thing you heard about it on the news? A recent shooting. People living in poverty. Neighborhoods filled with abandoned houses. The story of west Louisville is not a simple one. It’s not one that can be easily encapsulated in a sound bite. And it's a story that could be drastically changing soon. But to understand the future, we have to look to the past. On episode one of Here Today, we explore the people and policies that created today's West End. Here Today is produced and reported by Amina Elahi, Laura Ellis, Jonese Franklin, and Kyeland Jackson. Website and data reporting are by Alexandra Kanik. You can support Here Today by making a donation here. 

What comes to mind when you hear “west Louisville?” Do you picture the families who live there? People coming together for barbecues and neighborhood block parties. Kids playing in the park. Neighborhood churches. Or when you think of the West End, are you reminded of the last thing you heard about it on the news? A recent shooting. People living in poverty. Neighborhoods filled with abandoned houses. The story of west Louisville is not a simple one. It’s not one that can be easily encapsulated in a sound bite. And it's a story that could be drastically changing soon. But to understand the future, we have to look to the past. On episode one of <a href="https://wfpl.org/category/here-today/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here Today</a>, we explore the people and policies that created today's West End. Here Today is produced and reported by Amina Elahi, Laura Ellis, Jonese Franklin, and Kyeland Jackson. Website and data reporting are by Alexandra Kanik. You can support Here Today by<a href="https://louisvillepublicmedia.webconnex.com/heretoday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> making a donation here. </a>

How Did We Get Here? (Nobody's S’posed To Be Here)

This is a pivotal moment for west Louisville. There's a track &amp; field complex planned, a new YMCA in the works, and the renovation of Beecher Terrace. But as property values rise, so do property taxes, and that can be a hardship for the people already living there. Is this revitalization? Or gentrification? If you're seeing this trailer because you were subscribed to our news podcast, Recut, you know these are issues we've been keeping an eye on all along. Now we're going to take a closer look. Here Today will track the changes in Louisville's West End, and tell the stories of the people who call it home. Coming this summer, from Louisville Public Media.

This is a pivotal moment for west Louisville. There's a track &amp; field complex planned, a new YMCA in the works, and the renovation of Beecher Terrace. But as property values rise, so do property taxes, and that can be a hardship for the people already living there. Is this revitalization? Or gentrification? If you're seeing this trailer because you were subscribed to our news podcast, Recut, you know these are issues we've been keeping an eye on all along. Now we're going to take a closer look. Here Today will track the changes in Louisville's West End, and tell the stories of the people who call it home. Coming this summer, from Louisville Public Media.

Introducing... Here Today: Louisville's Changing West

This is a pivotal moment for west Louisville. There's a track &amp; field complex planned, a new YMCA in the works, and the renovation of Beecher Terrace. But as property values rise, so do property taxes, and that can be a hardship for the people already living there. Is this revitalization? Or gentrification? Here Today will track the changes in Louisville's West End, and tell the stories of the people who call it home.

Great podcast. Love the deep story. Any new episodes coming soon?

Hope new episodes are coming

My husband and I are getting ready to move to Louisville next week (I write this in a Chicago apartment full of boxes) and I just listened to the first podcast. I&#39;m excited to be able to use Recut to learn about politics and perspectives in Louisville. I am also a white woman who was just hired by JCPS (and is used to being one of the few white teachers at my school in Chicago) and appreciated the first episode about the challenges of grooming young POC to go into education. I&#39;m hooked and will keep listening!

Deep Dive into Louisville

Here Today

We've seen it before: A neighborhood dealing with high poverty and crime, and offering few economic prospects, is given a boost. State and federal investments for new projects are approved. Maybe a new, trendy restaurant or bar or coffee shop comes in — thanks to the low property costs — and soon, other businesses follow. Developers begin to buy homes in the area for cheap and flip them for big profits. Property values and property taxes rise, and before you know it, the neighborhood barely resembles its former self. And the people who've lived there for years, some of them for decades, can no longer afford to live in the place they call home. There's no denying that West Louisville needs a boost. At one time, jobs were plentiful and businesses thrived. The Russell neighborhood was even nicknamed “Louisville’s Harlem.” But that was a long time ago. Many residents in the west now live in poverty, and rates of crime in the West End are among the highest in the city. But with major investment for new projects ahead — including a new track and field sports complex, a renovated Beecher Terrace, and a neighborhood YMCA — West Louisville is likely headed for big changes. Today on Recut, WFPL's Kyeland Jackson talks about revitalization efforts in the West End, and the line between neighborhood renewal and gentrification.

We've seen it before: A neighborhood dealing with high poverty and crime, and offering few economic prospects, is given a boost. State and federal investments for new projects are approved. Maybe a new, trendy restaurant or bar or coffee shop comes in — thanks to the low property costs — and soon, other businesses follow. Developers begin to buy homes in the area for cheap and flip them for big profits. Property values and property taxes rise, and before you know it, the neighborhood barely resembles its former self. And the people who've lived there for years, some of them for decades, can no longer afford to live in the place they call home. There's no denying that West Louisville needs a boost. At one time, jobs were plentiful and businesses thrived. The Russell neighborhood was even nicknamed “Louisville’s Harlem.” But that was a long time ago. Many residents in the west now live in poverty, and rates of crime in the West End are among the highest in the city. But with major investment for new projects ahead — including a new track and field sports complex, a renovated Beecher Terrace, and a neighborhood YMCA — West Louisville is likely headed for big changes. Today on Recut, WFPL's Kyeland Jackson talks about revitalization efforts in the West End, and the line between neighborhood renewal and gentrification.

There's A Thin Line Between Revitalization And Gentrification

Sitting in our recording studio, we're within about five miles of 15 different drug addiction recovery facilities. From our station, it’s a 17-minute walk to someplace you can get a Hepatitis A vaccine, even if you don’t have health insurance. We're in downtown Louisville. But the opioid and Hep A epidemics look very different outside of big cities. In small towns, where everyone knows everyone else, the stigma attached to seeking treatment for substance use disorders can be intense. Plenty of evidence says needle exchange programs help prevent the spread of disease, but they’re politically unpopular. Mary Meehan and Aaron Payne cover health issues for the Ohio Valley ReSource. “To talk to people in active addiction is difficult because they don’t want to be associated with the opioid epidemic,” Aaron said. “Even people in recovery sometimes are hesitant to talk about their experience. They’re still afraid of the stigma, so it can be difficult to find people to talk to that have lived through this disease.” They join us on today’s show to talk about their experiences covering the opioid epidemic and related issues in rural communities.

Sitting in our recording studio, we're within about five miles of 15 different drug addiction recovery facilities. From our station, it’s a 17-minute walk to someplace you can get a Hepatitis A vaccine, even if you don’t have health insurance. We're in downtown Louisville. But the opioid and Hep A epidemics look very different outside of big cities. In small towns, where everyone knows everyone else, the stigma attached to seeking treatment for substance use disorders can be intense. Plenty of evidence says needle exchange programs help prevent the spread of disease, but they’re politically unpopular. Mary Meehan and Aaron Payne cover health issues for the Ohio Valley ReSource. “To talk to people in active addiction is difficult because they don’t want to be associated with the opioid epidemic,” Aaron said. “Even people in recovery sometimes are hesitant to talk about their experience. They’re still afraid of the stigma, so it can be difficult to find people to talk to that have lived through this disease.” They join us on today’s show to talk about their experiences covering the opioid epidemic and related issues in rural communities.

Reporting On The Opioid Crisis In Small Towns

Black youth make up less than 27 percent of Louisville's population, but more than 75 percent of youth jailed in Louisville last year were black. To put  it another way: 3 out of 4 kids in Louisville's detention center are black, but only 1 out of 4 kids in Louisville are black. Over the last year, Kate Howard with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting looked at the state's juvenile justice system and she found that black kids are not only locked up more often than white kids, but they are also given harsher punishments. Kate joins us today on Recut to talk about her reporting and she tells us about some families and teenagers she met in the process.

Black youth make up less than 27 percent of Louisville's population, but more than 75 percent of youth jailed in Louisville last year were black. To put it another way: 3 out of 4 kids in Louisville's detention center are black, but only 1 out of 4 kids in Louisville are black. Over the last year, Kate Howard with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting looked at the state's juvenile justice system and she found that black kids are not only locked up more often than white kids, but they are also given harsher punishments. Kate joins us today on Recut to talk about her reporting and she tells us about some families and teenagers she met in the process.

Why Are Louisville's Black Kids Jailed More Than White Kids?

Ninth Street. The Ninth Street divide. West of Ninth. Mention any of these phrases to just about any Louisvillian and they'll know what you're talking about. In fact, there are people who are new to the city that would already know what you're talking about. The Ninth Street corridor is multiple lanes of traffic with a wide median. It's a physical — and psychological — barrier between black and white. Rich and poor. It separates the predominantly black neighborhoods of West Louisville from the mostly white neighborhoods of the east. Many folks who live in West Louisville have to cross Ninth Street to work, shop and eat, while those who live elsewhere have few reasons to go "west of Ninth." Now, the city is considering proposals to "re-imagine" Ninth Street. They want to add parks, art and make room for food trucks. The proposals would slow down traffic and make it more pedestrian-friendly. Written in the concept plans for the city's project, there's this: "As energy builds to re-imagine Ninth Street, it is crucial to understand how the corridor is used today and where it wants to go tomorrow." But what about yesterday? Can Louisville improve Ninth Street without acknowledging the divide and how it became divided in first place? Reporter Amina Elahi is covering this story for WFPL and she joins us today on Recut.

Ninth Street. The Ninth Street divide. West of Ninth. Mention any of these phrases to just about any Louisvillian and they'll know what you're talking about. In fact, there are people who are new to the city that would already know what you're talking about. The Ninth Street corridor is multiple lanes of traffic with a wide median. It's a physical — and psychological — barrier between black and white. Rich and poor. It separates the predominantly black neighborhoods of West Louisville from the mostly white neighborhoods of the east. Many folks who live in West Louisville have to cross Ninth Street to work, shop and eat, while those who live elsewhere have few reasons to go "west of Ninth." Now, the city is considering proposals to "re-imagine" Ninth Street. They want to add parks, art and make room for food trucks. The proposals would slow down traffic and make it more pedestrian-friendly. Written in the concept plans for the city's project, there's this: "As energy builds to re-imagine Ninth Street, it is crucial to understand how the corridor is used today and where it wants to go tomorrow." But what about yesterday? Can Louisville improve Ninth Street without acknowledging the divide and how it became divided in first place? Reporter Amina Elahi is covering this story for WFPL and she joins us today on Recut.

Can We 'Re-Imagine' Louisville's Ninth Street Without Considering Its Past?

In Jefferson County, an average of 7,500 households are evicted every year, more than double the national average according to data from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. It should come at no surprise that most evictions occur in the poorest neighborhoods — in west and south Louisville. Jake Ryan from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting teamed up with Anne Marshall, who wrote about evictions for Louisville Magazine. They went to eviction court, spoke with people facing eviction, and with the sheriff's deputies who serve eviction notices. Jake and Anne join us today on Recut.

In Jefferson County, an average of 7,500 households are evicted every year, more than double the national average according to data from Princeton University’s Eviction Lab. It should come at no surprise that most evictions occur in the poorest neighborhoods — in west and south Louisville. Jake Ryan from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting teamed up with Anne Marshall, who wrote about evictions for Louisville Magazine. They went to eviction court, spoke with people facing eviction, and with the sheriff's deputies who serve eviction notices. Jake and Anne join us today on Recut.

Why Is Louisville's Eviction Rate Double The National Average?

Mining experts say that black lung disease is 100 percent preventable. But a new study by federal health officials found a recent surge in cases of black lung disease — a surge that is especially concentrated among coal miners in central Appalachia. In the U.S., one in 10 coal miners have black lung disease; in Central Appalachia, it's more like one in five. NPR and The Ohio Valley ReSource have worked together for about 18 months to cover the black lung epidemic in the region. Reporters visited black lung clinics and spoke to miners with the disease. Today on Recut, we hear from NPR's Howard Berkes and Jeff Young from The Ohio Valley ReSource about the state of black lung and about their reporting. Plus, we'll from the miners themselves.

Mining experts say that black lung disease is 100 percent preventable. But a new study by federal health officials found a recent surge in cases of black lung disease — a surge that is especially concentrated among coal miners in central Appalachia. In the U.S., one in 10 coal miners have black lung disease; in Central Appalachia, it's more like one in five. NPR and The Ohio Valley ReSource have worked together for about 18 months to cover the black lung epidemic in the region. Reporters visited black lung clinics and spoke to miners with the disease. Today on Recut, we hear from NPR's Howard Berkes and Jeff Young from The Ohio Valley ReSource about the state of black lung and about their reporting. Plus, we'll from the miners themselves.

If Black Lung Is The Cost Of Doing Business, Is It Worth It?

Growing up in Louisville, in a not-particularly-politically-engaged family, I had never heard of Fancy Farm until I started working in a newsroom.  When I did, I almost thought the reporters were kidding me. It's a church picnic, in Western Kentucky, where some of the most important people in Kentucky politics go every year and make funny, trash-talking speeches about each other? Sure. I've still never been (I have to fix that one of these years), but now I'm a believer: Fancy Farm might be one of the Kentuckiest things in Kentucky.  This year, the big stories were that Governor Bevin didn't show up, and that Allison Lundergran Grimes apparently has jokes for days: "Mitch had to leave because he is very busy rushing a Supreme Court vote. It is so sad. Like many men, he suffers from premature confirmation. And like a man, he claims it never happens to him."  Capital reporter Ryland Barton has been covering Fancy Farm for the past four years. He joins us on today's show to give us the highlights of this year's picnic, and wax philosophical about the event as a whole.

Growing up in Louisville, in a not-particularly-politically-engaged family, I had never heard of Fancy Farm until I started working in a newsroom.  When I did, I almost thought the reporters were kidding me. It's a church picnic, in Western Kentucky, where some of the most important people in Kentucky politics go every year and make funny, trash-talking speeches about each other? Sure. I've still never been (I have to fix that one of these years), but now I'm a believer: Fancy Farm might be one of the Kentuckiest things in Kentucky.  This year, the big stories were that Governor Bevin didn't show up, and that Allison Lundergran Grimes apparently has jokes for days: "Mitch had to leave because he is very busy rushing a Supreme Court vote. It is so sad. Like many men, he suffers from premature confirmation. And like a man, he claims it never happens to him."  Capital reporter Ryland Barton has been covering Fancy Farm for the past four years. He joins us on today's show to give us the highlights of this year's picnic, and wax philosophical about the event as a whole.

Fancy (Farm) Didn't Let Us Down

Louisville’s Land Bank Authority acquires abandoned properties and then sells them to new owners very cheap, sometimes for as little as a dollar. The new owners have six months to rehab the outside of the house, and 18 months to fix the inside. Last December, a record year for landbank sales, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer called the program a “win for neighbors and for public safety.” But reporter Jake Ryan with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting found that of the 316 properties the landbank has sold, almost a third are vacant and in violation of the city’s property maintenance codes. The landbank has the authority to take houses back if the buyer doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, but they've only actually done that one time since 2010. Jake joins us today on Recut to tell us what he found out about why those properties remain vacant, and what people living nearby have to say about it.

Louisville’s Land Bank Authority acquires abandoned properties and then sells them to new owners very cheap, sometimes for as little as a dollar. The new owners have six months to rehab the outside of the house, and 18 months to fix the inside. Last December, a record year for landbank sales, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer called the program a “win for neighbors and for public safety.” But reporter Jake Ryan with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting found that of the 316 properties the landbank has sold, almost a third are vacant and in violation of the city’s property maintenance codes. The landbank has the authority to take houses back if the buyer doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, but they've only actually done that one time since 2010. Jake joins us today on Recut to tell us what he found out about why those properties remain vacant, and what people living nearby have to say about it.

Recut: Is Louisville's Land Bank Working?

In early August, Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher announced that the John Breckinridge Castleman statue would be removed from Cherokee Triangle. Debate about the Castleman monument and other controversial works of art was sparked last August when the Castleman statue was vandalized with paint. This happened a day after violence erupted at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Following the deadly rally, cities around the country —  including Lexington — moved swiftly to relocate their Confederate monuments. Louisville did not act so quickly; we had nearly a year of committee meetings and public comments. Now, the statue will be moved. And the conversation is moving ahead, too, to the next question: What should replace it? We asked WFPL listeners what you thought should go in the statue's place, and we'll hear some of those answers on today's show, with arts reporter Ashlie Stevens. (Oh! And since you asked, yes, this is pledge drive week! Everything we do at WFPL is only possible because of listener support and that includes Recut. Donate at wfpl.org. And thanks!)

In early August, Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher announced that the John Breckinridge Castleman statue would be removed from Cherokee Triangle. Debate about the Castleman monument and other controversial works of art was sparked last August when the Castleman statue was vandalized with paint. This happened a day after violence erupted at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Following the deadly rally, cities around the country —  including Lexington — moved swiftly to relocate their Confederate monuments. Louisville did not act so quickly; we had nearly a year of committee meetings and public comments. Now, the statue will be moved. And the conversation is moving ahead, too, to the next question: What should replace it? We asked WFPL listeners what you thought should go in the statue's place, and we'll hear some of those answers on today's show, with arts reporter Ashlie Stevens. (Oh! And since you asked, yes, this is pledge drive week! Everything we do at WFPL is only possible because of listener support and that includes Recut. Donate at <a href="http://wfpl.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org</a>. And thanks!)

With Castleman Moving, What's Next?

Matt Bevin

Kentucky Gov

Since taking office in late 2015, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has been on a mission to roll back the state's Medicaid expansion. And honestly, that shouldn't surprise many people. Bevin campaigned on the issue. He said making changes to the system — including charging some Medicaid recipients monthly premiums and requiring them to work or volunteer to maintain coverage — would give them “dignity and respect.” The Trump administration agreed with the Republican governor and in January approved his proposed changes, making Kentucky the first state to get the go-ahead to institute a work requirement for Medicaid recipients. But not long after Bevin won approval, a group of 16 Kentuckians filed a lawsuit arguing the Medicaid changes were illegal. On June 29, a federal judge ruled in favor of the group and overturned Bevin's Medicaid changes. In turn, Bevin took away dental and vision coverage from all Medicaid expansion recipients, about 460,000 people. That brings us to present time. So, where do we go from here? Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Reporter Ryland Barton breaks it down today on Recut.

Since taking office in late 2015, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has been on a mission to roll back the state's Medicaid expansion. And honestly, that shouldn't surprise many people. Bevin campaigned on the issue. He said making changes to the system — including charging some Medicaid recipients monthly premiums and requiring them to work or volunteer to maintain coverage — would give them “dignity and respect.” The Trump administration agreed with the Republican governor and in January approved his proposed changes, making Kentucky the first state to get the go-ahead to institute a work requirement for Medicaid recipients. But not long after Bevin won approval, a group of 16 Kentuckians filed a lawsuit arguing the Medicaid changes were illegal. On June 29, a federal judge ruled in favor of the group and overturned Bevin's Medicaid changes. In turn, Bevin took away dental and vision coverage from all Medicaid expansion recipients, about 460,000 people. That brings us to present time. So, where do we go from here? Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Reporter Ryland Barton breaks it down today on Recut.

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin Lost Round 1 In The Medicaid Court Battle. Now What?

Over the past six months or so on Recut, we've talked about a little bit of everything, from bedbugs to Bird scooters. The newsroom was our oyster, and we were always on the lookout for those times it seemed like there might be more to the story than what made it into the newscast. We started seeing the same theme pop up again and again: Where you live in Louisville can dramatically affect what your life is like. Depending on which side of 9th Street you call home, you might be more or less likely to own a car, have internet access, or live next to an abandoned house. You might even be in more or less danger in the event of catastrophic flooding. In September, we did an episode that spelled it all out: The Thin Line Between Revitalization and Gentrification. West Louisville, long facing all the challenges we'd been learning about, was suddenly flush with investment dollars and new projects. A track &amp; field complex. A YMCA. A headquarters for Passport Health. A brand new version of Beecher Terrace. Property values would go up, and prosperity would come to the neighborhood. But with higher property values comes higher property taxes. House flippers were hanging signs and knocking on doors, trying to scoop up property before the promised boom. We started to wonder what these changes would mean for the folks who already call West Louisville home. So we've decided to make that our new focus. We want to follow the changes in West Louisville in real time--not look back in five years and wonder what happened to the neighborhoods that used to be there. Starting this Spring, we'll bring you a brand new weekly podcast that will tell the story as it unfolds. Lots of people with money and power are making big promises in West Louisville. On this week's episode of Recut, we talk a little about what we hope to accomplish, and share some of the work we've done so far.

Over the past six months or so on <a href="https://wfpl.org/category/podcasts/recut/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Recut</a>, we've talked about a little bit of everything, from <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut-3/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bedbugs</a> to <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut-suddenly-scooters/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bird scooters</a>. The newsroom was our oyster, and we were always on the lookout for those times it seemed like there might be more to the story than what made it into the newscast. We started seeing the same theme pop up again and again: Where you live in Louisville can dramatically affect what your life is like. Depending on which side of 9th Street you call home, you might be more or less likely to <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut-when-the-bus-route-rules-your-life/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">own a car</a>, <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut-what-if-you-had-to-leave-home-to-get-online/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">have internet access</a>, or live next to <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">an abandoned house</a>. You might even be in more or less danger <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut-is-louisville-prepared-for-the-next-great-flood/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">in the event of catastrophic flooding</a>. In September, we did an episode that spelled it all out: <a href="https://wfpl.org/recut/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Thin Line Between Revitalization and Gentrification</a>. West Louisville, long facing all the challenges we'd been learning about, was suddenly flush with investment dollars and new projects. A <a href="https://wfpl.org/west-end-sports-complex-development-deal-expected-january/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">track &amp; field complex</a>. A <a href="https://wfpl.org/west-louisville-ymca-moves-closer-becoming-reality/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YMCA</a>. A <a href="https://wfpl.org/will-passports-move-west-louisville-spark-economic-development/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">headquarters for Passport Health</a>. A brand new version of <a href="https://wfpl.org/big-changes-may-come-louisvilles-beecher-terrace-bringing-mixed-reaction-residents/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beecher Terrace</a>. Property values would go up, and prosperity would come to the neighborhood. But with higher property values comes higher property taxes. House flippers were hanging signs and knocking on doors, trying to scoop up property before the promised boom. We started to wonder what these changes would mean for the folks who already call West Louisville home. So we've decided to make that our new focus. We want to follow the changes in West Louisville in real time--not look back in five years and wonder what happened to the neighborhoods that used to be there. Starting this Spring, we'll bring you a brand new weekly podcast that will tell the story as it unfolds. Lots of people with money and power are making big promises in West Louisville. On this week's episode of Recut, we talk a little about what we hope to accomplish, and share some of the work we've done so far.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal for electricity. We burn a lot of coal in this country, leaving behind a lot of coal ash, which contains mercury, arsenic, lead, and other dangerous substances. And it all has to go somewhere. For the last several decades, that somewhere has mostly been in huge ponds, where it’s doused with water to keep it from blowing away. When you drive by or fly over a power plant, you’ll see big, black lakes — that’s coal ash. Sometimes it’s pretty close to residential neighborhoods. Many of the ponds are unlined, so the water seeps into the ground underneath. Until 2015, there were no federal regulations about coal ash at all. WFPL Environment Reporter Ryan Van Velzer did a story looking at new coal ash regulations, and how Kentucky companies are following them. It’s part of a three-part series from WFPL and the Ohio Valley ReSource called “Coal Ash Uncovered.” Ryan joins us on today’s Recut, along with WFPL News Director Erica Peterson.

Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal for electricity. We burn a lot of coal in this country, leaving behind a lot of coal ash, which contains mercury, arsenic, lead, and other dangerous substances. And it all has to go somewhere. For the last several decades, that somewhere has mostly been in huge ponds, where it’s doused with water to keep it from blowing away. When you drive by or fly over a power plant, you’ll see big, black lakes — that’s coal ash. Sometimes it’s pretty close to residential neighborhoods. Many of the ponds are unlined, so the water seeps into the ground underneath. Until 2015, there were no federal regulations about coal ash at all. WFPL Environment Reporter Ryan Van Velzer did a story looking at new coal ash regulations, and how Kentucky companies are following them. It’s part of a three-part series from WFPL and the Ohio Valley ReSource called “Coal Ash Uncovered.” Ryan joins us on today’s Recut, along with WFPL News Director Erica Peterson.

We Check The Coal Ash Data So You Don't Have To

One of the things we love most about working in radio is meeting new people and hearing their stories. There aren't too many other jobs where you can meet a stranger in one moment and in the next they're telling you some of the most intimate parts of their life. It's pretty weird when you think about it but the fact that people trust us with things so personal is pretty special. WFPL has partnered with IDEAS xLab to bring you Tough and Universal: Stories of Grit, first-person accounts from people in the community who’ve overcome significant challenges and thrived despite the odds. WFPL News Director Erica Peterson and Theo Edmonds from IDEAS xLab join us today to talk about the partnership, and we'll hear excerpts from each of the stories.

One of the things we love most about working in radio is meeting new people and hearing their stories. There aren't too many other jobs where you can meet a stranger in one moment and in the next they're telling you some of the most intimate parts of their life. It's pretty weird when you think about it but the fact that people trust us with things so personal is pretty special. WFPL has partnered with IDEAS xLab to bring you Tough and Universal: Stories of Grit, first-person accounts from people in the community who’ve overcome significant challenges and thrived despite the odds. WFPL News Director Erica Peterson and Theo Edmonds from IDEAS xLab join us today to talk about the partnership, and we'll hear excerpts from each of the stories.

Our Neighbors Have Great Stories

If you’re poor or living paycheck to paycheck, you might not be able to set aside money for retirement. In fact, retiring might not even be a real option for you. If you’re fortunate enough to have some savings or a retirement account, you’ll have to think about how long you can make that money last. One of the fastest-growing populations in Kentucky is people 65 and older. And for a third of that group, Social Security is their only source of income, according to 2016 Census data. Those people are faced with living off just a fraction of what their income was when they were employed, with the same bills to pay. Some people have to keep working to make ends meet. As part of The Next Louisville, a partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville, WFPL’s Lisa Gillespie spoke with three people dealing with this issue. She joins us today with their stories.

If you’re poor or living paycheck to paycheck, you might not be able to set aside money for retirement. In fact, retiring might not even be a real option for you. If you’re fortunate enough to have some savings or a retirement account, you’ll have to think about how long you can make that money last. One of the fastest-growing populations in Kentucky is people 65 and older. And for a third of that group, Social Security is their only source of income, according to 2016 Census data. Those people are faced with living off just a fraction of what their income was when they were employed, with the same bills to pay. Some people have to keep working to make ends meet. As part of The Next Louisville, a partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville, WFPL’s Lisa Gillespie spoke with three people dealing with this issue. She joins us today with their stories.

What If You Can't Afford To Retire?

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is 4,000 acres of undeveloped land in southeast Louisville. It’s one of the last undeveloped regions of Louisville, and it’s home to mammals, aquatic animals, and plants — some of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. It centers around a 62-mile long waterway called Floyds Fork. A new subdivision is in the works for the area, and conservationists are worried that the additional runoff and wastewater from homes and apartments would cause the collapse of the stream’s ecosystem. WFPL’s environment reporter Ryan Van Velzer joins us on today’s Recut to explain how the development could affect the stream. The developers and the conservationists each have their own positions; Ryan tells us what the data shows. And the whole issue brings up a kind of cognitive dissonance: a place is beautiful, so we love it and want to live there, but in order to live there, we have to take away some of what makes it beautiful (or possibly even destroy it altogether). Near the end of today’s show, things get a little far afield (pun intended) as Ryan takes us inside the mind of an environment reporter. “I knew car exhaust was bad for me,” he said. “But now I know the mechanism in which it’s bad for me.” And after today’s show, we do, too (thanks a lot, Ryan).

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is 4,000 acres of undeveloped land in southeast Louisville. It’s one of the last undeveloped regions of Louisville, and it’s home to mammals, aquatic animals, and plants — some of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. It centers around a 62-mile long waterway called Floyds Fork. A new subdivision is in the works for the area, and conservationists are worried that the additional runoff and wastewater from homes and apartments would cause the collapse of the stream’s ecosystem. WFPL’s environment reporter Ryan Van Velzer joins us on today’s Recut to explain how the development could affect the stream. The developers and the conservationists each have their own positions; Ryan tells us what the data shows. And the whole issue brings up a kind of cognitive dissonance: a place is beautiful, so we love it and want to live there, but in order to live there, we have to take away some of what makes it beautiful (or possibly even destroy it altogether). Near the end of today’s show, things get a little far afield (pun intended) as Ryan takes us inside the mind of an environment reporter. “I knew car exhaust was bad for me,” he said. “But now I know the mechanism in which it’s bad for me.” And after today’s show, we do, too (thanks a lot, Ryan).

We Always Hurt The Parks We Love

When you hear or watch news stories about Louisville's West End, many times it's not positive news. West Louisville neighborhoods like Russell used to be full of thriving businesses, and were destinations for arts and culture. Now, high poverty, low employment and crime are what many people associate with the neighborhood. Russell residents would be the first to tell you that there's much more to their neighborhood than what you hear on the news. That good things happen there. And maybe most importantly, good people live there, too. As part of The Next Louisville, a partnership with The Community Foundation of Louisville, reporter Kyeland Jackson went into Russell to talk with residents about their neighborhood and what makes it special. Today on Recut, Kyeland tells us what he learned, and we'll hear from some of the Russell residents he met.

When you hear or watch news stories about Louisville's West End, many times it's not positive news. West Louisville neighborhoods like Russell used to be full of thriving businesses, and were destinations for arts and culture. Now, high poverty, low employment and crime are what many people associate with the neighborhood. Russell residents would be the first to tell you that there's much more to their neighborhood than what you hear on the news. That good things happen there. And maybe most importantly, good people live there, too. As part of The Next Louisville, a partnership with The Community Foundation of Louisville, reporter Kyeland Jackson went into Russell to talk with residents about their neighborhood and what makes it special. Today on Recut, Kyeland tells us what he learned, and we'll hear from some of the Russell residents he met.

A Look At The Real Russell And The People Who Call It Home

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Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

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