STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/15/11: 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Since its inception in 1961, over 200,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps and have served in 139 countries. Today the Peace Corps has 8,655 volunteers — about half of what it was at its highest in 1966. This Tuesday, we'll talk to a Peace Corps historian and author about the Corps' story, and we'll hear from a current Peace Corps recruiter and some former volunteers. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 3/14/11: Dr. Walter Mischel's groundbreaking study of and conclusions about willpower have been applied to everything from early education to weight loss to saving for retirement. His efforts won him the 2011 Grawemeyer Award for Psychology. This Monday Dr. Mischel joins us to talk about his work, his discoveries, and what he learned from toddlers and marshmallows. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/11/11: It's Friday, and that means time for another State of the News. This week we'll get a metro news update, talk about the Kentucky General Assembly, and - just in time for selection Sunday - have a preview of what could be in store during March Madness! Join us for analysis of what made headlines this week in Louisville. [Note: due to a presidential press conference, this is an abbreviated show]. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/10/11: The nursing field has been undergoing some deep changes. Nursing students today have a variety of career paths from which to choose. Recent years have also seen an increase in responsibilities accorded to nurse practitioners, and a higher demand for them, too. There are some serious challenges in nursing education as well, including a shortage of educators. We'll look at the evolution in nursing Thursday on State of Affairs. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/09/11: Teen unemployment reached almost 26% in January. New college graduates face daunting competition to secure even low-wage, temporary jobs; finding employment related to their desired career is even more challenging. 16-24 year olds have been hit hard by the economic crash. Not only are jobs scarce, but many Baby Boomers aren't retiring when expected. So what options exist for Kentucky's young people? How can they gain experience, additional education, and a paycheck? How do they avoid the emotional toll of long term unemployment? We sit down with our guests to explore the causes and possible solutions for unemployment among young workers in the Commonwealth. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/08/11: Recent statistics list Louisville as the fourth highest city in the nation for colon cancer deaths. Estimates are that 60% of current colon cancer deaths could be prevented with regular screening, but not all who are at-risk are regularly screened. We'll talk to medical professionals and a colon cancer survivor from the Colon Cancer Prevention Project about causes, treatments, and prevention. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/07/11: Dr. Kevin Bales' blueprint to end modern slavery earned him this year's Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order. It's estimated that 27 million people are enslaved; human trafficking and slavery are intertwined with many facets of the global economy. In Dr. Bales' book Ending Slavery: How We Free Today’s Slaves, he outlines a plan under which he believes slavery can be stopped within 30 years at a cost of less than $20 billion. Join us Monday when we talk with Dr. Bales about his work. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/04/11: The Louisville Metro Ethics Commission will hold a hearing this month on a complaint filed against Councilwoman Judy Green; Phillip Bailey joins us with the details. A skirmish between some Louisville arts leaders and Fund for the Arts chief Allen Cowan made the news this week, and we'll also check in with the C-J's Jim Carroll to find out what's new in Washington. Tune in to State of the News for analysis of these and other stories. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/03/11: Should the federal government continue to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting? That question has of course been the source of passionate debate in recent times, although efforts to cut or eliminate such funding have surfaced periodically for years. We’ll hear different views on the subject, and invite you to weigh in on government funding for public broadcasting today on State of Affairs. Listen to the Show

STATE OF AFFAIRS 03/02/11: We like to think of children as exuberantly carefree, but what about those who suffer from severe emotional disabilities including PTSD, depression, and behavioral disorders? How do these children learn to conquer their disability and enjoy lives free from emotional chaos? We talk with our guests about their efforts to help these special needs children, therapy treatments they employ, and what the future holds in terms of better care in Kentucky for children with emotional disabilities. Join us to learn more. Listen to the Show Related Links: Maryhurst Bluegrass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board