Studio 619 for November 11, 2007

Louisville's AirLouisville residents have been breathing polluted air for years. Now… there’s hope of improving air quality as several city programs take shape or move into their next phase. One targets the tiny particles that come from burning fossil fuels, called fine particulates. Another tackles toxic chemicals. WFPL’s Kristin Espeland reports on the programs’ progress in this two-part series.Comment on KentuckyIt's the end of an era at Kentucky Educational Television. For 33 years, Al Smith has hosted the public affairs program "Comment on Kentucky". His last broadcast as host of the show is Friday, but Smith will hardly be leaving his profession as a writer and journalist. He spoke with WFPL's Rick Howlett.Learning to ReadAlthough he could only recognize "sight words," Stephen McCrocklin managed to graduate from high school and college. After scoring low on one portion of the medical school exam, McCrocklin decided to get help with his reading difficulties. The result not only led him to change careers, it led McCrocklin and his wife to open the Langsford Learning Centers to help others with reading problems. He spoke with WFPL's Heidi Caravan."Rhett Butler's People"In the novel "Gone with the Wind", when Rhett Butler said "Frankly Scarlett, I don't give a damn" and walked out the door, did you ever wonder where he went? Author Donald McCaig not only wondered what became of Rhett, he also wondered where Rhett had come from in the first place. And just who were Rhett Butler's people?McCaig was so curious he eventually found himself writing the second authorized sequel to Gone with the Wind. WFPL's Robin Fisher talks with McCaig about his new novel, the aptly titled "Rhett Butler's People".Listen to the show.