Studio 619 for January 20, 2008

State of the CommonwealthIt’s one down and one to go for Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. Last Monday night, he delivered his first State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the General Assembly. He gives the budget address in just over a week. We get more from Kentucky Public Radio’s Tony McVeigh.Gatton AcademyKentucky Governor Steve Beshear has asked all state Universities to cut their current budgets by three percent. For Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, that’s about same amount it costs to fund a year-old program for gifted high school students. WFPL’s Gabe Bullard has more.Green MediaThe number of magazines, television and radio shows, and Web sites dedicated to telling you about living a greener lifestyle has just exploded in the past few years. The Discovery Channel is launching the first 24-hour TV network about the green lifestyle; Verdant Magazine recently hit the shelves for the affluent green-loving consumer; and Lime Radio on Sirius carries 24-hour programming about living a healthier, greener life. But is there any substance to this media? Or is just about trying to sell you something? WFPL’s Kristin Espeland looks into the trend this week on Studio 619.Henrietta MarieThe first clue was an ivory tusk: treasure hunters searching the wreckage of a ship off the Florida Keys realized the vessel had been to Africa. But it was the further, ominous discovery of iron shackles that confirmed the remains were those of a slave ship, the first, and so far, only slave ship wreck in North America to be seriously studied.Those shackles and other relics brought to the surface more than 250 years after the ship sank are now on exhibit at the Frazier International History Museum, emotional reminders that help tell the troubling story of the slave trade in America.WFPL’s Susan Sweeney Crum spoke with the Museum’s Executive Director, Dr. Madeleine Burnside, who not only helped create the exhibit, but has written a book about the ship and her history.Kentucky Opera SeasonThe Kentucky Opera was founded in 1952. Kentucky Opera has grown to a respected regional company with an annual budget in excess of $2.4 million. At its most recent fundraiser, Carnavale, David Roth, General Director of Kentucky Opera announced the 2008-2009 Brown Forman Fall Season and unveiled a new look for the opera.Kentucky HomefrontLast week, Kentucky Homefront announced its new home at the Clifton Center. Stephanie Sanders spoke with host and producer John Gage about what led to the change and how he feels about the new location of the Front Porch.Natalie MacMasterCape Breton fiddlers are the stuff of legend. They come from a long line of fiddlers who can trace their heritage back to the mother countries of Ireland and Scotland. Natalie MacMaster grew-up in this tradition, with her uncle Buddy being considered one of the greatest of the Cape Breton fiddlers. MacMaster is now world renowned in her own right for her fiddle playing and high energy concerts. Listen in as WFPL’s Robin Fisher talks with MacMaster about her music and her upcoming concert in Louisville. Listen to the show.