Studio 619 for May 25, 2008

Candidates on Coal Both democratic presidential candidates have offered their opinions on one of Kentucky’s abundant resources: coal. Both champion clean coal. But, as WFPL’s Kristin Espeland reports, there may not be much to champion, yet.

• National Energy Techonology Labratory
• IGCC power

Candidates on Arts PolicySince the mid-1990s' culture wars, the government arts funding has decreased. This year, presidential candidates have specific proposals about supporting the arts.

• Americans for the Arts
• Arts Kentucky
• New Hampshire Citizens for the Arts
• National Endowment for the Arts
• NBC’s "Meet the Press," with Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on the arts
• Senator Hilary Clinton
• Senator Barack Obama
• January 2006 study on the economic impact of the arts in Kentucky
• Study on the economic impact of the arts on Louisville
• Sculptor Brad White

The Middle East

The Middle East, or is it the Mid-East? Okay, so once we get past what to call this area of the world, then we have the task of figuring out where it is on the map. It sounds easy, right? But does it include any of North African? What about those former Soviet Republics that keep popping up in the news? What would you say if I told you most scholars don’t include Iran in the definition? It’s a confusing area of the world trying to define itself in a confusing time. And just think, once you’ve got the geography figured out, then you have to sort through the differing cultures and religions.Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Antony T. Sullivan, president of the consulting firm Near East Support Services and an associate at the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Michigan about the Middle East about this important, confusing and misunderstood area of the world.

• Sullivan article in National Interest
• Louisville Committee on Foreign Relations
• Sullivan article at the Middle East Policy Council

 Equity in Social ServicesLast year the Indiana General Assembly voted to create the Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services. On June 11th, they will hold a public forum in New Albany to address inequalities in services such as adoption, welfare and education. Gabe Bullard talked with commission co-chairs Angela Green and Michael Patchner about the new group.

• Indiana University School of Social Work
• Indiana Bar Association Information on the Commission

Elizabeth GeorgeAnother episode in the life of Inspector Lynley is on the bookshelves. The fictional Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley is working another case in new novel, Careless in Red. Lynley's creator is bestselling mystery writer Elizabeth George, who spoke with Rick Howlett about the new work, including a shocking turn of events in Lynley's personal life.

• Elizabeth George
• "Inspector Lynley Mysteries" on television

Lauren Weisberger

 Single young women trying to find the perfect man, and the perfect job, in New York City – no it’s not the plot of a current movie but instead the premise behind the latest novel by Lauren Weisberger, author of The Devil Wears Prada. Leigh, Adriana and Emmy are young women fast approaching thirty and trying to figure out where and with whom they belong. This leads them to make an unusual pact. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Weisberger about love, friendship and life in the big city and her new novel Chasing Harry Winston: A Novel.

• Weisberger at LFPL

• Lauren Weisberger

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