A U.S. Senate committee could vote this week on the confirmation of a Louisville man to be the next ambassador to Sweden.President Obama nominated Matthew Barzun for the post in June.Barzun is an internet entrepreneur and played a key fundraising role in Obama's 2008 campaign (he's also a current member of the Louisville Public Media Board of Directors. LPM includes WFPL).He testifed last week before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."The challenges we face in the world today cannot be solved by any one nation, and the United States could not ask for a better partner than Sweden in addressing these challenges," Barzun told the panel.Barzun said if confirmed, he'll take an active role in U.S. partnerships with the Swedes on energy technology and climate change initiatives.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.