Members of Kentucky's Capitol Hill delegation are paying tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called Kennedy "one of the giants of American political life."McConnell invited Kennedy to speak at the University of Louisville's McConnell Center for Political Leadership in 2006.Kennedy told the audience that his family had a special connection to Kentucky."I remember how moved my brother Bobby was on a visit here to meet with the heroic mining families of Pike County in Eastern Kentucky, and how important that visit was in convincing him to do all he could to eliminate the injustice of poverty in America," Kennedy said.Kennedy also recalled that another brother, John, campaigned for president in downtown Louisville in 1960.Republican U.S. Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky released a statement calling Kennedy a "political icon who served with great distinction." Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth said Kennedy will be remembered as one of the country's "most compassionate and visionary leaders."
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.