A Louisville resident and veteran of the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office has been appointed by the mayor to be the next Jefferson County Coroner.Dr. Barbara Weakley-Jones will serve the one year remaining on the term of Dr. Ronald Holmes, whose retirement is effective November 1. His retirement was announced as nine deputy coroners were preparing a lawsuit against him, alleging a hostile work environment, though Holmes has denied that's why he's stepping down.Dr. Weakley-Jones will be the first woman to serve as Jefferson County Coroner, a post that dates back to the late 1700s."Having served at least 28 years as a state medical examiner, I feel that I am well qualified and have the necessary information to perform those duties," she said during a Monday press conference.Dr. Weakley-Jones says she will seek election to a full four-year term.
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.