State of the News 10/14/11

The WFPL News team gathered in the Talk Studio at 1pm to discuss the top stories of the week. Louisville's Metro Council voted to appoint Attica Scott to the District 1 seat left vacant by Judy Green; our Political Editor Phillip Bailey had the details.  Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday made headlines for conducting international travel on the expense account of an education foundation, raising ethical concerns, as explained by reporter Devin Katayama. Environmental reporter Erica Peterson discussed the significance of a bill that just passed today in the House, which allows states to regulate coal ash themselves. Gabe Bullard had the latest on the Occupy Louisville movement, as well as the efforts by the Kentucky Opera to secure musicians for upcoming performances during a time when the Louisville Orchestra musicians are without a contract. Devin Katayama explained the stakes with an upcoming labor union vote involving local Ford workers.In segment two we welcomed Religion Writer Peter Smith from the Courier-Journal.  He discussed his recent feature article on Archbishop Joseph Kurtz‘s burgeoning career within the Catholic Church, and a series of articles some Amish men in Kentucky being ordered to jail for their refusal to display orange reflective triangles on their buggies.  CJ writer Chris Otts also dropped by to discuss the latest contract extension of University of Louisville President James Ramsey, as well as his coverage of a lawsuit that reveals the growth and profitability of Sullivan University.Finally, we heard a feature on the 75th anniversary of Keeneland and recent changes in Kentucky's thoroughbred industry, and chatted with the producer Jacalyn Carfagno.