State of the News 2/3/12

We started the weekly news round up and discussion with the fresh story about Mayor Fischer announcing the final candidates for the Police Chief position; Gabe Bullard ran it down.  Erica Peterson explained how Kentucky air regulators are asking the federal government to declare the Louisville in compliance with air quality standards; the Division of Air Quality held a public hearing on the application earlier today.  She also discussed the early retirement of Bud Schardein from MSD this week, a move not previously expected until next year.  University Medical Center in Louisville is conducting a self-review in the wake of a failed merger attempt, and Gabe Bullard provided details on the purpose and context.  Students from the Yale School of Architecture recently visited Louisville to generate proposals for an urban bourbon distillery on Whiskey Row; we heard Gabe Bullard's feature and he offered additional details on what's next.  Erica Peterson discussed the proposed coal gasification plant in Rockport, Indiana; the public comment phase just ended and she highlighted some of the pros and cons of the facility.  Finally, Gabe Bullard had the latest on the Time Warner purchase of Insight Cable.We then turned our attention to Frankfort and the stories of the week from the statehouse.  Kenny Colston joined us in person due to the unscheduled day off at the capitol, and chimed in on redistricting, charter schools, education budget cuts, and prescription drug abuse.Scott Hensley from NPR’s health blog, Shots, joined us to talk recent health news—including the Pfizer’s recall of mislabeled birth control pills that could put users at risk for unplanned pregnancy, as well as a condom recall in South Africa, fines on the American Red Cross, and possible sickle cell disease testing for NCAA Div. I athletes.  Finally, LEO Weekly’s Anne Marshall spoke with us about her piece on homeless shelters in Louisville.