Beginning our weekly news round up today, Gabe Bullard, Phillip M. Bailey, and Devin Katayama joined us from the WFPL newsroom with a look at some of the week’s top metro stories. Devin explained the current status of the JCPS student assignment plan as it is considered by the Kentucky Supreme Court. Phillip Bailey had details on a neo-Nazi rally this weekend in Frankfort, along with planned counter-demonstrations. Gabe Bullard explained the debate over whether the city should continue funding indigent care at the University of Louisville Hospital. Discussion continues over who should have the power to designate landmarks in the city, and Devin Katayama filled us in on the latest in that community debate. A Global Marijuana March this year is dedicated to late Kentuckian Gatewood Galbraith, and Phillip Bailey explained why. Finally, Gabe Bullard reported on Mayor Fischer's visit to Frankfort in support of a road budget that is crucial for the Ohio River Bridges Plan.In the second segment, Kenny Colston joined us from the Capital Bureau with updates on the week in Frankfort, where a special session is occurring with much finger-pointing and blame-placing. He discussed the road budget, the pill mill bill, and the relations between Governor Beshear and David Williams. Then we were joined by LEO’s Anne Marshall, whose cover story this week looks at human trafficking surrounding big events like the Kentucky Derby.We turned to arts and culture news in the final segment. Erin Keane and WFPK's Kyle Meredith spoke of the deaths this week of musician Levon Helm and TV host Dick Clark, as well as a reanimation of sorts of rapper Tupac Shakur at the recent Coachella Festival. Erin Keane also spoke about Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble's “A Derby Carol,” and a pair of new Kentucky novels that are being dubbed "hillbilly noir."
State of the News 4/20/12
http://archive.wfpl.org/HereNow/20120420-colston.mp3