Here are the topics covered in this edition of Byline (full audio available below):At the top - For months, it was rumored that a conservative candidate would enter the U.S. Senate race, challenge incumbent Mitch McConnell and gain strong Tea Party support. This week, it happened. Businessman Matt Bevin is challenging McConnell, and this days-old primary race is heating up quickly. WFPL's Political Editor Phillip Bailey andWNPR's Tucker Ives have the latest.9:20 - It's been a week of hearings in the removal trial of Metro Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin over ethics charges, and it continues into next week. Phillip Bailey takes us behind the scenes.15:15 - The Ohio River Bridges Project, that's the plan to build two new bridges over the Ohio River, will be tolled. There isn't a set toll amount yet, but the two new bridges and the Kennedy Bridge will not be free to cross. This week, there were public meetings on what effects the tolls might have on low income residents who commute. We get details from Marcus Green from the Courier-Journal and Braden Lammers from the News and Tribune. 21:30 - There have been delays and complications in a previously-announced deal toexport major amounts of Kentucky coal to India. WFPL's environment reporter Erica Peterson checks in to explain what's going on and what's at stake for eastern Kentucky.24:15 - WFPL has been exploring the idea of "Brain Drain" and Louisville's ability to keep talented young professionals in the city. What challenges does the city face? What do young workers think about staying in the River City? In thisthird installment, we meet Louisville native, Deborah Gray. Gray attended private schools in Louisville then attended Tulane University, where she says she graduated in the top of her economics class. After College, she returned to Louisville — but didn't stay for long. She moved to Houston, and told WFPL's Devin Katayama why.28:15 - Great old violins are shrouded in mystique. They’re works of art. And they are shockingly expensive. A violin by Antonio Stradivari typically commands upwards of a million dollars. One made by his chief rival was recently offered for 18 million dollars. That’s somewhat beyond the budget of radio producer David Schulman, so he recently found himselftrying to find another way to get that Old Italian sound.36:20 - The2013 Fandom Fest is underway in downtown Louisville. It brings a weekend of Q&A sessions, panel discussions and appearances featuring celebrities and artists from the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, horror and more. Earlier this week, Jason Mewes and filmmaker Kevin Smith kicked off Fandom Fest by showing the latest film featuring the characters Jay and Silent Bob—famed from the 1994 film “Clerks.” Mewes talks to WFPL’s Joseph Lord about his 20-year career playing Jay in various films and also his battles with drug addiction.40:45 - WFPL's arts and humanities reporter Erin Keane has some recommendations for solid weekend entertainment, then she chats with Brian Cunningham, whose new documentary "Monsters Wanted" premieres tomorrow in the Fandomfest. “Monsters Wanted” follows two horror fanatics who invest their life-savings to open a one-of-a-kind haunted theme park. Along the way they meet a cast of characters that could only exist in the real-life haunted house industry of Louisville, Kentucky.
