Here is our Byline rundown for today (full audio available below):At the top - U.S. Senator Rand Paul says the restoration of voting rights for felons dwarfs all other election-related issues and is a major factor in the disenfranchisement of black male voters. Paul’s remarks came at a forum this week with African American citizens in west Louisville, and today on Byline we discuss the reaction to them with Joe Sonka from LEO Weekly and WFPL Political Editor Phillip M. Bailey.7:40 - A western Kentucky lawmaker who resigned last week still faces the possibility of censure from his colleagues if allegations that he sexually harassed legislative staffers are proven. Aninvestigative committee pressed ahead this week with an investigation into the conduct of former Democratic state Rep. John Arnold of Sturgis, who announced his resignation in a letter to Gov. Steve Beshear last week. We speak with reporter Jonathan Meador about the latest.12:00 - For the first time, Louisville's Pecha Kucha hosted its event with a theme: education. As part of The Next Louisville education project, WFPL helped curate the event which was held outside city hall. The event is meant to share ideas and concepts. The ideas ranged from how we keep, store and retain memory, to using vacant properties for homework parks, and how education should focus more on real world learning. Our education reporter Devin Katayama gives an overview and shares some of the specific ideas.19:10 - WFPL environment reporter Erica Peterson tells us about Governor Steve Beshear’s remarks this week on global warming and the coal industry, part of his keynote address at this year's Governor's Conference for Energy and the Environment. She also talks about a second EPA audit, released this week, that is highly critical of the Louisville Air Pollution Control District’ air monitoring procedures.24:05 - This coming December 6 will mark the 20th anniversary of the murder of Mary Byron, a Louisville woman shot to death by her former boyfriend on her 21st birthday, outside Mall St. Matthews, where she worked in a hair salon. Byron did not know that Donovan Harris had posted bail and was released from the Jefferson County Jail. He had earlier been arrested for stalking and assaulting Mary. The crime led Mary’s family and others to push for the creation of a notification system under which victims are contacted when their perpetrators are released from jail. It’s called the VINE system and is now used in almost every U.S. state. Mary’s mother, Pat Byron, also established an organization that helps various groups battle domestic violence in their communities. WFPL's Rick Howlett speaks with Pat Byron about her work. 29:45 - From Brown to Meredith: The Long History of School Desegregation in Louisville, Kentucky, 1954 to 2007"is a new book that chronicles historical efforts to integrate our city's school system. Author Tracy K'Meyer, Chair of the History Department and co-director of the Oral History Center at the University of Louisville, speaks with WFPL's Jonathan Bastian about the book and her research.36:25 - WFPL's arts and humanities reporter Erin Keane runs through a short list of noteworthy events happening locally this weekend, and then sits down to speak with soprano Emily Albrink, who performs the role of Musetta in Kentucky Opera's production of La Boheme, which opens tonight.
