Charles Compton, WEKU

Veterans of America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home.  Withdrawals are underway in both countries.  While the wars are winding down, their legacy will live on in America through their veterans.   Over the last ten years, an estimated two-point-three million Americans fought in those wars.  Today, we hear about their experience through the stories told by eight Kentuckians.

Over the next 50 years, a sociologist says America’s newest generation of veterans could be as influential as the World War Two generation.  For example, Veterans Administration researcher Neale Chumbler says today’s disabled veteran demands a normal lifestyle and looks to the VA for support.

When Democrats last night celebrated their victory in Frankfort, the master-of-ceremonies was US Representative Ben Chandler.  With Chandler facing a rematch next year with GOP challenger and Tea Party favorite Andy Barr, the Congressman’s appearance before the party faithful was no accident.  Political scientist Joe Gershtenson says Chandler should take no comfort in yesterday’s Democratic successes.

It’s an ancient tradition.  An election immediately sparks speculation on the political future of losers and winners.  Even as the final votes were counted, pundits wondered about the Governor’s next step.  Will he run for US Senate?  And what will become of David Williams, the all powerful head of the Kentucky State Senate.

War stories as told by 9 student-veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are broadcast Friday on 88.9 WEKU. “11-11-11, A Veterans Day Special” offers stories told by veterans who now attend Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.

The Mel Brooks’ Broadway sequel to “The Producers” this weekend comes to the Lexington Opera House.  Culture reporter Rich Copley of the Lexington Herald Leader says “Young Frankenstein” provides fertile ground for a musical comedy.  Plus this weekend, the landscape photographs of Mark Klett go on display at the Art Museum at the University of Kentucky.  Also, performing this weekend, the Harlem String Quartet features a violinist who was a summertime resident of Lexington. 

The vice presidential debate returns to Danville next October.  The Commission on Presidential Debates today (Monday) announced the sites for next year’s forums.  The presidential candidates will face off in Denver, at Hofstra University in New York and in Boca Raton, Florida.   The vice presidential candidates will debate at Centre College on October 11th. Danville also hosted the vice presidential debate in 2000. The Commission rejected an application from Eastern Kentucky University, which hoped to host a presidential debate inside its new arts center.  A total of one-dozen schools vied for that distinction.   

Protesters have set up in downtown Lexington and are promising to stay in place until there is real reform in the banking industry.  This afternoon, about a dozen picketers remained outside the Chase J.P. Morgan offices on Main Street.  If necessary, spokesman Greg Capillo says they’re prepared to stay. “As long as the will is here to stay here indefinitely, then we’ll be here indefinitely, and we’ll cross the winter bridge when we get to it.  But, we’re not going to be the only people dealing with that,” said Capillo.

The first performance is staged tonight inside the new performing arts center at Eastern Kentucky University.  The invitation-only event features the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and the American Spiritual Ensemble. Center Director Debra Hoskins says ticket sales for their inaugural season are progressing well.

When the history of education in the Commonwealth was recounted today during a conference at Eastern Kentucky University, former-Governor Paul Patton was repeatedly cited.  The Patton Administration was credited by historians with reforming the state’s system of education.  Referring to statistics released yesterday, Patton told attendees the pace of progress in Kentucky is faster than most other states.

Kentuckians mostly witnessed the 9-11 terror attacks on television, but, follow-up attacks seemed probable, maybe even in Kentucky.  So, like the rest of the nation, airspace over the Commonwealth was shut down.  Runways in Louisville, Northern Kentucky and Lexington stood still and remained still for days.  On 9-11, Bluegrass Airport spokesman Tom Tyra saw few stranded passengers.  Not knowing what to expect, the airport and its airlines were working to quickly resume operations.

The 9-11 did not simply target the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Nationwide, the threat was real. In Kentucky, southern governors who were here for a meeting sought safety. “We’re getting ourselves to try to take care of the governors that are here in the state and try to make sure government facilities are as secure as possible,” said then-Governor Paul Patton.

After a half century of effort, Eastern Kentucky University has acquired the Elmwood Estate.  The mansion and 20 acres of property, which sits directly across from EKU on Lancaster Avenue, has been a private residence.  Elmwood, which was built in 1887, is believed to be Kentucky’s only Chateauesque-style house outside Louisville. 

The spouses of the leading candidates in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race are especially visible this election season.  Instead of standing in the background as their husbands campaign, First Lady Jane Beshear and Judge Robyn Williams travel the Commonwealth alone, talk policy and present their spouses in a more human light. 

Artists gathered for this week’s Chamber Music Festival of Lexington say the community is on the edge of great things. Daniel Kellogg, who’s the festival’s composer-in-residence, says universities can play a key role in nurturing artistry.  While working at a university, Kellogg says its support allowed him to create an opera.

House and Senate leaders prepared for possible votes Monday on the tentative deal to raise the government's debt ceiling and prevent a U.S. default. Both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and the office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) told NPR the votes could come as early as Monday evening, depending on the outcome of meetings with members. Both House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY) pledged their support. However, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) promised to vote no.

More money is needed, but, Kentucky’s First Lady says at-risk students also need creativity.  Jane Beshear, who was in Richmond today for a conference on at-risk students, says teachers need to think outside the box. Beshear called on educators to be more creative. 

Like most juvenile crimes, cybercrimes are often the result of peer pressure.  An article in this week’s American Journal of Criminal Justice concludes kids who commit cybercrimes usually have friends who also commit cybercrimes.  Researchers surveyed 435 students in a suburban Kentucky school district. Helping with the study was Doctor David May, a professor of Criminal Justice at Eastern Kentucky University.  May, who spoke with WEKU’s Charles Compton, says they studied four forms of internet crime.

The school year’s opera students become song and dance men and women this weekend at the University of Kentucky.  For the 19th year, UK Opera is staging a “Grand Night for Singing”.  Not only is the summertime tradition a favorite among audiences, but, Director Everett McCorvey says it also teaches important lessons to his students.

Alarmed by the high suicide rate among veterans, a Louisville man is raising funds for struggling military families.  Iraq war veteran Troy Yokum has walked from Kentucky to the Pacific Ocean and back.  Yokum arrived today on the step of the US Capitol in Washington DC.

Imagine a job where the only function is taking-over if the boss quits, is fired, gets sick or even worse.  That pretty much describes Kentucky’s lieutenant governor.  Four people, one Democrat and three Republicans, are campaigning for that job.  And, as WEKU’s Charles Compton reports, their duties, will in large part, depend on who’s elected governor…

After a couple years of recession and state budget cuts, the president of Eastern Kentucky University says some bills are coming due.  Two new buildings are going on-line at EKU and President Doug Whitlock must figure out how to pay for their operation and maintenance. The state once provided funds for such expenses, but, now schools like Eastern must pay those bills.

The lone police officer killed last year in the Commonwealth was honored today.  His name was added to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial in Richmond.  WEKU’s Charles Compton reports…

Pikeville College has changed its name. It will soon be the University of Pikeville. University President Paul Patton says it’s a name the eastern Kentucky school earned many years ago.

“Well, the definition of a university is a college that also offers graduate programs, which we do and have for many years.  And, the name should try to indicate to people the kind of institution that you are,” said Patton.

Besides hosting a school of osteopathic medicine, Patton says the university will soon offer a master of business administration.

In 1862, deadly battles were fought across Kentucky…at Perryville, Richmond, and Munfordville.  In the 150 years since those battles, Kentuckians have worked to preserve those historic sites.