Discussion of the local Louisville economy, gambling trends over the decades, and the recent legalization of sports gambling in Kentucky.

Economic Impact | Episode 10 | Gambling At The Local Level

Researchers have identified seven lifestyle factors that are most correlated with depression.  We review them on this show!  And did you know that the official state 'mineral' in Kentucky (coal) is actually a 'rock', and the official state 'rock' (agate) is actually a 'mineral'?  Hear about the move in the KY Legislature to fix this geological error.  Finally, hear about the 2023 Ig Nobel Prize ceremony which humorously celebrates out-of-the-ordinary research.

‘Bench Talk: The Week in Science’ is a weekly program that airs on WFMP Louisville FORward Radio 106.5 FM (forwardradio.org) every Monday at 7:30 pm, Tuesday at 11:30 am, and Wednesday at 7:30 am. 

Visit our Facebook page for links to the articles discussed in this episode: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BenchTalkRadio/posts/?ref=page_internal 

Many thanks to Kentucky Educational Television for permission to rebroadcast a portion of their Feb. 22, 2024 episode of 'Kentucky Edition' with Renee Shaw:  https://ket.org/program/kentucky-edition/state-rock/

Many thanks to the Ig Nobel Prize folks for permission to rebroadcast part of their 2023 ceremony:  https://improbable.com/ig/2023-ceremony/#Ig-Ceremony-2023

Bench Talk | Depression & Lifestyle - State Rock & Mineral - Ig Nobel Awards | March 11, 2024

A talk with David Melton who is an advocate for Kentucky state employee pension reform.  He discusses what has gone wrong with the pension system this century and how chronically underfunded it is.  Please listen to this interesting and informative discussion.
NOTE: In this audio, a PowerPoint Presentation is discussed.  Unfortunately I am unable to post it here on SoundCloud.com, but please write me at lambertthomas@hotmail.com, and I can send you a copy.  Thanks!

Economic Impact | Episode 28 | David Melton | Ky State Pension Problems | 4-15-24

A discussion of the economic impact of Derby Week on the Louisville Metro Area and what it means for jobs, payroll, sales revenues, and tax revenues.

Economic Impact | Special Episode: The Economic Impact Of Derby Week

This week's program is truly unique - an act of street theater followed by community conversation about the greatest crisis facing humanity - global climate chaos. This week, we bring you edited highlights from "An Enemy of The People: Extinction Rebellion," a performance and dialogue that took over Times Square in New York City on a bustling Wednesday afternoon, June 12th, 2024. Listen in as Bill Murray and many other great actors perform a reading of portions of the great 1882 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, followed by community conversation. This event was organized by Theater of War Productions; Extinction Rebellion; Scientists Rebellion; Green Faith; The People's Senate; Climate Café; and Billion Oyster Project!

Watch a full recording of the event at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB-aoMuTDVQ

On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else!

Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://forwardradio.org

Truth To Power | An Enemy of The People: Extinction Rebellion | Bill Murray et al | 6-14-24

A discussion with Dr. Karl Besel of St. Joseph University on his paper "Racial Justice in the Nonprofit Sector: Addressing Nonprofit Sustainability in Diverse Communities."  Interesting findings for nonprofits at the local level.

Economic Impact | Episode 37 | Dr. Karl Besel | Racial Justice in the Nonprofit Sector | 8-12-24

In this interview, Dr. Cynthia Ganote, Founder and CEO of Ganote Consulting, offers tips on small steps we can all take to bring more kindness and inclusion into our personal and work lives, especially as it relates to the troubled times we are living in.

Election Connection | Dr. Cynthia Ganote | Creating more inclusive spaces | 12-3-24

A conversation with Dr. John Komlos, Professor Emeritus of the University of Munich, who has edited and contributed to the book, Neoliberal Economic Policy and The Rise of Right-Wing Populism in which I have written a chapter.  Dr. Komlos discusses how past economic policies have given rise to working class discontent and the rise of far-right ideas and policies.  This book has a message and warning about the future of US democracy.  It has recently been published, and for more information on it, here is the publisher's site for the book:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-74979-7

Economic Impact | Episode 46 | Neoliberal Economic Policy And The Rise Of Right - Wing Populism

A discourse on horse racing's current state, its competition, and how gambling is currently doing nationally and locally.  Comparisons are made between what is happening in Kentucky and Indiana on the gambling scene.

Economic Impact | Episode 52 | Horse Racing and Its Competition

An interview with Dr. Ken Chilton of Tennessee State University on his research into how large real estate firms and financial corporations, sometimes known as private equity firms, are buying up residential housing in different metro area markets throughout the US.  Many of these homes are being resold to upscale buyers or rented out to those of a middle income class.  Louisville falls into a category where most are rented due to certain characteristics that make Louisville different from cities such as Nashville or Atlanta.  In many cities, large corporations can own a substantial portion of the local housing stock.

Economic Impact | Episode 54 | Interview with Dr. Ken Chilton on Big Corporations and Housing

On this week’s Truth to Power, we gather folks around the microphones for a community conversation about the “Forever Chemicals” in our environment known as PFAS which were made famous by the recent film “Dark Waters.” Joining hosts Justin Mog (Sustainability Now!) and Hart Hagan (The Climate Report / Let’s Talk) are three community experts. Teena Halbig, U of L B.S. and Certificate in Medical Technology, MT(ASCP), Microbiologist, Virologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, and U of L Researcher (retired). Sheron Lear is President and Co-founder along with Teena of the Floyds Fork Environmental Association, and she is in her 60th year working in laboratory health care and medicine. Satchel Walton, is a junior at DuPont Manual who is journalist, and author: Check out his reporting on PFAS at https://thegreenreport.org/forever-chemicals-in-louisville-drinking-water-is-it-time-for-action/

PFAS in Drinking Water will be explored at an upcoming public virtual event on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 10am-2:30pm in recognition of United Nations Day & UN Human Rights Day. Find all the details and the link to join at https://louisville.edu/sustainability/events/united-nations-day-un-human-rights-day-program-human-trafficking-forever-chemicals-pfas

National legislation that is pending with respect to PFAS include:
H.R.535 - PFAS Action Act of 2019  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/535
H.R.2377 - Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act of 2019 https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2377
H.R.2605 - Prevent Release Of Toxics Emissions, Contamination, and Transfer Act of 2019. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2605

Learn more from the Environmental Working Group at  http://www.ewg.org
We recommend the films Dark Waters and The Devil We Know, and Rob Bilott's book, Exposure. 

According to the EPA: “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of [anthropogenic] chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. [These] chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.
PFAS can be found in:
   - Food packaged in PFAS-containing materials, processed with equipment that used PFAS, or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or water.
   - Commercial household products, including stain- and water-repellent fabrics, nonstick products (e.g., Teflon), polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products, and fire-fighting foams (a major source of groundwater contamination at airports and military bases where firefighting training occurs).
   - Workplace, including production facilities or industries (e.g., chrome plating, electronics manufacturing or oil recovery) that use PFAS.
   - Drinking water, typically localized and associated with a specific facility (e.g., manufacturer, landfill, wastewater treatment plant, firefighter training facility).
   - Living organisms, including fish, animals and humans, where PFAS have the ability to build up and persist over time.
…Although PFOA and PFOS are no longer manufactured in the U.S., they are still produced internationally and can be imported in consumer goods such as carpet, leather and apparel, textiles, paper and packaging, coatings, rubber and plastics.” Learn more at https://www.epa.gov/pfas/basic-information-pfas

On Truth to Power each week, we gather Forward Radio programmers and friends to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else!

Truth to Power airs every Sunday at 4pm, Monday at 2pm, and Tuesday at 9am on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at http://forwardradio.org

Truth To Power | Teena Halbig, Sheron Lear, Satchel Walton | PFAS Forever Chemicals | 10-11-20

Forward Radio is independent, listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered, grassroots community radio WFMP-LP Louisville, Kentucky. We have been broadcasting at 106.5fm and live-streaming at forwardradio.org since April 9, 2017. Please donate at forwardradio.org to keep us on-air. It costs $20/day to keep this programming coming your way.