Last night the Louisville Tea Party and a new conservative group called “No Left Turn in Education” held a forum on critical race theory.  Activists are worried about how racism is discussed in the classroom and they are making a number of claims about CRT, and not all of them are true. 

WFPL’s Jess Clark went to the forum and joins us now to walk us through some of these claims.

Fact Checking 3 Common Claims About Critical Race Theory

Lothar Schilling and Franz-Josef Wertmann sing a popular Carnival song

“A Critical Moment" is a look at how two countries teach about the atrocities in their past, from WFPL News. In this documentary, arts & culture reporter Stephanie Wolf takes us to Germany to learn 
how that country teaches about the Holocaust. And education reporter Jess Clark looks into the backlash in Kentucky against school curriculum that addresses systemic racism. 

NOTE: We start this segment on a class trip to the former concentration camp Dachau, and there is a description of the genocide that happened there.

A Critical Moment, Part 1

In this segment we dive into something you’ve probably heard a lot about recently: Critical Race Theory. It’s an academic framework that emerged in the late 1970s in law schools. But lately, conservatives are using Critical Race Theory as a stand-in term for anti-racist efforts in workplaces and schools.

A Critical Moment, Part 2

Now that we know more about the movement aimed at rooting out anti-racist curriculum in schools, we go back across the Atlantic to Germany, to learn how that country became known for confronting its most troubling chapters in the classroom.

A Critical Moment, Part 3

Conservative politicians in the United States say they’re worried that lessons about systemic racism are indoctrinating kids, and making them feel bad. Here in Kentucky, they want to pass legislation that would keep those conversations out of schools. In our last segment, we go inside Kentucky classrooms to see how these lessons play out with teachers and students.

NOTE: This segment contains a graphic description of a lynching.

A Critical Moment, Part 4

WFPL reporters Jess Clark and Stephanie Wolf speak with Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times Magazine reporter and creator of "The 1619 Project." This interview is a part of reporting for WFPL News' radio documentary "A Critical Moment."

An interview with 'The 1619 Project' creator Nikole Hannah-Jones

Step is Black American artform of rhythmic stomping, clapping, movement and spoken word that has roots in the arrival of enslaved Africans in the Americas. During Black history month, students at a local middle school, Grace James Academy in Louisville took a deep dive into the history and practice of Step. WFPL’s Jess Clark spent time with the Grace James step team last week and has this report.

Step team shows Louisville middle schoolers the “joy in resistance”

Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer for Muslims, is underway. This week, we explore the sounds and melodic traditions of the holiday season. For Ramadan, WFPL’s Stephanie Wolf looks at the Islamic call to prayer.

Sounds of the holidays: The Islamic call to prayer during Ramadan

WFPL's Erin Keane Interviews Comedian Eugene Mirman

Nearly three years ago, state officials found toxic ‘forever chemicals’ polluting the drinking water in the city of South Shore, Kentucky. Behind the scenes, the city and state worked to resolve the problem. But residents say no one told them they were drinking contaminated water. WFPL’s Ryan Van Velzer has this investigation by WFPL and The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting.

Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ polluted drinking water in this Ky. town. Residents say they didn’t know.

From eerie trails to historic haunts, there is no shortage of spots in the region to get spooked for fun. The planning and creativity that goes into these places confirms they’re truly works of art.

Local haunters create elaborate worlds to terrify the masses

Recovery after the July floods that devastated Eastern Kentucky is a long, slow process. Jared Bennett of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting recently traveled to Clay County to learn why key resources from FEMA often don’t reach the communities that need them most.

Federal funding for natural disasters fails Ky. counties that need it most

True or false? Tornadoes won't cross over rivers.

On the latest episode of 'Science Behind the Forecast,' we're busting weather myths

Could polio and measles make a comeback in Ky.? School vaccination rates say kids are vulnerable

Childhood Vaccinations

Walgreens says it’s closing four of its Louisville-area stores next month. That will affect locations downtown and in the Taylor Berry, Beechmont and Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhoods.

As WFPL’s Jacob Munoz reports, that could place a burden on residents who now need to travel farther for medications.

With 4 Walgreens about to close, some Louisvillians seek new pharmacies

An interview with Louisville Inspector General Edward Harness

Some candidates are using vague language to their advantage in their bid to win the education culture wars.

How language and ‘code’ are being used in Jefferson Co. School Board elections

Businessman Craig Greenberg will take over the reins of Louisville Metro Government when Mayor Greg Fischer leaves office in January.

An interview with Mayor-elect Craig Greenberg

What’s the point of Metro Council’s proposed camping ordinance?

Earlier this year, WFPL News aired a documentary called “A Critical Moment,” reported by Jess Clark and Stephanie Wolf. It’s a cross-examination of how Germany and the United States teach about their painful histories, and why. Mallory Noe-Payne, a reporter with RadioIQ in Richmond, Virginia, took on a similar project. Her podcast Memory Wars explores what Americans can learn from how Germany confronts one of its darkest chapters.

What Germany can teach us about monuments and national pride

WFPL's Tara Anderson visits ZFX Flying Effects, a Louisville-based company in Louisville that is one of only a handful of companies who provide theatrical flying.

Flying at ZFX

The threat of severe weather last night had lots of us keeping an eye on the sky — including WFPL listener Eric Cooke, in Underwood, Indiana. What he saw prompted him to call us.

"The sun set at 8:10 p.m. tonight," Cooke said. "Then my wife and I walked outside at 8:50 and we saw the most vibrant blue sky! It was sunshine. And I have literally no explanation for what that was."

We decided to find out, as part of our Curious Louisville project.

Submit your questions at CuriousLouisville.org.

Curious Louisville: Why Did The Sky Look So Bright Last Night?

We know that all dogs go to heaven, but what happens to Louisville Zoo animals when they die? This question was asked as part of our Curious Louisville series, and it actually has a variety of answers, ranging from the zoo’s educational programs... to a baby pool on the rooftop of a university science building. 

WFPL’s Ashlie Stevens has more.

Curious Louisville: What Happens To Zoo Animals When They Die?

If you’re driving down I-64, and happen to look out over the Ohio River, you may catch a glimpse of a house-like structure on top of the 14th Street Bridge. 

It’s small -- barely noticeable -- but a lot of people have questions about it. Including our latest Curious Louisville listener. 

WFPL’s Ashlie Stevens has more.

Curious Louisville: What Is In the Tiny House On The 14th Street Bridge?

Louisville’s Metro Council has voted to ban no-knock warrants. In a unanimous vote Thursday evening, council approved “Breonna’s Law,” named after Breonna Taylor, a Black woman killed by Louisville police earlier this year. The officers who shot Taylor had obtained a no-knock warrant prior to the early morning raid at her home.

Louisville Metro Council Approves Ban On No-Knock Warrants

Recorded in Louisville, KY on May 1, 2013. 

Wendell Berry Interviews Michael Pollan

In his second appearance at the KFC Yum Center this week, His Holiness the Dalai Lama emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and learning to an estimated crowd of 7,000.
The Tibetan spiritual leader led a discussion Monday around the Buddhist faith and the path to happiness. 


The Dalai Lama talks about the Buddhist faith and the importance of religious tolerance

For years, students in Louisville’s majority-Black West End have been assigned to schools across town. 
Now, the district wants to allow West End students to stay in their neighborhood. District officials say it’s about giving West End students the same options other students have. But there’s a reason West End students have been assigned to schools across town: racial integration. 
In this second part of our week-long series on Student Assignment WFPL’s Jess Clark reports

"We Can't Let It Get Like That Again"

JCPS officials say a new student assignment proposal would bring equity to Black West End students, most of whom haven't had middle or high schools close to home since the 1970s. 

But can the district improve outcomes for students as it increases segregation? A look at existing segregation in JCPS raises questions.

89.3 WFPL News Louisville

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