Interviews

Anthropology Professor at Transylvania, Chris Begley, tells us about what challenges students are facing in the era of the coronavirus. Begley gives us a few predictions on the future of the classroom and what he thinks society can expect from the impact of COVID-19.

It’s that time of the year again when Girl Scout Troops start selling cookies. Unfortunately, with the coronavirus pandemic, you won’t see them set up outside grocery stores or going door to door. Samantha Morrill talked to Haleigh McGraw, Girl Scouts of Kentucky Wilderness Road Communications & Brand Director about how they are adjusting their approach.

WEKU is starting a weekly interview segment with EKU Interim President David McFaddin who will offer the University's perspective and response to the Coronvirus health crisis. 

In today's interview, EKU Interim President Dr. David McFaddin talks to Samantha Morrill about the decision to cancel in-person classes for the rest of the spring semester. 

McFaddin said other precautionary measures are being taken. He also has an update on the status of the spring commencement.

The East Kentucky Science Center & Planetarium in Prestonsburg, Kentucky is hosting "Severe Weather Awareness Day," Saturday, March 7, 2020. Coordinating with the National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky, this free event is open to the public and will offer booths, exhibits, displays, experiments, and more.

Director Steve Russo tells WEKU about the special event.

Thanks to a bill passed last year, more Kentuckians than ever will now be able to register as organ donors. Most of the time, people only get to register when they go to get their license renewed. Samantha Morrill talked to Shelley Snyder, Executive Director of Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks Trust for Life. Snyder says a new online portal will allow everyone to register whenever they like.

Rebel Rebel Studio and Lounge in Berea held the Grand Opening Friday, February 7, 2020. Owners Erica Chambers and Ali Blair visited the WEKU studios to talk about this creative collaboration that is bringing together the community.

Maurice Conway is an Australian songwriter and singer visiting central Kentucky to perform some of his original songs. He's playing at the Richmond Area Arts Council January 4th at 7 p.m. He stopped by the WEKU studios to talk to Samantha Morrill about his music and life. 

WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour is celebrating their 1000th broadcast on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Folksinger/songwriter Michael Johnathon visited WEKU to talk about the monumental episode and share a little history about the program.

There are many resources available to Veterans once they leave service, many of them are free. However, some programs and services depend on a single document, the DD-Form-214. The document is a complete record of service, including awards and honors, highest rank achieved and reason for discharge. The form is used by the VA when determining benefits, compensation, and eligibility for military funeral honors in VA cemeteries.

Dr. Melissa Dieckmann visited the WEKU studios to tell us about her project that highlights people of diversity in the STEM fields. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Dieckmann says that each month the display case in the EKU Science Building will feature notable people of diversity.

Director of the Kentucky Book Festival, Sara Volpi, tells us about the week-long festival. Listen to the extended interview here for details on events and authors who will be attending. 

People who suffer from Substance Use Disorder often have difficulties finding work once they are in recovery. One program in Kentucky is trying to change that by helping employers become “Recovery-friendly.” FAHE Financial Project Manager, Jessie Hunt visited the WEKU recently to talk about the program and an upcoming workshop for employers.

Berea Home Village connects senior citizens with volunteers who do tasks that allow them to remain independent longer. It is one of only two such organizations in the state. Volunteers drive members to appointments, the store and the doctor. They also perform simple tasks like changing a light bulb or helping to operate a television, phone or computer. Executive Director of Berea Home Village, Katie Heckman, said they are looking for more volunteers. Weku's Samantha Morrill spoke with Heckman about the southern Madison County program.

The Colonel's Cupboard is an Eastern Kentucky food pantry that offers free food, clothing and personal items to struggling students. The program was created after a campus-wide survey found that 1-in-6 students was food-insecure. Samantha Morrill talked to Dylan Bogard, Coordinator of Community Service and Colonel's Cupboard about why the program is needed on campus. 

Ruthie Maslin, Director of Madison County Public Libraries talked to Wendy Barnett about the grand opening of the expanded Richmond library. She discusses the future of libraries and how the Madison County library is staying ahead by embracing the digital age.

Phillip Seyfrit, Curator of the Battle of Richmond Visitor's Center was in the WEKU studios to talk about the upcoming Battle of Richmond Reenactment on Saturday and Sunday, August 24-25. In this extended conversation, he tells how the Civil War impacted Richmond, how the reenactors deal with the heat, and what you can expect as a spectator.

The deadline to complete the 2020 Census is just around the corner.

The results of the Census determine how many federal dollars the state gets over the next ten years and impacts other state issues, like how many votes we get in the House of Representatives. With that in mind, Kentucky nonprofits are working to make sure that everyone gets counted. Samantha Morrill talked to Danielle Clore, Executive Director of the Kentucky Nonprofit Network, about the Count Me In Kentucky Nonprofit Coalition. 

The Appalachian Arts Alliance is close to opening the doors on their ArtStation in downtown Hazard. The space will be used for arts education and creating all kinds of art, music and dance. Samantha Morrill talked to Appalachian Arts Alliance Executive Director Jake East about the project and how it will benefit the community.  

The Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a new CEO in Angela Yannelli. Yannelli worked at the organization for 15 years before leaving for a position in the federal government. Now that She has returned to lead the KCADV, she has goals for the organization's future. Samantha Morrill talked to Yannelli about her goals and the future of the organization's programs as lawmakers in Frankfort considered Gov. Matt Bevin's pension reform bill.

The U.S. Women's Soccer Team won the World Cup this week. It is their fourth World Cup victory. WEKU's Samantha Morrill talked to Eastern Kentucky University Soccer Team's Assistant Coach, Morgan Ferrara, about the future of the sport in Kentucky and how the win might inspire young women.

The Whippoorwill Festival is bringing more than 75 workshops to Beattyville July 19-21.

The workshops range from homesteading and natural medicine, to handicrafts and storytelling.

WEKU's Samantha Morrill talked to two festival volunteers about how the festival comes together each year. Listen to this interview with Melissa Calhoun and Ben Ibershoff.

Menonite Central Committee Appalachia's Sharing With Appalachian People program brings volunteers to southeastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia to repair homes for low-income families and individuals. Program Coordinators Keith and Charlene Barr talked to WEKU's Samantha Morrill about the relationships that are formed between volunteers and the people they are helping.

Remote Area Medical is bringing free dental, vision, and health care to eastern Kentucky. All services are free with no ID required and no questions asked. WEKU's Samantha Morrill talked to Remote Area Medical CEO, Jeff Eastman. He said the community hosts are vital to making the free clinics a success.

The White Hall State Historic Site in Richmond, Kentucky is gaining a National Votes for Women Trail Marker honoring Mary Barr Clay. Marsha Weinstein is the President of the National Collaborative for Women's History Sites. WEKU's Samantha Morrill talked to Weinstein about the life and legacy of Mary Barr Clay.

Eastern Kentucky University’s Department of Special Collections and Archives is holding an event to help people archive and preserve their family mementos. The event will include training sessions on how to preserve photos, letters, books, scrapbooks and other possessions. WEKU's Samantha Morrill talked to Team Leader Jackie Couture about the event and some of the interesting items already in the archives.

As Memorial Day is observed on Monday, American Legion Department of Kentucky Service Officer, Randy Fisher tells WEKU that Memorial Day is for honoring the fallen soldiers who served our country. He talked to WEKU’s Wendy Barnett.

Frank Kees is the Director of the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North East. He told WEKU’s Samantha Morrill about the cemetery, and how people can pay their respects and support Kentucky’s Veterans Cemeteries.