Interviews

In Today's Interview, Eric Friedlander, Secretary of Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services tells WEKU about expanding crisis services in Kentucky for those at risk of suicide, the volume of calls received each week, and some tips on how to help others in need. 

In Today's Interview, Lexington-based musician and instructor David McLean talks about the struggle of musicians, sound techs, and venues during the pandemic. He shares his hope for the return of live music in the spring of 2021 and how other musicians can cope. 

The annual Kids Count County Data Book was released this week. The study looks at child well-being in four main domains, economic security, education, health and family and communnity. Kentucky Youth Advocates Executive Director Terry Brooks tells WEKU’s Samantha Morrill that the data points have a good news/bad news perspective.

In Today's Interview, Kevin Hall, Spokesperson for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, told WEKU that Fayette County saw the busiest weekend as COVID-19 cases spiked on November 14 and 15. Hall gives tips for creating new traditions this Thanksgiving and stresses the importance of each person's responsibility during this time of the coronavirus. 

In Today's Interview, Folksinger/Songwriter and host of WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour, Michael Johnathon talks about his reaction to winning the 2020 Milner Award. 

He tells WEKU about his creative projects that have been supporting WoodSongs during the pandemic and what to expect when live concerts return to venues. 

As the pandemic continues, food insecurity is increasing across the region especially as we enter the holiday season when food insecurity increases.  Betty, Plowman, Director of Grace Now in Richmond, tells WEKU what she is seeing at her Central Kentucky location. 

You can travel to the new World War 1 Memorial in Washington DC without even leaving your home...with the World War 1 Virtual Explorer App. Explore a virtual trip through the memorial with augmented reality, 3-D experiences, and new technology that tells the World War 1 story.

Wendy Barnett talked to the Chief Technologist of U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission and the Dough Boy Foundation Theo Mayer about the app.

In Today's Interview, Dr. Travis Martin, creator and Director of the new Kentucky Center for Veterans Studies at Eastern Kentucky University, talks about how unique the Center is and what it will mean to the region and EKU.

Dr. Martin also talks about the creation of EKU's Berge Oral History Center and the hundreds of student interviews with veterans.

Madison County Public Schools announced Friday the return to all-virtual learning for students due to high coronavirus case numbers in the area. Gov. Beshear declared Madison County on the list of red zone designations on Thursday. Erin Stewart, Public Information Officer of Madison County Public Schools tells us about case numbers in the schools, the change in schedule, and how parents feel about the adjustment.

Madison County Public Health Information Officer Kelley McBride talks about the announcement that Madison County is now one of the red zone areas for coronavirus cases. She shared what this means and has some advice for residents.
View incidence rates in all counties here.

As part of our 2020 Election coverage, WEKU held a series of candidate interviews for U.S. Senate and House races.  Those interviews included 6th District Democratic Candidate Josh Hicks, Republican Incumbent Andy Barr, Democratic Senate Candidate Amy McGrath, and Republican Incumbent Mitch McConnell.

Extended interviews with WEKU's Stu Johnson are below.

In Today's Interview, Mark Carter tells us about a key tool in the fight to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Kentucky: Contact Tracing. It's identifying people who have tested positive, people who may have been exposed to them, and working with all to interrupt transmission of this contagious virus. WEKU's Tom Martin has an update on the state's contact tracing efforts.

In Today's Interview, Nick Rogell, Staff Therapist at EKU Counseling Centers, offers tips on how to stay motivated during these times of uncertainty. Rogell is leading the Peak Performance Workshop Series at EKU.

In Today's Interview, Aaron Thompson, President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education tells WEKU about the importance of every college student applying for financial aid. Thompson tells us why it's important to apply and how to get help filling out the FAFSA form.

The Levitt Amp Berea Music Series has been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Berea Arts Council Chair and Levitt Amp Berea Lead Ali Blair tells WEKU about the postponement and the upcoming online streaming concert series.

In this interview, Blair discusses the challenges for musicians, artists, and vendors of festivals during this pandemic, and plans for bringing arts to the community while keeping safety and health guidelines in place.

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.