Dr. Kris Stanek of Ohio State is in Louisville today to give the annual Bullitt Lecture in Astronomy at the University of Louisville. His professional work involves the study of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, very massive stars, and cosmology.

This afternoon on Here and Now, Dr. Stanek spoke with WFPL's Jonathan Bastian about how scientists through the ages have gone about measuring the size and age of the universe.

The New York Times called it “frat-tastic” and “overwrought, under-thought,” but a new study calls it a success.

KentuckyOne Health--the state's largest healthcare system--has announced its first major investment of the $325 million it promised to spend after its creation.

“This is the first down payment on that commitment,” said Dr. Dan Varga, the group's Chief Clinical Officer.

Kentucky One Health was formed this year in the merger of Saint Mary’s and Saint Joseph Health Systems and Jewish Hospital.

Jefferson County Public Schools is extending communication with the public through a new committee created by Superintendent Donna Hargens. 

“[It’s] really a way to include more voices and to also include people who are key communicators who will leave this meeting and be able to respond to others who ask them questions,” said board member Linda Duncan.

It may be the undercard to the main event, but partisans on both sides are talking some trash ahead of the vice presidential debate tonight in Danville, Ky.

The pressure is particularly intense on Vice President Joe Biden, following his boss' lackluster performance in last week's presidential debate, which moved GOP nominee Mitt Romney into a national polling lead.

The political arm of the Fairness Campaign, C-FAIR, has made its endorsements for school board, Metro Council, General Assembly and judicial races.

In Metro Council races, the PAC supports incumbent Democratic councilmen Tom Owen, Rick Blackwell and Brent Ackerson and favors Democratic challenger Teague Ridge in District 18 against Tea Party favorite Marilyn Parker, who beat incumbent Jon Ackerson in the Republican primary in May. 

"Jon was a good ally," says C-FAIR board member and director of the Fairness Campaign Chris Hartman, "and we were sorry to lose him."

Ohio River regulators have voted unanimously to allow a West Virginia company five more years to comply with new, more stringent pollution requirements.

The presidential search committee for Eastern Kentucky University has been established.

Current President Doug Whitlock will retire next summer. Former State Senator and Richmond City Manager Ed Worley will serve on the eleven-member committee. He says it's important to find a president who is comfortable with business and academia.