Studio 619 for February 3, 2008

Local economyRecession, recession, recession. That’s the buzz everywhere from Wall Street to Main Street. But how might a recession affect Louisville? How might it affect you? Learn more as WFPL’s Kristin Espeland talks with PNC Financial’s Chief Economist, Robert Dye on this week’s Studio 619.Arts budget cutsSince Governor Steve Beshear proposed his state budget this week, there have been cries of discontent across the state. Leaders in the arts are finding this budget could put their organizations and plans in financial peril. WFPL’s Elizabeth Kramer reports.Migrant workersMigrant workers are needed by Kentucky farmers to help in the tobacco, grain, hay and vegetable fields….but the paperwork involved in making sure the guest workers are here legally can be daunting. The Community Growers Cooperative has instituted a program to help farmers. They’ll fill out the necessary forms at cost.Tune in as WFPL’s Heidi Caravan speaks with CGC spokesperson Rick Alexander about the effort to make sure migrant workers are legally allowed to work on Kentucky farms.The Cordish CompanyLouisvillians are seeing a boom of capital investment in the city’s downtown. One of those major projects is known as Center City, it’s an expansion of Fourth Street Live. WFPL’s Stephanie Sanders takes this look at its developer, The Cordish Company.Another WorldMonasteries can be seen old, forbidding, ancient places where hooded monks wander the grounds in silence. But according to author William Claassen, monasteries can be welcoming places for contemplation and retreat for just about anyone.Over his lifetime Claassen has visited many monasteries and has come to value the sound of silence. Join WFPL’s Robin Fisher as she talks with Claassen about his latest book Another World: A Retreat in the Ozarks.Elevator playsIn the 16th century, Shakespeare wrote "all the world’s a stage." It’s a statement that takes on new meaning for a present-day troupe of local thespians who are making its stage in unusual parts of Louisville. This includes downtown elevators, as WFPL’s Elizabeth Kramer reports.Listen to the show.