Dec 29 Local News Jeffersonville Council Approves $20 Million For Canal Project The Jeffersonville City Council has unanimously approved a $20 million dollar bond issue to support development of the city’s canal project. Jeffersonville is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency to keep its sewers from overflowing. Outgoing Mayor Tom Galligan has proposed options, but Mayor-elect Mike Moore says they’re too expensive and says when he takes […] By Devin Katayama Dec 29 Local News Jeffersonville Council Approves $20 Million For Canal Project Devin Katayama
Dec 13 Here and Now Sandusky Case Goes Straight to Trial, Economic Historian Says Spending Will Save the Economy, EPA Will Unveil Stricter Rules For Power Plants: Today on Here and Now 1:06pm: Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary court hearing, which means his case goes straight to trial. We’ll get an update on those developments. 1:12pm: An economic historian says businesses and governments don’t drive growth and never have—consumer spending does. James Livingston has written about his controversial theory […] By Laura Ellis Dec 13 Here and Now Sandusky Case Goes Straight to Trial, Economic Historian Says Spending Will Save the Economy, EPA Will Unveil Stricter Rules For Power Plants: Today on Here and Now Laura Ellis
Nov 8 Here and Now Herman Cain Responds to Allegations, Utility Companies React to EPA’s New Limits on Mercury from Coal: Today on Here and Now 1:06pm: GOP presidential contender Herman Cain plans to hold a news conference in Phoenix later today to "set the record straight" about allegations of sexual harassment. Cain steadfastly denies that he ever harassed anyone. On Monday, Sharon Bialek became the fourth woman to accuse Cain of harassment, saying he made an inappropriate sexual advance toward her in 1997 while the two were in a car. At the time, she was out of work and seeking his help in finding a job. So what constitutes sexual harassment and how are these cases generally handled? We hear from an employment lawyer, who handles cases of sexual harassment. 1:12pm: While Cain denies all allegations of sexual harassment, he has also mentioned his sense of humor when addressing questions about the recent claims. Last week, Cain told the Wall Street Journal, "I do have a sense of humor, and some people have a problem with that." Cain has also said he does not make inappropriate comments to employees, but when is taking a joke too far? Katrina Campbell of Global Compliance works with companies to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. She says that people often get in trouble for making jokes that aren't appropriate in the workplace. Campbell says while some people accused of sexual harassment are making a power player, others are just oblivious to the impact of their actions. 1:25pm: Half of the airborne mercury pollution in the US comes from coal-fired power plants. After years of study and debate, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to announce new limits on mercury from coal plants in November. Meanwhile, utilities are scrambling to meet other new federal regulations and industry groups are asking the government to slow down. This is the second of a four-part series, Coal at the Crossroads. You can hear it all week on Here and Now. By Laura Ellis Nov 8 Here and Now Herman Cain Responds to Allegations, Utility Companies React to EPA’s New Limits on Mercury from Coal: Today on Here and Now Laura Ellis
Sep 30 Local News Court Rules on JCPS Student Assignment, Kentucky Kingdom Talks Break Down, EPA Rejects Mining Permits, and Changes to Unemployment in Indiana: Afternoon Review The Kentucky Court of Appeals has ruled that students have the right to enroll and attend the school nearest their home. But if JCPS takes the case further, it will delay having to comply with the Court of Appeals decision. The plan to re-open Kentucky Kingdom has hit another snag, with talks breaking down between […] By Laura Ellis Sep 30 Local News Court Rules on JCPS Student Assignment, Kentucky Kingdom Talks Break Down, EPA Rejects Mining Permits, and Changes to Unemployment in Indiana: Afternoon Review Laura Ellis
Sep 30 Environment EPA Registers Objections to 19 Kentucky Coal Mine Permits The Environmental Protection Agency has objected to 19 coal mining permits in Kentucky. In his letter to President Barack Obama earlier this week, Governor Steve Beshear specifically mentioned 55 Kentucky permits that were pending approval from the EPA. The EPA has responded to 54 of those permits, and has registered objections to 19 of them. […] By Erica Peterson Sep 30 Environment EPA Registers Objections to 19 Kentucky Coal Mine Permits Erica Peterson
Aug 22 Here and Now Unrest in Lybia, EPA Tours Eastern Kentucky: Today on Here and Now 1:06pm: Opposition forces are in control of most of Tripoli, but Moammar Gaddafi‘s whereabouts remain unclear. The Pentagon believes he’s still in the country. The rebel National Transitional Council reportedly has a 70-page plan for leading Libya over the next few months, but there are many unanswered questions. Will they turn over Gaddafi and his […] By Laura Ellis Aug 22 Here and Now Unrest in Lybia, EPA Tours Eastern Kentucky: Today on Here and Now Laura Ellis
Aug 21 Local News EPA Tours Eastern Kentucky: State of the News WFPL environment reporter Erica Peterson tagged along with two EPA officials this past week as they toured Eastern Kentucky meeting with residents of communities affected by coal mining. Region Four administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming and senior advisor for environmental justice Lisa Garcia of EPA heard from several residents and members of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth […] By Brad Yost Aug 21 Local News EPA Tours Eastern Kentucky: State of the News Brad Yost
Aug 19 Environment EPA Officials Hear Concerns About Mining, Water Pollution in Eastern Kentucky Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency are in Kentucky, touring areas in the eastern part of the state and meeting with residents who are concerned about the effect of coal mining on their communities. At a community meeting last night in Whitesburg, the officials listened to residents describe their problems with coal dust, mountaintop removal […] By Erica Peterson Aug 19 Environment EPA Officials Hear Concerns About Mining, Water Pollution in Eastern Kentucky Erica Peterson
Aug 18 Environment Checking in With Erica Peterson in Eastern Kentucky WFPL Environment Reporter Erica Peterson is in eastern Kentucky. She’s following Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming and senior advisor for environmental justice Lisa Garcia as they tour communities affected by coal mining. Today, she called the newsroom with updates on her trip. From Erica: The first stop was in Manchester. There’s a woman […] By Gabe Bullard Aug 18 Environment Checking in With Erica Peterson in Eastern Kentucky Gabe Bullard
Jul 22 Environment Coal Ash Scares, Sickens Southwest Louisville Neighborhood–Part Three Kathy Little and Debbie Walker stand in Walker’s front yard, 50 feet from the ash landfill at Louisville Gas & Electric‘s Cane Run plant. They watch as heavy machinery backs up, pushing ash from one pile to another. Both women have lived in the neighborhood for decades—Little for 33 years, Walker for 23. Walker says […] By Erica Peterson Jul 22 Environment Coal Ash Scares, Sickens Southwest Louisville Neighborhood–Part Three Erica Peterson
Jul 7 Environment EPA Issues New Air Standards for Power Plants The federal Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing a new air pollution rule that’s meant to reduce power plant emissions. The rule will affect Kentucky, but not immediately. The EPA’s new rule is meant to control sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, which are often blown across state lines. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says regulating such […] By Erica Peterson Jul 7 Environment EPA Issues New Air Standards for Power Plants Erica Peterson
Jul 4 Environment New EPA Law Would Regulate Pollution in Kentucky The Louisville area has had six Air Quality Alerts because of high ozone levels so far this year.But the Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to unveil a new rule this week that could eventually reduce those ozone levels. The Clean Air Transport Rule will affect states differently. Some will have to regulate both fine particle […] By Erica Peterson Jul 4 Environment New EPA Law Would Regulate Pollution in Kentucky Erica Peterson
Jun 21 Environment EPA Extends Comment Period for Air Pollution Rules The federal Environmental Protection Agency is giving the public thirty more days to comment on a rule to regulate air pollution. Comments on the EPA’s proposed air toxics and mercury standards were initially due July 5, but now that’s been pushed back a month. In March, after a 20-year political and legal battle, the EPA […] By Erica Peterson Jun 21 Environment EPA Extends Comment Period for Air Pollution Rules Erica Peterson
Jun 20 Environment NYT Editorial Criticizes Power Company for Opposition to Clean Air Rules The New York Times’ editorial yesterday took power giant American Electric Power to task for its opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed air standards. AEP has been contradicting itself lately, telling the public that the eventual closing of two dozen power plants will result in major job losses, even while the company tells investors […] By Erica Peterson Jun 20 Environment NYT Editorial Criticizes Power Company for Opposition to Clean Air Rules Erica Peterson
Jun 15 Environment EPA Chief Says New Air Standards Will Improve Health The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency faced the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works today to discuss the EPA’s proposed air rules. Lisa Jackson also talked about the new air standards’ impact on public health. In March, after a 20-year political and legal battle, the EPA proposed its first-ever national standards for regulating […] By Erica Peterson Jun 15 Environment EPA Chief Says New Air Standards Will Improve Health Erica Peterson