Jun 29 Economy Coal Towns Were Counting On Tourism For New Jobs. Then Coronavirus Hit. The pandemic added to the challenge for coal communities trying to diversify their economies. But it also may unlock new opportunities. By Brittany Patterson, Ohio Valley ReSource Jun 29 Economy Coal Towns Were Counting On Tourism. Then Coronavirus Hit. Brittany Patterson, Ohio Valley ReSource
Sep 30 Economy Meet The Coal Town Betting Big On Outdoor Recreation Norton, Virginia, like many communities, is looking at how to diversify its coal-based economy. One resource it has in abundance is nature. By Brittany Patterson, Ohio Valley ReSource Sep 30 Economy Meet The Coal Town Betting Big On Outdoor Recreation Brittany Patterson, Ohio Valley ReSource
Jun 1 Politics ‘Bourbon Without Borders’ Law Allows Kentucky Visitors To Ship Spirits Home The new law will allow visitors to Kentucky to ship up to 4.5 liters of spirits or 4 cases of wine back home — as long as their home state allows it. By Ryland Barton Jun 1 Politics New Law Allows Kentucky Visitors To Ship Spirits Home Ryland Barton
Apr 25 Curious Louisville Curious Derby: How Many Planes Fly In During Derby Weekend? Fred Benz and his wife typically leave Derby weekend to avoid the rush of tourists. When they do, Benz notices how packed the tarmac at Louisville International Airport becomes. By Kyeland Jackson and Ashlie Stevens Apr 25 Curious Louisville Curious Derby: How Many Planes Fly In During Derby Weekend? Kyeland Jackson and Ashlie Stevens
Jun 29 Politics Fischer Says California Ban Has Cost Louisville 2 Conventions Fischer and the head of the city's visitors bureau said Thursday that two conventions scheduled to be held in the city have now be cancelled due to the ban. By Jacob Ryan Jun 29 Politics Fischer Says California Ban Has Cost Louisville 2 Conventions Jacob Ryan
May 16 Arts and Culture New Program Encourages Visitors To Become Louisville #LandmarkLovers As part of the National Historic Landmarks of Louisville program, visitors can pick up a special pass that can be validated at each of the sites. By Ashlie Stevens May 16 Arts and Culture New Program Encourages Visitors To Become #LandmarkLovers Ashlie Stevens
Dec 5 Local News Outgoing Secretary of State Named Parks Commissioner Outgoing Kentucky Secretary of State Elaine Walker will become the commissioner of the parks department when she leaves office later this month. Walker was appointed as the commonwealth’s chief election officer by Governor Steve Beshear in January 2011 to replace Trey Grayson, who took a post at Harvard University before the end of his term. […] By WFPL News Dec 5 Local News Outgoing Secretary of State Named Parks Commissioner WFPL News
Jul 25 Arts and Culture Actors Theatre Hopes to Attract Crowds With Building Renovations Actors Theatre of Louisville has unveiled several improvements to its downtown Louisville headquarters. The Actors Theatre building is across the street from the KFC Yum center. Until recently, there was little outward indication of what was inside. But that’s changed. Using $450,000 in grants and donations, Actors Theatre has renovated its lobby and refurbished the […] By Gabe Bullard Jul 25 Arts and Culture Actors Theatre Hopes to Attract Crowds With Building Renovations Gabe Bullard
May 31 Local News NYT Editorial Criticizes Ark Park The New York Times has weighed in on the debate over the Ark Encounter theme park planned for northern Kentucky. In discussing the tourism-based tax breaks the Genesis-themed creationist theme park will receive, the editors write: Under current Supreme Court doctrine, Kentucky’s support of the proselytizing theme park seems likely to withstand a possible church-state legal […] By Gabe Bullard May 31 Local News NYT Editorial Criticizes Ark Park Gabe Bullard
May 19 Local News Tourism Authority Approves Tax Incentives for Noah’s Ark-Themed Amusement Park A Kentucky state agency has approved more than $40 million in tax incentives for a planned Noah’s Ark-themed amusement park in northern Kentucky. The Tourism Development Finance Authority unanimously approved the incentives today for the Ark Encounter park. The tax incentives were a major part of the financing plan for the $172 million project. The […] By Gabe Bullard May 19 Local News Tourism Authority Approves Tax Incentives for Noah’s Ark-Themed Amusement Park Gabe Bullard
May 12 Local News Officials: Kentucky Tourism Grew 5% In 2010 There’s another encouraging sign on Kentucky’s economic front. Tourism is up. Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow says tourism had an $11 billion impact on Kentucky’s economy last year. That’s an almost five-percent increase over the previous year. The annual survey, conducted by an independent agency, shows tourism responsible for almost 170,000 jobs last […] By Tony McVeigh May 12 Local News Officials: Kentucky Tourism Grew 5% In 2010 Tony McVeigh
Feb 17 Local News Adult Entertainment Ordinance Appears To Aggravate Some Convention Visitors The argument over whether adult entertainment draws visitors is usually fairly quiet, given the cultural taboos surrounding the key issue. But the topic ties to economic development, and in many instances, it mirrors the debate over expanded gambling. By Gabe Bullard Feb 17 Local News Adult Entertainment Ordinance Appears To Aggravate Some Convention Visitors Gabe Bullard
Dec 20 Local News State Approves Speedway Incentives, Looks At Ark Encounter State incentives to help bring a NASCAR Sprint Cup race to Kentucky have been approved in Frankfort. And another proposed attraction in northern Kentucky is seeking similar tax breaks. By Tony McVeigh Dec 20 Local News State Approves Speedway Incentives, Looks At Ark Encounter Tony McVeigh
Nov 22 Local News State Parks Department Expecting Crowds For Thanksgiving The Kentucky Department of Parks is anticipating strong interest in state park attractions this holiday season, and the department will again offer slightly expanded lodging options, in anticipation of holiday visitors. By Gabe Bullard Nov 22 Local News State Parks Department Expecting Crowds For Thanksgiving Gabe Bullard
Oct 12 State of Affairs Kentucky Fall Getaways The summer heat is finally dissipating and the trees are taking on some fall color, so the time is right for some great weekend getaways, whether it’s to a family farm, state park, arboretum, a historical site such as Shaker Village, or just a beautiful country highway. What are your favorite places to take in the fall landscape, perhaps pack a picnic and sip some cider, or enjoy a hayride and bonfire, or a majestic color-drenched vista? We’ll talk fall getaways in Kentucky next time on State of Affairs. Listen to the Show Related Links: Kentucky Tourism My Old Kentucky Back Roads Susan Reigler By Brad Yost Oct 12 State of Affairs Kentucky Fall Getaways Brad Yost