WDRB's Chris Otts is headed to Columbia for a fellowship. What does it means for the future of this podcast? He leaves a quick note for subscribers. 

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A note about the future

In 2013, the theft of large quantities of coveted Pappy Van Winkle and other bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. captured the world's attention. WDRB's Dalton Godbey discusses his recent interview with Toby Curtsinger, the alleged "ringleader" of the bourbon thefts, who pleaded guilty to charges and served a brief prison stint but still insists the story is not as cut-and-dry as it seems. Curtsinger embraces the moniker, "The Bourbon King," in Netflix's new documentary series, "Heist." 

Revisiting the 'Pappygate' bourbon heist

Journalist Alec MacGillis joins the podcast to discuss his recent book, "FULFILLMENT: Winning and Losing in One-Click America," which uses Amazon as a frame to explore regional inequality in the U.S. MacGillis writes that Amazon that has three types of towns: its software development-engineering towns, its data center towns and its warehouse towns. What is the impact of these broad economic forces on 'warehouse towns' like Louisville? How is blue-collar work different now than decades ago? What are the political ramifications of growing disparities between 'hyper-prosperous' places like Washington D.C. and 'left behind' places like Baltimore?  

Author Alec MacGillis on Amazon and 'winner take all' places

One year ago, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state would get 'caught up' on a backlog of unemployment claims. It didn't happen. Thousands of Kentuckians still struggle with this frayed social safety net. Have elected officials stop trying to improve the system? WDRB.com business reporter Chris Otts explains. 

A year later, Kentucky still not 'caught up' on unemployment claims

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is allowing college athletes to profit on endorsement deals, autographs and other "name, image and likeness" opportunities. The Supreme Court undercuts the NCAA's business model. What does it all mean in a state where college sports is king? WDRB sports columnists Rick Bozich and Eric Crawford break it down.

Bozich & Crawford on the shifting landscape of college sports

WDRB.com's Marcus Green takes back to a simpler time, when one of the biggest controversies in Louisville centered on the plan to build a Topgolf. Three years later, Topgolf still isn't here, but it looks to be coming soon. Green explains what's going on with the much-anticipated project. 

What's up with that Topgolf?

The presumed frontrunner is suddenly out. Another candidate picks up a key endorsement. A moderate Republican enters the fray. And there are likely more announcements ahead. WDRB political reporter Lawrence Smith discusses recent developments in the 2022 race to succeed Greg Fischer as Louisville Metro mayor. What does David James' exit mean for the race? Why is Barbara Sexton-Smith working for Craig Greenberg instead of mounting her own campaign? Does J'town Mayor Bill Dieruf have a path to victory as a Republican? Smith tackles these questions and more.  

A shakeup in the race for Louisville mayor

Ashleigh and Brooke Skaggs, sisters from Georgetown, Indiana, hardly recognized their father in the months leading up to his tragic death in July 2020. WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green joins the show to discuss his recent story - the first of a series - examining the pandemic's effect on mental health in Kentucky and Indiana.  Background: QUIET CRISIS: An ‘unprecedented’ mental health toll: COVID-19 drives surge in crisis line calls, therapy wait lists  

The pandemic's toll on mental health

The constant on-again, off-again schedule at Ford's Louisville plants has an economic impact far beyond the automaker itself. This week's show focuses on how automotive supplier plants are also going dark and struggling to keep their workers during a red-hot job market. Sara Wells, a former worker at Martinrea Heavy Stamping in Shelbyville, Ky., shares her story. WDRB business reporters Chris Otts and Katrina Helmer discuss their recent story, "Ford shutdowns ripple through Louisville-area supplier plants."

The ripple effects of all those Ford shutdowns

WDRB.com reporter Marcus Green discusses a recent court ruling and other developments in Louisville Gas & Electric's five-year-old plan to build a natural gas pipeline across Bullitt County, an effort opposed by Bernheim Forest and some rural landowners. Recent court documents raise the question: Is the controversial pipeline mainly for the benefit of one big customer: Jim Beam? 

LG&E one step closer to controversial Bullitt County pipeline

WDRB's Chris Otts and Katrina Helmer discuss the years-long fight over two proposed 'affordable housing' apartment complexes that could provide public housing in the suburb of Prospect, home to Kentucky's second-wealthiest zip code. Background: Judge upholds rejection of low-income housing in Prospect Prospect affordable housing complex on cusp of construction

The fight over low-income housing in Prospect

WDRB sports columnists Rick Bozich and Eric Crawford discuss the controversy surrounding Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit's positive drug test and the shifting explanations from famed trainer Bob Baffert. Does Baffert have credibility? What does this mean for a sport already marred by past drugging incidents? 

'A stain on horseracing' | Bozich & Crawford on Kentucky Derby winner's drug test

WDRB's Jason Riley and Travis Ragsdale discuss their recent story about incidents in which Louisville Metro homicide unit personnel are alleged to have been drunk on the job or at the office, and the police department's lackluster internal investigation of the claims. Background: ATF agent claims Louisville homicide chief was drinking before Kroger hate crime murders

Louisville cops drunk on the job?

WDRB.com education reporter Kevin Wheatley joins the podcast for an update on Jefferson County Public Schools. Wheatley discusses: - How the district's classroom-virtual hybrid schedule is going - Why some parents feel it shortchanges their children - Whether the Louisville school district will be back to pre-pandemic operation in August when the next school year begins - Why teachers and staff are resistant to the superintendent's proposal to add four school days to next year's calendar to make up for lost learning during the virtual school year Background: Hybrid learning at JCPS poses new problems for some parents Revisions for school calendar, start times on the table at JCPS

Will JCPS go fully back to school in August?

Louisville Metro Police first learned of an accusation that narcotics Det. Brian Bailey, one of the department's top cops in obtaining residential search warrants, had abused a female confidential informant in 2016. What did police do with the information? WDRB News and the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting have learned that a total of four women have accused Bailey of coercing them into becoming confidential informants and sexually assaulting them. On this week's show, WDRB reporters Jason Riley and Travis Ragsdale and KyCIR's Eleanor Klibanoff discuss the latest chapter in this story and where things are headed. It's all our part of our newsrooms' joint investigation into Louisville police search warrants, which started in the wake of the Breonna Taylor tragedy.  The latest story: LMPD cleared top warrant detective of sexual misconduct. Then, more women came forward.

More allegations against LMPD's top warrant cop

The former newspaper reporters of WDRB.com in Louisville, Ky. take listeners inside their stories about business, criminal justice, education, government, infrastructure and more. Episodes are released every Tuesday morning.

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Uncovered by WDRB News

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