Documentary about Eastern Kentucky preschoolers shows hope for distressed regions

by VALARIE HONEYCUTT SPEARS, [email protected] – A documentary that premieres Tuesday on PBS and Sept. 19 on KET focuses on efforts to improve the lives of preschoolers in Owsley County, which has one of the lowest median household income levels in the country. “Class of ’27” from filmmaker James Rutenbeck shows that the children have “caring and competent…

Amid Controversies, U of L Foundation Paying PR Firms To Push Message

by Kate Howard – Facing growing scrutiny from donors and its own university, the University of Louisville Foundation is paying $11,500 a month in retainers alone for external public relations firms. In contract proposals submitted in July, the firms shed light on strategies they intended to employ to combat rampant criticism of the Foundation. The documents, obtained by WFPL’s…

Bevin hasn’t named new jobs chief after 9 months in office

by JACK BRAMMER, [email protected] – FRANKFORT — Sixteen months after Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes announced his retirement and nine months into the administration of Gov. Matt Bevin, Kentucky still does not have a full-time secretary to oversee the cabinet that attempts to create jobs in Kentucky. The $250,000-a-year job to attract new industries and help existing companies expand…