Alan Lytle

For the first time since 1950, when the Wildcats were coached by the legendary Bear Bryant, the Kentucky football team is off to a 6-0 start. In today’s edition of WUKY’s award winning history program Saving Stories, Doug Boyd with the UK Libraries' Nunn Center for Oral History highlights a 2019 interview with UK great, Jim Howe, one of the Bear’s talented players from that era. In fact, he has the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in Kentucky’s first-ever bowl game; a 24-14 victory over Villanova in the Great Lakes Bowl in snowy Cleveland, Ohio on December 6, 1947. Howe talks about playing for the legendary coach, the big victories, the close losses, and the life lessons learned while competing for the Big Blue. 

Is this a sign that Kentucky’s economy is ‘hitting on all cylinders?’ Ford Motor Co. and Korea-based SK Innovation announced the single largest economic development project in the history of the commonwealth last month celebrating a transformative $5.8 billion investment that will create 5,000 jobs and places Kentucky at the forefront of the automotive industry’s future. This week on the Business Side we talk with Lane Report executive editor Mark Green who attended the rollout ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol in Frankfort.

Patients with chronic disease, including neurologic patients can often have suicidal thoughts and ideation. This week as we observe National Mental Health Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Month, Dr. Greg talks with Lisa Koehl, UK Assistant Professor of Neurology, about signs and symptoms to look for, as well as eliminating the stigma of mental illness.

  The national suicide prevention hotline is 800-273-TALK.

WUKY is collaborating with Martha Greenwald, creator and curator of 'Who We Lost KY' a writing project where friends and families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic can pay tribute and in some cases, say their final goodbyes. Today Steve Cambron remembers his friend 'Northeast Tony.'

Rodney Woods is a former Tennessee basketball star who, after being a key part of Vol teams that included Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld, returned to his native Kentucky to achieve Hall of Fame distinction as a high school basketball coach. He’s been the Wayne County coach since 1986, and the school’s gym and basketball court are named for him. He attracted the attention of Tennessee, Kentucky and other college programs during his high school career at Lone Jack in Bell County, Ky., and chose the Vols after Coach Ray Mears or one of his assistants came to 17 consecutive Lone Jack games to watch him play. In this conversation, he talks about his high school days (more than one 50-point night), leading the SEC in assists in each of his three seasons at Tennessee, the “Bernie and Ernie” show, the rivalry with Kentucky and how his coaching has been influenced by Mears and former UK coach Adolph Rupp. 

The 141st Fancy Farm Picnic happens Saturday afternoon in Graves County. The political speeches didn't take place last year because of COVID-19 and this year the event promises to be a very one-sided political affair. For a preview we turn to Laura Cullen Glasscock, the editor and publisher of the Frankfort-based Kentucky Gazette.

This week on The Business Side, Tom Wilmes, editor of Business Lexington, is back for a deep dive on the ongoing service and staffing challenges for area bars and restaurants. Some emerged from the pandemic better than others. Some favorite establishments called it quits altogether. Bottom line, whether tried and true or brand spanking new, adaptability appears to be the key to success.

Job seekers and employers came together Thursday at the Charles Young Community Center as Mayor Linda Gorton and several councilmembers helped cut the ribbon on a new WORK-Lexington Career Services Center.

For the first time in its history the University of Kentucky will recognize Juneteenth as a campus-wide holiday this Friday. June 19th has become a significant date on the calendar, particularly for African Americans, and for some perspective on Juneteenth’s impact WUKY's Alan Lytle recently spoke with noted historian Dr. George C. Wright; he’s the Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and a Senior Advisor to UK President Eli Capilouto.

As we continue to inch toward that 2.5 million vaccine goal in Kentucky, which will bring about a loosening of COVID restrictions, spring is usually a time when we see ramped up social activity, with that thought in mind WUKY's Alan Lytle recently spoke with Mary Quinn Ramer, the president of VisitLex about lessons learned from 2020 and what to expect going forward post-pandemic.