A note about the future

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has a new, ambitious economic development plan for the city. Pat Mulloy is the man in charge of making it happen. Mulloy, a lawyer who spent most of his career managing senior living companies, joined Greenberg as deputy mayor for economic development earlier this year. In this WDRB+ Studio conversation with WDRB's Chris Otts, Mulloy discussed the broad goals of the plan and how Mulloy plans to prevent it from languishing on a shelf with little action, like so many previous plans have over the years. In the conversation, Mulloy touched on: -Why making it easier to build housing, including low-priced housing in every neighborhood, is a “moral imperative” -The importance of international immigration to Louisville’s growth -Remaking downtown in the remote work era -How Louisville might follow in the steps of Austin and Nashville -How to boost entrepreneurial activity and venture capital -Why it all revolves the success of the University of Louisville View video of the conversation on the WDRB News YouTube page. Recorded: Dec. 20, 2023

Downtown Louisville is still recovering from the pandemic, and in some ways, it will never be the same. Rebecca Fleischaker sits down with WDRB's Chris Otts to discuss how Louisville's central business district is evolving in the remote-work era. Fleischaker is the executive director of the Downtown Partnership. The episode was recorded Oct. 24, 2023. NOTE: This is a pilot episode for an interview show hosted from our new WDRB+ Studio. Should we keep it up? Who would you like to hear from next? Send any suggestions or feedback to [email protected].

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. 

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." 

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?  

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

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