<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/51332af/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4549x1723+0+0/resize/792x300!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Faa%2F5f%2Fd4dcd93b4ed09def234908dc79e8%2Foperahouse-before-after-side-by-side-hi-res.jpg" alt="The Lexington Opera House, before and after its restoration"><figcaption> The Lexington Opera House, before and after its restoration(Lexington Center Corporation)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:Imagine being assigned to divine the future consequences and outcomes of economic decisions made today — especially in light of the uncertainties of war in the Middle East and what many experience as a “crisis of affordability” here at home. That is David Brancaccio’s new role as the longtime Marketplace host makes a career shift to Special Correspondent. He joins us to talk about the new assignment.The Lexington Opera House is getting ready for a big weeklong celebration recognizing its 140th year — which came very close to ending 50 years ago. Our guest, Linda Carey, is credited with rallying support to rescue the theatre from the wrecking ball. That history and the celebration week featuring a special performance by Tony award winning stage, film and television actress and singer Bernadette Peters are our focus.“When a group of people laugh together, that’s a literal act of community,” says professional storyteller Paul Strickland. The Northern Kentucky native is featured at this year’s Paris Storytelling Festival and shares more of his philosophy about the power of humor.Who was Lyle Aten? After you hear about him from Lexington History Museum executive director Mandy Higgins, driving around Lexington will never be the same. Aten was a landscape architect (and much more) whose works shaped some of Lexington's best known landmarks.Lexington guitarist, singer, songwriter and recording artist Jim Gleason discusses his latest album and we sample some tracks from “Looking for Treble.”

<description>Imagine being assigned to divine the future consequences and outcomes of economic decisions made today — especially in light of the uncertainties of war in the Middle East and what many experience as a “crisis of affordability” here at home.</description>

Imagine being assigned to divine the future consequences and outcomes of…

Imagine being assigned to divine the future consequences and outcomes of economic decisions made today — especially in light of the uncertainties of war in the Middle East and what many experience as a “crisis of affordability” here at home.

Eastern Standard: April 23rd, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4ff193d/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1536x1024+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F70%2Ffb%2F9b4959554a26b3eb7112b15d3ee2%2Flt-govcoleman-jamielucke.jpg" alt="Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman (L), Kentucky Lantern founding editor, Jamie Lucke (R)"><figcaption> Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman (L), Kentucky Lantern founding editor, Jamie Lucke (R)(Provided)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:Many people can name the Kentucky Governor, but what about Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor? Do you know what she does and how her work impacts your daily life? Do you know her main priorities? We are about to find out in Episode 28 of our series, “Democracy Optimist” hosted by University of Kentucky election law and voting rights research professor, Joshua Douglas. Our guest, Jacqueline Coleman, is the 58th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. Lieutenant Governor Coleman has served as a high school teacher, school administrator, and basketball coach. She was recently chosen to be the chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association for 2026-27.Surveys show that there’s a real lack of trust in the news media. Why is that? And how do we rebuild that trust? And how can people know that they are consuming news from a trustworthy source? Among the many questions for Jamie Lucke, founding editor of the online news source, Kentucky Lantern.

<description>Many people can name the Kentucky Governor, but what about Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor? Do you know what she does and how her work impacts your daily life?</description>

Many people can name the Kentucky Governor, but what about Kentucky’s…

Many people can name the Kentucky Governor, but what about Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor? Do you know what she does and how her work impacts your daily life?

Eastern Standard: April 16th, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/96a324c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x527+0+0/resize/792x417!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F23%2Fb2%2Fa9860b61422195bbfa1ed3d631b6%2Fshutterstock-2383287209.jpg" alt="Sizing up the non-profit landscape in Kentucky"><figcaption> Sizing up the non-profit landscape in Kentucky(Shutterstock / Shutterstock)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:The many ways nonprofits touch our lives, the fulfillment and reward of volunteerism, and the most pressing challenges confronting these organizations in uncertain times. Our guests are Danielle Clore, CEO, Kentucky Nonprofit Network; Lisa Adkins, President and CEO of the Blue Grass Community Foundation; Kristen Walker Collins, CEO, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky; and Hannah Conover, CEO and co-founder of Grant Ready Kentucky.

<description>The many ways nonprofits touch our lives, the fulfillment and reward of volunteerism, and the most pressing challenges confronting these organizations in uncertain times.</description>

The many ways nonprofits touch our lives, the fulfillment and reward of…

The many ways nonprofits touch our lives, the fulfillment and reward of volunteerism, and the most pressing challenges confronting these organizations in uncertain times.

Eastern Standard: April 9th, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e84694f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1536x1536+0+0/resize/528x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbf%2F13%2Fbe6235664b50a219aa31b240b02b%2Fpath.jpg" alt="Eastern Standard Generic Image"><figcaption> The Path to a Shared American Future(Tom Martin)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>How to push the civility reset button. A thoughtful conversation between two leaders of “Braver Angels,” a nationwide movement with a Kentucky chapter&nbsp;that is working to help people overcome loss of friends and family estrangements to&nbsp;the divisiveness of our times. Carolyn Dupont, host of our series “Civics and Civility: The Path to a Shared American Future” (and former state coordinator for Braver Angels), talks with the organization’s co-founder, Bill Doherty.</li></ul><ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>The Trump administration&nbsp;has&nbsp;launched a broad effort to reshape how American history is told at federal sites. All interpretive signage in national parks has been reviewed, and some exhibits and signs on slavery, Native American mistreatment, and climate change have been removed or revised. But not without resistance. Our guest is Gerry Seavo James, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club “Outdoors for all” campaign.</li></ul><ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>If you spend enough time around horse racing, you start to notice that some of the most visible talent on the track comes from Latino&nbsp;communities — jockeys, trainers, grooms — and&nbsp;yet their history often lives just out of frame. At the Keeneland Library in Lexington, a new exhibit brings those stories forward. It’s called&nbsp;Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing. We visit with Keeneland archivist Roda Ferraro.</li></ul><ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Eastern Kentucky author Willie Carver chats with Eastern Standard Literary contributor Kevin Nance about his new novel, “Tore All to Pieces.”</li></ul>

<description>How to push the civility reset button. A thoughtful conversation between two leaders of “Braver Angels,” a nationwide movement with a Kentucky chapter that is working to help people overcome loss of friends and family estrangements to the divisiveness of our times.</description>

How to push the civility reset button. A thoughtful conversation between two…

How to push the civility reset button. A thoughtful conversation between two leaders of “Braver Angels,” a nationwide movement with a Kentucky chapter that is working to help people overcome loss of friends and family estrangements to the divisiveness of our times.

Eastern Standard: April 2nd, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4ea171a/2147483647/strip/false/crop/800x659+0+0/resize/641x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff5%2Fc2%2F046d3b604a0fa6db16e8b51ad10e%2Fruthhuntcandies.jpg" alt="Ruth Hunt Candies, subject of a play by Cat Goguen, still produced by hand."><figcaption>Ruth Hunt Candies, subject of a play by Cat Goguen, still produced by hand.(Smiley Pete Publishing)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:Why AI makes rural access to broadband internet all the more essential. Education contributor Brigitte Blom, in conversation with EKU Artificial Intelligence strategist Lisa Blue.The meaning of the “Land Acknowledgment” that appears in many theatre production playbills. We get the back story from Lexington Theatre Company co-founder and Artistic Director Lyndy Franklin Smith, and Trevor McChristian, actor, enrolled member of the Navajo (Dine) Nation and of the Lexington Theatre Company’s Inclusivity Advisory Council.Literary Contributor Tom Eblen interviews children’s book author Marcia Thornton Jones, a 2026 inductee into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame.Larry Pemble, founder of the James Baker Hall Foundation, details upcoming events for Kentucky writers.Theatre contributor Bill McCann has as his guest Jordan Campbell, executive director of the Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mt. Sterling, and director of “The Sweet Life: The Ruth Hunt Story”, a play by Barbourville native Cat Goguen. The play will be performed as part of the Actor Theatre of Louisville Fringe Festival on April 4 in the Pamela Brown Theatre.

<description>Why AI makes rural access to broadband internet all the more essential. Education contributor Brigitte Blom, in conversation with EKU Artificial Intelligence strategist Lisa Blue.</description>

Why AI makes rural access to broadband internet all the more essential.…

Why AI makes rural access to broadband internet all the more essential. Education contributor Brigitte Blom, in conversation with EKU Artificial Intelligence strategist Lisa Blue.

Eastern Standard: March 26th, 2026

WEKU's weekly public affairs program discussing topics and concerns of Central and Eastern Kentucky, hosted by Tom Martin

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