<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/81f5f61/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x465+0+0/resize/792x368!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F63%2F56%2Fd7429622466a825505358f5d48e5%2Fshutterstock-2175168323.jpg" alt="Can required civic education help heal a divided nation?"><figcaption> Can required civic education help heal a divided nation?(shutterstock)</figcaption></figure>Our first guest in Episode 29 of the Eastern Standard series “Democracy Optimist” is Joyce Vance, the author of Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Our Democracy. The title says it all. The book explains that democracy is the collective responsibility of all concerned Americans, and that there is a role in the preservation of our democracy for each and every one of us. Joyce Vance is a New York Times&nbsp;bestselling author, former United States Attorney, and current professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. She’s also a legal analyst for MS Now—formerly known as MSNBC—writes the Civil Discourse newsletter on Substack, and co-hosts two podcasts, SistersInLaw and The Insider.The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1971, effectively lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Young people were asked to fight in the Vietnam War, which many of them opposed. They organized anti-war protests on school campuses all across the country. “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote” became a common rallying cry. But, these days, young people have not embraced their voting power in significant numbers. The youngest age group turns out to vote at the lowest rate compared to all other age groups, often by a significant amount. Our guest wants to help, and she’s built an organization to do just that. Laura Brill is the CEO &amp; Founder of The Civics Center, an organization focused on promoting voter registration for young people.Democracy Optimist is hosted by Joshua Douglas, an election law and voting rights and research professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law.

<description>Democracy Optimist is hosted by Joshua Douglas, an election law and voting rights and research professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law.</description>

Democracy Optimist is hosted by Joshua Douglas, an election law and voting…

Democracy Optimist is hosted by Joshua Douglas, an election law and voting rights and research professor at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law.

Eastern Standard: May 21st, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bcf2905/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5f%2Fec%2F3db9ba584460b43e276ff847f7c0%2Ffree-roaming-horses-in-breathitt-county-ky.jpg" alt="Free-roaming horses in Breathitt County, Kentucky"><figcaption> Free-roaming horses in Breathitt County, Kentucky(David Leach Photography/Shutterstock / Shutterstock)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:ICE detainments and deportations may seem to have faded, but the actions against immigrants, illegal and legal, continue in Kentucky. Nima Kulkarni, a state representative, immigration employment attorney and founder of the New Americans Initiative, brings us up to date.Listening can foster understanding. Understanding can dispel cultural tensions. And that is a goal of “South of the Border: Analyzing the socioeconomic and political drivers of Latin American Migration.” It’s a panel discussion set for 7 PM on May 28 at the Kentucky Theater in downtown Lexington, billed as “an important opportunity for community members, students, and policymakers to engage in thoughtful conversation on one of the most pressing issues of our time.” Panelist Fatima Espinoza Vasquez joins us with background and details.Over the past two decades, domestic horses have been abandoned on abandoned mine sites in eastern Kentucky, forming unmanaged herds. Unchecked breeding has resulted in overpopulation, and according to the Kentucky Humane Society, this is putting horses at risk of starvation, increasing roadway hazards, and causing environmental damage through overgrazing and erosion. Most of these horses were born in the mountains and have never been handled, making traditional management strategies more difficult. KHS Equine Director Lori Redmon tells us about a fertility control program now getting underway.Kentucky artists Lynn Sweet and Rodney Hatfield are old friends. So it’s fitting that their considerable bodies of work are paired in the latest exhibition at Lexington’s Headley Whitney Museum of Art. We learn more from museum Director, Christina Bell.

<description>ICE detainments and deportations may seem to have faded, but the actions against immigrants, illegal and legal, continue in Kentucky. Nima Kulkarni, a state representative, immigration employment attorney and founder of the New Americans Initiative, brings us up to date.</description>

ICE detainments and deportations may seem to have faded, but the actions…

ICE detainments and deportations may seem to have faded, but the actions against immigrants, illegal and legal, continue in Kentucky. Nima Kulkarni, a state representative, immigration employment attorney and founder of the New Americans Initiative, brings us up to date.

Eastern Standard: May 14th, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e59b4f5/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fde%2Fa1%2F626d1dba43ca98e616a7acd6119f%2Fshutterstock-2390241685.jpg" alt="Household budgets are straining under inflationary pressures."><figcaption> Household budgets are straining under inflationary pressures.(Windcolors / Shutterstock)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:The term “affordability” is tossed around a lot these days. What does it look like for Kentuckians? We discuss it with a pair of Kentucky economists who are keeping watch on the basket of unskippable stuff we pay for from every paycheck: things such as housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and health care. Our guests are Michael Clark, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, and an associate professor of economics at the University of Kentucky, and Jose Fernandez, professor and chair of economics at the University of Louisville.What does it take to get local government officials and economic development professionals to collaborate across county lines to make their region more competitive in attracting new business and employees? It’s the focus of a five-year, nine-county plan now under development in central Kentucky. Our guests are Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick, and the chamber’s Chief Policy Officer and Director of Regional Engagement, Andi Johnson.

<description>This week on Eastern Standard:The term “affordability” is tossed around a lot these days. What does it look like for Kentuckians?</description>

This week on Eastern Standard:The term “affordability” is tossed around a lot…

This week on Eastern Standard:The term “affordability” is tossed around a lot these days. What does it look like for Kentuckians?

Eastern Standard: May 7th, 2026

<figure><img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b88f82b/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4002x1867+0+0/resize/792x369!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd4%2Fe8%2F4bfaa86747d889791c4eb0951567%2Fkymap.png" alt="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xs1lc/1/ Population Change in Rural Kentucky, 2024 - 2025"><figcaption> &lt;a href="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xs1lc/1/"&gt;https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/xs1lc/1/&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt; Population Change in Rural Kentucky, 2024 - 2025(Sarah Melotte, Daily Yonder)</figcaption></figure>This week on Eastern Standard:Data Journalist and pollster G. Elliot Morris is the guest of Carolyn Dupont, host of our series, “Civics and Civility, the Path to a Shared American Future.” They discuss the psychology that goes into framing polling questions and how framing influences responses.Sarah Melotte heads “the Rural Index,” the Daily Yonder data newsletter. Sarah takes us through the details of her recent article, “Rural Counties: New Arrivals Offset Natural Declines for Fifth Consecutive Year.” And she made an interactive map to show what is happening to the populations of many Eastern Kentucky counties.Pat Banks is an artist, an environmentalist and director of the Kentucky Riverkeeper, a nonprofit on a mission to educate and advocate for the responsible stewardship of the Kentucky River watershed.Richmond crime novelist Wesley Browne won the prestigious Weatherford Award for his book, They All&nbsp;Fall the Same. In this conversation with Eastern Standard literary contributor Kevin Nance, Browne discusses how crime and literary novels differ and how he has blended these genres in his latest work.Yeison Landero, born in San Jacinto, Colombia, is carrying on the legacy his grandfather Andrés Landero, a musician recognized internationally as the “King of Cumbia,” a dance style similar to salsa. Landero and his band are performing in the latest Greenroom Exchange concert at the Downtown Arts Center in Lexington. We learn more from Landero’s road manager, Javier Visas.

<description>Data Journalist and pollster G. Elliot Morris is the guest of Carolyn Dupont, host of our series, “Civics and Civility, the Path to a Shared American Future.”</description>

Data Journalist and pollster G. Elliot Morris is the guest of Carolyn Dupont,…

Data Journalist and pollster G. Elliot Morris is the guest of Carolyn Dupont, host of our series, “Civics and Civility, the Path to a Shared American Future.”

Eastern Standard: April 30th, 2026

<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

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

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