Environment

Louisville Zoo Polar Bear Dies

John Walker and The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:42:30 +0000

The Louisville Zoo says its oldest polar bear has died. The Zoo says Arki, a female, was 28 years old and died from unknown causes on Wednesday. Arki came to Louisville in 2011 from the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. A news release from the Louisville Zoo says polar bears usually live into their mid-20s. Arki was considered one of the most prolific polar bears with five successful litters. One of the two remaining polar bears at the Louisville Zoo, 3-year-old Siku, is Arki's grandson. The Zoo says a necropsy will be performed on Arki to determine the cause of death.

Youth Report: Not So Fast, All About LBL's Turtle Derby

Matt Markgraf and Aaron Sikkel — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:35:00 +0000

Earlier this month, over 16 million viewers tuned in to watch the 139th annual Kentucky Derby. To celebrate the event, the Nature Station at Land Between the Lakes held their own, much slower race: the Kentucky Turtle Derby. WKMS Youth Reporter Aaron Sikkel covered the event and sat down with Naturalist Aviva Yasgur to learn about how turtles contribute to the region's ecosystem. This article features the full version of the interview.

Special thanks to Aaron's mom, Claire Fuller, for coordinating the interview and taking photos. If you are interested in getting involved in the WKMS Youth Radio Project, check out our page with more info, here.

Coalition Says IL 'Fracking' Bill Ready for Vote

John Null and The Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:02:40 +0000

Supporters of high-volume oil and gas drilling say a bill to regulate the practice in Illinois is ready for a vote after last-minute negotiations over hiring and environmental concerns.

The House bill initially had strong support in February but stalled over an amendment requiring energy companies to hire Illinois-licensed water well drillers. Instead, companies will get a break on certain taxes if more than half their workers are from Illinois and receive prevailing wages.

From the Garden Gate: The Path of Least Resistance

Kate Lochte and Roy Helton — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:20:06 +0000

"From the Garden Gate" is next. Murray resident Roy Helton divides his time between teaching in the English Department at Murray State University and indulging his passion for gardening.

The Path of Least Resistance

When I was young my father devoted half of our back yard in Nashville to his energetically maintained vegetable garden. And since there were five children in the family, there was a certain obvious utility to all his planting and harvesting.

TVA Eyes Closing Power Units at Shawnee Fossil Plant, Other Coal Facilities

Austin Ramsey — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:37:45 +0000

TVA’s Shawnee Fossil Plant faces an uncertain future as the Knoxville-based utility company begins retiring coal-powered energy plants.

Yesterday, as part of an ongoing effort to clean up non-renewable energy stations, TVA announced plans to retire 18 of 59 fossil units region-wide by 2018.

Mobile Homes Burned for Scrap Metal

Dan Conti (KPR) — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:31:32 +0000

A state environmental official says some Kentuckians are turning to an unusual and illegal way to get money for scrap metal. John Gowins is the Environmental Control Supervisor for the Kentucky Division of Air Quality.

"One of the things that we are seeing, seems like more frequently, is the burning of mobile homes," Gowins said. "And people are trying to recover metal because scrap metal prices have gone up. But that is something that just cannot be done."

USDA To Update Status Of Corn Plantings

John Walker and The Associated Press — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:29:07 +0000

U.S. farmers are making the most of a respite from what has been a wet spring to get their corn crops planted. However, the pace still keeps them well behind schedule. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported yesterday that 28% of the nation's cornfields have been planted, up from just 12% a week ago. But the latest numbers are well short of the 65% of the crop that already was in the ground by this date over the previous five years. At this time last year, 85% of the corn was planted.

Southern Illinois County to Discuss Fracking

Whitney Jones — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Some Johnson County Illinois residents are asking their county commissioners to consider supporting a 2-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” as oil and gas companies continue to look at southern Illinois land for extraction.

Johnson County Economic Development Director Ronald Duncan said if fracking begins it could bring some money the county’s way.

“If we take examples of the economic impact that it’s had in other places,” he said.” I’m thinking specifically of southeastern Ohio, the Dakotas. You see this very, very strong impact up front. A lot of people coming to town, a lot of trucks, a lot of lunches sold at the counter. Just the sheer number of people doing that work coming in perhaps could boost the retail trade here in our community significantly.”

Puppies Sound Good: Meet Hunter

Matt Markgraf — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:49:38 +0000

Hunter came up to make his radio debut today! He's a playful and energetic Labrador puppy. He loved meeting everyone at the station and was very curious to find snug hiding spots underneath chairs and tables even though he's bigger than he thinks. When we brought him into the studio, he climbed into his foster mom's lap and went right to sleep! We think he'd be a great fit for a family with kids and plenty of energy. Here's more information about Hunter on petfinder.com.

TN Health Department Warns Of Mosquito-Borne Illness

John Walker and The Associated Press — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:28:13 +0000

The Tennessee Department of Health is urging people to protect themselves from viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. Last year Tennessee experienced 33 human cases of West Nile virus, including one in December. Four out of five people with West Nile won't show symptoms, but others will develop severe illness that can result in permanent neurological damage or even death.