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The word “frontier” likely conjures images straight out of a John Ford western. But what you may not be aware of is that if you reside in western Kentucky, you may soon be living in an officially designated frontier yourself. Federal officials say classifying the Purchase that way will help them assess things like access to services. We’ll speak with an area futurist about how being “frontier” could harm, or help, western Kentucky. We’ll also speak with a Murray State alumna about a frontier of a different sort. The West African native is working in her home country to expand the horizons of the nation’s young women. Then, we’ll get a report on a free clinic for Marshall County’s working poor that may be close to completion, and look ahead to next month’s MSU Presidential Lecture by director and producer Spike Lee.

Starting a new job is usually a pretty stressful proposition. Now imagine that starting that new job involves having to tackle some of the most contentious issues facing the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We’ll speak with someone who doesn’t have to imagine that: former Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries, who now represents Kentucky’s 1st State Senate District. Also, Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Kenny Colston will rundown the top stories he covered last week in Frankfort.  Plus, we’ll learn about some big changes happening at Murray’s City Police Department.

There are host of issues awaiting Kentucky lawmakers when they get to Frankfort this Tuesday. From industrial hemp and a state-wide health benefits exchange to state pension reform and how student achievement data is used, they have a lot on their plates. We’ll look ahead to the 2013 Kentucky General Assembly. We’ll also hear a conversation with Murray Calloway County Hospital CEO Jerry Penner about how our region’s healthcare continues to develop, and speak with outgoing Kentucky Education Department Communications Director Lisa Gross to find out how learning in the state has grown over the last three decades.

This year Kentucky public school students took tests using the state’s new accountability measure for the first time. “College and Career Readiness” are the keywords tied to education reforms brought about by 2009 legislation. The focus is making the students successful, no matter their path in life. In the 2011-2012 school year, students got the first round of tougher math and reading programs, and test scores released in November show how well they did. While school districts’ scores varied, all have benefited from higher standards.  

Dr. Dunn is fresh off an unsuccessful bid to be Florida's next education commissioner. In this monthly chat Dunn discusses his reasons for seeking another job, and the search committee tasked with finding a new provost. In the second half of the conversation we'll get an update on Budget Planning and Review teams at MSU and progress on a new doctorate of education program.

This week on Front Page, Gayle Kaler is a Paducah city commissioner and stylist whose clients once included the River City’s first female mayor, Dolly McNutt. Now, appropriately enough, Kaler herself is preparing to become Paducah’s next chief executive. We’ll profile Mayor-elect Kaler, today on Front Page Sunday from WKMS News. Gayle Kaler is a Paducah city commissioner and stylist whose clients once included the River City’s first female mayor, Dolly McNutt.  Now, appropriately enough, Kaler herself is preparing to become Paducah’s next chief executive. We’ll profile Mayor-elect Kaler, this week on Front Page Sunday from WKMS News.  

To say the least, George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” has staying power. The powerful, moving oratorio is a masterpiece of Baroque music and has become a staple of holiday choral performances around the world, and in our region, since it was first performed in 1742. Kentucky Public Radio’s Charles Compton brings us the story of why it’s become, and remained, a Christmastime favorite, on this week's Front Page Sunday from WKMS News.

The Kentucky Supreme Court could rule soon on the case of a high school student charged and convicted after admitting to his school principal and the resource officer that he shared prescription pain pills.  The student says he wasn’t read his rights and that the confession shouldn’t have been used against him at trial.  The court’s ruling could change the way school administrators handle discipline problems, and we’ll bring you the details.

At long last, the 2012 campaign season is over, and while the dust is still settling, we’ll speak with two retiring Kentucky state lawmakers, Republican Senator Ken Winters of Murray and Democratic Representative Mike Cherry of Princeton, to help sort out the results. A post-election post-mortem, today on Front Page Sunday from WKMS News.