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KFTC Blog

Carl Shoupe on Appalachia's Bright Future

Posted by: KFTC Staff on April 18, 2013

KFTC member Carl Shoupe discusses our children's future and creating good jobs and healthy communities in eastern Kentucky and Appalachia.

You can join Carl at Appalachia's Bright Future, April 19-21 in Harlan, Kentucky.

For more information and to register for the conference, please visit kftc.org/abf 

Elizabeth Sanders and Sylvia Ryerson on Appalachia's Bright Future

Posted by: KFTC Staff on April 16, 2013

KFTC members Elizabeth Sanders and Sylvia Ryerson discuss just transition, economic development and creating a New Power movement in eastern Kentucky and Appalachia.

You can join Elizabeth and Sylvia at Appalachia's Bright Future, April 19-21 in Harlan, Kentucky.

For more information and to register for the conference, please visit kftc.org/abf

Jefferson County Chapter discusses fair housing

Posted by: Jennifer Jeffers on April 16, 2013

The Fair Housing Act was enacted 45 years ago on April 11, 1968, and April is Fair Housing Month. So this month's Jefferson County chapter meeting was a great time to continue the conversation on fair housing in Louisville that we started during our March meeting.

We began by brainstorming ways our chapter could be involved in addressing local housing issues. Some of the ideas shared included:

(We would love to add to this list – email your ideas to Alicia, [email protected])

We also discussed the prevalence of the “not in my neighborhood” attitude in Louisville, historic buildings being torn down in the Portland neighborhood, and apartment buildings for low-income residents on Cherokee Parkway being torn down and replaced by high-rent condominiums.

Justice at Georgetown

Posted by: Dave Newton on April 16, 2013

Students, faculty and staff at Georgetown College have been organizing for the past few months to put pressure on their Board of Trustees to enact a policy not to discriminate against people just because of their sexual orientation for either employment or enrollment.

Scott County KFTC members have been working in solidarity with activists on the campus, helping to think through strategy and pitching in as we can – and there have been a series of great events, meetings, and local communications work to help move the campaign forward.

But for the next 10 days, the campaign is kicking into high gear with an incredible series of events including speakers, a concert, a day of silence, a vigil, rally, silent disco, and even a camping expedition on campus' main lawn. 

If you're in the area, please join us for one or more events.  And look for pictures afterwards on this blog to see how things turn out.   

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Rally for Immigration Reform and Legalization with Dignity

Posted by: Dave Newton on April 16, 2013

gDSC_0336Last week, a number of Ketucky Immigrant Rights groups got together with allies like KFTC and held the Rally for Immigration Reform and Legalization with Dignity.  The event was timed in solidarity with numerous other immigrants' rights rallies happening across the US including a main event in Washington, DC.

Former Felon Voices - Mantell Stevens, Lexington

Posted by: Beth Howard on April 16, 2013

Mantell Stevens 2In an attempt to share more of the stories from former felons across the Commonwealth, we’re presenting a series of short interviews every few weeks on our blog and in our newsletter balancing the scales.

Mantell Stevens is a life-long Kentuckian who's a smart guy, works hard, volunteers at Imani Baptist Church, and enjoys the outdoors. “I’m really a country boy. I like getting muddy and riding four-wheelers.”

But what he can't do is vote.  Though he's telling his story to help change that.  

"I was born and raised here in Lexington and been here all my life. I've lived on the Northside of town for the past 33 years. Growing up life was pretty good. I grew up with both parents in the household. I was fortunate enough to witness a good marriage between my parents. I’m really grateful for that."

"In the early years I was into theatre. In elementary school I was a student in SCAPA - the school of creative and performing arts student. When I transitioned to a public middle school is when I started to have more behavior problems – coming from a structured environment to a more chaotic environment. And struggling with a lot of identity issues coming from middle school to high school. I would get called “white boy” a lot because I had light skin, I talked “different” and tucked my shirt in. So, in my neighborhood I felt I had to prove myself and started getting into trouble. I was a big guy so I started trying to prove that I could intimidate people and that I wasn’t soft like they thought I was."

Nathan Hall on Appalachia's Bright Future

Posted by: KFTC Staff on April 10, 2013

KFTC member Nathan Hall discusses land remediation, just transition and creating a new economy in eastern Kentucky and Appalachia.

You can join Nathan at Appalachia's Bright Future, April 19-21 in Harlan, Kentucky.

For more information and to register for the conference, please visit kftc.org/abf.

Beshear administration still pushing weakened water quality standard for selenium

Spinal deformities in fish resulting from selenium exposure. Photo: Wake Forest University.
Posted by: KFTC on April 6, 2013

On Tuesday, a legislative subcommittee will consider again a proposal from Kentucky’s Division of Water to significantly weaken the water quality standard for selenium pollution.

Louisville Loves Mountains Youth Essay Contest

Posted by: Alicia Hurle on April 2, 2013

Make your voice heard at Louisville Loves Mountains 2013!

I Love Mountains Day 2012 We know that young Kentuckians care deeply about our mountains and mountain communities. This year, we want to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear at Kentuckians For The Commonwealth’s Louisville Loves Mountains Festival on Longest Ave and Bardstown Road, May 17th from 4-10 pm.

That is why we are asking young people to share their written thoughts and ideas for a brighter future for our mountains. And then they can help us deliver those ideas to everyone at Louisville Loves Mountains where we will announce the winners of our essay contest.

UMWA rally: Support health care for miners & retirees

Posted by: KFTC on March 31, 2013

KFTC members are expected to join thousands of members and supporters of the United Mine Workers of America at a rally tomorrow in Charleston, WV.

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