12.3.25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to the reading of the Courier Journal for Wednesday,
December third, twenty twenty five. The Courier Journal is brought
to our Louisville listeners via Louisville Public Media. As a reminder,
RADIOI is a reading service intended for people who are
blind or have other disabilities that makes it difficult to

(00:22):
read printed material. Your reader for today is Blanca Michael Ward.
We begin with WHAS eleven's weather forecast for the next
several days. Today, expect a high of thirty eight, mostly
sunny and cold. Tonight a low of twenty nine, overcast

(00:43):
and cold. Thursday a high of thirty three, low of
twenty three, mostly cloudy and cold. Friday a high of
forty a low of twenty eight, mostly cloudy. Saturday a
high of forty four, low of twenty nine, partly sunny

(01:03):
and chilly. Sunday a high of forty one, a low
of twenty seven. Snow or florries possible. Monday high of
thirty seven, low of thirty one, cold with clouds and rain.
Your Almanac readings for the Louisville area are as follows.

(01:23):
Temperature high thirty nine, low twenty six, normal high fifty
one normal low thirty five. Record high of seventy degrees
was set in nineteen seventy and a record low of
eleven degrees was set in eighteen eighty six. Precipitation Monday

(01:46):
eight hundreds of an inch month to date, eight hundreds
of an inch normal month to date, thirteen hundreds of
an inch year to date fifty two point thirty eight
inches normal year to day forty four point thirty four inches.

(02:06):
Air quality for today is good. Sun and moon. Wednesday
sunrise seven forty three am, sunset five twenty three pm,
moon rise four oh one pm, moon set six eleven am.

(02:28):
Thursday sunrise seven forty three am, sunset five twenty three pm,
moon rise four fifty seven pm, moon set seven thirty
one am. There will be a full moon December fourth,
a last moon December eleventh, a new moon December nineteenth,

(02:50):
and a first moon December twenty seventh. And now here
is some weather trivium. What is the record low temperature
for the lower forty eight states in December? Answer? Minus
fifty nine degrees fahrenheit at West Yellowstone, Montana, on December nineteenth,

(03:13):
nineteen twenty four. And for a bit of weather history,
we have this. On December third, eighteen ninety six, a
storm dropped more than a foot of snow from central
Alabama to the western Carolinas. Rome, Georgia received twenty five

(03:33):
inches and Asheville, North Carolina, had thirty three inches. Here
are today's headlines from the Courier Journal. Yearwood defends closure
plan truly a dream come true. Stein returning to home
state as UK head coach. The first snow Louisville sees

(03:58):
daily record with heavy shops along Ohio River. We begin
with this story. Yearwood defends closure plan. JCPS superintendent says
commitment is not to buildings, Our commitment is to our children.

(04:19):
The story was written by Krista Johnson with the Louisville
Courier Journal USA Today Network with roughly one hundred people
before him, Superintendent Brian Yearwood started a December first community
forum on proposed school closures with a stark message. Avoiding

(04:40):
hard decisions now will only make things harder for the
future of Jefferson County Public Schools. I must be honest
with you, Yearwood told the crowd who showed up to
camera middle JCPS is in a financial crisis. I come
before you, not because I want to, but because I

(05:02):
have to. In the five short months since Yearwood took
over Kentucky's largest district, he's brought to light a budget
deficit far larger than previously shared. Closing three schools as
well as relocating two others is the first publicly detailed
part of his plan for how the district will overcome

(05:25):
its financial woes. Our commitment is not to buildings. Our
commitment is to our children, Yearwood said. Yearwood's closure plan,
largely based off a new tool developed by j CPS's
operations team that analyzes the current and future cost of

(05:47):
keeping a school open, was released days before the Thanksgiving
holiday break. It calls for the closure of Liberty High,
King Elementary and Zachary Taylor Elementary, as well as the
relocation of Waller Williams's Environmental and the Georgia Chaffey Teenage

(06:08):
Parent Program TAP. If given the green light. JCPS estimates
that the moves could save the district four million dollars annually,
as well as gain a few more million from the
eventual sale of two of the properties. That is a
small fraction of the one hundred thirty two million dollars

(06:31):
that needs to be cut from the next budget, which
will be presented next month. Still small things add up,
Yearwood said a day after the plan's announcement, his rationale
fell on deaf ears though for the more than a
dozen people who signed up to voice their opposition to

(06:54):
nearly each aspect of his plan. They spoke to the
unique benefit each of the schools on the chopping block provides,
as well as the downfalls of relocating a group of
vulnerable teams to a new campus. While they stop short
of providing suggestions for alternative means of saving money, they

(07:17):
questioned whether the dollars gained will be worth what might
be lost. Does the money the district saves outweigh the
harmful effects on our students. Jill Canwell, a mental health
practitioner at Liberty High, asked, like each of the people
who spoke on behalf of their community school. Conwell argued

(07:40):
that what students receive at Liberty, they will not receive elsewhere.
Closing Liberty is an unnecessary disruption that our students do
not need in their lives, she said, of the alternative
school for students enroll after falling at least one year
behind in their coursework. Jessica Boone, a special education teacher

(08:03):
at Zachary Taylor, said she came to speak on behalf
of the disabled students she serves who can't speak for themselves.
These students depend on routines and trusted adults in familiar,
safe settings. Boon said, if Zachary Taylor closes, the students
in my classroom and many more will lose more than

(08:26):
a building. They will lose safety, stability, and an environment
that has allowed them to thrive. Scott Ashley questioned why
King Elementary would be targeted for closure given the school
has significantly significantly improved its assessment scurse in recent years

(08:49):
under new leadership. The school, he said, is on an
upward trajectory. The forum was the first of three scheduled
for this week before Jefferson County Board of Education members
are set to cast their votes on the plan December ninth.
Following the speakers, Yearwood again addressed the crowd, showing more

(09:13):
frustration as he thanked them for their passion, but reminded
them of the situation JCPS is in. These decisions are
not easy when we have to close schools. It is emotional,
It is draining, It affects students, It affects families, But

(09:33):
he asked, what will happen if schools aren't closed. What's
going to happen to our school district in twenty twenty
seven when we can't pay our teachers. What's going to
happen in twenty twenty seven when we can't pay our bills?
He said, I have to make the decision now so

(09:53):
that our ninety three thousand students have a fighting chance.
He concluded, m we continue with this story. Truly a
dream come true. Stein returning to home state as UK
head coach. This was written by Ryan Black of the
Louisville Courier Journal USA Today Network date line Lexington, Kentucky

(10:20):
football has a new man in charge of its program.
Will Stein, a Kentucky native, was officially named the wildcats
new coach late Monday, hours after reports began surfacing he
had accepted the job. He takes over for Mark Stoops,
who was fired Monday morning after thirteen seasons at the Helm.

(10:43):
At the time of his dismissal, Stoops had been the
SEC's longest tenured active coach. He doubled as longest tenured
coach in UK's history, setting the programme's mark for wins
along the way. Now he gives way to the thirty
six year old Stein, who returns to the Bluegrass State

(11:06):
for his first head coaching job after spending the past
three seasons as Oregon's offensive coordinator. I'm honored and excited
to become the next coach at Kentucky, Stein said in
a statement. Growing up in Kentucky and sitting in the
stands at UK games as a kid, I could only

(11:29):
dream of one day leading the Wildcats. This is truly
a dream come true. My goal is to lead with
purpose and help young men grow on and off the field.
Now I can't wait to get started and make Kentucky proud.
UK Athletics director Mitch Barnhardt is equally eager for Stein's

(11:52):
tenure to begin. Will Stein brings an outstanding track record
of developing elite quarterbacks and leading some of the most
dynamic and successful offenses in college football. Barnhardt said his
deep connection to Kentucky, having grown up attending games in

(12:14):
our stadium, gives him a unique passion for this program
in this community. We are thrilled to have him leading
the Wildcats onto the field next fall. Kentucky President Eli
Cappeletto noted, Stein brings two invaluable qualities to the table

(12:34):
as the wildcats knewest coach. He is an outstanding developer
and coach of young talent, something he has proven repeatedly
in his career already as a quarterback's coach and offensive
coordinator at an elite level. And he has a deep
and abiding passion for this place. It runs deep with

(12:56):
him and his family. Capeluto said, he understands the Big
Blue nation, this university, and what this team and program
mean to our commonwealth. We are looking forward to welcoming
Will and his family back home, and we can't wait
to support them as they further elevate our program in

(13:18):
a way that makes Kentucky proud. Under Stein's guidance, the
Duck's offense has ranked among the nation's best. They finished
second in the FBS in scoring offense and total offense
in twenty twenty three, then ended in the top twenty
five in those statistical departments last season. Entering this weekend,

(13:43):
Oregon is averaging thirty eight point two points, number nine
in the country and four hundred sixty five point two
yards thirteenth nationally per game. I want to thank coach
Dan Lenning and the entire organ staff for their support
and mentorship. Stein said they've been incredible. Prior to joining Oregon,

(14:07):
Stein had stints at Texas San Antonio twenty twenty through
twenty twenty two, Lake Travis High School twenty eighteen through
twenty nineteen, and Texas twenty fifteen through twenty seventeen. Stein's
coaching career began at Louisville, his alma mater, in twenty thirteen.

(14:29):
He was a UFL quarterback from two thousand and eight
to twenty thirteen. He graduated from Trinity High School. We
continue with this story the first snow Louisville sees daily
record with heavy showers along Ohio River. This was written

(14:53):
by Leo Bertucci of the Louisville Courier Journal USA Today Network.
The Sun rose in Louisville December second to reveal a
winter wonderland, arriving earlier than usual for this time of year.
The latest snowfall proved to be the highest ever recorded
for December second, with an official total of four point

(15:16):
seven inches measured at Mohammad Ali International Airport. The overnight
snow showers left three to four inches on the ground
throughout the metro area, according to reports shared with the
National Weather Service in Louisville. Maps from the Weather Service
showed the heaviest band of snow Kentucky saw December second,

(15:39):
spanned along the Ohio River, covering Louisville, Cincinnati, and everywhere
in between. Parts of central Kentucky from Elizabethtown to Lexington
received one to three inches of snow as anticipated, but
the heavier band along the Interstate seventy one corridor appeared

(16:00):
to bring totals that were a little bit higher than
what was projected and w S. Louisville meteorologist Evan Webb
told The Courier Journal there were some locally higher snowfall
total totals up to four point five inches in parts
of Floyd and Clark Counties in Indiana, and in Jefferson

(16:24):
and Oldham Counties as well. Webb said there were some
pretty healthy snowfall totals. Jefferson County public schools and districts
in neighbouring counties closed classrooms December second, though students were
still expected to partake in non traditional instruction. Several JCPS

(16:44):
basketball teams were unable to play their season openers due
to the district canceling athletic activities scheduled for the evening.
Slick roads throughout Louisville also slowed the morning commute. Crashes
were reported on the city's interstates. While a winter weather

(17:04):
advisory remained in effect. Louisville Metro Police advised drivers to
report non injury collisions to the Kentucky State Police. Due
to the winter weather, the snow pack left behind should
melt December third, due to there being a lot more sun.
Webb said the high temperature will be in the mid

(17:28):
to upper thirties. New slick spots on roads could develop
December third because of freezing fog from the overnight and
early morning hours, which he said is a little bit
of a concern. The next chance for snow in Louisville
could be later in the week, though the impacts are
expected to be lighter compared to what the city saw

(17:52):
December second. Web said flurries are possible December fourth, followed
by a week system of wintry precipitation. December fifth, there
is at least a chance for snow. There is at
least a chance for show light precipitation Friday and Friday night.

(18:14):
Webb said we could get a little light snow during
that timeframe, but it's pretty low confidence at this point
and it may pass to ourself. Even if we do
get a little bit, the actual snow amount will look
a lot lighter than what we saw December second. In

(18:37):
a related story, we have this winter storm coming to
East Coast. This was written by Jeanine Santucci of USA Today.
The first winter storm of the season hit New England
and the mid Atlantic regions on December second, with heavy

(18:58):
snow and impactful ice, threatening road conditions. Or Castors said
a total of more than forty five million Americans were
under winter weather advisories in the northeast and mid Atlantic
and the western part of the country. States from Kentucky
and North Carolina all the way up through New York, Massachusetts,

(19:21):
and Maine were blanketed by the advisories. Nearly five million
people in parts of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
and Maine were under a winter storm warning. A snowy
storm system that has been dumping a wintry mix on
the Ohio Valley was making its way into the Appalachians

(19:44):
and mid Atlantic, with snow showers shifting from the upper
Ohio Valley and Great Lakes, shifting to the interior New
England region. The National Weather Service said snow could total
near or over a foot in some places, with freezing
rain making the roads icy and slick in others. Another

(20:07):
pocket of winter weather was covering parts of the central
and western United States, bringing mountain snow to the Rockies
and icy conditions to eastern Washington, northern Idaho in parts
of Montana and Wyoming. The winter weather comes days after
a storm dumped over a foot of snow across parts

(20:30):
of the Midwest, snarling post Thanksgiving travel. The winter storm
pushing across the Midwest and Great Lakes this week could
cause more travel headaches, said ACI Weather, Vice president of
forecasting Operations, Dan Depowden. States in the Midwest, Ohio Valley

(20:51):
and Great Lakes regions will see a surge of cold
air coming from Canada starting the night of December third
and into December fourth, plunging temperatures fifteen to twenty degrees
fahrenheit below normal for this time of year. Accu Weather
reported there's a chance of a second winter storm over

(21:13):
the weekend, bringing additional snow to parts of the Ohio Valley,
Great Lakes, and northeast. Accu weather said more rounds of
Arctic air coming from a displacement of the polar vortex,
a gigantic circular area of cold air high up in
the atmosphere that typically spins over the North Pole are

(21:37):
on the way in the next couple weeks, accu weather reported.
And next we have this story police body found days
after car drove into Ohio River. This was written by
Lillian Metzmeyer of the Louisville Courier Journal USA Today Network.

(22:00):
Days after a car was seen driving into the Ohio River,
Louisville Metro Police recovered a vehicle and an unidentified body
December first, LMPD spokesperson Aaron Ellis confirmed in a release.
According to an initial release, officers from lmpd's first Division

(22:24):
responded to reports of a water rescue in the Ohio
River near the Great Lawn area of Waterfront Park around
seven thirty p m. November twenty ninth. Officers were advised
that a tugboat had seen a passenger vehicle drive off
the waterfront near Joe's Crabshack, though it was unclear whether

(22:47):
the act was intentional. After lmpd's first Division River Unit
and Louisville Fire Department searched the water. A vehicle with
no victim inside was located around the nine pm. After
having to pause the search operation due to dangerous currents,
officers were able to recover the vehicle and containing what

(23:11):
appeared to be an adult body around five point fifty
pm December one. Ellis said more information will be revealed
after a post mortem examination is completed. Lmpd's homicide unit
will lead the death investigation. We continue with this story.

(23:38):
Traffic changes begin ahead of work West Louisville roads converting
to two way streets. This was written by Leo Bertucci
of the Louisville Courier Journal USA Today Network. Muhammad Ali Boulevard,
Chestnut Street and River Park Drive in West Louisville began

(23:59):
seeing changes to traffic signals at multiple intersections December first,
which come ahead of work to convert the roads from
one way to two way streets as part of the
Reimagine Ninth Street project. Metro Public Works officials said traffic

(24:19):
signals will switch to flashing red lights and four way
stop signs will appear for at least ninety days while
drivers adjust to the new two way traffic pattern. Public
Works officials said in a Facebook post changes can be
found along Muhammad Ali Boulevard at thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth,

(24:43):
twenty sixth, twenty eighth, and thirtieth streets and Lewis Coleman
Junior Drive, Chestnut Street at thirteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth, and
twenty sixth streets, River Park Drive at twenty eighth, thirtieth streets.
Transportation engineers will determine during the ninety day period if

(25:07):
the traffic signals should be restored or removed permanently. Public
Works officials said if the multi way stop proves safe
and efficient the signet, the signal will be permanently removed.
Official said. The two way conversions, which extend west from

(25:28):
Ninth Street to Southwestern Parkway in the Shawnee neighborhood, are
expected to be fully complete sometime in the summer of
twenty twenty six. The Courier Journal previously reported the project
falls under Reimagine Ninth Street, which calls for safer streets
for vehicles and pedestrians, improved traffic flow, and easier ways

(25:52):
for patrons to access businesses along West Louisville's major quarrids portions.
Of Chestnut Street, which becomes River Park Drive at twenty
eighth Street, and Muhammad Ali Boulevard are among the fifty
three roads included in Louisville's High Injury Network. Streets included

(26:14):
in the network are focus areas in a citywide effort
to curb the number of vehicle crashes with injuries. Louisville
seeks to have zero annual roadway deaths by twenty fifteen.
Traffic studies conducted in Louisville have found two way streets

(26:35):
see less accidents compared to one way streets due to
a decrease in vehicle speed on two ways. Two way
conversions are increasingly common in Louisville, with projects slated to
continue through twenty twenty eight. We continue with this story

(26:58):
When do JCPS clubs to start next year? Important dates
in twenty twenty six twenty seven. This was written by
Krista Johnson of the Louisville Courier Journal USA Today Network.
As the year winds down, families throughout Jefferson County have
started to look ahead to when the next school year

(27:20):
starts and when vacations can be planned. Jefferson County Board
of Education members approved the calendar for the twenty twenty
six twenty seven school year in June. The first day
for students is Thursday, August sixth, while the last day
is planned for Monday, May twenty fourth, though that could

(27:43):
change if students need to make up any days missed
throughout the year. In between, students have a couple dozen
days off thanks to breaks, conferences, derby season, and more.
Here are the dates to know for the time twenty
twenty six twenty seventh school year. August sixth, first day

(28:05):
of school September seventh, Labor Day September twenty eighth through
October tewond fall break, November third, Election Day November twenty
fifth through twenty seventh, Thanksgiving Break December twenty first through

(28:25):
January first, Winter Break January eighteenth, Martin Luther King Junior Day,
March twenty ninth through April second, Spring Break April thirtieth,
Oaks Day May eighteenth, Election Day, May twenty fourth, last

(28:48):
day of school. We now turn to read today's obituaries.
We read only the name, age, and location. If you
would like further information on any of the obituaries, please

(29:08):
call us during the weekdays at eight, five, nine, four, two,
two six, three nine zero, and we will be glad
to read the entire obituary for you. I will repeat
that number at the end of today's listings. Today's listings
include Betty Mochelle ninety two, Louisville, robert A. Caleb Senior

(29:36):
eighty seven Louisville, Mary Catherine Cruz ninety four Louisville, John
Kay Dearing ninety six Louisville, Joseph Allen Fheger sixty nine, Louisville,
Elizabeth Pauser Liz Gatterdam eighty five, Louisville, Linda Karen Jaggers

(30:00):
seventy five Louisville, Nancy Smith Jordan ninety four, George Louis
Lee eighty five, Gustin Guy, Wayne Plummer sixty nine, New Albany, Indiana,
Kathleen Kathy, Lois Riggs seventy seven, Louisville, Gerald Ray, Jerry

(30:25):
Watkins eighty six, Louisville, William Down Williams eighty one, Louisville. Again.
If you would like further information about any of today's listings,
please call us during the week at eight five nine, four, two, two, six,

(30:47):
three nine zero, and we will be glad to read
the entire item to you, we continue with this story
Against the Grain closing tap room at slugger Field business
to continue distributing beers to bars, restaurants, liquor stores. This

(31:12):
was written by Amanda Hancock with the Louisville Courier Journal.
USA Today Network its game over for a popular breweries
time at slugger Field in downtown Louisville. About fourteen months
after Against the Grain closed its Bardstown Road location, the

(31:33):
brewery announced its downtown location, located at four zero one
East Main Street, will follow suit by the end of
twenty twenty five. All good things come to an end,
or whatever it is they say. Our lease has come
to an end at slugger Field and we've made the

(31:54):
difficult decision to not renew it. Reads Against the Grain's
Facebook post from Novemae twelve. The brewery and restaurant opened
at slugger Field in twenty eleven, allowing Against the Grain
Public House to be part of the growth of downtown Louisville.
According to the Facebook post, the pub's last day of

(32:16):
operations on Main Street will be December twenty third. The
last fourteen years have been a blast and a half
with so many great people. The post continued, It's all
been a heck of a ride and one that will
cherish forever. The post reads that Against the Grain is
evolving and the business will stay true to its mission,

(32:38):
which reads as follows. We strive for excellence and everything
we do, value individuality and take pride in sharing our
unique spirit and good times with the world. Against the
Grain will continue to distribute beers at restaurants, bars, and
liquor stores, and will pop up up here and there

(33:01):
for events. The post also hinted that Against the Grain
may open its production facility in the Portland neighborhood, located
at eighteen hundred Northwestern Parkway for a party or two.
We'd love it if you'd stop into the restaurant one
last time before the end of the year to share

(33:22):
a beer and a memory. The Facebook announcement concluded. We
know it has meant a lot to a lot of people,
including us, so come on down and make the most
of our final days. After Against the Grain closed at
five seventy six Bardstown Road in August twenty twenty four,

(33:42):
the building has seen other changes. Pintes and Union moved
from New Albany to the space in Louisville's Deer Park
neighborhood opening in late twenty twenty four. Less than a
year later, Pints and Union closed, and Murray's Creep, a
new concept from chef Lawrence Weeks, will be moving in.

(34:07):
We continue with this story. Greenberg appoints new director for
public Works. This was written by Carolyn Neil of the
Louisville Courier Journal USA Today Network Mayor Craig Greenberg named
Wesley Sidner as the new executive director of Louisville Metro

(34:30):
Public Works. According to a November twenty fifth news release. Sidner,
who has experience in engineering and infrace structure management, is
expected to start the new roll December eighth. He has
most recently worked with state and federal partners to advocate

(34:51):
for clean water initiatives and project funding for Louisville's infrastructure.
According to the release, officials said Sidner's ability to connect
with people, including community members and elected officials, has been
a hallmark of his career. I can't wait to lead
the fantastic team of professionals that works every day to

(35:15):
make our community safer, healthier, and a great place to live, work,
and play, Sidner said. We will continue to build on
the momentum of delivering projects, improving safety, and providing high
quality service. Our work supports the economy and directly impacts

(35:36):
the quality of life for the community. It is crucial.
Sidnor also previously joined Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer
District in two thousand eight. During his time at the department,
he helped with US Environmental Protection Agency compliance, green infrastructure initiatives,

(35:58):
stormwater quality programs, regulatory affairs, and public engagement. According to
the news release, Greenberg said Snyder was a trusted and
collaborative partner who helped move projects forward while at Louisville MSD.
His proven leadership, expertise, and deep commitment to public service

(36:21):
make him the right fit to lead public Works. Greenberg said,
I'm confident that under his direction, the department will continue
building a safer, healthier, and stronger Louisville. Sidner is taking
over the position after Jennifer Commissur Kern stepped down October two.

(36:44):
Commissar Kern announced her departure in a September sixteenth email
to employees. According to a report from Louisville Public Media,
we continue with this story US manufacturing stuck in doldrums
sector weighed down by tariff's uncertainty. This was written by

(37:09):
Lucia Mutkani with Routers Dateline, Washington. US manufacturing contracted for
the ninth straight month in November, with factories facing slumping
orders and higher prices for inputs as the drag from
import tariffs persisted. The Institute for Supply Management survey on

(37:35):
December second also showed some manufacturers in the transportation equipment
industry linking layoffs to President Donald Trump's sweeping duties, saying
they were starting to institute more permanent changes due to
the tariff environment. They added this includes reduction of staff,

(37:56):
new guidance to shareholders, and development of addition offshore manufacturing
that would have otherwise been for US export. Trump in
May imposed twenty five percent tariffs on more than four
hundred sixty billion dollars worth of imports of vehicles and
auto parts annually, but has since struck deals to reduce

(38:20):
those tariffs on some countries. The Republican president has issued
some tariff relief since then on parts and engines. A
new twenty five percent duty on imported medium and heavy
duty trucks and parts came into effect on November one.
The manufacturing sector continues to be weighed down by the

(38:42):
unpredictable tariff's landscape, said Stephen Stanley, chief of u S
Economists at santandad Us Capital Markets. The ISM set its
manufacturing PMI dropped to forty eight point two last month
from forty eight eight point seven in October. A reading

(39:03):
below fifty indicates contraction in manufacturing, which accounts for ten
point one percent of the economy, with some manufacturers citing
the recently ended government shutdown, A slight improvement is likely,
though factory activity will probably remain subdued. Import duties have

(39:26):
undercut manufacturing, though some segments have been boosted by a
surge in artificial intelligence investment. The Federal Reserve's recent beij
book report said some of the US Central Bank's twelve
districts reported manufacturing activity increase somewhat, but noted tariffs and

(39:48):
tariff uncertainty remained a headwind. Only four industries in the
ISSM survey, including computer and electronic products, and machine reported growth.
Among the industries that contracted were wood products, transportation equipment,
and textile mills. Some makers of chemical products said tariffs

(40:14):
and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on demand for adhesives
and sealants, which are primarily used in building construction. Manufacturers
of miscellaneous goods reported that business conditions remained soft as
a result of higher costs from tariffs, the governments shut

(40:34):
down and increased global uncertainty. Electrical equipment, appliances and components
makers complained about trade confusion with others, noting that suppliers
are finding more and more errors when attempting to export
to the US. Some manufacturers of wood products said AI

(40:56):
was producing confusing and most often in accurate information, adding
that this also causes apprehensive consumer buying patterns, contributing to
the challenge of forecasting demand. The cloud of uncertainty from
tariffs is unlikely to clear soon. Supreme Court justices last

(41:18):
month raised doubts over the legality of Trump's tariffs, fueling
speculation they would be struck down and cause more chaos
as he is widely expected to shift to other trade
tactics in the event of an adverse ruling. Trump has
defended the tariffs as necessary to protect domestic manufacturing, though

(41:41):
economists have argued it is impossible to restore the industry
to its former glory because of structural issues, including worker shortages.
We can see no sign in this report of a
surge in manufacturing in the United States since the tariff
regime was unveiled last spring, said Carl Weinberg, chief economist

(42:06):
at High Frequency Economics. The manufacturing sector is sick. The
ISM Survey's forward looking new orders sub index increased to
forty seven point four last month from forty nine point
four in October. This measure has contracted in nine of

(42:26):
the last ten months. Tariffs have raised prices for some goods,
curbing demand. Unfilled orders continued to shrink, though experts and
exports improved slightly. Weak demand meant less pressure on supply chains,
though some machinery manufacturers said transit time on imports seems

(42:51):
to be longer, and their counterparts in the fabricated metal
products industry reported longer lead times because they reduced suppliers
for raw materials to maintain a better direct cost structure.
The ISM survey Supplier deliveries index fell to forty nine
point three from fifty four point two in October. A

(43:15):
reading below fifty indicates faster deliveries. Despite subdued orders for
factory goods, manufacturers paid more for inputs last month, a
sign that inflation could remain above the fed's two per
cent target for a while. The survey's prices paid measure

(43:36):
increased to fifty eight point five from fifty eight in
the prior month. This flag's ongoing upside risks to good prices,
said Orrin klatchkein financial market economist at Nationwide. We see
inflation firming a little bit through early next year and

(43:56):
losing steam after the impacts of tariffs passed through the data.
FED officials will meet December ninth through tenth to decide
on interest rates. As many as five of the twelve
voting policymakers on the central Bank's rate setting Federal Open
Market Committee have voiced opposition II or skepticism about cutting

(44:20):
rates further, while a corps of three members of the
Washington based Board of Governors wants rates to fall. The
survey's measure of manufacturing employment contracted for the tenth consecutive month.
Susan Spence, chair of ISM's Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, noted

(44:42):
that sixty seven percent of panelists indicated that managing head
counts is still the norm at their companies as opposed
to hiring that is not a terribly encouraging signal for
blue collar workers at what is a difficult time for
employment prospects, said Shannon Grain, an economist at Wells Fargo.

(45:11):
We now turn to the Community Forums page and we
begin with this piece written by Jessica Klein, a guest columnist.
Jessica Klein is a policy associated at the Kentucky Center
for Economic Policy. She writes, policymakers feast while they force

(45:36):
the hungry to jump hoops for SNAP. The end of
the nation's longest ever government shutdown brought a sire for
relief for Kentuckians who depend on federal food assistance after
weeks of unnecessary delays and intentional confusion, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

(45:57):
Program SNAP benefits or just in time to prevent an
empty table this Thanksgiving. But for many, the relief will
be short lived. Now that the acute stress of the
shutdown induced crisis is over, a large group of Kentucky
SNAP participants face an emerging chronic pain new red taped

(46:21):
requirements that could strip one hundred fourteen thousand Kentuckians of
food aid. SNAP plays a crucial role in ensuring that
over five hundred sixty thousand Kentuckians have enough to eat,
providing an average of six dollars per day for groceries.
It's also important to the economy and rural grocers in particular,

(46:46):
who may have to shut their doors as their customers
are continually forced out of SNAP. The most urgent looming
cuts are due to last summer's One Big Beautiful Bill
Act OBA, which took a sledge hammer to the nation's
most important anti hunger program under the theory that stripping

(47:09):
enough hungry Americans of food assistants can offset the cost
of one billionaire's tax cuts. Additional threats include a recent
proposal to gut broad based categorical eligibility, a long standing
policy that allows tens of thousands of Kentuckians, primarily kids

(47:31):
and seniors, to earn slightly more or say for emergencies
without immediately being cut off SNAP. New work requirements target
vulnerable groups under the OBA Ineffective work reporting requirements will
be expanded to include a host of previously exempted groups,

(47:55):
including caregivers with children over thirteen, previously having any child
in the household exempted parents from the work reporting requirement.
Older adults between fifty five and sixty four, an age
group that is particularly vulnerable to food insecurity in Kentucky. Previously,

(48:17):
only adults up to fifty four were subject to the
work reporting requirement veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth. Previously,
these groups were exempt in recognition of the unique difficulties
they face when it comes to routine work reporting. Residents

(48:40):
of areas with high unemployment. Previously, people living in certain
areas meaning signs of economic distress were exempt because of
the challenge of finding work where they live. SNAP benefits
are vital for Americans in all sorts of situations. These

(49:01):
rules are based on tired and often racist stereotypes that
scapegoat SNAP participants, but the reality is that most people
receiving SNAP are children, seniors, or people with a disability.
Many of the rest already work, but their wages are

(49:22):
so low and their hours so inconsistent that they still
qualify for SNAP. These work reporting requirements aren't really about
getting people jobs, though, and a large body of research
shows they don't accomplish that. Instead, they trip people up
in paperwork so they are eventually kicked off SNAP. Taking

(49:46):
away food assistant makes life more difficult and penalizes people
who are struggling, rather than helping them find stable work.
That is especially true as the cost of living sores,
forcing families to choose between paying rent and buying groceries

(50:07):
as debt and bills pile up. Rather than restricting SNAP,
policymakers should recognize the vital role it serves in the
lives of working people and their families. This Thanksgiving, I
hope they reflected on the stories of gratitude for SNAP

(50:27):
they heard during the shutdown, and when they sat down
to their own feast. I hope they asked themselves whether
they're making it easier or harder for others to do
the same. This column piece was contributed by Jessica Kline,
who is a policy associate at the Kentucky Center for

(50:50):
Economic Policy. We continue with this piece, Socialism always fails Seattle,
New York City won't be any different. Shortly before New
York City Mayor elect Zoran Mamdani's meeting with President Trump,

(51:13):
Congress marked its concern with the country's largest city now
having a socialist as mayor. It passed a resolution denouncing
the horrors of socialism two hundred eighty five to ninety
eight with eighty six Democrats joining the Republican majority that
includes House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffreys of New York. Jeffreys

(51:38):
waited until the last minute to endorse Mamdani. This piece
was written by Ingrid Ingrid Jacques, who is a columnist
at USA Today. She writes, it's that time of year
when we all feel a little more generous. Gifts and

(52:01):
shopping are on our minds and filling up that space
under the Christmas tree. Two incoming big city mayors are
also feeling that holiday spirit. The difference is they have
big plans to be generous with your money. New York
City Mayor elect Zoron Amdani thirty four, has attracted most

(52:23):
of the national buzz, but he isn't the only Democratic
socialist to win the vote. This November. Seattle voters chose
Katie Wilson, forty three to be their next mayor, and
she shares many of Mamdani's pie in the sky policies.
America's warning to anti capitalist ideals is alarming, to say

(52:47):
the least. Seattle New York City mayors elect promising free stuff.
Here's a partial list of what Wilson wants in her
own words, I want everyone in this great city of
ours to have a roof over their head. I want
universal childcare, free K through eight summer care. I want

(53:09):
social housing. I want much more land and wealth to
be owned and stewarded by communities instead of corporations. Wilson
seems to want to benefit personally from her campaign ideas.
She has admitted to needing financial help from her parents
to help pay for child care. On the other side

(53:34):
of the country, Mom Donnie's to do list includes free
child care, free buses, a rent freeze, and government run
grocery stores. Guess what. All of those things are extremely costly.
Even more concerning this is the socialist desire to get

(53:55):
the government much more entrenched in business and daily life.
Trump has called Mamdani a communist? Is he Right? Before
Mamdanni's election in November, President Donald Trump actively campaigned against him,
calling him a communist lunatic. While Mamdanni has demurred that label,

(54:19):
preferring the more palatable sounding democratic socialist. Some of the
ideas he's advocated get uncomfortably close. For example, when speaking
at the twenty twenty one Young Democratic Socialists of America conference,
he said that socialists like himself firmly believe in the

(54:40):
indigo of seizing the means of production, something he admitted
may not be popular at the moment, but nevertheless deserved
to be promoted. Seizing the means of production is a
central tenet of communism. Mamdanni likes calling names too, and
like many other progressives, has lobbed the fascist label at Trump.

(55:06):
So it was surprising to see the two politicians together
November twenty first in the Oval Office, an event dubbed
a love fest. Both of them deserved credit for at
least talking to each other about their ideas for improving
New York. However, Mamdanni maintained the fascist insult even in

(55:28):
front of Trump. I do wonder how many actual fascists
have met so warmly with their political opponents. Socialism has
been tried around the world. It always fails. Shortly before
Mamdani's meeting with Trump, Congress marked its concern with the
country's largest city now having a socialist as mayor. It

(55:52):
passed a resolution denouncing the horrors of socialism two eighty
five to ninety eight, with eighty six Democrats joining the
Republican majority that includes House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries. Of
New York, Jeffries waited until the last minute to endorse Mamdani.

(56:12):
According to a press release from resolution sponsor Representative Maria
Elvida Salasad, Republican of Florida, the resolution outlined some of
the most brutal crimes committed by socialist regimes in the
Soviet Union, China, Cambodia, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela, demonstrating

(56:34):
that whatever socialism, wherever socialism has taken root, the results
have been the same famine, repression, death, economic ruin and
the loss of human freedom. Just looks south to Argentina,
which is climbing out of an economy that was destroyed
by socialism thanks to the strong leadership of its pro

(56:58):
capitalism president Tavyeed Milat. In twenty twenty three, of ahead
of his election, annual inflation reached an unfathomable one hundred
forty eight percent. It's baffling that Americans are falling for
such a dangerous ideology, but they are. A recent poll

(57:19):
of likely voters from the Heartland Institute and Resmussen Reports
showed that fifty one percent of young Americans ages eighteen
to thirty nine would like to see a democratic socialist
in the White House. Mom Donnie and Wilson have put
a shiny bow on their socialist ideas and voters bought it.

(57:40):
Beware what comes next. This piece was a guest column
piece written by Ingrid Jacques, who is a columnist with
USA Today. This concludes readings for the Courier Journal for Wednesday,
December third, twenty twenty five. Stay tuned for more news

(58:01):
to follow immediately. Your reader has been Blanca Michael Ward