The budgets of Kentucky's public universities have been slashed. To compensate, tuitions and fees continue to rise pushing degrees ever further from the reach for many. These are the conditions inherited by Aaron Thompson as he brings a unique background and perspective to the helm of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Also: a solution to "parachute journalism" and the challenges of today's community newspaper.

Listen by segment:
 

One: Part one of a conversation with Aaron Thompson, the new president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Find out about his unique perspective on education. LISTEN

Two:  Part two of the discussion with Aaron Thompson gets his views on Performance Based Funding and the relationship between campus and economy. And, discover "Shoeleather", a web-based connection between big city editors and local reporters. Founder Sarah Baird is our guest. LISTEN

Three: A visit with Richmond Register editor Jonathan Greene for a look at the community newspaper in 2019. And a report by NPR's Shankaar Vedantam on the connection between the health of a community newspaper and the local economy. LISTEN