By Matt Kelley

" Portsmouth, Ohio" – IV drug abuse is an increasing problem nationwide. Most large urban areas have been dealing with the problem for decades, but the issue is now presenting itself to smaller communities. The Portsmouth Health Department recently implemented a syringe exchange program to protect the public from dirty needles and to educate addicts. Spokesperson Bobbi Bratchett talked to WNKU's Matt Kelley about how one story got her involved.( get more information at www.portsmouthhealthdepartment.org )

Business Wise for the week of June 27 to July 1

Highland Heights Ky. – Business Wise for the week of June 27 to July 1 has Kevin Kabat on community impact of the bank and achieving financial stability,Tom Cooney and Crystal Faulkner on assisting aging parents with finances and how to avoid debt,Milton Dohoney on dealing with budget challenges of Cincinnati,John and Andy Hueber about LEED home's,and David Birdsall on the future of the retail industry.

By Steve Hirschberg

Highland Heights, Kentucky – Starting today (July 1), Wayne County in East Central Indiana is changing its policy on when to sound severe weather warning sirens. In this Postcard from Richmond, Indiana, WNKU's Steve Hirschberg asked Ron Sharp, Wayne County's Deputy Director of Emergency Management, why the policy is being changed.

By Cheri Lawson

Cincinnati,OH – A historic neighborhood is in the running for a national award.WNKU's Cheri Lawson reports Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine is a finalist in the 2011 This Place Matters Community Challenge.

By Matt Kelley

" Highland Heights, Ky." – The Northern Kentucky Health Department is easing restrictions on public pools caused by a recent outbreak of shigella, just in time for the 4th of July holiday. Health Department spokesperson Emily Gresham Wherle explained the situation to WNKU's Matt Kelley.( get more information at www.nkyhealth.org )

By Matt Kelley

" Frankfort, Ky." – Residents of Kentucky will have a wider variety of fireworks available to buy legally in the commonwealth. A new law allows for aerial fireworks such as roman candles and bottle-rockets to be purchased by the public. Fire Marshal William Swope says the law also includes several safety precautions. Swope explained the changes to WNKU's Matt Kelley...

By Steve Hirschberg

Highland Heights, Kentucky – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman took a tour of Cincinnati's Riverfront Park, which is under construction. WNKU's Steve Hirschberg took advantage of the occasion to do his own radio tour of the city's new front door, with Cincinnati Parks Director Willie Carden. The tour began at a spot just across the street from the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, where the steel skeleton for the Moerlein Lager House is going up.

By Steve Hirschberg

Highland Heights, Kentucky – A rare, vintage airplane is on display at Cincinnati's Lunken Airport today through Sunday; and it's offering rides to those who want to experience what it was like to fly in the late 1920's and early 30's. WNKU's Steve Hirschberg talked with Colin Soucy, the pilot of the Ford Tri-Motor.

By Matt Kelley

"Montgomery County, Ohio" – A recent report indicates that elder abuse is on the rise in Montgomery County, and across the nation. Senior Services Manager Patrick Bailey says suspected cases rose more than six percent last year. WNKU's Matt Kelley asked Bailey to explain what elder abuse is, and how his agency handles the reports. ( get more information at www.mcohio.org, or report elder abuse in Mongeomry County at (937) 225-4906 )

By Matt Kelley

" Highland Heights, Ky." – The month of June marks the thirty year anniversary of the first confirmed cases of HIV in the United States. Bob Ford of the Northern Kentucky Health department says prevention and screening are still the best weapons against the disease, but there is still no cure. Ford talked to WNKU's Matt Kelley about how far we've come in the past three decades. ( get more information at www.nkyhealth.org)