Louisville native and former New York Times Beijing Bureau Chief Michael Wines and award-winning New York Times journalist Sharon LaFraniere met when they both worked at The Louisville Times. They went on to live all over the world breaking major news stories, including Russia’s invasion of Chechnya to the Iran-Contra Affair.

Please join Kentucky to the World on October 21st for this rare moment when they return to Louisville for the first time in 19 years and bring the public a glimpse into the fascinating world of their intersecting private and professional lives.

About Michael Wines
Michael Wines started his first newspaper at age five from his home in Shively. Journalism became his passion from that moment forward. In 1980, he left Louisville for Washington D.C. where he first worked for the National Journal, then the Los Angeles Times. Since 1988 he has been with The New York Times reporting from many international hot spots.

Wines is known for having broken a number of significant stories on espionage issues during the dying days of the Cold War. From 1998 to 2012, he lived in and reported from Moscow, Johannesburg, and ultimately Beijing, serving as The New York Times bureau chief in all three locations.

Since 2012, Wines has lived in New York where he covers national environmental issues and what he calls “a dog’s breakfast of other matters.”

About Sharon LaFraniere
Sharon LaFraniere is a national investigative reporter at The New York Times. Before joining The NYT, Ms. LaFraniere was a reporter and editor for The Washington Post for 20 years, where she covered territories such as the war zones in Chechnya and Afghanistan. Ms. LaFraniere began writing for The NYT in 2003, covering southern Africa. She moved from Johannesburg to Beijing in early 2008 to report on China. For the past two years, she has been based in New York.

Ms. LaFraniere is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Gerald Loeb Award in 2013, The Michael Kelly Award in 2006 and The Overseas Press Club Award in 1999.

About the Event
The event Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at the Henry Clay Building (604 S. 3rd St.). Due to popular demand we are moving our events to a more spacious room at the Henry Clay. The reception is at 5:30 and program at 6:30. Tickets are $25, which includes appetizers by Wiltshire Pantry and a cash bar. Order tickets online at www.kentuckytotheworld.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

About Kentucky to the World
Kentucky to the World (KTW) is a non-profit organization that enhances Kentucky's image, educates, and inspires by showcasing the talent, ingenuity, and excellence of outstanding men and women who claim strong Kentucky ties. KTW is funded through the generosity of involved community members. To learn more visit www.kentuckytotheworld.org.