GLASGOW, Ky. — An area true crime author and journalist will visit Glasgow this week to discuss his latest book and the history of violent crime in Southcentral Kentucky, according to the Barren County Historical Society.

Wes Swietek, a Chicago native and managing editor of the Bowling Green Daily News, is scheduled to present a program titled “Exploring True Crime in Southcentral Kentucky” Thursday evening at the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center.

Swietek’s presentation will center on his most recent book, “When the Bluegrass Ran Red,” which examines a turbulent era of Kentucky history spanning the 1960s and 1970s.

During that period, parts of the state, including Bowling Green and Newport , were widely associated with organized crime, corruption, and high-profile violent cases that drew statewide attention, according to a description of the book.

The book explores how cities such as Bowling Green earned the nickname “Little Chicago” amid reports of vice and criminal activity, while Newport became known as “Sin City” due to its open gambling, nightlife, and illegal enterprises along Monmouth Street.

Swietek’s work also revisits earlier crime patterns, including the history of Burke’s Alley in Bowling Green, once considered a focal point for criminal activity ranging from gambling and prostitution to violent crime.

Many of the cases from that era remain unsolved or continue to be discussed decades later, according to descriptions of the book.

Swietek’s research spans multiple Kentucky communities, including Lexington, Lewisburg, and other areas affected by the wave of sensational crimes during that time period.

The program is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. There is no admission fee.