Cover Story
20 Of LEO’s Favorite Louisville-Made Songs From 2021
New year, same drill. In recent years LEO has used the first issue of the year to look back on our favorite local songs from the previous year. And, as usual, as we remembered and reflected on what Louisville artists did over the last 12 months, we found a wide and brilliant range of work.…
Thanks, Joe Biden. Free At-Home COVID Tests Are Now Ready To Order — One Day Early
Since we’re almost two years into this pandemic, most of us have a similar story: We’ve had a COVID scare or some symptoms, but finding a timely test was difficult. The federal government hopes to alleviate some of that burden, especially during another surge, by allowing residential households in the U.S. to order one set…
A Black-Led Nonprofit Will Lead Louisville’s City-Sanctioned Camp For The Houseless
The city of Louisville has chosen a local, Black-led nonprofit — The Hope Buss — to run its planned safe outdoor space for houseless individuals. The safe outdoor space, to be located on a property the city purchased at 212 E College St. in Old Louisville, is expected to open by March 1. The…
A Racial Reckoning With Louisville’s Jane Austen Festival Leads To Its Cancelation
The reckoning of historical inaccuracy, exclusion and racism is a spot that many institutions and historical groups are discovering to be more difficult to navigate now than at any other time. The reason is that Band-Aid solutions aren’t working or acceptable. Both white and Black activists are demanding real, accurate and inclusive change. The Jane…
There Are All Sorts Of Open Artist Opportunities At Frankfort’s Josephine Sculpture Park
The Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort, Kentucky, is seeking students and adults for residencies, fellowships, internships and a new work exchange program. The park contains nearly 80 contemporary artworks across its 30 acres. There are habitat restoration projects to reintroduce native plants and wildlife to the park. It is open year round from sunup to…
Has Omicron Reached Its Peak In Louisville? Here’s What The City Is Saying
City officials are hopeful that this most recent COVID surge has reached its peak, although they say more time needs to pass before they can make a definitive call. “I’m asked often if we are at our plateau and I hope that that is the case,” said Dr. Sara Beth Hartlage, the city’s associate medical…
Kentucky Basketball, Twitter Legend Rex Chapman Is Getting His Own CNN+ Show
Rex Chapman, a supertweeter and former basketball star, will get his own show on CNN+ when the streaming service debuts in the coming months. In a press release, representatives from CNN said, “Chapman’s weekly CNN+ show will include intimate conversations with athletes, entertainers and everyday heroes as Chapman looks for the silver lining beyond today’s…
Indiana’s Anti Critical Race Theory Bill Had To Be Altered To Allow Teachers To Condemn Nazis
Somehow, Indiana’s anti critical race theory bill is beating Kentucky’s in terms of horribleness. A provision in House Bill 1134 that would have required Indiana public school educators to remain impartial about what they teach had to be changed last week after the Senate version’s author said during a hearing that this would also apply…
10 Things To Do This Week For $5 And Under In Louisville (1/17-1/21)
MONDAY, Jan. 17 ‘I Have a Dream’ Screenings Muhammad Ali Center Free | Through 4 p.m. The Muhammad Ali Center is offering free screenings of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The final screening takes place at 4 p.m. Admission to the Center’s exhibits is not included. MLK Birthday Legends No…
Rep. Massie’s Latest Stunt Is Boycotting D.C. Restaurants Over A Vaccine Mandate
Unsurprisingly, Rep. Thomas Massie isn’t happy about Washington D.C.’s new mandate, which requires people to provide proof of vaccination at restaurants, bars and gyms. On Friday, the Kentucky Congressman, who has been perpetually critical about mandates and guidelines, said that he plans to boycott D.C. restaurants (which, of course, are not responsible for making the…
Grilled Cheese Restaurant Melt 502 Opens Its Fern Creek Location This Week
Melt 502, a Black-owned, hip-hop themed restaurant in Fern Creek that primarily serves grilled cheese, opens to the public tomorrow. This isn’t Melt 502’s debut: the restaurant formerly had a location at 812 Lyndon Lane, which opened in 2020 but closed in April. The restaurant and bar, located at 6318 Bardstown Road, announced its soft…
Louisville Comedians Spoke Truth To Power, But In A Funny Way At The MLK Weekend Comedy Show
One of the most enduring memories we have of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a snippet from his last minutes of living. He was in Memphis to support striking Black city sanitation workers, and was staying at the Lorraine Motel. There, on the balcony outside his room, he had a conversation with the blues saxophonist…
When Even KFC Gets Faux Chik’n, Plant-Based Meat’s Time Has Come
If you still think the recent wave of faux meats made from plants is just a passing fad that won’t last, consider this: Last week, KFC rolled out Beyond Meat’s new meatless chicken nuggets for a short-term test at all 4,000 U.S. shops, boxed not in the traditional red but a tasteful environmental green. You…
Savage Love: Wanted: Gay Men To Give Money To
Q: I’m a gay man in his forties. I very much love my husband but two years ago we acknowledged that our desire for each other sexually just wasn’t there anymore. Thanks in part to reading your column for many years, we were able to have a calm conversation about whether we wanted to remain…
All Thai’d Up Food Truck Is Opening A Downtown Storefront
All Thai’d Up, a food truck that serves authentic Thai dishes, recently announced that it will open its first physical location downtown in mid-February. The new location, at 211 S. Fifth St., replaces a former Carali’s Rotisserie Chicken. View this post on Instagram A post shared by All Thai’d Up Food Truck (@allthaidupky) Kathy Aphaivongs,…
Louisville Lawmaker Introduces 3 Bills To Enhance Eviction Protections For Kentucky Tenants
The pandemic was supposed to be an opportunity for governments to reevaluate housing and renter protections as millions were put out of work, putting their ability to pay rent at risk. Almost two years in, Shamaeaka Shaw, is still seeing the tenants she helps as the creator of the Broken Hearted Homes Renters Association get…
Taco Bell Launches Totally Useless One-Taco-a-Day Digital Subscription Service Called Taco Lover’s Pass
“Mexican food” purveyor Taco Bell has launched a $10-a-month digital subscription service that allows participants to obtain a free tacos — but limits them to just one tortilla-wrapped handheld a day. What in the fresh hell? First of all, who can eat only one taco at a time? We know we can’t. Second, the launch…
Cannabis Could Help Fight COVID
Could weed be the next COVID-19 drug? According to a new study by researchers affiliated with Oregon State University, compounds found in cannabis can prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from infecting human cells. An abstract of the study was published Monday in the Journal of Natural Products. The researchers found that two compounds, cannabigerolic…
The Golden Globe-Winning ‘Drive My Car’ Crams A Lot Into A Commute
Digressive, literary, expansive in feeling, narrow in scope: with hardly a plot to burden it, “Drive My Car” is the filmed work this year that best offers up the pleasures of psychological-realist literature. Hardly the only form of fiction writing, this space is a genre as much as any — with clichés and received expectations…
Mike Linnig’s Restaurant Delays Start Of Its 98th Season Due To COVID
Mike Linnig’s, one of the oldest restaurants in Louisville, announced yesterday that it will be delaying the start of its 2022 season by one week. The Southwest Louisville seafood restaurant had been slated to open for its 98th season on Thursday, Jan. 20, but the recent increase in the number of COVID cases in Louisville…
3 Concerts To Catch In Louisville This Weekend (1/14)
Friday, Jan. 14 Sports, Okey Dokey Zanzabar $25 | 7 p.m. Kick your weekend off with a show from Sports, a mellow, smooth indie band that patchworks various genres together. They play with Okey Dokey, a modern psych band that sound indebted to My Morning Jacket. Saturday, Jan. 15 Belushi Speed Ball, Scrooge Mandella The…
5 Things To Do This Weekend In Louisville (1/14)
FRIDAY, Jan. 14 “The Cake” Henry Clay Theatre $22 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. Pandora Productions presents “The Cake,” a play by the award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Bekah Brunstetter (“This is Us”). The play takes on the issue of religious beliefs versus personal relationships by centering around a lesbian wedding and the struggle of Della, a North…
Longtime Reporter Lawrence Smith Leaves WDRB
Yesterday was WDRB’s Lawrence Smith’s final broadcast with the station. WDRB announced last month that longtime reporter Lawrence Smith, who primarily covered political stories, would be leaving the station to pursue a new role. Smith is joining the Kentucky Baptist Convention as their communications director. His new role will also include becoming the executive editor…
Jack Harlow Is Now Also Being Sued In The Vibes Lounge Shooting Death
Louisville native and well-known hip-hop artist Jack Harlow and an Atlanta record label have been added to a lawsuit filed by the family of Kasmira Nash, a server who was shot and killed at Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge during a 2021 Derby Eve Party. The 37-year-old mother of two was shot during an altercation…
Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop Opens On Bardstown Road This Week
Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop, a new 1920s-inspired outlet that will serve drinks and sell whole bottles of bourbon, is opening tomorrow, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m at 1139 Bardstown Road. The bar will sell close to 30 brands of bourbon, including Kentucky labels like Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey.…
The Latest Jan. 6 Rioters From Kentucky To Be Sentenced Will Serve 15 Days In Confinement
Two friends from Lexington, who entered the U.S. Capitol together during the Jan. 6 attack, have now been sentenced together. Dalton Crase, 22, and Troy Williams, 27, are now the fourth and fifth Kentuckians to be sentenced out of the 17 that have been arrested. On Thursday, they were ordered to serve three years probation,…
The Louisville Storytellers Project Shifts Back To In-Person Events So We Can Swap Stories Together
Well of course, the timing is perfect with COVID numbers raging, full hospitals and burned-out medical staff but USA Today has announced that they are returning for the 2022 season of its Storytellers Project with in-person events across the nation. Maybe, even with the risk, it’s something people really need right now though. The event…
Navient Agrees To Cancel $43 Million In Student Loan Debt For Kentuckians In A Massive Lawsuit Settlement
Apparently, it *is* that easy for student loan companies to simply disappear debt. Under a lawsuit settlement announced by Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s office, Navient has agreed to cancel over $43 million in debt for 2,155 Kentuckians and pay more than $1.2 million in restitutions to 4,659 Kentucky borrowers. That’s $19,973 in debt wiped out per…
UofL Doctor Warns Against Drinking Pee To Treat COVID, Because That’s Where We Are As A Society Now
Dr. Jon Klein is a medical professional who has researched nephropathy –– that is, how the kidneys work –– for decades. He’s got a slew of accomplished titles: he’s the vice dean for research at UofL Medical School, the James Graham Brown Foundation chair in Proteomics, and the director of the Clinical and Translational Sciences…
Kentucky Lawmakers Allocate $200 Million For Tornado Relief. Here’s What It Will Go To.
This story has been updated. A $200 million tornado relief bill moved quickly through Kentucky’s General Assembly Wednesday — passing unanimously through both chambers — that will provide housing, education needs and more for those affected. House Bill 5, which passed through both the House and the Senate in a matter of hours, was signed…
Joe’s Palm Room, A Legendary Black-Owned Club In Louisville, Is Back
A legendary, Black-owned club in West Louisville has reopened. The space that was once Joe’s Palm Room (1821 W. Jefferson St.) closed down years ago after its namesake owner Joe Hammond, an influential Black businessman in Louisville, passed away. When it reopened in September 2020, it did so as The Palm Room –– the owner,…
U.S. Rep. Hollingsworth Makes Good On Term Limits Pledge, Is Not Running For Reelection
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth of Indiana’s 9th Congressional District has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2022. The Republican, who represents parts of southern and central Indiana, is currently in his third term. Hollingsworth, a strong believer in term limits who pledged to serve no more than four cycles, wrote in an op-ed…
Noble Funk’s Massive Brewery Opens In Old Louisville This Week
The former Old Louisville Kroger has completed its transformation into a 27,000-square foot brewery. Noble Funk Brewing Co. is opening on Friday at 922 S. Second St., starting with three new beers and oven-fired pizzas. “We’re ready to go,” said Dominique Shrader, who started working on the concept in 2019 with her husband, Johnathan Shrader.…
New Albany’s Carnegie Center Is Reviving The Teen Zine
The Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany has announced that it will begin publication on its first zine. The zine, called “MoodRing,” is geared towards Southern Indiana teens. Teens in Floyd, Clark and Harrison counties are invited to submit their artwork and literary offerings. Carnegie calls this a chance for “teens in…
West Sixth Brewing Is Opening A Mexican Food Truck, And Yes It’ll Come To NuLu
You may know West Sixth Brewing from their outpost in NuLu, their 120-acre farm location outside of Frankfort, or either of their other two locations in Kentucky. This spring, they’ll open another venture: a food truck. The truck, called West Sixth Cantina, will serve classic Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites like burritos, tacos, and quesadillas ––…
Metro Public Health Says 1 In 15 People In Louisville Could Have COVID
Based on its data, Louisville’s department of public health and wellness knows that 3% of Louisville’s population is infected with COVID-19 right now. But wastewater samples in the city indicate that the number of infected citizens might be double that in areas with low vaccination rates. “Doubling that means 6%, or six out of every…
75% Of Kroger Workers Are ‘Food Insecure,’ According To New Report
Even though they work in a grocery store, full of things to eat, more than 75% of Kroger employees meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s definition of “food insecure,” according to a new report. A survey of more than 10,000 Kroger employees from Washington state, Colorado and California — conducted by research group the Economic Roundtable…
The Anti Anti-Critical Race Theory Movement Arrives In Frankfort
The campaign against Kentucky’s anti-critical race theory bills has started. On Tuesday, activists gathered at the state Capitol for a day of song and speeches aimed at two bills that would limit what Kentucky schools can teach about race. House Bill 14 and House Bill 18, introduced by Republican lawmakers, both contain similar language, although…
Dr. Fauci Says He’s Getting Death Threats, And Rand Paul Is To Blame
After once again being attacked by Sen. Rand Paul at a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the Kentucky politician’s repeated accusations have lead to death threats being made against him, as well as the harassment of his family via “obscene phone calls.” Fauci, the director of the U.S. National Institute…
What Does A State Sound Like? Musicians Try To Capture Indiana In New Album
2 Minutes in Indiana is a project being crowdfunded by the nonprofit Musical Family Tree. It is a project where 20 Indiana artists were asked to create a two-minute instrumental composition that spoke to or captured what it feels like to live in Indiana. Hmm, the sound of the gunshots at the county line come to mind…
Tool, J. Cole, Stevie Nicks To Headline Bonnaroo 2022
The progressive, arty, metal-adjacent band Tool, along with Grammy-winning hip-hop artist J. Cole and the legendary Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks will headline Bonnaroo 2022, which takes place June 16-19. Once again happening at the Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee, the four-day music festival will also features acts like The Chicks, 21 Savage, Billy Strings,…
What We Know About The Proposed Plan For Armed School Safety Officers In JCPS
On Tuesday night, Jefferson County Board of Education members will be presented with a proposal that would see armed law enforcement officers return to Kentucky’s largest school system for the first time since 2019. According to an outline of the plan posted online alongside the Board of Education meeting’s agenda, the proposal calls for armed,…
Fan-Favorite Racing Louisville FC Player Yuki Nagasato Is Leaving Louisville
Yuki Nagasato, a fan-favorite forward on the Racing Louisville soccer team, has been traded back to her former team, the Chicago Red Stars. Nagasato’s reason for leaving isn’t a lack of love for the team, the fans, or the city –– it’s because she’s engaged. She’ll be moving back to Chicago full-time to live with…
Jason Isbell, Positive For COVID, Is Rescheduling His Louisville Shows
This story has been updated. Jason Isbell has tested positive for COVID-19 and with it, has rescheduled his two Louisville shows that were supposed to take place at the Palace Theatre this weekend. “Got myself a breakthrough case of Covid- feeling fine but we’ll have to cancel the next few shows (Asheville, Louisville, Columbus, Wilkes-Barre,…
Learn How To Curl With An Olympian, Coming To Louisville This Week
Tyler George, a gold medal-winning Olympian curler, will be in Louisville this week to promote the sport with the Derby City Curling Club. On Thursday, Jan. 13, George will be at Alpine Ice Arena (1825 Gardiner Lane) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of their Open House. Fans will be able to take…
Wiltshire Pantry Opens A Downtown Location To Give The Area ‘A Burst Of New Energy’
Wiltshire Pantry, a local chain that has locations in The Highlands, in NuLu and at the Speed Art Museum, opened a new downtown location at 605 W. Main St. last Monday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wiltshire Pantry (@wiltpantry1) The downtown Wiltshire Pantry Bakery & Cafe fills the space previously occupied…
Remember That Woman Who Wrongly Called The Election For Bevin? She’s Running For Massie’s Seat
Alyssa Dara McDowell — best known for rushing the stage at an election night event in 2019 to falsely tell the crowd that Matt Bevin was re-elected as governor of Kentucky before being escorted away — has filed to run for U.S. Congress. She has submitted a statement of candidacy form to run for the…
10 Things To Do This Week For $5 And Under In Louisville (1/10-1/14)
MONDAY, Jan. 10 Below the Line January High Horse Bar No cover | 7-10 p.m. Check out the latest short films by Louisville creatives at Below the Line’s monthly event. To kick off 2022, the group is meeting at a new location, High Horse Bar. There will be food. Make sure to mask up. Metal…
This Highlands Bakery Will Become A COVID Testing Site On Mondays
Update: After a one-week trial run, Wiltshire Pantry Bakery & Cafe will no longer be offering COVID testing on Mondays due to issues with test results. Wiltshire Pantry Bakery & Cafe in The Highlands (901 Barret Ave.) is usually a destination for coffee, pastries, and breakfast foods. This afternoon, though, it’s a COVID testing site. …
Beshear Proposes Funding Universal Pre-K, Teacher Raises And More In ‘Historic’ Education Budget Proposal
Three years since being elected governor in a race that hinged on the support of teachers, Gov. Andy Beshear has proposed a massive investment in statewide education, stretching from universal pre-K to needs-based college tuition funding. It also includes money for teachers, offering a 5% pay increase at minimum and student loan forgiveness. In total,…
Louisville’s Library Cancels Most Of Its Events As COVID Rages
Everything’s coming up COVID, and the latest casualty of the out of control coronavirus numbers is the Louisville Free Public Library’s programming schedule. All in-person events with LFPL are canceled for the next two weeks as the peak of COVID infections is expected in the coming weeks. For now, the branches will remain open with…
Louisville’s Mass, Drive-through COVID Testing Site Opens Today
If you’ve been having problems booking a COVID test during the pandemic’s latest surge, the mass, drive-thru testing site opening today at Churchill Downs should help. Ran in partnership with Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory, the site is expected to administer 1,000 to 3,000 PCR and rapid COVID tests per day. Testing in Louisville and around the…
This New Germantown Bar’s Menu Showcases The Diversity Of Southern Cuisine
North of Bourbon, a new restaurant and bourbon bar that showcases different types of Southern cuisine, opened in Germantown last week. Late last year, the owners went on a culinary tour of Southern cities, including New Orleans, Nashville, and Oxford, MS, which provided them with inspiration for their menu. The name “North of Bourbon” refers,…
The Deadline To Apply For A Major Southern Art Prize Is Approaching
Artists, don’t miss this opportunity! The deadline for the South Arts Southern Prize and State Fellowships is approaching. This coming Monday, Jan. 10 is the deadline to apply. The prize is given to “acknowledge, support and celebrate the highest quality artistic work being created in the American South.” This prize is open to artists across Southern states,…
A No-Bid Tornado Cleanup Contract Is Causing Conflict In Graves County, And Could Even Temporarily Stop Efforts
This story was produced by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit newsroom by Louisville Public Media. For more, visit KyCIR.org. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a no-bid contract last month for debris cleanup in Graves County, prompting a battle in federal court. A pair of disaster response firms have challenged the…
‘Licorice Pizza’ Doesn’t Need Plot, It Has Feeling
For L.A. movies, druggy movies, ’70s movies, and coming-of-age movies, “hazy” has long trended as a recurring descriptor. “Licorice Pizza,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest and most freely written work to date, is all of these — and certainly merits the term. With its nearly episodic structure, a flood of ardent, conflicted romantic feelings throughout, and…
That One Kentucky Lawmaker Is Trying To Outlaw Insulting Police Again
Kentucky state Sen. Danny Carroll (R-Benton) is again trying to push through a bill that would enhance penalties for offenses committed during “riots,” as well as criminalize insulting police officers and provide legal protection for defensive lethal force to be used in certain circumstances during a “riot.” This year’s bill, which was introduced on Wednesday,…
‘Being The Ricardos’ Is A Messy, Unconvincing Account Of A Fascinating Hollywood Couple
Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos” isn’t great for reasons that are interesting, and is downright bad for reasons that are, perhaps, even more interesting. Depicting one week in the production life of “I Love Lucy” after Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) has been smeared as a Communist by the tabloids, the film explores the anxieties of…
Pay Tribute To Bowie And Elvis With A Joint Birthday Celebration At High Horse Bar
Did you know that David Bowie and Elvis had the same birthday? The two music legends get a joint tribute night at High Horse Bar this Saturday, Jan. 8 — what would have been their 75th and 87th birthdays, respectively. An Elvis impersonator, Danny Dale will perform. Then, you’ll have a chance to get on…
Louisville Politician Compares Kentucky GOP’s Squiggly New Redistricting Maps To Disney Characters
The word gerrymandered comes from the name of the salamander-like shape of an unfair legislative district in the 1800s — and the politician who signed the bill creating it, Elbridge Gerry. Some of the new districts that the Kentucky GOP supermajority have come up with also have taken some, ahem, interesting forms themselves — causing…
Glowing Jellyfish Invade Revelry Boutique + Gallery In NuLu This Month
Revelry Boutique + Gallery starts the new year with a new show. Always a space to host interesting and innovative works, Revelry is joining forces with one of its most unique creators. Working with TotiLight, a Louisville-based group of entrepreneurs and designers who create light experiences for arts and entertainment events, Revelry will bring the…
3 Concerts To Catch In Louisville This Weekend (1/7)
Friday, Jan. 7 Quite Literally, Definitely Pinwheels, Sam Brenzel — Majazztic ‘Mingos The Flamingo Lounge $10 | 9p.m. The guest of honor, Gregg Wagner, will present a selection of works from the late Jim Webb (poet activist, music and nature lover). Webb was from Whitesburg, Kentucky. The night will progress into an evening of swing…
5 Things To Do This Weekend In Louisville (1/7-1/9)
FRIDAY, Jan. 7 Friday Night Comedy Groove Black Jockeys Lounge $40 | 6 p.m. Fresh off Tiffany Haddish’s “They Ready,” BET comedian Barbara Carlyle is in town, ready to make you laugh this Friday. SATURDAY, Jan. 8 1st Day Hike Mount Francis Center for Spirituality Free | 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. A first day hike…
KFC Launches Beyond Meat Fried Chicken Nationwide Next Week
In the last few years, food brands have been making their respective forays into plant-based fake meat, and now, KFC joins them, at least for a time. Starting on Monday, Jan. 10, KFC will offer Beyond Fried Chicken in its U.S. restaurants. The offer, branded as a “The Kentucky-Fried Miracle,” will run as long as…
Hankison, Officer Involved In Breonna Taylor Raid, Plans To Testify At His Trial
Former LMPD detective Brett Hankison intends to testify at his February trial for wanton endangerment charges stemming from the raid that killed Breonna Taylor, according to court documents filed this week. The defense also intends to call on Myles Cosgrove and Jonathan Mattingly — the two other officers who fired their weapons in the raid…
Louisville Police Arrest Man Suspected Of A 2 Week Crime Spree Targeting… Them
Louisville police say they’ve arrested a man who has been targeting their cars in a two-week thieving spree. Louisville Metro Police found Robert Dumonte, 31, in the Camp Taylor neighborhood on Wednesday night. He was in possession of a trove of police property, including two LMPD tasers, non-lethal crowd control weaponry like those LMPD used…
This is What Has Become Of The 17 Kentuckians Involved In The Jan. 6 Capitol Attack
So far, three Kentuckians and one former UK student have been sentenced for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which occurred one year ago today. None have been sentenced to more than 45 days in jail. At least 14 more Kentucky residents have been charged for the breaching of the…
Sen. McConnell Uses Jan. 6 Anniversary To Accuse Democrats Of Advancing ‘Partisan Policy Goals’
On the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump supporters storming the U.S. Capitol building, in an attempt to overturn the election results, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has accused “some Washington Democrats” of using the day to “advance partisan policy goals.” Of course, the paradoxical thing about the statement is that he’s accusing other people of…
Louisville Metro Is Launching A Mass COVID Testing Site. Here’s What To Know
Invoking the success of the city’s LouVax vaccination site, Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that the city has partnered with a private company to bring a mass, drive-through COVID testing site to Churchill Downs. The site, ran in partnership with Bluewater Diagnostic Laboratory, is expected to administer 1,000 to 3,000 PCR and rapid COVID tests…
Gov. Beshear Talks State Budget And Economic Development In State Of The Commonwealth Address
Gov. Andy Beshear spoke before a joint session of the Kentucky House and Senate last night, in his third Commonwealth address. After a year of historic flooding, tornadoes and other natural disasters, on top of the pandemic, the governor said his budget — which he will reveal next week — is focused on bolstering communities.…
Nowhere Bar Death Spurs Legislation That Would Change Bouncer Regulations In Kentucky
On Jan. 5, 2020, Christopher McKinney died after an altercation with a bouncer at Nowhere Bar. Today, exactly two years after the incident, Rep. Lisa Willner filed legislation to increase safety, training, hiring standards and transparency for security workers and the bars and nightclubs that employ them. If passed during the currently underway state legislative…
The Musical CATS Is On The Road Again And Will Hit Louisville This Month
Forget that insane CATS movie. Actually don’t forget that. See that movie and then when you are thoroughly weirded out, get yourself a ticket to the musical that started it all. The seven-time Tony Award-winning CATS is coming to Louisville from Jan. 18-23. It will play at the Kentucky Center as part of its latest…
Senora May On Helping And Making Music In Appalachian Kentucky
Senora May is a singer-songwriter and social justice activist who studied under Silas House at Berea College, co-founded the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund with her husband Tyler Childers and recently released a gorgeous new album, All of My Love, that has been widely praised for its sophisticated earthiness. Heading into the new year, we…
These Past 2 Years Have Turned Many Of Us Into Pooping Turtles
The only thing my middle daughter wanted for Christmas was a pooping turtle. The ads for the Little Live Pets Gotta Go Turdle promise “an interactive, toilet-trained turtle who loves to sing, dance, chat back, eat, and poop – on the toilet!” To a 5 year old, that’s a persuasive pitch. For weeks, all we…
Kentucky’s 2022 Legislative Session Will Likely Be A Chaotic, Grandstanding Mess. We Still Have Hope.
The 2022 Kentucky General Assembly session reflects many other political situations: There’s a decent amount of room for opportunity, and even more room for failure. By the time you read this, the redistricting process will most likely be well under way, and that will be a lightning quick, shadily quiet and absolutely partisan move by…
Mayor Greg Fischer Declared Dec. 18 Jack Harlow Day In Louisville
Dec. 18, 2021, was officially Jack Harlow Day in Louisville, according to a proclamation from Mayor Greg Fischer. Harlow shared the proclamation plaque in an Instagram post yesterday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jack Harlow (@jackharlow) The proclamation reads, “To all whom these presents shall come, know ye that the city…
Cannabis Criminalization Is Rooted In Racism. It’s Time To Change Kentucky’s Laws.
The history of cannabis criminalization is rooted in racism and xenophobia. We cannot allow this fundamental fact to become lost in discussions about tax revenue and administrative frameworks to legalize a substance whose simple possession has resulted in over 6 million incarcerations over the last decade. Cannabis was not an illegal plant until the turn…
Thorns & Roses: Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer Is Only Representing Himself When It Comes To Medical Marijuana
THORN: Representing Himself Kentucky Republican Floor Leader Sen. Damon Thayer doesn’t care if you, or any other Kentuckian, want medical marijuana legalized. In a KET interview, the Georgetown lawmaker said he doesn’t support it, even though he knows his constituents do. “If they don’t like it they can take it out on me in the next…
Two Of Classical Music’s Brightest Young Stars, Teddy Abrams And Pianist Yuja Wang, Reunite For Louisville Orchestra Performance
Pianist Yuja Wang appears with the Louisville Orchestra in concerts Friday and Saturday in Whitney Hall to premiere a new “Piano Concerto” composed by Teddy Abrams. It’s the 14th composition Abrams has created for the orchestra in his eight years as music director, and the latest collaboration of Wang and Abrams comes from a friendship…
Louisville’s Mediterranean Restaurants Aren’t The Same. This One Brings Lebanese Flavor To The City
Back in the late winter of 1984, I did my first restaurant review for The Louisville Times. I enjoyed a great dinner at a short-lived Lebanese restaurant on Bardstown Road with a Lebanese-American friend who spent a short time at the city’s afternoon paper before moving on to bigger things. Here we are, almost too…
Tyler, the Creator, Tame Impala, Jack Harlow To Headline Forecastle 2022
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Forecastle will return this May, with Tyler, the Creator, Tame Impala and Jack Harlow headlining. The lineup announcement, which dropped today, also features notable acts such as Phoebe Bridgers, Earl Sweatshirt, Porter Robinson, 6lack, Rüfüs Du Sol and Black Pumas. Differing from past years, the festival’s lineup…
A Second Blossom Bar Will Serve Smoothies In The Highlands
Rainbow Blossom, a local chain that sells health food and supplements, will open a second Blossom Bar location next Monday, Jan. 10. The second location will open inside the existing Rainbow Blossom in Highlands Market at 3046 Bardstown Road. Much like the original Blossom Bar in St. Matthews, this new one will serve smoothies, juices…
This Louisville Author Grew Up Wanting Books That Represented Girls Like Her. Now, She’s Writing Them.
Brittany J. Thurman is a picture book and middle grade author from Louisville, with an upcoming picture book release titled “Fly,” debuting on Jan. 11. “Fly” follows 5 year old Africa who dreams of competing in double Dutch. I spoke with Thurman about the creation of “Fly” and being a Black writer. Here’s the short…
14 Art Exhibits To See In Louisville This January
A gallery roundup of art shows to see in Louisville this month. Note: This list is a selection of current exhibitions. “WHAT LIES BENEATH” Through March Group show that’s part of the Louisville Photo Biennial. “STILL, LIFE! MOURNING, MEANING, MENDING” Through December 2022 The show focuses on dealing with loss during the pandemic. 21c Louisville…
Exclusive Q&A: What Mayor Fischer Has Planned For His Final Term
Mayor Greg Fischer’s more-than-a-decade run as head of Louisville’s government has basically broken into two parts: before 2020, and after. In the before 2020 years, Fischer’s business deals, “compassionate city” catch phrase and consistent visibility made him extremely popular — in 2018, he won the Democratic primary with 74.7% of the vote. But, during 2020…
From Marijuana To Abortion: What To Expect From The Kentucky Legislature On The Issues You Care About
As the 2022 legislative session gets underway in Frankfort on Jan. 4, passing plans for redistricting and the state’s first two-year budget since the pandemic will be top priorities. The way the redistricting map for Kentucky’s House of Representatives was developed — behind closed doors by Republicans and released last Thursday, a state holiday just…
