Well, it was on the front page (technically a thick special section that’s traditionally featured the day after Derby):

But the front page section was buried waaaay down in the paper and this cover of the business section was front and center with this story:

While their allegations may be true, it’s a great way to taint a very prominent Kentucky brand (and every other high-end bourbon) with visitors. Especially with a story like that – above the fold – that includes next to no specifics until you turn the page. At a time when Kentucky’s bourbon industry is working hard to get a hold on national and international markets, no less, to help our miserable economy.

Couldn’t that story have waited a few days? Sure, Maker’s Mark probably needs to get its shiz together when it comes to treating women equally but jesus h.

Note: Downs wrote a similarly damaging story during the JBS Swift-Butchertown lawsuit mess (here & here) where she wrongly claimed/insinuated the wife of an attorney had something to do with a story – which ended up putting the wife’s job in jeopardy. All because a few prominent union members sold her a bill of goods. So take her angle with a grain of salt.

We’re fans of 21C but that thing is both gigantic and hideous. It’ll be defaced in 3, 2… [C-J/AKN]

What was that, again, about people in Southern Indiana being 100% supporting of the Ohio River Bridges Debacle? [The Beer Man]

This Fairdale man dragged and tortured a dog to death. So it’s probably time for him to be hitched to the back of a truck and dragged for a few miles. Eye for an eye, right? Isn’t that how people are operating these days? [FOX41]

The best cities in America for women to live? Don’t worry, Louisville isn’t one of them. [HuffPo]

Po-leece in Nawbny have asked the FBI to help with that massive murder investigation going on. [WAVE3]

With all of the press about Wild Turkey launching a television campaign, you’d think it was the best bourbon on earth. [Business First]

Weird. Now WHAS11 is admitting it runs stories based on press releases…? This one is about Nawbny police saying Gibson fits the definition of a serial killer. Southern Indiana has its ver own serial killer. Sunny Side! [WHAS11]

Most Kentuckians think childhood obesity is a problem in the state. So why won’t anyone try to prevent it? [H-L]

Prosecutors have charged that the mayor of a small southern Indiana city tampered with absentee ballots during last year’s primary campaign. [WLKY]

Whattya know about that? A new poll shows that Kentuckians support universal health care. Funny how that works. [WFPL]

Have you see the folks running in the 4th District Congressional race? The teabagger guy not only kind of looks like Greg Fischer but his campaign narrative mirrors Fischer’s like woah. [Page One]

Here comes the second wave of negative press for the Beshear-Fischer folks as Jim Host and crew look foolish over the Grease Bucket’s poor performance. [H-L]

Now the State Fair Board is “evaluating” its role with the Grease Bucket. All because Ron Carmicle and Jim Host promised way more than they could deliver. As usual. And egg is all over the place. [WAVE3]

If you elect not to live in the Lieutenant Governor’s housing provided, you shouldn’t get to pocket $30,000. [WKYT]

The Kentucky Supreme Court has upheld the state’s prevailing wage law and says the statute does not violate either the state or federal constitutions. [FOX41]

In case you missed it, here’s a look at Jerry Abrmason’s assistant promoting homophobia. [Page One]

It’s been a year since Rubbertown exploded. What’s changed in Louisville? [WLKY]

If the only thing Eastern High School has to worry about is students eating pot brownies? Then they’ve got a really terrific school with nearly perfect kids. [WHAS11]

Here’s a story about Eastern High School students getting a taste of entrepreneurship with a student-run coffee shop. Which says to us, “Hey, make pot brownies like in 90% of the world’s coffee shops.” Ha. [Business First]

Do you need a reason to complain about genetically-modified corn? It’s nearly unavoidable in bourbon. [WFPL]

Hahaha, Greg Fischer and crew are determined to snow everyone into thinking he’s some great person for showing up at the Fairdale Library opening. Unfortunately for them, not everyone is gullible. [Consuming Louisville]

While typically silly for Yarmuth to be a lobbying the press instead of legislating, we can 100% get behind this. So can you. Because you know you are having a chuglet or two of Maker’s 46 right now.

Here’s some of John’s “interview” about bourbon in the Washington Post:

EK: So what’s your favorite kind of bourbon?

JY: That would be political suicide. [Laughs.]

EK: Then how about this: Which bourbons are currently in your office?

JY: Right now, we have Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve and Elijah Craig.

Your fears can be put aside. John drinks decent bourbon.

We love us some Proof and 21C but let’s not pretend that proof is the best place to eat in all of Louisville. [Zagat]

Gregory O’Bryan, the guy accused of killing Andrew Compton, is due in court for a pre-trial hearing today at 8:45 A.M. [What Happened To Andrew?]

Wow. We thought the mainstream could do better than a whitewash when it came to Bud Shart… Schardein. But, uh, nope, obviously not. Wow wow wow. [C-J/AKN]

This is also how the story is being told on local television stations. Three sentences that mentions nothing of the scandal, nothing of that $200,000 bonus for being corrupt, nothing of the problems the city faces. Wow. [WAVE3]

Oh, wait, here’s a four sentence story about Schardein’s “retirement” from the Metro Sewer District. [WLKY]

Fortunately, there are a few media outlets in Louisville that won’t let the city forget what really went down with that scandal. [WFPL]

Do America’s infrastructure problems go beyond crumbling roads and bridges? [HuffPo]

On a scale of 1 to Greg Fischer on the day he gets to leave office, how excited are you that Time Warner has been given the go-ahead to purchase Insight Communications? [FOX41]

Publisher of A Kentucky Newspaper, Arnold Garson, is retiring on March 2. You knew this was just a temporary dumping ground for him. Did he even bother putting Kentucky plates on his vehicle? [Deep Newspaper Thoughts]

The head of Metro Parks got to drive drunk in a city vehicle and still kept his job. So why should we expect little issues involving metal detectors to be resolved with ease? That department is at least as screwed up as Metro Animal Services. [WHAS11]

There was a giant drug bust in Jack Conway’s backyard this week, right as he started talking again about how he’s cut off the pill supply from Florida. [Page One]

The Bourbon Women Association is apparently a thing and it has some sort of $25 event series coming up. It’s bourbon, so we obviously had to mention it. [Business First]

There’s a ton of Democratic infighting over redistricting in Frankfort and Jefferson County is at the center of it all. [Page One]

Everybody still freaking out over the tornadoes yesterday? While not rare for January in the region, they’re still not what you expect. And 60 degrees, even. [FOX41]

Yesterday, former prosecutor Carol Cobb filed to run for Commonwealth’s Attorney in Jefferson County. [Press Release]

Let’s see how many friends of Brent McKim can file motions in support of the Jefferson County Public Schools student assignment plan. [WAVE3]

We just woke up from a day-long seizure caused by laughter over the MSD board voting on a new ethics policy. Meanwhile, Greg Fischer is trying to merge MSD with the Water Company while pushing for privatization and no one is batting an eyelash. [WFPL]

Really, how long can this JCPS-busing fight go on? People will literally go insane trying to wait until April 18 when the case is before the Kentucky Supreme Court. [WHAS11]

If Greg Fischer and Steve Beshear really had a grasp on Kentucky’s economic situation like, say, Indiana’s controversial governor, wouldn’t they be on a plane chasing down UPS executives to try to get those jobs moved to Louisville? [Business First]

Tom Owen, Tina Ward-Pugh and Brent Ackerson will host a meeting tomorrow night to discuss concerns over the “Bowman Field tree situation.” 7:30 P.M. at the Douglass Community Center gym, 2305 Douglass Boulevard. [Press Release]

Since weather in Louisville is hardcore news (we’ll contain our indifference for the moment)? Go look at this footage of storm damage. Please note that a video will autoplay and you’ll be subjected to an ad. [WLKY]

Don’t forget that bourbon legend Joy Perrine was on a fancy drinking show and you should watch it. [The 'Ville Voice]

Nothing will make you more proud to be a Kentuckian than having some of her magic at Jack’s Lounge or Equus in Louisville.

So take a look at the latest show, filmed in part in Louisville:

Kentucky Proud!

Louisville’s Metro Sewer District has severed ties with its board attorney, Larry Zielke, after hundreds of millions of years. Only because of a scandalous audit. And everything will continue getting swept under the rug. [C-J/AKN]

One of your area legislators says Frankfort can have a nice session this year. We’ll believe it when we see it. [Page One]

Metro Parks is hosting a public meeting on the 17th to discuss plans for A.B. Sawyer Park. 7:00-8:30 P.M. at Lyndon City Hall, 515 Wood Road. [Park Planning]

At least one mainstream media outlet is remembering that Steve Beshear has only recently – as in, the past two weeks – been interested in tax reform. They’re even remembering that David Williams called for a tax reform commission more than a year ago. [WFPL]

How excited are you that Greg Fischer will deliver his second State of the City address on the 12th at Downtown Rotary? [Deep Mayoral Thoughts]

Papaw Beshear wisely rejected the University of Louisville Hospital merger request. Again. [WHAS11]

Really, it’s just silly for counties like Jefferson and Fayette to be forced to have constables. This is just another reason why. At least this guy didn’t shoot a woman. [H-L]

Remember that time Louisville had a bridge disaster and no one could get anywhere at all, ever, forever and ever? [FOX41]

Greg Fischer is going to Michigan today to meet with Ford. For what reason, he doesn’t know. Meanwhile, his folks continue to buy and sell metro government. [The 'Ville Voice Here & Here]

Changes to the Jefferson County Public Schools student assignment plan have been approved. [WAVE3]

The Kentucky Derby Museum is hosting an Urban Bourbon exhibit. We hope it’s not just some advertising stunt for some bad bourbon that’s overhyped when there’s tons of great products in the Commonwealth. [Business First]

JCPS board folks decided to approve merit pay at four failing schools in hopes of making improvements. [WLKY]

The New York Times knows what’s important and this Christmas it was focused on Kentucky bourbon. Though, don’t go ruining it with things like apple brandy or a cinnamon stick, wtf. Glad to see Maker’s 46 getting some mainstream attention. [NYT]

NuLu is getting some major love from an EPA grant and will receive a neighborhood design consultation. [Press Release]

A whopping 16 people have applied to take Robert White’s position as chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department. [FOX41]

The Associated Press piece about the applicants is apparently such a big deal that it was also published in the Herald-Leader. [H-L]

We’re still shocked that no one tried to shine green lasers at Santa Claus over the weekend. [C-J/AKN]

Merry Christmas! Someone got killed in Old Louisville over night. Great way for their family to round out the holidays. [WAVE3]

The Humana Foundation gave $200,000 to eight Louisville nonprofit organizations. Center for Women and Families, Coalition for the Homeless, ElderServe, The Healing Place, St. John Center, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Volunteers of America, Wellspring. [Business First]

Louisville on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is a lot like Any Small Town, USA on Friday at 5:00 P.M. Everything is closed and the world nearly comes to an end. [Consuming Louisville]

Don’t forget that not everyone has it as good as you. Around 600 meals were served at the Salvation Army Center of Hope on Christmas. [WHAS11]

Jim Ramsey’s massive pay raise – from $478,939 to $600,000 – just his base pay – got comfortably hidden in a Friday afternoon news dump. [WLKY]

Our phones exploded all weekend with calls about the Metro Sewer District and Gerald Neal. We had no idea how widespread the corruption was or how badly people were pissed. [Page One]

Despite a petition from the president of the Louisville Metro Council, the city is still pursuing its lawsuit against the LIFE Institute. [WFPL]

Will the new board members at Kentucky Farm Bureau continue the organization’s history of being ignorant and homophobic or have the times changed? [H-L]

You know you shed a tear when Sexytime Herman Cain suspended his presidential campaign so he has more time for sexytime. [HuffPo]

A date has been set for the Kentucky Supreme Court to hear the Jefferson County Public Schools student assignment case. [FOX41]

You can save 10% if you do some holiday shopping at the Frazier Museum during your lunch hour. You can also just skip a few hours of work and tour the place. [Consuming Louisville]

A pretty white girl is still missing and the media cannot stop talking about it. A young gay boy’s body has never been recovered and we’ll never hear another thing about it. Countless non-white people go missing every day and we also never hear about that. [WAVE3]

Heaven Hill lost 6,400 gallons of its alcohol this weekend. Losing that much bourbon is enough to cause any bourbon lover to have a heart attack. [Business First]

Greg Fischer is set to name the new interim chief of police this week. [WHAS11]

And the officers who frequent LMPD.com are none too happy with the way things are being handled. We can’t blame them in the least, as they’ve largely been shut out and their voices haven’t been heard by Fischer. [LMPD.com & More LMPD.com]

The families of 1996 murder victim Tyrone Camp and accused killer Kerry Porter united for a vigil Saturday night to call for Porter’s release on a wrongful conviction, and to continue the search for the real killer. [WLKY]

According to a new report, youth asthma hospitalizations continue to rise in Jefferson County. And we continue to pollute like crazy. [WFPL]

How shocked are you that the editorial board is shilling – again – for merger, which everybody knows has been a failure? Are you even less shocked that they’re personally attacking Darryl Owens? [C-J/AKN]

Turns out that Oklahoma’s meth registry doesn’t work. Funny how Frankfort won’t bother dealing with the truth. [Page One]