President Barack Obama on signing the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010: “Today, I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession. After a partisan minority used procedural tactics to block the authorization of this assistance three separate times over the past weeks, Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times. Now it’s time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses. Small businesses are the engine of job growth, and measures to cut their taxes and make lending available should not be held hostage to partisan tactics like those that unconscionably held up unemployment insurance.” [Press Release]

Blind Item: What do you do when you run a failed mayoral campaign? Why, ditch your spouse and then shack up with your campaign manager! [Oh, The Rumors!]

Greg Fischer unsuccessfully tried to tie Hal Heiner to teabagger Rand Paul. Hal Heiner successfully tied Greg Fischer to Jerry Abramson. And the A Kentucky Newspaper questioners asked nothing about the Ohio River Bridges nightmare. [WFPL]

Fairdale Bigfoot may be a gay. Or at least a partial gay. His fancy gardening tips involve dance music and shiny stuff. I think it’s time to call that homo aversion therapy joint trying to move into the Clifton neighborhood for help. [Consuming Louisville]

Sunergos, easily one of Louisville’s best coffee joints and roasters (Mike Safai is the reigning god, in my opinion), has opened a joint in the Beechmont neighborhood. Everyone I know in that neck of the woods is raving about it. [Broken Sidewalk]

Usually it’s dirty old men trying to get a look at your catfish when you’re showering at the gym. At Urban Active, however? It’s just bugs and worms. [Eric Flack]

A Louisville asshole has been arrested for animal torture. We can only hope that he’ll be tortured as punishment. And we’re left only to pray for the little dog, because we all know Metro Animal Services will probably let it die in filth. [FOX 41]

Remember the kid who was missing for five days? His mom says a pervert was essentially holding him captive. [WAVE3]

If you enjoy Kentucky’s State Park system, check out the special deals waiting for you this summer. [Page One]

Just a reminder that the JCPS board’s secret evaluation of Sheldon Berman will take place tomorrow. [WFPL]

Today First Lady Jane Beshear will re-launch Kentucky’s appliance rebate program with a kick-off speech at Louisville’s GE Appliance Park. [Press Release]

Sixteen jurors have finally been seated in the Pitino-Sypher sexytime extortion case. [H-L]

In yet another ridiculous interview, Daniel WATB Mongiardo is claiming he isn’t sure he “trusts” Jack Conway and therefore isn’t sure he can endorse him. Oh, and according to Conway and Mongiardo people – it was Lt. Dan himself who brought up the idea of someone else paying off HIS debt. There WAS an agreement and Jack Conway needs to admit it. He must think there weren’t people sitting behind him (my attorneys and four filmmakers) in that coffee shop with us. Both Daniel & Jack need to stop acting like pissy little girls. [A Kentucky Newspaper]

Last night, President Barack Obama nominated James Edward Clark to be U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Kentucky. [Press Release]

I’ve never understood how people could text and drive. Beginning January 1, 2011, that’ll be illegal. Too bad it’s only a $25 fine. [H-L]

Michelle Jones, noted America-Hater because she doesn’t like beer, has a story about Homebrewing Night at the Louisville Beer Store. It’s tonight from 6:00 P.M. to close. [Consuming Louisville]

Obviously, this website isn’t part of LMPD. But I know dozens of officers who read and comment there. Take a look at what they think about the latest news from Atlanta. [LMPD.com]

Looks like A Kentucky Newspaper is going to become even more cookie cutter and regurgitated. Hot. Maybe I’ll eventually have give in, now that we’ve got this news, to the C-J reporters begging me to link to their stories again. [WFPL]

Here you go:

Building or remodeling? Get on it.

kyGREENtv is still giving these internets a go. Doing a pretty good job, too. Just hope they stop using that 40-second intro for web video and make things mobile-friendly some day soon.

If you’re ever wondering why A Kentucky Newspaper treats the University of Louisville with kid gloves? Just remember those 14 seats the paper gets in the new arena. [Deep Thoughts]

Even Republicans think Daniel Mongiardo needs to grow up. His pity party is, you know, long over. [EITB]

Rand Paul really is flip-flopping on that underground electric fence. See what he had to say on his own campaign website about keeping the messicans out. [Page One]

You should read these essays from historians on America. [America.gov]

The Museum Plaza HUD loan will be discussed at a public hearing on Wednesday. You going? [WFPL]

Anyone watch the July 4th Afghanistan special on Fox 41? We missed it! We are un-American, so please let us know how it was. [The 'Ville Voice]

Michelle Jones is un-American and does not like beer. Please send her hate mail. And then go enjoy some Bell’s Hopslam ASAP. [Consuming Louisville]

Will this “stimulus” plan put together by major retailers lure you out to spend more of what you don’t have? Yes, there’s a local connection. [NY Times]

The first general election debate for mayor of Louisville may have been mostly a bore, but a stirring story behind the scenes was that event organizers barred independent candidate Jackie Green from the discussion and had Metro Police stop him from entering the building.

-SNIP-

“We know where Mr. Green stands on development, and it is strictly focused on the urban area and redevelopment,” says Tara Brinkmoeller, a spokeswoman for Home Builders. “We know that he doesn’t believe new development should occur. And knowing that he speaks directly against what we stand for, we didn’t feel it was a forum that would’ve been appropriate.”

Maybe I’m missing something, but wouldn’t you want someone who disagrees with you to take part in your event that’s allegedly for the good of the public?

Read the rest from Phillip Bailey.

Churchill Downs has – wait for it – released an iPhone app for the HullabaLOU festival. We’re biting our tongues re: this one. [This Link Loads iTunes]

Teabaggers in Southern Indiana just cold got into a fight when Joe Biden came to town. [Fox41]

Car-Free Happy Hour is today at Dragon King’s Daughter. 5:30 – 8:00 P.M. [Broken Sidewalk]

The Iron Quarter properties were officially declared landmarks last night. [WAVE3]

Why didn’t Joe Biden call anybody in Louisville a smartass? What a let down. [Wonkette]

Rand Paul attended the Christian Home Schoolers Conference on Friday. Surprisingly, the Democrats didn’t send a tracker or staffer to listen to what he said. But we sent a videographer who captured some quite interesting comments. [Page One]

Seen Anchorman? Then you know what’s attracting bears to the Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Park. Where is Doug Hawkins? He needs to protect us all. [H-L]

The anniversary of the double murder of Sylvia Habich and Rita Carrico leaves questions. Watch this and do your part – especially if you aren’t keen on local news outlets. [WHAS11]

For whatever reason, Greg Fischer is still trying to hide his campaign finance expenditures from the general public. But you can see the highlights on this very website. [The 'Ville Voice]

$3 tolls each way? You betcha. [News & Tribune]

Vice President Joe Biden will join Rep. John Yarmuth in Louisville today at GE Appliance Park to discuss the Recovery Act. Todd Lally will inevitably act as if Yarmuth is running scared. [Press Release]

Want to know why some Democratic campaign staffers and advisers should have lost their jobs weeks ago? Jack Conway won’t be showing up for Joe Biden’s visit today. His campaign refused to say what his “scheduling conflict” is. And when there’s a legit scheduling conflict, there’s never a refusal like that. [Fox41 & Politico]

Hal Heiner will open his Southwestern Louisville campaign headquarters on July 1 at 5:00 P.M. Voters are encouraged to stop by for refreshments and conversation. 10648 Dixie Highway. [Email Blast]

Million-year-old (okay, 92) Senator Robert Byrd passed away. [NY Times, WaPo, Charleston Daily Mail, CBS, Politico]

This evening the Landmarks Commission will consider a request to preserve historic Whiskey Row downtown. [WFPL]

Todd Lally plans to protest Joe Biden’s appearance at a fundraiser for Baron Hill. Because that’s obviously what will move the 3rd District forward. [WHAS11]

Questions remain about the latest Kentucky League of Cities firing. [Page One]

Apparently Michelle hasn’t noticed our obsession with Nuts N Stuff. No, no pun intended. Because now she loves Nuts N Stuff, too. [Consuming Louisville]

Seeing this scaled architectural model of Downtown Louisville is always enjoyable for folks who love the city. But the video of Museum Plaza is a trip down memory lane, kinda. [Broken Sidewalk]

Wild & Woolly will celebrate its 13th anniversary on Friday. [Buy Tickets!]

Dear Paulbots: Ask for permission before you use my footage. [Page One]

What is it with the Jefferson County Board of Education and secrecy? Goodness gracious. Holding interviews of potential new school board members in PRIVATE? Really? [A Kentucky Newspaper]

After Todd Lally pops a vein over this, he’s going to yell at LEO really hard. He may even post comments on their website because why not? [FatLip]

Henry Humphrey, paster at Shiloh Baptist Church, swindled $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Services. [A Kentucky Newspaper]

Wendell Berry is pulling is personal papers from the University of Kentucky in protest of Wildcat Coal Lodge. [H-L]

It’s hot as balls outside. Hot enough to kill people. So Jerry Abramson threw $5,000 at the problem. [WLKY]

Buying a car? Beware. Auto dealers won an exemption from the mean old Obama Administration. [HuffPo]