A University of Louisville professor doesn’t believe rallies will end violence. Because guess what? They won’t. [FOX41]

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is not backing down on its promise to engage in the most aggressive campaign operation in its 100 year history, despite a recent court decision that would require disclosure of secret donors behind issue ads. [Politico]

Here’s a teevee story about the Ohio River Bridges Debacle allegedly creating thousands of jobs. No mention, of course, that those jobs will eventually land in Indiana and thousands of others will move there. [WAVE3]

Nope, no one turned out to vote. So few voted, in fact, that it is embarrassing to be a Kentuckian at the moment. [H-L]

WHAS11 spent an entire 11:00 P.M. segment last night on this lady sex book called “Fifty Shades of Grey” because it is apparently big, important news on election night. [WHAS11]

What’s that? You mean the Metro Sewer District wants to raise your rates another 6.5% and they waited until election day to hide that news? Surely not! [C-J/AKN]

Bullying is a real issue, sure, even on Facebook. But targeting online bullying isn’t going to stop the violence occurring in Louisville’s streets. [WLKY]

BRAVE PATRIOT Teabagger Birther Marilyn Parker is now essentially a Louisville Metro Council member. PEE ALERT. Let’s take this trip down the crazy lane. [The 'Ville Voice]

Despite Louisville’s attempts to build a healthy culture around biking through the addition of bicycle lanes across the city and promotion of events such as last week’s Bike to Work Day, Kentucky overall has been less bike friendly, according to a new study. [Business First]

What? Metro Parks needs work? You don’t say. Louisville has scored near the bottom on a new ranking of park systems in the nation’s 40 largest cities. The city came in 38th. [WFPL]

Why the hell did it take a judge to decide it was okay for a kid to wear a gay t-shirt? [WKYT]

The guy with the worst television commercials on earth – yes, worst than Darryl Isaacs – unfortunately had his store robbed. [FOX41]

Cultivating Fear: The Vulnerability of Immigrant Farmworkers in the US to Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. You should go read the 95-page report. [Human Rights Watch]

According to a new census released on Monday, more Louisville families are homeless than before. [WAVE3]

Curt Morrison, in another attempt to promote Amy Shoemaker, continued a mistruth about Morgan McGarvey. McGarvey may be a child of privilege and may be the establishment pick. But he’s most certainly not the reason Amy Shoemaker was originally bumped from speaking at that event – we explained that weeks ago. And insinuating that the McGarvey Family is racist? Maybe the eye roll-worthy Denise Harper Angel would be getting kicked out of office this year if Curt put half as much effort into actually campaigning as he does pushing misinformation like this about McGarvey. [Curt Morrison]

You know why Louisville can’t have nice things? Because people like this allegedly order their four-year-olds to stab people. [WHAS11]

Louisville was ranked No. 48 out of 50 markets in a recent health and fitness survey. Which shouldn’t come as a shock to at you all. [Business First]

A man shot his wife and then killed himself. Yet another compassionate event in Possibility City. [WLKY]

Soil testing in the yards of fifty homes bordering the former Black Leaf Chemical site in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood has revealed levels of carcinogens in all of them. And nine of those homes had even higher levels of contamination. [WFPL]

Been wondering what’s up with the Kentucky Retirement Systems lately? Here’s a taste of the latest shenanigans. [Page One]

Seven Jeffersonville businesses in the path of the proposed I-65 bridge are expected to move. [C-J/AKN]

Are you ready for this fancy Ben Sollee documentary? Get ready because it’s on its way. [Wooden Box]

For most people, there’s life despite the Kentucky Derby and a few reporters were bored out of their minds. In fact, many people in Louisville leave town every year just to avoid the mess. [FOX41]

The 138th running of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby races, and all the activities surrounding those events, brought plenty of attention to Louisville over the last few days. [Business First]

This disgusting woman who stole from her ill father can now have her ass handed to her by elder abuse legislation passed last year in Frankfort. [WAVE3]

Just what Churchill Downs needs right after the Kentucky Derby. A murder that makes international news. [Reuters & C-J/AKN]

Churchill Downs says the crowd for the Kentucky Derby topped 165,000 people and 112,000 showed up for Oaks. Wagering on Oaks totaled $35.9 million. [WHAS11]

You may want to find out if you have outstanding parking tickets so you don’t get the boot. [Click the Clicky]

Apparently a lot of celebrities came to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. Thank goodness the city looks clean once per year for a two week period. [WLKY]

The utility task force studying a potential collaboration between the Metropolitan Sewer District, Louisville Water Company and Metro Public Works is nearing the end of its work. Which basically means nothing. [WFPL]

Really? You’re still pretending your local Clear Channel station isn’t absolute right-wing hype? [84WHAS]

Kentucky’s efforts to overhaul its public education system are being put to their first test. [H-L]

Let’s just see how hard the entirety of local teevee people can freak out over the accused Southern Indiana serial killer. [FOX41]

Looks like the Gannett Beast was down for hours and hours. All Gannett papers were hit with yet more computer troubles. [Gannett Blog]

It’s tough for us to feel sorry for Jefferson County Public Schools as it cuts jobs. All while there are so many people working at the board of education making more than $100,000 per year. [WAVE3]

The caretaker of Churchill Downs’ track is preparing for his last Kentucky Derby. This is an interesting read. [H-L]

The Louisville home where Muhammad Ali grew up will get an historical marker in May. [WHAS11]

According to a report by The Herald Sun newspaper in Durham, N.C., officials with Louisville-based 21c are trying to negotiate incentives for a $45 million project there. [Business First]

Remember that guy who killed his girlfriend and her sister in December? A grand jury finally indicted him. [WKYT]

Banks are fighting to keep major mortgage reforms from becoming permanent. Specifically the big banks that Morgan McGarvey has profited from. [HuffPo]

Oh, look, WLKY finally discovered that giant statue of David sitting on Main Street. Glad they’ve caught up. [WLKY]

The 138th Kentucky Oaks will be run today at Churchill Downs. A field of 15 is entered for the fillies-only race. [WFPL]

Yesterday, Amy Shoemaker half-hit Morgan McGarvey for profiting from foreclosure cash. But only after he’d been called out publicly. Let’s not pretend it’s real political courage. And her other opponents are still missing in action. [Page One]

Many readers have had questions about leases these businesses sign with Cordish.

So we thought it’d be worthwhile to share a bit of the interesting tidbits we’ve found from a few leases businesses have shared with us:

Tenant shall not play or present any music within the Premises that is likely to have a detrimental affect on the Shopping Center, that is likely to create a perception that the Shopping Center is not safe for families and the general public, or that it is likely to attract organized “gangs”, as determined by Landlord in its sole discretion. Tenant shall not play or present any music within the Premises that can be heard outside the Premises. Tenant shall immediately comply with Landlord’s written directions concerning any music presented within the Premises. Thus if Landlord instructs Tenant to reduce the volume of the music played or presented within the Premises or cease playing or presenting a particular type of music within the Premises, Tenant shall immediately comply with such instructions.

-SNIP-

Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Minimum Rent in the sums set forth in … above and the Monthly Tax Charge, Monthly Common HVAC System Cost Charge, Monthly Common Area Maintenance Charge, Monthly Air Handling Unit Charge and any other monthly charges under this Lease in advance on the first day of each calendar month during the Term, without offset, notice, deduction, recoupment, setoff or demand therefor.

-SNIP-

WIthin twenty (20) days after the end of each calendar quarter during the Term, Tenant shall submit to Landlord a complete written statement showing the amount of Gross Sales from the Premises (and from such other business as may be required pursuant to Section 704 above) during said calendar quarter. If Tenant fails to timely deliver the statements required by this Section …, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a late charge in accordance with with Section …

-SNIP-

Landlord shall have the right to have an audit made of Tenant’s books and records pertaining to all Gross Sales. Tenant shall promptly pay Landlord any deficiency found in Tenant’s payment of Percentage Rent and any overpayment shall be promptly refunded or credited. If any statement required by Section … is found to differ by more than two percent (2%) from the audited amount, Tenant shall also pay for any and all costs and fees of such audit within fifteen (15) days after notice from Landlord, and if such audit proves such statements to be correct, or such statements collectively do not vary by more than two percent (2%) from the results of the audit, then the expenses of such audit shall be borne by Landlord.

-SNIP-

Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as Additional Rent, Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of all impositions of every kind and nature imposed by any federal, state, regional, municipal, local or other governmental authority or agency in connection with the ownership, operation or use of all or any portion of the Shopping Center (“Taxes”).

-SNIP-

The term “Common Area Maintenance Costs” means any and all costs and expenses of any kind incurred by Landlord in managing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, improving, operating and insuring the Common Areas, the Project, all improvements within the Shopping Center, without limitation, and an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Common Area Maintenance Costs as an administrative fee. Landlord shall amortize items that should be capitalized under its normal accounting principles and/or tax regulations.

The fear of “gangs” is what stood out the most for us. Strangely, there was no mention of the racial profiling that’s regularly used by “security” folks at 4th Street on the weekends to determine whether or not patrons are granted entrance.

And the fact that CAM charges are just glossed over with no specifics, of course.

Possibility City!

Turns out, those businesses are partly leaving because of Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees that get imposed on tenants without any warning. Often in amounts that are three or four times the amounts quoted by Cordish during lease negotiations.

One business leaving the strip this month was billed more than $50,000 in back CAM reconciliation fees. Two restaurant chains were hit in 2009 with back CAM fees reaching to 2003. When they asked questions and complained, they were threatened with legal action.

Seems to us, based upon the businesses we’ve spoken with, that Cordish makes a practice out of estimating low CAMs to lure tenants and then drops excessive charges on them. Bait and switch? It’s hard not to think so since hundreds of thousands of dollars get paid to Cordish from those fees for “management” and “services” each year.

Let’s take a look at just the 2009 fees:

• Cleaning $95,503.85
• Building Repairs & Maintenance $261,974
• Loading Dock $35,799
• HVAC $16,189.80
• Elevator & Escalator $35,419.36
• Security & Safety $281,412.12
• Trash Removal $4,291.39
• Control Center $84,762.97
• Utilities $184,856.84
• Mall Office Expenses $208,318.88
• Contracted Services $427,363.24
• Snow Removal $1,879.61
• Insurance $82,991.79
• For a total of $1,720.762.85
• 20% Administrative fees were charged: $344,152.57
• For a grand total of $2,064,915.42

We won’t even get into the 2007 and 2008 fees. (Though, you can see those after the jump>

Cordish tells tenants the large reconciliation is due to outdoor cooling.

It’s time for Adam Edelen to audit everything related to Cordish with Metro Government. Because Memphis was on to something. When Cordish tried to move to that city, the local business association banded together and sued both the city and Cordish. They eventually backed out of the deal over unfair business practices and such.

Possibility City!

View 2007 and 2008 fees after the jump…

2007

• Cleaning $211,777.10
• Building Repairs & Maintenance $109,273.49
• Loading Dock $19,054
• HVAC $12,304.22
• Elevator & Escalator $39,082.76
• Security & Safety $425,833.85
• Trash Removal $3,419.46
• Control Center $90,830.28
• Utilities $197,163,68
• Mall Office Expenses $239,658.12
• Management Fees $370,330.32
• Contracted Services $167,804.74
• Snow Removal $1,128.93
• Insurance $69,765
• Auto/Travel $17,253.15
• For a total of $1,974,679.10
• Plus 20% Administrative fees: $394,935.82
• Grand Total of $2,369,614.92

2008

• Cleaning $226,097.18
• Building Repairs & Maintenance $242,369.14
• Loading Dock $23,776
• HVAC $20,450.43
• Elevator & Escalator $35,651.18
• Security & Safety $382,194.42
• Trash Removal $3,822.18
• Control Center $71,592.04
• Utilities $194,597.78
• Mall Office Expenses $205,523.70
• Contracted Services $414,586.91
• Snow Removal $5,818.36
• Insurance $72,283.59
• For a total of $1,898,762.91
• Plus 20% Administrative fees: $379,752.58
• Grand Total of $2,278,515.49

You’ll probably want to read this story about the poorest county in America celebrating prom. Yes, it’s in Kentucky. [HuffPo]

Really, Greg? We’re going to keep talking about what a compassionate city Louisville is while people are murdered left and right? Doesn’t matter that they’re homeless or that they’re living in a homeless camp in Clifton. [WAVE3]

You’ll definitely want to read this story about how “Proud Appalachians” live without running water or power. [Daily Mail]

More problems for Greg Fischer’s Metro Public Works. Let’s just go ahead and assume this, too, will be swept under the rug. Possibility City! [WHAS11]

Tennessee proves it’s way more backwater than Kentucky. The governor there just signed a “saggy pants” bill. [WKYT]

Looks like that ugly ass clock is going to be moved downtown this weekend. Just in time for out-of-towners to gag themselves while looking at it. [C-J/AKN]

What was that, again, about pretending Louisville’s water is the best in the country? Seems the Water Company is constantly trying to beautify the problems with its system. From random dissolved solids spikes to freakish lead levels, it continues to happen. Only makes sense that the city would merge the LWC with MSD. Birds of a feather. [WFPL]

KFC was ordered to pay $8.3 million to an Australian family for salmonella poisoning. [HuffPo]

Police say the death of a woman found in her Eastern Louisville home is “odd.” [WLKY]

Here’s your chance to win a copy of The Kentucky Derby. It’s all about the Run for the Roses becoming America’s premier sporting event. [Page One]

The orchestra and its musicians plan to sign a full agreement this week. Will the cat fighting finally end? [FOX41]

The mainstream finally wrote about that crazy book from Karen Sypher. Rather, from that person who doesn’t exist about Karen Sypher. Her attorney now says it could have been written by someone who “served time” with her. How someone could get to know everything about the case, find a publisher and get the book edited and into the public hands since she’s been in custody, we have no idea. We guess magic is real. [C-J/AKN]

Here’s more of WAVE’s slow spiral back into the depths of right-wing hooplah and away from a focus on news. You knew it would only last a couple years, anyway. [WAVE3]

Some fancy Lady Republicans that Mitch McConnell said agree with him? Turns out they don’t agree with him. Not even remotely. [Page One]

What? Yet another suspect in the murder of that 15-year-old boy was released from prison early? Imagine that. [WHAS11]

Papa John’s purchased 56 franchised restaurants which means the company continues to grow. [Business First]

This latest Teddy Gordon bullying story was the only thing local television stations could talk about yesterday. It was literally discussed ten million times. [WLKY]

An annual air quality report shows Louisville is making progress. But pollution? It’s still a huge problem. [WFPL]

Yet another downtown business is closing up shop. Seems to be the trend lately. Unless the business is affiliated with Cordish. [Consuming Louisville]

Metro Government and Greg Fischer are waking up a tiny bit. Joe Riffe has been given more time off – until August 31 – to try to get back into life with his new leg. [Prosthetic Medic]

Really silly stuff.

Here’s a release from Dogwood, which, admittedly, is an annoying waste of time:

Environmental Group Barred from Sustainable Operations Summit at Request of Yum! Brands/KFC

Invitation Revoked and Attendance Fee Refunded for “Fear of Protest”

New York City – North Carolina based forest protection organization, Dogwood Alliance, was denied entry this morning to the Sustainable Operations Summit even though the group had been invited to attend by the conference organizers. It was soon discovered that the refusal of admittance came as a result of a request from Yum!Brands/KFC, whose Chief Sustainability Officer, Roger McClendon, is speaking on a panel at today’s conference.

Michael Owens, VP at CraigMichaels, Inc. and conference organizer, stated in an email to the group, “It has been brought to my attention that you are planning on protesting YUM Brands and Roger McClendon at the Sustainable Operations Summit. While I am all for free speech and I truly respect what you guys do, I cannot allow you attend the summit.” When pressed in a subsequent phone conversation he revealed that he was informed of planned protest by Yum! Brands/KFC.

The great irony is that the organization had no plans to protest KFC at the event. They were planning to attend so they could see the company’s) Chief Sustainability Officer’s presentation on a panel entitled “Environmental Strategy as Business Strategy.” Though the group has been attempting to meet with KFC to discuss the impact of its paper packaging on the forests of the Southern US for over two years now, KFC has yet to schedule a meeting with the group and this would have been the first time they ever had the opportunity to meet Roger face to face.

All right for the lack of an open dialogue happening on some of the most important issues facing society today.

Read the rest of the release after the jump…

“It seems that KFC’s environmental business strategy is to exclude environmental stakeholders in order to avoid addressing important environmental issues,” stated Andrew Goldberg, Corporate Engagement Director at Dogwood Alliance. “This kind of business strategy may be good for the bottomline but is disastrous for our climate and environment.”

The phantom fear of protest seems to be based on Dogwood Alliance’s campaign, “Kentucky Fried Forests,” which exposes how critical wetland and other important forests in the Southern US are being destroyed to make KFC’s fast food packaging, including the iconic bucket. The group has attempted to engage KFC asking them to reduce their overall use of packaging, increase the use of recycled paper, and stop buying paper packaging that comes from the worst of the worst practices in the woods.

Dogwood Alliance has a long and successful track record working with some of the largest paper producers and consumers in the US. Through a combination of grassroots pressure and negotiation Dogwood Alliance has catalyzed change at major companies including Staples, Office Depot, Georgia Pacific, and McDonalds, and helped shift market demand away from paper products produced at the expense of the long term health of Southern forests in favor of recycled paper and sustainable forestry.

“I hope that KFC and the Sustainable Operations Summit will learn a valuable lesson from this embarrassing situation and in the future acknowledge the real and urgent need to bring together environmental organizations and large corporations in a dialogue about the impact of their business practices on the environment,” continued Goldberg. “How can you expect to make headway on some of the greatest issues facing our generation if you deny leading critics and a dissenting view a seat at the table?”

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights last week publicly accepted three conciliation agreements in fair housing cases, including one in Madison County. [John Cheves]

400,000 plus people attended Thunder Over Louisville this year. While not a record, that’s still a shocking amount of human beings gathered in one place. [FOX41]

Once again, the Swift pig slaughtering plant was cited for odor violations. [C-J/AKN]

Wait, here’s a different station saying “more than 500,000 people” were at Waterfront Park during Thunder. [WAVE3]

Kentucky Retirement Systems is a state government agency you’re familiar with. You’re also familiar with the reality that one of Greg Fischer’s top guys – who is still embroiled in campaign finance scandals related to Fischer’s campaign and inauguration – is involved at KRS. Now you’re going to be familiar with the hundreds of millions the agency is losing while the folks flushing the cash away close up shop. [Page One]

Nope, here’s a different station saying it was “[m]ore than 400,000 people in downtown Louisville.” [WHAS11]

Birmingham, the city that almost went bankrupt and embarrassed the entire country, is comparing itself to Louisville. [Business First]

Here’s how the mainstream television outlets covered last week’s Ohio River Bridges Debacle news. [WLKY]

The Barnstable Brown Gala, the most important thing in Louisville ever, always has a million guests and raises a mountain of cash. Really, joking aside, it may be the most important thing in Louisville ever. [C-J/AKN]

A new exhibit a the Speed Museum previews expansion at the facility and unveils some great new art. [WFPL]