If you missed First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit, go read Joe Gerth’s article about what she had to say. [C-J/AKN]

Yes, animal abuse laws in Kentucky need more bite. But this is Kentucky. You know how things work. State Government works hard to cover up illegal cockfighting rings that exist within state government. So it’s no surprise. [WKYT]

Here comes the local television “news” love fest of the new police chief. We hope it’s worth it. [WHAS11]

Take a look at all the comments from LMPD officers and their reactions to Steve Conrad’s selection as chief. [More]

What? The Koch Family and the fair board didn’t offer specifics about funding? You don’t say. [FOX41]

We mentioned this on Page One yesterday but Procter & Gamble is nixing thousands of jobs, which will hurt Northern Kentucky. [Business First]

So no one pays attention to school buses loaded down with kids in Louisville, right? That’s why there’s a new JCPS bus accident every other day? [WAVE3]

David Hawpe wrote an op-ed about how “ramrodding” the University of Pikeville plan is a bad move for Kentucky. That’ll anger Greg Stumbo’s ego a bit. [H-L]

No, WLKY, your headline is not accurate. Proposal To Allow Voters To Decide On Gambling Defeated – it wasn’t a proposal to allow voters to decide on gambling. It was a proposal to allow voters to decide on slots with a constitutionally guaranteed tie to a single industry. It wasn’t gambling in general. [WLKY]

This mild winter brings welcome respite and mixed blessings. Go listen to / read this story. [WFPL]

A Louisville Metro Police officer’s badge may have saved his life, literally. It happened as officers responded to a home invasion call in the Churchill Downs area around 1 a.m. Friday morning. [84WHAS]

Steve Conrad is setting high goals for LMPD. How will he play out? [WFPL]

Yesterday we detailed a long-held effort in Frankfort to cover up and protect cockfighting and other animal abuse outrages. There’s even a video production company operated by a state employee – who has, at least in the past, used state resources to promote cockfighting. [Page One]

Louisville-area media have been freaking out over the possibility of a new Amazon distribution facility being built in Jeffersonville, Indiana. There’s still no confirmation. [FOX41]

The Kentucky Waterways Alliance will host the Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour in Louisville on Saturday, March 3 from 8:30 to 11:00 P.M. at the Clifton Center. [KWA]

Yes, that’s the sound of Greg Fischer trying to give Cordish Cos another $850,000 (!!!) to lure a new tenant. Nearly a million bucks to lure a tenant! To those folks! [Dan Klepal]

Really? Gonna be pissed that Steve Conrad was hired just because he wasn’t black? Maybe these individuals should be more pissed that he received the endorsement of Robert White, someone who did, you know, next to nothing. If anything, Sanders should have gotten the top spot. [WAVE3]

What does it say about your city when another movie theater is necessary – and this time inside a mall? [Business First]

More than 70 frustrated southwest Jefferson County residents gathered Monday speaking out against coal ash from LG&E. [WHAS11]

Here’s what David James had to say about the hiring of a new police chief: “Recognizing that public safety is the number one responsibility of Metro Government, I’m very excited to work with our new Chief, Steve Conrad. I encourage him to establish strong ties in our community with neighborhood leaders and to focus on community oriented policing to further decrease crime and increase public involvement.” [Press Release]

The TSA set up its first full-body scanner at Louisville International Airport and it doesn’t look like anyone is foaming at the mouth about it. Somebody call Rand Paul. [WLKY]

Surely everyone is watching the gambling bill drown in Frankfort today. Again. For the millionth year in a row. [84WHAS]

Every day there’s another story about people freaking out over the Sherman Minton. Here’s your story for today about lane closures. [WHAS11]

Oh, look, here’s a cute op-end in A Kentucky Newspaper from Steve Beshear about how Kentuckians deserve to vote on gambling. They do. They just don’t want to vote on whether or not the horsey set gets constitutional rights to ownership. [C-J/AKN]

Now we’re back to “no confirmation” that Amazon is opening a distribution facility in Jeffersonville. [FOX41]

Need another reason to think that mortgage fraud “settlement” was an absolute joke? This audit uncovered extensive flaws in foreclosures. [NYT]

State Rep. Joni Jenkins has fought for years to strengthen animal cruelty laws and the legislature just rolls its eyes. Here’s hoping State Rep. Ron Crimm has success with his latest legislation, as he’s also been in the fight (trying to do the right thing) for several years. [WAVE3]

Now the State Fair Board’s Harold Workman says he is “very confident” that Kentucky Kingdom will reopen in 2013. Remember the story we ran last week? If not, you’ll probably want to read it. You’ll learn why Workman is talking out of his rear end with your tax dollars. [WFPL]

The Louisville Regional Airport Authority approved $140.5 million in capital projects. [Business First]

Are you ready for more of this ridiculous David Camm mess? Because it’s about to be on the teevee news non-stop. [WLKY]

Kentucky’s Medicaid contractors say they’re beginning to pay claims faster. [H-L]

MSD is teaming up with the 9th District Green Triangle Initiative, 15Thousand Farmers and Sustainable Clifton to educate the public on the benefits of rain barrels and downspout disconnection, as well as improve the water quality in the community. If you’re a local, go to the meeting on the 21st. 6:00 P.M. Clifton Center. 2117 Payne St. [Tina Ward-Pugh]

Once again, this is why Greg Fischer wanted to be mayor. For the socialite photo opportunities. In the “newspaper” that will run an op-ed this week about how the GOP “must convince young people it’s the party of options.” [V-T]

So now the news of Amazon building a massive distribution center in Jeffersonville is more than speculation? [FOX41]

What? The Democratic co-sponsor of the gambling bill is employed by a horse track co-owner? You don’t say. And that’s why the gambling bill is dead in the water as it currently exists. R.J. Palmer is just the latest kink in the chain. [John Cheves]

No, this Democratic teabagger girl is not going to beat Reggie Meeks. So please stop asking about it. [WFPL]

We don’t love much about Madonna Flood but her “Doing Our Part from the Heart” campaign is something we can all appreciate and support. Note: we didn’t publish the photos she sent this year because they were filled with nothing but products that are basically the reason America is fat as a house. But that doesn’t mean her project isn’t terrific. [WLKY]

Greg Fischer first found out what Pecha Kucha is more than a year ago at 21C. The same night he broke a sweat when he realized he would have to speak to Jake if he wanted to get near Gill Holland and other community leaders. So he just sat on a couch by himself for 45 minutes. Oh, about Pecha Kucha… turns out he’s now having his own little funtimes party with a cash bar in Metro Hall on the 21st. You can come to your own conclusions. [Consuming Louisville]

What? Now Bowman Field may be keeping all those trees? Funny how that worked out. [WHAS11]

This has little to do with Louisville but a Johnny Cash museum is planned for Nashville. Which gives you more reason to visit a town that’s both smaller than Louisville and with better leadership. [Business First]

Jerry Abramson’s (remember him?) former Housing Director is set to go on trial in May. We predict the mainstream will protect her superiors at all costs. [WAVE3]

Speaking of the mainstream ignoring a massive scandal… don’t forget that a massive state government audit revealed all kinds of corruption, millions of wasted dollars and basically no direction in the Beshear Administration. It was quickly covered up (literally 30 minutes after it was release) by a press conference about gambling. [Page One]

Click here to read all about the gambling amendment.

Yeah, nothing to see here.

The payout will allegedly help the city’s looming budgetary nightmare. But is that it? [WFPL]

Woah, the Fraternal Order of Police doesn’t plan to endorse a candidate for LMPD chief. It’s a shame the officers of our city’s police department aren’t ever consulted before a new leader is selected. [FOX41]

Remember when that Corvette flipped on 71 a while back and the press said the crash maybe involved alcohol? We hear the crash occurred while LMPD was in pursuit. [Things We Hear]

We were saddened to learn of the death of Bernie Trager. Foibles and differences aside, he was as nice a guy as Owsley and taught everyone who knew him a great deal about business. [H-L]

What was that, again, about the horse industry not being deeply involved with casino gambling? [Business First]

Thunder Over Louisville’s 2012 theme is set to be announced today. Will it be as gay as the time all that Judy Garland junk was played and rainbow fireworks lit up the bridge? [WHAS11]

Just a reminder that Jerry Abramson is “in charge” of tax reform in Kentucky. So comprehensive tax reform still won’t occur in the Commonwealth. [Ryan Alessi]

Indiana’s new Right to Work law is sparking concern among local unions. Maybe they wouldn’t have anything to worry about it if they hadn’t played pat-a-cake with the most corrupt elected officials in history for years and years. [WAVE3]

The editorial board seems absolutely baffled that Democrats would do stupid things and cast stupid votes. [C-J/AKN]

January wasn’t such a terrible month for the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it came to tax receipts. [Page One]

Protesters went insane when the circus came to town. Funny, you never hear PETA complaining about animal shelters – not just Louisville’s – killing thousands of animals every five seconds. Why? PETA supports euthanasia. It’s a hot, nasty mess. [WLKY]

The state audit of your super-corrupt Metro Sewer District will come tomorrow and the typical MSD folks are already freaking out a little. The reality that MSD isn’t required to follow the auditor’s advice – and notes such – should open your eyes a great deal. [More WFPL]

Kentucky musician Ben Sollee was featured on CNN. Check this video out. It’ll autoplay. [CNN]

Here’s Greg Fischer discussing the five finalists for chief of police. [WAVE3]

Aww, it’s cute that Damon Thayer is still freaking out over his client list. Even more cute that he’s still pretending he has zero conflict of interest. Absolutely, 100% no appearance of impropriety on his part, he says. [Page One Here & Here]

It might snow. A little bit. Maybe. So rush to Kroger and buy up all the bread and milk just in case. You’ll see every meemaw in town there still in curlers. Maybe even in housecoats. [FOX41]

Once again, Tina Ward-Pugh fails to make her argument because she just gets bent out of shape. Sidewalks on Brownsboro Road aren’t just about the disabled. They’re about an entire neighborhood being able to walk around their neighborhood without getting run over by some fat guy named Bob in his soon-to-be-repossessed car. [C-J/AKN]

Yet another example of local media half-assing a story and reporting absolute bogus information about the Brownsboro Road sidewalk mess. [WLKY]

42 employees of your local newspaper – yes, 42 – have been offered buyouts by the Gannett beast. [Business First]

When will Old Dirty Judy start repaying that $130,000 she’s cost the taxpayers of Louisville? [WHAS11]

Whaaaat? Greg Fischer taking part in yet another socialite photoshoot? Surely not. [V-T]

For all of you folks who say racism doesn’t exist amongst the gays? Think again. [WFPL]

You wouldn’t believe the amount of hateful telephone calls we received over our story about Kentucky Kingdom and Holiday World. [The 'Ville Voice]

The U.S. Conference of Mayors quietly led efforts to coordinate responses to protests. Oh, what? You’re shocked that Greg had something to do with that? [HuffPo]

Just in case you need a reason to roll your eyes even harder about that potential merger? Read this Louisville Water Company story. [WHAS11]

This is why Kentucky can’t have nice things. Corrupt Sylvia Lovely has convinced someone to hire her as a lobbyist. [Page One]

Do you think gambling will fail again this year, thanks to Steve Beshear? [H-L]

Unions in Louisville are unhappy with the way Greg Fischer is trying to “save” the city from overtime costs. He has no idea that all it takes is proper management and he wouldn’t be wasting umpteen millions of dollars per year. [FOX41]

You’re probably really excited about this MSD task force that started its work yesterday. [WFPL]

OH GOD WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE OF THE CROUP OR SOMETHING. Everybody freak out. Go to Kroger and buy up all the bread and milk just to be safe. [WAVE3]

If you’re considering a run for school board, don’t miss these shenanigans. Don’t allow a bait-and-switch to occur. [The 'Ville Voice]

You can bet Steve Imhoff did not enjoy having the public find out he was attempting a bait-and-switch. [C-J/AKN]

The 2012 Kentucky Derby Festival poster was released. Have you taken a look? [Business First]

Put down your coffee. Take a quick pee break. Then look at these photographs of Kevin Harned being…. um… just look. [Terry Meiners]

Will Allan Cowen be able to help the University of Louisville build its downtown presence or will his past behavior with the Fund for the Arts sour everything? $100,000 a year isn’t a bad salary for the school to shell out if he can make things happen. [WFPL]

Two Metro Police officers who saved the life of Erica Hughes have been awarded for their actions. [FOX41]

Doesn’t this story sound really familiar? About Chinese billionaires, J. Bruce Miller and the NBA? Wonder where it’s played out before? The NBA is not coming to Louisville any time soon, folks, so get over it. Beyond reading about it here first, it’s full-on reminiscent of the nightmare that played out in Lexington over the PeckerPointe tower. Some mysterious investors never materialized and then there were all kinds of excuses and a massive, empty green field in the middle of downtown. [C-J/AKN]

No one around here can understand why everyone is so bent out of shape over a contest in a magazine foodies don’t even read. And it’s for the south – a region Louisville certainly isn’t a part of. What does Louisville get if it wins? [Consuming Louisville]

And the wall came tumbling down? Moody’s put Louisville’s arena authority on a bond rating watch list. [WAVE3]

Economists are right. Casinos are not a cure-all for state budget nightmares. They’re just a bit of a needed boost. [Bluegrass Politics]

But here comes the gambling spin. It’ll save the day with its $1.7 billion alleged economic impact, right? [Business First]

At least Jefferson County Public Schools leads the nation in something. Could be worse than having the most hybrid buses. [WHAS11]

The State Senate judiciary committee is so afraid of opposition it refused to allow anyone with a bone to pick to speak during a three-hour hearing last week. That’s how money talks in Frankfort. [Page One]

Apparently the Holiday World folks don’t realize that the state still owes Ed Hart more than $4 million he spent trying to reopen Kentucky Kingdom. [WLKY]

Wondering why Greg Fischer gets away with nearly everything he bungles? Because 90% of people are likely as out-of-touch with reality as this individual who doesn’t think it’s a big deal to charge $20 to hear a mayor’s annual State of the City Address. [The 'Ville Voice]