Greater Louisville Inc.’s big dog is leaving for St. Louis. This means someone else will come in to suck down hundreds of thousands of dollars for bringing more of the same. [WFPL]

Anyone who thinks Steve Beshear won’t approve the University of Louisville Hospital merger because the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression says not to is disconnected from the world. [C-J/AKN]

Wonder where the Herald-Leader got its idea for a story about the crazy Hart County superintendent and his creationism fantasies? [H-L]

Rand Paul has absolutely no idea that he was elected by Kentuckians – including Democrats – and he’s not about to learn any time soon. [Page One]

Jefferson County Public Schools is STILL spending your tax dollars to discuss student assignment plans. [FOX41]

Tina Ward-Pugh took time out of her day of ignoring Metro Animal Services (Hi, Tina!) to get a bike rack installed on Frankfort Avenue. It’s a good thing but she deserves to be called out for ignoring LMAS/serving as an apologist. [Broken Sidewalk]

Just a reminder that Kelly Downard has the guts to stand up. He’s also not an apologist and isn’t afraid to do the job taxpayers pay him to do. Regardless of partisanship. [The 'Ville Voice]

Jerry Abramson finally got another job doing nothing. At least Louisville got rid of him, right? [WAVE3]

Indianapolis wants to fund a rail and expanded bus system. Read that again and again. Indianapolis, not Louisville. [Business First]

MSD paid an $8,000 fine to the Army Corps of Engineers and WHAS11 refuses to take the MSD talking point that it’s not a fine, thankfully. [WHAS11]

Jim King was forced to pretend he’s a fan of Joe Reagan yesterday: “Louisville is losing a true business leader. Joe Reagan is a dedicated professional who was instrumental in helping us through the businesses side of merged government. Working with state and local leaders, he and GLI have helped secure a solid future with Ford, GE and the rebirth of Downtown with the YUM Center. I wish Joe and his family success in St. Louis and look forward to working with GLI to continue the momentum Louisville is beginning to see in its economic recovery. “ [Press Release]

Aww, how sad. Greater Clark County Schools won’t renew Stephen Daeschner’s contract. The man who wreaked havoc in Louisville won’t get his sweet payday after all. [C-J/AKN]

Seems like there are a lot of commonalities between Louisville’s Metro Sewer District and the Kentucky Retirement Systems. And a whole lot of corrupt financial shenanigans. [The 'Ville Voice]

Don’t worry, there’s nothing to see here with the “resignation” of this social services commissioner in Frankfort. [H-L]

You can’t even go to the Bashford Manor Walmart without getting robbed at gunpoint and kidnapped these days. [FOX41]

North End Cafe has finally opened its Highlands restaurant in the old Club Grotto location on Bardstown Road. [Consuming Louisville]

Robert White’s going away party brought out plenty of memories and emotion. All of the people there were holding back their true feelings, though. All you have to do is look to the rank and file of LMPD to find out how people feel about the man. [WAVE3]

Kentucky is among the ten least health states in the country. Which obviously comes as no shock to anyone living in the Commonwealth. [Business First]

This crazy guy downtown has given new meaning to beating a dead… er… fiberglass horse. [WHAS11]

It’s a real shame Louisville doesn’t have a light rail plan that could bring the city into at least the 20th Century. Here’s a look at what could have been. [Broken Sidewalk]

Now Greater Clark County Schools are on the hunt for a new superintendent. Maybe this time they’ll find someone who isn’t overpaid and all hype. [WLKY]

Kentucky really does need to consider a tax-free weekend each year for school and educational-related purchases. It’d be a boon for Kentucky businesses and a much-needed bit of relief for the average taxpayer. [Page One]

Kentucky State Parks offer tons of New Year’s Eve fun and you should make note of what’s available in your own back yard. [Page One]

Congressman John Yarmuth’s press secretary, Trey Pollard, is leaving the job on Thursday to become the deputy press secretary for the Sierra Club. Stephen George becomes the new spokesperson. [Press Releases]

Ishmon Burks was named interim chief of police yesterday. [Press Release]

The editorial board wants you to call 311 if you know anything about the missing scales of justice. We want you to call 311 if you find Greg Fischer’s balls. [C-J/AKN]

Sexytime Herman Cain’s sexytime lady is sharing creepy new details about their creepy sexytimes. To think this all started in Louisville. [HuffPo]

Really? A rally is being held for Stephen Daeschner in Southern Indiana? What kind of jacked up are people in Indiana to believe the man is worth the mountain of cash they’re paying him? Wow. [FOX41]

Seriously – this is the equivalent of Sheldon Berman conning people into rallying for him. It’s the funniest thing we’ve seen in weeks. [WLKY]

Greater Louisville Inc.’s president and CEO, Joe Reagan, is a finalist for a similar job in St. Louis. Will GLI change and actually serve small business? Don’t hold your breath. [Business First]

Do you feel safe with MSD protecting you from the raging floods? [WAVE3]

Just a reminder that five pedestrians and cyclists were killed and one badly injured on Louisville streets in just ten days. [Broken Sidewalk]

Something tells us it’s not a happy week at Masterson’s now that 60 people who ate their food got violently ill. [WHAS11]

Could MSD corruption bankrupt Louisville? Probably not likely but you should definitely see what we’ve uncovered. [The 'Ville Voice]

The Louisville Orchestra is STILL a disaster for the city. Still. Musicians have like five minutes to decide whether or not they want to stay. [C-J/AKN]

A new analysis of the temperature record leaves little room for the doubters. The world is warming. Mouth-breathers like Jim Gooch can’t deal with it. [The Economsit]

K.C. Crosbie still has no flipping clue what the job she’s running for entails. It’s tough to be worse than Todd Hollenbach so we’re a little surprised. [Page One]

Jefferson County Public Schools continues to discuss the student assignment plan despite next to no one supporting it. [FOX41]

Here’s a fancy story about the UPS Worldport. You may not know all of this information. [HuffPo]

That’s what Louisville needs, right? Dunkin’ Donuts in the Highlands? We’ll stick with our local bakeries. [Consuming Louisville]

How do you feel about this “Code Red” emergency alert system Greg Fischer spent money on? It’ll be interesting to find out how much Louisville spent on this. Primarily because there’s another company that’s actually Kentucky-based that provides the same services. [Click the Clicky]

John David is right about the press giving Jerry Abramson a 100% free pass. He’s got a flipping scandalous history and it has been completely ignored. [More C-J/AKN]

The bridge is jacking things up for voters in Southern Indiana. Apparently, more absentee ballots are being requested this year. [WAVE3]

GLI is planning a fancy commerce trip to India. Which means way more outsourcing of area jobs. [Business First]

Remember Kimberly Bunton? Jerry Abramson’s favorite person and former Metro Housing Director who stole taxpayer dollars for her mom? Pre-trial has been set. [WHAS11]

They’ll be making an economic development announcement.

You should show up to ask all kinds of questions – particularly if you’re a member of the press.

They say these are their key findings:

• Education: Young women are leading the way in education attainment with 39% of those age 25-34 holding a bachelor’s degree or higher – almost reaching the community goal of 40%. As a result, Louisville registered the second highest rate of improvement among its peer cities in the educational level of young adults, moving up from 11th to 8th in the rankings.
• 21st Century Jobs: In the Next Economy, The Brookings Institution says, successful metros will be “export-oriented, driven by innovation, low-carbon, and rich in opportunity.” Louisville’s relatively strong manufacturing base ranks it in the top third of major metros on exports, however Louisville’s work to strengthen the innovation economy is slower in gaining traction.
• Quality of Place: Indicators of family well-being over the decade reveal alarming evidence of a widening gap, with increasing rates of poverty spreading into many quarters of the community and dramatic increases in vacant and abandoned homes and property.

Dug through it yet? What are your thoughts?

Activists are calling for stronger enforcement of the Clean Water Act in Kentucky but that’s never going to happen. [H-L]

Congressman John Yarmuth is re-introducing comprehensive literacy legislation. The LEARN Act is supported by dozens of literacy organizations around the country. [Press Release]

You should probably go check out this new feature about highway removal. [The Architect's Newspaper]

Congratulations to Sgt. Leigh Ann Burke of LMPD and Lt. Harold Miller of UofL PD for graduating from the sergeant’s course at the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Academy of Police Supervision. [Press Release]

Gannett layoffs are a leading indicator of a permanently shrinking newspaper business. [Poynter]

Isn’t it interesting how so many people get nasty and personally attack the messenger when said messenger dares share their opinion – one that isn’t necessarily liked by all? [NA Confidential]

Greg Fischer is set to announce what’s next for Louisville Metro Animal Services this week. You holding your breath? [WHAS11]

Is the head of Greater Louisville Inc. worth $369,268 per year? Should anyone working for the city make more than the guy at the top? We’re honestly asking. [Curt Morrison]

General Electric union workers are set to vote on a new contract for a four-year deal on Tuesday. [FOX41]

Seriously, why don’t more places in town serve Coke Zero? It makes bad alcohol taste good and everything else taste better. [Consuming Louisville]

Demo Watch: Todd Blue strikes again. Parking lot here we come. [Broken Sidewalk]

Really? Human trafficking in Elizabethtown? It’s like anywhere at least 30 minutes away from Louisville just has to do something stupid this year. What the heck. [WAVE3]

I mean, really? Lying just so you can keep your illegal and super-cheap maid/slave? In KENTUCKY? [WLKY]

What? Jerry Abramson got to spend $180,000 from the taxpayers with basically zero oversight? Imagine that. We are so shocked. Even more shocked that the Democratic Party hacks are defending undocumented, wasted funds. [WFPL]

On Wednesday the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its latest list of places the trust considers the most endangered. [NPR]

That’s right – GLI is promoting that ridiculous “Benny Breeze” PR stunt. Meaning your tax dollars are at work. [Curt Morrison]

Ten people died in nine separate crashes in Kentucky from Monday, June 6 through Sunday, June 12. Nine involved motor vehicles and six of the victims were not wearing seat belts. Alcohol was a factor in three of the crashes. [KSP Release]

Uh, where have these folks been? Judy Green and crew have been screaming racism for months. We’ve written about it. This isn’t new. Nice animated gif of Judy’s face, though. [Louisville.com]

That study Geoff Davis and others were pushing that suggested employers would drop health insurance once reform is fully implemented? Riiiiight. Shady, dishonest, inaccurate, spin. [NY Times]

And those Ohio River Bridges Shenanigans from yesterday? Hoo boy. [More WFPL]

Trey Zwicker’s grandmother is speaking out about the horrific murder of her grandson. If all these stories about Zwicker and his stepfather don’t make you choke up, something is wrong with you. [FOX41]

Neighbors say they feared his stepfather, wouldn’t let their kids play near his home. [WAVE3]

Really, you’re just a day away from getting fat as a bear at the Homomade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen. Get the coconut kind of ice cream and eat it with carrot cake. [Consuming Louisville]

Take a look at the Sheppard Square redevelopment plans. Thoughts? Opinions? Surely this isn’t a bad thing. [Broken Sidewalk]

The guy who admitted to killing Sugar Shizz says he did so in self-defense. [WHAS11]

Obituary: Osama bin Laden. The most wanted face of terrorism. [More NY Times]

Mitch McConnell is right. The United States made good on its pledge. [Politico]

Are you ready for the Kentucky Humane Society to operate Louisville Metro Animal Services? Of course you not. and now you know what we told you was spot-on a couple weeks ago. Greg Fischer says KHS is an option for takeover. [FOX41]

Today and tomorrow President Barack Obama and Dr. Jill Biden will honor Kentucky teacher Erika Schmelzer Webb of East Jessamine High School as one of the 2011 National Teacher of the Year recipients. [Press Release]

Lexington really seems to ‘get’ what it means to live downtown and is opening downtown grocery stores. Unfortunately, Lexington neither has a real downtown nor is is it “urban,” but this is nice to see happening. [H-L]

Kentucky State Parks are offering all kinds of discounts during the month of May. Take them up on these great offers. [State Parks]

The future of Metro Animal Services will soon be determined. Unfortunately, Greg Fischer has no flipping clue what he’s doing and no one has any faith at this point. He and his right hands, Sadiqa and Allison, continue to allow the place to rot. Something SERIOUS needs to change. [FOX41]

Protestors were cited for graffiti – CHALK graffiti – during a May Day rally. Really, citing people AGAIN for using chalk on sidewalks? Really? [WAVE3]

The sixth annual Unstable Clown Party will take place on the evening prior to the Kentucky Derby. [Consuming Louisville]

Lexington’s chamber of commerce is apparently ready to fall in love with Greater Louisville Inc. [H-L]

Something tells us this is going to be a disappointment. What the heck is this “lost chamber” that’s going to be unveiled tonight at 6:00 P.M. that’s been “secret” and “hidden” since 1874? (Though, we admit, WHAS totally lured us in.) [WHAS11]

Teenagers will again face a lean summer job market. Because – get this – the entire job market is lean. [WFPL]

A Jewish Hospital surgeon performed the world’s first Sequent Meniscal Repair procedure. All right for fancy knee surgeries in Louisville. [WHAS11]

You’d have to be blind, deaf and dumb not to realize Gatewood’s position on mountaintop removal isn’t light years better than Beshear’s. [Ralph Long]

The Speed Museum really IS a giant tease. It should be punished. [Broken Sidewalk]

Just how much is Jefferson County real estate worth? Tens of thousands of properties are losing value and people are ticked off. [FOX41]

Of course discretionary spending continues to flourish in Louisville. Because no one ever wants to do anything about it. The good old boy network is alive and well in this city. It’s all about scratching backs and handing out the cash. [C-J/AKN]

How can you bury news like this? Richie Farmer’s wife filed for divorce and the Herald-Leader pushed it down 5 or 6 stories on the website. This is sure to send the religious right into a tailspin. Like I said on the Twitter, this is scandalous. You know when someone waits to file for divorce when their spouse is in the midst of an election, well, it’s bad news bears and there’s a lot of crazy sauce that’s about to come out. [H-L]

Metro police have upped their patrols at Waterfront Park monitoring hundreds of kids. [WAVE3]

There is a thing happening in Jefferson Memorial Forest in late May that you should probably plan for now. [Consuming Louisville]

Poor Adam Lefkoe. We hope his broken wrist feels better soon. He probably should have cracked more Anchorman jokes and this wouldn’t have happened. [More WHAS11]