News

What Do Credit Card Swipes Tell About Downtown Louisville?

Joseph Lord — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

A presentation given to Louisville business leaders on Friday asked the question: What useful information can be determined through credit card swipes?

The apparent answer is: Plenty.

Data analysts from JP Morgan Chase gathered information through 2012 on how their credit card holders spent money in the 40202 zip code—downtown Louisville, essentially. The analysts said the numbers can be used as a sample of how people are spending money downtown, a longtime focus for development for city officials.

Kentucky's Tourism Secretary Is Retiring

Kenny Colston — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Marcheta Sparrow will retire at the end of this month as the Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage. Sparrow was named secretary in 2007 and was one of the original members of Gov. Steve Beshear's cabinet.

In a statement, Beshear praised Sparrow for the recent growth in tourism, which was up 4.4 percent last year.

The secretary oversees many departments in addition to tourism, including parks, fish and wildlife and others related to the humanities.

Orb is the Solid Favorite in Nine-Horse Preakness Field

Rick Howlett — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:34:43 +0000

Despite a less-than-ideal post position draw, Kentucky Derby winner Orb remains the solid favorite for tomorrow’s Preakness Stakes, the second leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

Orb is coming off a two-and-a-half length Derby victory and trainer Shug McGaughey says he “couldn’t be more pleased” with the colt’s workouts over the past two weeks.

Byline | IRS Fallout; Religion at JCPS; Preakness Preview

Brad Yost — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:05:00 +0000

Here are the topics covered in this edition of Byline (full audio available below):

At the top - Hearings have begun on Capitol Hill into the IRS targeting of tea party and other conservative groups that were applying for tax exempt status. We discuss who has been affected by the scandal here in Kentucky with WFPL Political Editor Phillip M. Bailey and Kentucky Public Radio’s Kenny Colston.

Independent State House Candidate Releases 10-Point Platform to Improve State Government

Phillip M. Bailey — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:56:30 +0000

Independent state house candidate John-Mark Hack released a 10-point platform aimed at making Kentucky's government more accountable and transparent.

Hack is running for the 56th House District seat covering Woodford County, including parts Frankfort and Lexington vacated by former state Rep. Carl Rollins, who resigned.

The three-way special election also features Republican Lyen Crews and Democrat James Kay, and is being closely watched due to the close party margins in the state House, where Democrats hold the majority by just a 5-seat margin.

The proposals unveiled by Hack's campaign on Friday include withholding the salaries of state lawmakers if they fail to pass a budget, creating a non-partisan commission to draw legislative district lines and eliminating annual sessions.

Hack says the proposals are about changing the political culture of "arrogance and self-interest" in Frankfort.

Check them out:

Spalding's Week-long Literary Festival Begins Tomorrow

Erin Keane — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:48 +0000

A series of readings of authors affiliated with Spalding University’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing program begins tomorrow. The university’s bi-annual Festival of Contemporary Writing is the state’s largest reading series and is an integral part of Spalding’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program residency, which the university hosts every spring and fall. This year’s festival runs through May 25.

Byline Today: The Latest on the IRS-Tea Party Affair, the Preakness and More

Joseph Lord — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:01:01 +0000

The latest on the IRS' targeting of Tea Party groups for extra reviews, the Louisville Metro Animal Services director leaves after less than two years on the job, Kentucky Derby winner Orb vies for a Preakness Stakes win and much, much more—today on Byline.

WFPL's Phillip M. Bailey and Kentucky Public Radio's Kenny Colston will give the IRS/Tea Party situation.

Coalition Forms to Oppose Electricity Rate Increase in Western Kentucky from Smelter Deal

Kenny Colston — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:38:53 +0000

A coalition of western Kentucky businesses and residents has formed in hopes of minimizing the fallout of an electricity rates deal between Big Rivers Electric Co-Op and western Kentucky aluminum smelters.

The coalition is worried the deal will lead to higher utility bills for residents and businesses.

Aluminum prices have been low in the past few years, and across Kentucky, aluminum smelters have sought to save money on their electricity bills.

Go See: 'West Side Story' Infused With New Energy

Erin Keane — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:37:56 +0000

After Actors Theatre of Louisville's Tony Speciale-directed contemporary staging and the Louisville Ballet's classical interpretation, Broadway in Louisville caps off a season of "Romeo and Juliet" with the touring production of "West Side Story." The musical opened Tuesday and runs through Sunday in Whitney Hall, with matinees and eveni

One Killed, Several Injured in Exercise at Fort Knox

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:53:35 +0000

A U.S. Army spokesman says one member of the U.S. Navy was killed and several others injured during a training exercise at the Fort Knox Army post.

Fort Knox spokesman Ryan Brus said Friday the accident happened at 9:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday and involved members of a Naval branch at the post in central Kentucky.

Brus had no other details and referred calls to U.S. Navy Lt. David Lloyd. Lloyd did not immediately return a call to The Associated Press.