News

Kentucky's state pension plans have problems, and a bipartisan legislative task force has approved sweeping recommendations to overhaul them -- including putting new employees in a hybrid plans akin to 401Ks.

The task force -- with an 11-1 vote -- is recommending that the General Assembly start fully funding their pension contributions starting with the next budget in 2014. Lawmakers’ inability to do that is part of the pension plans problems. 

In a stinging editorial, Louisville Courier-Journal columnist John David Dyche rips Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth for his recent attacks on Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

Yarmuth made a recent television appearance on MSNBC, saying McConnell will do what's in his best interest in the face of the looming fiscal cliff. Dyche is a Louisville attorney and McConnell biographer, who is considered by man to be the Senator's unofficial spokesman in the city.

From The C-J:

It must also gall Yarmuth that McConnell ignores him. Yarmuth is to McConnell as a yapping toy poodle is to an oblivious Great Dane.

So why doesn’t Yarmuth put his practically infinite money where his practically incessant mouth is and channel his jealousy of McConnell into his own race against him? He might then get the debate with McConnell for which he mewls. Meanwhile, McConnell negotiates directly with the president, not insignificant congressmen.

Ouch!

Leaders with the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund have secured about $500,000, but the fund's advocates are urging Mayor Greg Fischer to do more to secure annual funding.

The trust fund is meant to give grants and loans for affordable housing activities, such as new construction, home rehabilitation, payment assistance and emergency repair.

The Louisville Metro Affordable Housing Trust Fund has issued a report assessing the affordable housing needs in Louisville. Here is the report:

The Clarksville Town Council unanimously approved the investment of $10,000 to challenge tolls on the new I-65 bridge that’s part of the Ohio River Bridges Project and others may join the cause soon.

Bi-state officials say tolls are a necessary part of the bridges project, but they’ve been long contested as being cumbersome on regional commuters and businesses.

Barbara Kingsolver's love and knowledge of Appalachia is on display in her latest novel, "Flight Behavior." So is her passion for investigating climate change:

"It's the biggest un-talked about issue of our times," she said. "What I wanted to write about was the culture war — the difficulty of this conversation and why it is that we can all look at the same set of facts and walk away believing different things."

Louisville Metro government will host four public meetings in November seeking public input on the cable television service provided by Insight/Time Warner.

The meetings will be:

• 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the East Government Center, 200 Juneau Drive
• 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Southwest Government Center, 72189 Dixie HIghway
• 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at Metro Hall, 527 W. Jefferson St.
• 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at the South Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop

The city is seeking comments on: 

Last night, the second part of Ken Burns' latest documentary premiered on PBS. "The Dust Bowl" tells the story of the people who farmed the Great Plains in the 1920s and 1930s; many stayed on once the ground dried up and dust storms became commonplace, while others moved west to find work.

This time of year, many of us must deal with the fact that not all of our friends and relatives live in the WFPL listening area. That means that many of us will be traveling away from the comfort of 89.3 FM. And whether you're in a plane or a car, you'll need something to listen to for your trip, and for any time you may spend hiding from in-laws.

Broadway in Louisville brings the hugely popular musical "Jersey Boys" back to the Kentucky Center today for a two-week run. "Jersey Boys" tells the entertaining true story of how four blue-collar kids became Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Their iconic hit singles—written by Bob Gaudio and produced by Bob Crewe—emit an instant retro signal. But they're also pretty timeless, so they work really well in film soundtracks.