News

Former Auditor Crit Luallen says she will not challenge Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in 2014.

Luallen has long been considered to be among the best-situated Democrats to unseat McConnell. She served two terms as auditor and many political observers credit her with raising the office's profile during her tenure. Luallen also served in former Governor Paul Patton's administration for several years.

But the long-time public servant tells Kentucky Public Radio she will not enter the 2014 race.

The Louisville-based non-profit that provides portable water purification systems for developing countries and disaster areas is changing its brand.

EDGE Outreach is now called WaterStep.

Founder Mark Hogg says the new name and logo better reflect the group's mission of providing clean drinking water where it’s needed around the world, and is a reference to a shoe-recycling program that generates some of its operating funds.

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is taking a firmer stand on conservative issues.

Republican legislators have criticized the chamber in the past for supporting Democratic-led proposals like expanded gambling and a higher dropout age while staying quiet on so-called right to work and prevailing wage laws.

But in the chamber's latest annual report, right to work and other conservative issues are more prominent.

Such legislation has caused lengthy political battles in other states, recently in Indiana.

After months of debate, Louisville Metro Council’s Planning and Zoning committee has passed a measure with some compromise that would change the city’s long-standing landmarks process.

The committee approved the measure on a 3 to 2 vote Tuesday after Councilman David Yates, D-25, first introduced the changes in February. 

The ordinance includes the contentious provision of giving Metro Council power to overturn a Landmarks Commission’s decision, but the measure was amended prior to a vote to require a super majority to bring the issue forward.

After more than three decades in the historic Water Tower on River Road, the Louisville Visual Art Association will move downtown later this year. In October, the LVAA will move into interim headquarters at 609 West Main Street while they search for a new permanent home. Scheduled children’s art classes will remain at the Water Tower through the fall semester.

Louisville Gas and Electric is asking the case against the company for its role in a residential gas explosion in December be dismissed. In documents filed with the Kentucky Public Service Commission yesterday, the company disagrees with many of the state's conclusions as to the cause of the explosion.

Representatives from power companies around the world are in Louisville today for HydroVision International's annual conference. The event draws people who are already invested in hydroelectric power, or are looking for ways to begin the process. Participants also had a chance to tour two local hydropower facilities: the new Cannelton Locks and Dam project (which is still a work in progress) and LG&E's Ohio Falls Generating Station.

The conference's keynote speakers are:

In the Third District Congressional race, independent candidate Robert L. DeVore Jr. has filed to run against Republican Brooks Wicker and Democratic incumbent John Yarmuth in the fall election.

DeVore ran for Congress in the GOP primary in 2008 under a conservative platform that sought to make English the country's primary language and separate Social Security from the federal budget.

At the time he released a rather bizarre campaign announcement video explaining his views.

Check it out:

For the first time, the middle-aged make up the biggest, richest and most influential segment of the United States population.

New York Times reporter Patricia Cohen explores the concept of middle age, and our perceptions of it, in her book called In Our Prime: The Invention of Middle Age.