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Saturday December 6, 2025
Local Connection
Switch to goky.ky.gov will save taxpayers up to $750,000 annually
Motorists traveling throughout Kentucky can now navigate the highways and by-ways of the Bluegrass with a modernized tool. Goky.ky.gov, an online traffic and roadway information portal, has replaced the traditional 511 travel and weather phone system.
The improved, user-friendly platform provides travelers access to reliable, up-to-date information regarding traffic conditions, construction activity, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) response to weather-related events. The new GoKY website includes reports from KYTC as well as from Waze – a real-time traffic reporting application based on crowdsourced information.
“After almost two decades of 511 use, today’s travelers are bypassing the dated phone line for visual, on-demand road and weather conditions,” said Sec. Greg Thomas. “Goky.ky.gov is the perfect solution to satisfy the needs of the traveling public while stewarding state dollars. Our Cabinet employees and partners have worked diligently to deliver a platform that tells the public what they want to know before hitting the road.”
Now, motorists who dial 511 will hear a brief phone message informing them of the change. To request Safety Assistance for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) Patrol in cases of vehicle breakdown or to report incidents, motorists will be directed to call 877-FOR-KYTC. In addition, the former 511 smart phone application will no longer be offered or operational. The text and email alert feature has also been discontinued.
To provide travelers with a mobile option, KYTC encourages motorists to download the free Waze application. Since 2014, the Cabinet has participated in a public-private partnership with Waze CCP (Connected Citizens Program). Both entities provide a free exchange of real-time data every two minutes, giving drivers a clearer understanding of roadway events. The app provides turn-by-turn navigation as well as traffic reporting.
“Helping drivers have a better experience on Kentucky roads is important but not at the expense of safety. We advise drivers to use GoKY to plan ahead before they drive. To avoid distracted driving, ask your passenger to report delays and incidents using Waze,” said Dr. Noelle Hunter, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.
Over the last two years, call volume to 511 has dropped by nearly 40 percent. This drastic decline prompted Cabinet officials to evaluate the hotline’s effectiveness. Phasing out the phone system will save taxpayers up to $750,000 annually.
In addition, the 511 phase-out shifts all data management to in-house Cabinet staff, which eliminates the need for contractor services. Using existing enterprise infrastructure technologies, Cabinet engineers will now be able to save, capture and process data for future planning and highway safety purposes, a function not available with the old 511 mapping and phone system.
When 511 was conceptualized, the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recommended that the three-digit number serve as the single travel information hotline, which eliminated the need for multiple phone numbers. States are not federally required to implement 511; however, Kentucky chose to adopt 511 in 2000 after the Kentucky Public Service Commission permanently assigned the number.
Motorists can access travel and traffic conditions at http://goky.ky.gov or contribute their own reports at http://www.waze.com or via the Waze mobile application. Follow us on Twitter @KYTCGoKY.
The James Graham Brown Foundation is making a significant investment in the Greater Louisville Foundation’s talent attraction and retention efforts. The Foundation announced this week that GLF will receive a $767,000 grant over the course of the next year. The Greater Louisville Foundation is an affiliate of Greater Louisville Inc. GLI is the metro chamber of commerce.
“The James Graham Brown Foundation is pleased to support GLI’s talent attraction and retention initiative that will strengthen the workforce and improve the long term economic vitality of our city,” Mason Rummel, President of the James Graham Brown Foundation, said.
The grant will be applied to the GROW! (Greater-Louisville Region Optimizing Workforce) initiative. GROW! is a three-year plan developed to retain and attract talented people to the Greater Louisville region.
“A grant of this size is going to really accelerate our efforts to promote Greater Louisville as THE place to be. It’s time for our region to step into the spotlight, market itself, and really compete for top talent,” Diane Medley, Chair of the Greater Louisville Foundation Inc. said.
GROW!’s central purpose is to materially increase the rate of net migration of talented people to the region and fill the employee pipeline with skilled and educated professionals resulting in a faster job-fill rate, a strong candidate pool, a higher median wage, and an increase in the overall skilled population, thereby allowing Greater Louisville to become a true ‘community of talent’. The programming and execution of GROW! will be conducted by GLI, with the funding support of the Greater Louisville Foundation.
“GLI remains steadfast in its focus to attract more people to the region by embracing the things that make our region unique,” John Crockett, Chairman of GLI said. “We are grateful for the investment made by the Brown Foundation. This is how we move the talent retention and attraction needle in the right direction.”
This diverse and robust effort includes (but is not limited to) outreach to cities and universities, a regional branding strategy, brand development with a national marketing campaign, a social media movement, and a community initiative to recruit friends and family, who could influence decisions of talented people to move to the area or stay here, to act as ambassadors for attraction purposes. Additionally, GROW! includes specific initiatives around partnerships that help secure career opportunities for veterans and collaborative efforts to attract and retain international professionals.
The GROW! project will also partner with local businesses and organizations on specific strategies to retain the qualified population that presently lives in Greater Louisville. This means nurturing programs that already exist, while developing creative ways to attract and retain professionals, and developing a sense of loyalty to and pride for the community. More information can be found at GLITalent.com.
Hopkinsville expected to be prime 2017 viewing spot
image: Brocken Inaglory
A former NASA astrophysicist known as “Mr. Eclipse” for his many books and predictions on the phenomenon will visit the University of Louisville to preview the 2017 total solar eclipse for which Kentucky will be a prime viewing spot.
Fred Espenak will speak at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 about “The Great American Total Solar Eclipse of 2017” in Comstock Hall, School of Music. The free, public talk is the 2016 Bullitt lecture in astronomy. The annual lecture and reception afterward are intended for the general public.
Espenak, who has witnessed 26 total solar eclipses, will discuss expectations for the Aug. 21 total eclipse, which will be visible from the contiguous United States for the first time since 1979. The maximum viewpoint for the totality of the moon covering the sun will be near Hopkinsville, Ky. Viewers can expect a daytime twilight effect and a glimpse of the sun’s corona.
The scientist retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and now lives in Portal, Ariz., where he operates the Bifrost Astronomical Observatory and runs three eclipse-related websites. His numerous books include “Eclipse Bulletin: Total Solar Eclipse of 2017 August 21,” “Totality: Eclipses of the Sun” and “Get Eclipsed: The Complete Guide to the American Eclipses.” The American Astronomical Union named an asteroid after him in 2003.
UofL’s physics and astronomy department and the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium present the annual Bullitt lectures through an endowment established by the family of former U.S. Solicitor General William Marshall Bullitt.
For more information, contact Gerry Williger at 502-852-0821 or gmwill06@louisville.edu or check the physics and astronomy department’s website.
Six nurses in Kentucky and Southern Indiana who have improved the lives of patients, their community and the profession have been chosen as recipients of the third-annual University of Louisville School of Nursing Florence Nightingale Awards.
The winners, as well as six honorable mentions and nearly 80 other nominees, will be recognized at the Nightingale Awards dinner on Nov. 3 at the Mellwood Arts Center.
“We are very proud to honor six extremely talented and devoted registered nurses from Kentucky and Southern Indiana who have diligently and compassionately served patients across the life span,” said Marcia J. Hern, Ed.D., C.N.S., R.N., UofL School of Nursing dean. “Any one of us would want such a nurse to be there for us, our family and our friends in times of need.”
The six honorees are:
Hilary Deskins, B.S.N., R.N., is manager of Cancer Prevention Services at KentuckyOne Health. Deskins oversees KentuckyOne Health’s lung cancer screening program, one of the largest in the nation, as well as the colon cancer screening program. She developed and initiated patient educational strategies for cancer screenings and works with community organizations to promote screening. Deskins also has made impacts nationally. In October 2015, she advocated the importance of lung cancer screening to members of the U.S. Congress. Deskins and KentuckyOne Health were recognized by national advocacy group the Lung Cancer Alliance as leaders in early detection and treatment of the disease.
Anthony Frazier, B.S.N., R.N., worked as a chef for several years before deciding at the age of 45 to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. He most recently worked as a patient care manager at Amedysis Hospice in Jeffersonville, Ind., caring for end-of-life patients. He actively volunteers at the Wayside Christian Mission, serving Louisville’s homeless population by working with men in the workforce development program. Frazier has battled a rare soft-tissue cancer in his leg and eventually had to have the leg amputated. He then had severe heart failure and is awaiting a heart transplant. Frazier’s health challenges, however, have not deterred his social work.
Mimi McKay, Ed.D., M.S.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., is an associate professor at Indiana University Southeast School of Nursing, who previously served as dean of the school, and has been a psychiatric nurse practitioner for the past 26 years. In addition to educating nursing students, McKay works as an advanced practice nurse at Boys & Girls Haven, a nonprofit organization that serves abandoned, abused and neglected children. Her work with abused and sexually assaulted women and children through the partnership she started with the Center for Women and Families and IU Southeast has had lasting impacts for victims and nursing students.
Emily Neal, B.S.N., R.N., S.A.N.E., is a forensic nurse specialist at the University of Louisville Kosair Charities Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine. Neal evaluates children who are suspected victims of abuse and neglect and ensures that perpetrators of abuse are prosecuted via legal testimony. In doing so, victims are removed from abusive or neglectful situations and their abusers are put to justice. Neal teaches parents about stress coping techniques that prevent abuse and educates medical and nursing students on identifying even minute abuse indicators. She is an appointed member of the Kentucky Children’s Justice Act Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary committee that develops policy and education aimed at improving outcomes for children.
Deborah Reed, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., R.N., F.A.A.O.H.N., F.A.A.N., University of Kentucky College of Nursing Distinguished Service Professor and Good Samaritan Endowed Chair, has raised awareness about on-the-job health risks that farmers face. Reed created the Farm Theater Dinner intervention to inspire farmers to think about occupational health, safety and disease prevention on the farm. Her research has shown that health lectures and pamphlets have little impact on farmers, who don’t have time in their demanding work schedules to attend educational meetings. The dinners provide a farmer-centered approach for families to share stories and find solutions for health and safety. Reed founded the UK College of Nursing Occupational Health Nurse Ph.D. Program.
Laura Ware, R.N., A.D.N., works at the Crestview Center in Shelbyville where she treats short and long-term care patients and educates and counsels families about making critical treatment decisions. When a person enters a residential nursing facility, it can be a lonely and frightening experience for the patient and the family. Often in these cases, patients have lost a spouse or partner, careers have ended and they have lost their independence. Ware comforts these patients when they are scared and lonely, reassuring them with a calm demeanor and excellent care. Continue reading
Navigating the path between high school and college can be challenging and overwhelming for both students and parents. In order to ease the transition, the University of Louisville is offering a series of workshops to assist with federal financial aid applications, as well as a daylong campus open house event.
During the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion workshops, staff from the university’s student financial aid office will walk student and parent participants through the process of filing the FAFSA. Changes to the FAFSA process, as announced by President Obama last September and in effect beginning with the 2017-18 application, include an earlier filing start date of October 1 (previously January 1); and a requirement to report income and tax information from an earlier tax year. A detailed overview of the changes from the Federal Student Aid office is available here.
The UofL-led workshops are free and students are not required to apply for admission to the university in order to participate. The workshops will take place on:
- Oct. 5, 5–7 p.m., Seneca High School, 3510 Goldsmith Ln., Louisville
- Oct. 6, 6–8 p.m., Oldham County High School, 1150 North Highway 393, Buckner
- Oct. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Martha Layne Collins High School, 801 Discovery Blvd., Shelbyville
- Oct. 11, 6–8 p.m., Fern Creek High School, 9115 Fern Creek Rd., Louisville
- Oct. 13, 5– 8 p.m., Jeffersontown High School, 9600 Old Six Mile Ln., Louisville
- Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to noon, during Cardinal Preview Day at the University of Louisville (details follow)
- Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m., Southern High School, 8620 Preston Highway, Louisville
Cardinal Preview Day on Oct. 15 is open to anyone interested in learning more about attending UofL. Activities, including campus tours, workshops, information sessions and student panel discussions, take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A complete schedule is available here. Pre-registration is not required, although participants need to check in at the Swain Student Activities Center (SAC) West Plaza next to the George J. Howe Red Barn upon arrival. There is no cost for Cardinal Preview Day and parking is free at the Floyd Street parking garage, 2126 South Floyd St.
For more information about the workshops and FAFSA changes, contact Sandra Neel, 502-852-5517, sandra.neel@louisville.edu. Jenny Sawyer, 502-852-4957, jenny.sawyer@louisville.edu, is available to discuss Cardinal Preview Day activities.
The World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana (WAC) is moving its office to The Dolfinger in the Portland Neighborhood on Oct. 31.
The move reflects a significant milestone in the World Affairs Council’s 30+ year history. Since its establishment, the WAC has been located in the heart of downtown Louisville. It has brought thousands of international leaders to the area, and convened hundreds of prominent speakers on global issues.
“The decision to move to Portland demonstrates WAC’s desire to be part of a bigger movement and a vision for the future of a community in Louisville,” said Dr. Adel Elmaghraby, Board Chair of WAC. “This move will help bring greater international and local exposure to the historic neighborhood through increased in-house programming with visitors from around the world and educational programs for students throughout the city.”
The name “The Dolfinger” is in honor of Emma Dolfinger. Originally the Montgomery Street school built in the 1850s, the building was renamed the Dolfinger School in 1928. Emma Dolfinger was a Louisville educator who was the head of the science department of the Louisville Girls’ School, and a supervisor of science for the city schools. The building operated under that name until it closed in 1975. (It then became Portland Christian School.)
The building was also used as a Civil War hospital. The Dolfinger was one of the first buildings acquired by the Gill Holland-led Portland Investment Initiative. Holland said that there are already several tenants on board but that the WAC is “Our most high-profile tenant for sure. They are the perfect fit for Portland since Portland was where goods departed down the Ohio by boat.”
WAC will occupy two first floor classrooms, one of which will be an event space that will host regular and diverse programs featuring international leaders from its exchange programs; workshops and presentations for students involved in its education programs; and special events that will bring people from around the city to the neighborhood to participate.
The Louder Than Life Music Festival is set to rock Louisville fans in Champions Park this weekend. The jam-packed lineup for the two-day festival features mainstream headliners and newer groups from across the spectrum of rock and metal genres.
Bands will be playing on Louder Than Life’s three stages from 11AM until well into the night on both days of the festival.
Headline acts on Saturday include heavy hitters like Anthrax and Slayer, who have been rocking metal fans since the 80s and 90s; Brit rockers, The Cult, recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Cheap Trick; and powerhouse rockers Avenged Sevenfold. Other acts throughout the day include Pierce the Veil, Hellyeah, The Amity Affliction, Sick Puppies, and others.
The music and fun continues on Sunday with massive headline acts that include Slipknot, Disturbed, Korn, Clutch, and Sevendust. Earlier shows on the second and final day of Louder Than Life include Alter Bridge, Ghost, Zakk Sabbath, Crobot, Trivium, and many more.
Weekend and single-day tickets are still available starting at $80 with multi-day, VIP, camping, and hotel packages also available.
Admission to the festival also includes access to the Gourmet Man Food dining options and the various other entertainment, refreshment, and Louder Than Life Experience opportunities.
So, Are You Ready to ROCK, Louisville?