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Saturday December 6, 2025
Local Connection
One of only 16 schools receiving five-star rating
The University of Louisville has been named among America’s “Best of the Best” LGBTQ-friendly universities by a national nonprofit organization that rates colleges and universities according to their support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.
UofL is one of only 16 schools in the nation to earn five stars out of five in the Campus Pride Index, released this week by the organization Campus Pride. The index showcases 30 top-rated colleges and universities with LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices.
UofL is the only public university in the South ranked among the “Best of the Best.” Other universities being recognized range from Ivy League schools Cornell and Princeton in the East to UCLA and University of Washington in the West.
“Being recognized at this level is the collective work of so many people, including faculty who are teaching LGBT-focused courses, alumni who are creating new LGBT scholarships, admissions staff recruiting talented LGBT students, administrators, and that list goes on and on,” said Brian Buford, assistant provost for diversity and LGBT Center director. “We are really embracing the title of ‘Best of the Best’ all across the University of Louisville, and that’s what makes us stand out among our peer institutions.”
Buford said UofL’s ranking benefited from several new efforts in 2015-16. Those included establishing three new scholarships for LGBT students, including one targeted specifically to LGBT students of color. UofL also drew national attention for developing the eQuality Project, an effort to help its School of Medicine students understand and appreciate issues specific to LGBT patients. The university’s LGBT Center also assembled and provided more than 200 emergency survival kits for homeless LGBT youth in Louisville and Atlanta.
For comment or more information about UofL’s ranking, call Buford at 502-852-0227. For more information on Campus Pride and to see all the rankings, visit CampusPride.org/CampusPrideTopCampuses.
The opening weekend of the Kentucky State Fair may be in the books, but there is a lot of Fair left to enjoy.
The Midway is open throughout the fair, which lasts through Sunday, August 28th. The midway is open for the duration for fair visitors who wish to try their hand at games of skill or seek some thrills on the rides. The indoor exhibits, including Main Street Kentucky, Health Horizons, Pride of the Counties, Heritage Hall, Gourmet Garden, the Product Showcase, and the Performing Arts Showcase also last through the end of the fair.
Also at various time throughout the fair are numerious free shows, which include Miller’S Border Collies, The Buck Trout Show, Cuzzin’ Grumpy’S Porkchop Revue, Neecha’S Amazing Dobermans Show, Lady Houdini, Chinese Acrobats Of Hebei, a simulated Trial By Jury, and The Magic Of David Garrard.
If those acts don’t satisfy your appetite for entertainment, there are also still several free Turf Concert Series shows left, including Newsboys with special guest 7eventh Time Down tonight, the Happy Together tour tomorrow, and Chris Janson, Brooke Eden, Dylan Schneider; Blood, Sweat & Tears, Bo Bice, Stephen Bishop; American Authors, Public; Rachel Platten, Jeffrey James; Francesca Battistelli, Building 429, Lauren Daigle, and Finding Favour later in the week. On the main stage, Chris Young and Brett Eldredge will be performing with special guest Chris Lane on the 28th.
For the animal lovers, different animals will be rotating into many of the spaces in the West Hall and Pavilion on changeover day today. Dairy goats, dairy cattle, poultry, pigeons, mules, and rabbits will be on display through tomorrow while today is the last day to see the meat goats. Tomorrow and throughout the week, visitors will have the opportunity to see the sheep, swine and beef cattle. This Thursday will feature the 4-H & FFA Sale of Champions and the Draft Horse and Mule Pull will be on Sunday the 28th.
Be sure to stay with Louisville Dispatch for more about the 2016 Kentucky State Fair online and on our Facebook Page – where you can see our photos from the fair and share your own.
County Attorney’s annual list has netted $14.8 million in 10 previous years
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell today announced the eleventh publication of delinquent child support obligors is now printed in The Courier-Journal and the full list is available online.
The Child Support Division has collected $14.8 million, sent wage withholding orders to 11,029 employers and found 18,266 new addresses directly attributable to the lists printed each year since 2005.
“Children are our community’s most precious asset,” said O’Connell. “All of us in Jefferson County – parents, family members, employers and concerned citizens – can play a role in tracking down those who are not fulfilling their obligations to their kids.”
This year’s list of 4,034 names can be found online at www.louisvilleky.gov/countyattorney. Only 538 names appear in the printed insert, with this year’s focus on some of the county’s newest child support orders and those with recent court action.
“The nearly 200 employees in our child support division have a singular focus: connecting kids and families to the money that is rightfully theirs. Early intervention and proactive communication with parents owing support gives them a better understanding of their responsibilities and helps collect the financial support crucial to the futures of these children.”
Child support collection is one of the public’s most cost-effective programs. For every $1 spent, federal child support programs collect $5.25. In Kentucky that figure rises to $6.45 for every $1 spent.
Anyone with information that could help locate someone on the list should call 574-0821 or email jcaocs@ky.gov. Continue reading
Company to invest $36.4 million in move to Northern Kentucky, anticipates creation of 500 Kentucky-resident jobs
Gov. Matt Bevin today announced CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services, a global, privately held company providing therapeutic expertise to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, will relocate its headquarters to Covington with a $36.4 million investment projected to create up to 500 Kentucky-resident jobs.
“We are grateful for the decision by CTI to move its headquarters to Northern Kentucky and bring with them hundreds of highly skilled jobs,” Gov. Bevin said. “Our administration and local officials are committed to providing the space and resources needed for CTI to continue its growth in the years ahead. CTI is a recognized leader in the life sciences industry and we are delighted to welcome them to Kentucky.”
CTI plans to move its headquarters from the Cincinnati suburb of Blue Ash, Ohio, closer to the region’s urban center. It will lease about 125,000 square feet in the RiverCenter building. The relocation will help the company consolidate its locations and facilitate future growth.
“We’re thrilled for CTI to be starting a new chapter at RiverCenter,” said Timothy Schroeder, CEO of CTI. “We feel that this location will be a state-of-the-art headquarters for our staff, enabling collaboration and innovation. This site allows us to retain and grow the most talented team in the industry who are helping to develop some of the most innovative life-changing therapies.”
Founded in 1999 by Schroeder and Lynn Fallon, CTI is a global leader in clinical research, working with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to plan, manage and analyze clinical trials, a critical step in bringing new drugs, therapies and medical devices to market. The company is therapeutically focused on critically ill patient populations, chronic diseases and unmet medical needs including the areas of regenerative medicine, cell and gene therapy, rare disease, immunology, transplantation and oncology.
CTI has associates in more than 25 countries and has worked on over 2,700 projects across six continents. CTI has contributed to more than 100 new drug and device approvals by regulatory agencies around the world.
Sen. Christian McDaniel, of Taylor Mill, said the company’s relocation and employment growth will serve Northern Kentucky well in the coming years.
“This company’s relocation from Blue Ash to Covington is yet another example of Kentucky’s business-friendly atmosphere and opportunities for economic growth,” he said. “I am excited to welcome CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services to Covington and I look forward to their future endeavors in our region.”
Rep. Arnold Simpson, of Covington, said the location of CTI is evidence of the region’s ability to support large-scale business growth.
“This is great news for Northern Kentucky,” Rep. Simpson said. “We are encouraged by CTI’s confidence in the Commonwealth with this significant investment and trust that other corporate leaders will take note. I want to thank CTI for making this decision and bringing these jobs here. We look forward to making their employees feel right at home in Covington.”
Rep. Addia Wuchner, of Florence, chairwoman of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus, said CTI’s move will advance the area’s biomedical industry.
“On behalf of the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus, we extend a warm welcome to CTI,” Rep. Wuchner said. “We look forward to a surge in the life sciences industry in our region with CTI’s leadership.” Continue reading
More than 300 people turned out to celebrate the best local small businesses during the 16th annual Inc.credible Awards, presented by Strothman and Company, at the Galt House on Friday. The luncheon was presented by U.S. Bank.
Mayor Greg Fischer and business leaders from across the region were on hand as winners were announced live. Here is a summary of the companies who took home trophies.
Small Business of the Year Award – Presented by Integrity HR
Ladyfingers Catering offers custom designed food services for gourmet box lunches, black tie events, outdoor cookouts, and so much more. The “Ladyfingers Family” includes chefs from all over the world who offer authentic international menus with Southern Charm. Ladyfingers Catering is committed to supporting Kentucky vendors, businesses and farmers and continually strives to reduce waste and limit their carbon footprint. The Ladyfingers team also takes annual educational culinary trips as an added bonding experience.
Very Small Business of the Year Award – Presented by Mortenson Family Dental
Level 12 is a custom software design-build engineering firm that combines technical skill with customer advocacy and business savvy to offer profitable solutions for clients. Level 12 sets itself apart from competitors by responding to issues from a businessman’s point of view rather than strictly as a coder. Level 12 offers all employees profit sharing opportunities and they work hard to harness each employee’s individual strengths to help the company excel. Additionally, Level 12 is the sponsor for Louisville’s DerbyPy Meetup which aims to spread awareness for Python as a programming language. Continue reading
The expansion and renovation of Louisville’s downtown convention center has begun. The Kentucky State Fair Board announced the closure of the Kentucky International Convention Center as it undergoes a $207 million make-over.
Louisville’s largest convention center, The Kentucky Exposition Center which is adjacent to the airport, remains open for business while the downtown center expands.
Third Street between Market and Jefferson Streets will remain open through the end of the year when the Kentucky International Convention Center expansion project gets underway tomorrow, August 17. Hunt Construction, the general contractor is revising plans to help mitigate downtown traffic congestion around the convention center. Additionally, LMPD will monitor traffic flow to determine when to increase traffic detail in the area.
Barriers and construction fencing will go up around the building within the coming weeks. The construction area is in the block bordered by Third and Fourth Streets between Market and Jefferson.
The KICC construction project will expand exhibit hall and ballroom space in the same footprint. Studies show that with the additional convention space along with more than 1500 new hotel rooms can attract up to 25 percent more convention business when completed in summer, 2018.
In addition to the expansion, Louisville is undergoing a transformation with $1 Billion invested in projects including a new 600-room Omni Louisville Hotel, more bourbon distilleries and attractions and other investments. To follow this progress: www.transformationlouisville.com
Next Century Cities today announced that Louisville is among three cities given an award recognizing projects that harness high-speed internet to enhance civic engagement and democratic participation.
Louisville was given the inaugural Charles Benton Next Generation Engagement Award for its plan to develop a Gigabit Experience Center.
Joining Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, N.C., Louisville will receive $30,000 and hands-on technical assistance to help drive the Gigabit Experience Center forward in the next year.
Louisville Metro Government plans use the award to identify and wire an existing community center in west Louisville with gigabit connectivity, providing access to digital training, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement opportunities.
“Gigabit connectivity is a key to creating socio-economic opportunity and equity in a global economy — driving innovation, expanding our economy and providing residents with new opportunities,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “The Gigabit Experience Center will allow us to help our citizens see the enormous potential this technology has for reshaping our city.”
Deb Socia, Executive Director of Next Century Cities, said: “We know that broadband connectivity can bring economic and educational development to a region, but next-generation broadband is also a valuable tool for empowering citizens to be actively engaged in their communities.
“The new Gigabit Experience Center in Louisville and the other two winners of the Benton Awards show a range of exciting approaches, and all three cities share a strong commitment to better engaging their citizens using high-speed broadband connectivity.”
Through the Gigabit Experience Center, city leaders are seeking to increase awareness about the importance of high-speed internet access and to provide an opportunity for residents to build their digital skills.
At the center, citizens will be able to experience virtual reality and take classes on innovation. The center will also include connectivity stations for residents, artists and musicians co-creating engaging technology exhibitions, and more.
The Benton Award was given by Next Century Cities, a nonprofit membership organization of over 145 mayors and city leaders nationwide committed to ensuring access to fast, affordable and reliable internet access for their citizens. As a founding member, Louisville has been a member of Next Century Cities since its inception in 2014.
In addition to providing expert technical assistance as the program gets underway, Next Century Cities will also elevate Louisville’s creative use of next-generation broadband to bolster civic engagement and will promote replication of the Gigabit Experience Center project nationwide.
More information about both the winning projects and the award program can be found here.
