Mayor Greg Fischer today announced the city will welcome the CEO Action Check Your Blind Spots unconscious bias tour Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26, 2019. The national bus tour is made possible by CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to improve diversity and inclusion within the workplace in the country.

Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce and Lean Into Louisville, the Mayor’s initiative to confront the history and legacy of all forms of discrimination and inequality, partnered to bring the tour to Louisville.

“At a time when our country is experiencing a division, it’s important that we always be the change we want to see to bring a more diverse and inclusive community together,” said the Mayor. “We’re excited that CEO Action is partnering with Lean Into Louisville and many of our major employers and local universities to help us learn about our unconscious biases and show support for collaboration over competition.”

The tour is intended to help people recognize, acknowledge, and therefore minimize, any potential blind spots he or she might have but wasn’t aware of previously.

“While CEO Action’s Check Your Blind Spots tour addresses the importance of unconscious bias, it is also an opportunity to rediscover the common humanity that we all share. From helping CEOs drive change in the workplace to supporting communities across the country like Louisville to courageously face our society’s very real, difficult issues and find those connections through meaningful conversation is an honor,” said Shannon Schuyler, Principal, Chief Purpose Officer & Responsible Business Leader at PwC.

Through innovative tour activities that use virtual reality, gaming technology and more, attendees will have an introspective look at unconscious biases people face on a daily basis to better understand different perspectives and experiences.

Highly interactive tour activities include:

• Look Through a Different Lens: Via gamification and a digital viewfinder, participants watch an interaction between co-workers setting up a work-related event and then, identify moments when unconscious biases are demonstrated.
• Face Yourself, Face Reality: In front of a mirror, participants watch as their reflection fades away to reveal a different person staring back at them. Through this touchscreen experience, each new reflection shares a series of biases they’ve experienced.
• I Act On pledge: Attendees (and you) can join thousands nationwide in committing to checking our blind spots and changing our behaviors through the I Act On pledge.

Equally important, the tour is a jumpstart to create a meaningful conversation about how to be more inclusive in local workplaces and beyond and allows students, local businesses and community to join thousands nationwide in committing to action through the I Act On pledge.

In Louisville, five CEOs (Humana, Bruce Broussard; Kindred Healthcare, Ben Breier; Papa John’s, Steve Richie; University of Louisville, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi; Yum! Brands, Greg Creed) have already signed the CEO Pledge committing their organizations to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed and employees feel comfortable and empowered to discuss diversity and inclusion.

Additionally, CEOs from global companies that have a Louisville presence have signed the CEO Pledge, including Ford, EY, Genentech, JPMorgan Chase and UPS.

Mayor Fischer and Bellarmine University President Dr. Susan Donovan will sign the Pledge when Bellarmine University hosts the bus on Wednesday, April 24.

Louisville is the first city in the country to host the bus for a full work week.

Tour highlights:

• Monday, April 22, 2019: Humana will host the bus for its employees at its corporate campus in downtown Louisville. (Employees only)
• Tuesday, April 23, 2019: The University of Louisville will host the bus for a full day of interaction with its students and general public. (Open to the public, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Gottschalk Hall, 2301 S Third St.)
  • Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) kicks off its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Series with Shannon Schuyler, PwC’s Chief Purpose Officer and Responsible Business Leader, and Presidents of the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. The series, presented by Papa John’s in partnership with the University of Louisville, will give the regional business community the platform to evaluate, expand and strengthen their companies’ policies, procedures and knowledge around diversity, equity and inclusion. The event will take place at UofL’s Swain Activities Center 7:30-9:30 a.m. Registration is $15 and can be purchased at registration@greaterlouisville.com
• Wednesday, April 24, 2019: Mayor Fischer will join the local business community, faith leaders and students to tour the bus at Bellarmine University and participate in a Conversation Café hosted by The Big Table. (Open to the public, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., 2001 Newburg Road)
• Thursday, April 25, 2019: Yum! Brands will host the bus at its corporate campus for its employees. (Employees only)
• Friday, April 26, 2019: Papa John’s will host the bus at its corporate headquarters for its employees. (Employees only)

In the wake of six current measles outbreaks throughout the United States, the University of Louisville Division of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Public Health and Wellness are teaming up to host two reduced-cost immunization clinics on for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and chickenpox April 19 and April 20.

The clinics will be held at the University of Louisville Vaccine and International Travel Clinic at 501 E. Broadway, Suite 110, on Friday April 19 from 5 – 8 p.m. and on Saturday April 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Vaccines are $40.00 per dose and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last.  This special rate is considerably less than the regular price of $80-$120 per dose for MMR vaccine and the $100-$150 per dose for chickenpox vaccine.  Because of the below-cost rate, insurance cannot be accepted at the clinic.  Cash, credit card and medical spending accounts will be accepted.

Anyone who falls into one or more of the following categories should be immunized:

• Adults who do not have evidence of receiving 2 doses of MMR vaccine in the past
• Children and adolescents under the age of 18 years should have received MMR vaccine and chickenpox vaccine from their pediatrician or primary care provider.  If not, they may come to one of the clinics for evaluation
• Adults who do not have evidence of receiving 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine and have not had diagnosed chicken pox
• Individuals preparing for international travel
• Adults previously vaccinated between 1963-1967 (typically, adults now in their fifties) when the measles vaccine administered may have been ineffective
• Adults previously vaccinated between 1963-1991 who may have received only a single dose of MMR vaccine
• Anyone wanting to be vaccinated who is unsure of their vaccination status.

Measles can be deadly, particularly in children; two to three out of every 1000 people infected will die from measles.  Measles is reemerging in the United States largely because of pockets of unvaccinated populations throughout the country.  As people travel outside the United States to countries where measles is prevalent and then return home, or when unvaccinated international travelers visit our country, the disease has the chance to spread among those who have not been immunized. 

“Many visitors will be traveling to Louisville for Derby, both from outside the United States where the disease is prevalent and from areas inside our country that are currently experiencing outbreaks. Our focus at the Vaccine and Travel Clinic is on illness prevention, and that’s why it’s so important to us that parents and children get immunized now,” said Dr. Ruth Carrico, of the Division of Infectious Diseases of the University of Louisville.

“Measles is one of our most contagious diseases and MMR is one of our most effective vaccines.  It’s totally unnecessary that children and adults should be unprotected against this deadly disease.  We urge everyone to be immunized,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, Medical Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

From January 1 to April 11, 2019, 555 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 20 states. This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000.

Measles outbreaks of three or more cases had been reported in five states including Washington, New York City, New York’s Rockland County, Michigan, Illinois and California.  Fifteen other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon and Texas have also seen measles cases.  Louisville has not had any measles cases so far this year. Kentucky’s two cases involved unvaccinated children living in the south-central part of the state who had traveled outside the United States. 

Uninsured individuals can also receive MMR and chickenpox vaccines from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.  Phone 574-5380.

The Ohio River in Southwest Louisville will come alive with fireworks, fun, and a fresh musical line-up on Saturday, June 29th at the Riverview Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities.

Rising country music star Stephanie Quayle will headline the Festival Stage. Stephanie offers a fresh sound, and relatable storylines that is unmatched in today’s country music scene. Her brand-new single “If I Was a Cowboy” was released in February 2019 and she was named CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2019.

Returning this year is up-and-coming country musician Shane Dawson. This singer songwriter from Mount Washington took the Riverview Stage last year and brings his high-energy pop country performances. Finally, local group Long Lost Country will be rounding out this year’s lineup featuring classic country and honky tonk hits.

“The Riverview Festival has become a southwest tradition and we have a beautiful venue to enjoy these fantastic performances,” said Blackwell. “If you are a fan of country music, this is one event you don’t want to miss!”

The Festival begins at 5:00 p.m. with performances continuing throughout the day until the fantastic fireworks display at 10:00 p.m.

Brown-Forman and Kosair have returned as Presenting Stars & Stripes Sponsors of the event. Café Press, WAVE3 News, Q103.1, LG&E, and Signarama Dixie are supporting as Proud Patriot Sponsors. Several Louisville Metro Councilmembers are have also contributed to this event including Councilman Rick Blackwell, Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, Councilman David Yates, Councilman Mark Fox, Councilman Kevin Triplett, Councilwoman Madonna Flood, Councilman Pat Mulvihill, Councilwoman Jessica Green and Councilman Anthony Piagentini.

For more information on event details including kids activities, parking, and food and drink vendors, visit the event website at www.RiverviewFestival.com  or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/riverviewfest/ .

The volume of yard waste set out for collection by residents of Louisville’s Urban Services District has been very heavy since the April 1 start of yard waste collection season. The high volume has led to delayed or missed collections in some cases.

To handle to high volume and get collection on schedule, the Solid Waste Management division of Louisville Metro Public Works has shifted the daily start time of yard waste collection. Crews are now starting out on their yard waste collection routes at noon instead of the previous 6 a.m. start time.

The noon start creates a better match between the availability of yard waste collection workers and equipment. That has reduced the need for overtime while increasing productivity and on-time collection.

The new schedule means the regular yard waste collection schedule will extend into the evening. However, residents should continue to set yard waste out by the morning of collection day. If yard waste has not been collected by 8 p.m. on the assigned day, residents should contact Metro311 the following morning at 311 or 574-5000.

The best way to reduce the need for collection and improve your yard is to follow the Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em (LELE) practice of using your yard waste as fertilizer.

LELE Tips & Tricks:

• Set your mower to maximum height. Follow the one-third rule: never cut more than one-third of the total height of the grass when you mow.
• Don’t bag those clippings! Leaves and grass break down rapidly, releasing nutrients back into your soil. 
• Mulch leaves and landscape trimmings into your lawn. Mow over landscape trimmings and leaves without a grass catcher. To avoid hazards while mowing, make sure trimmings are no larger than a pencil.
• Start composting! With your own compost bin or pile you can recycle food scraps and yard waste into usable compost for your flower beds, gardens, potted plants, or other landscaping. More information

Learn more about yard waste at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/yard-waste

He was a driving force behind the modernization and expansion of Louisville’s public transportation system. It is a system that handles the needs of a wide variety of commuters ranging from the poor and working people of the city and young and old.

On Thursday, President David James (D-6) will honor the work and dedication of Barry Barker by officially dedicating an honorary street sign near the place where he worked.

“The people of Metro Louisville owe Barry Barker a great deal because as Executive Director of the Transit Authority of River City, he made sure they had a way to work if they didn’t own a car,” says President James. “He continues to work for the community even though he has retired from TARC’s day to day operations.”

On Thursday, April 18th President James will join family, friends and representatives of TARC to unveil an honorary street sign for Barker at 2:00pm.

In March, the Metro Council gave unanimous approval the sign to be located at the corner of 10th Street and West Broadway just east of Union Station in Louisville and so designated as “Barry Barker Blvd.”

“Barry retired from TARC on December 1, 2018 and continues to remain active in non-profit work to improve the community; and we are grateful for Mr. Barker’s service and dedication to our community and thank him for his service,” says James.

For more information about the Barry Barker Sign Unveiling, contact President James office at 574-1106.

Google Fiber will pay $3.84 million to Louisville Metro Government (LMG) to restore roads and other public rights-of-way affected by its departing service in Louisville.

Louisville Metro Government and Google Fiber agreed to these payments to fulfill the company’s obligations under its franchise agreement and local regulations, which require restoration of rights-of-way should a service provider end service in Louisville. Citing technical challenges, Google Fiber announced its exit from Louisville in February.

The payments will be made over 20 months and will cover the costs for:

• Removing fiber cables and sealant from roads.
• Milling and paving activities where needed.
• Removal of above-ground infrastructure.

The agreement addresses network installations in Portland, Newburg and the Highlands, where Google Fiber offered services. Where necessary, construction will begin as part of the Public Works paving season currently underway.

In addition, Google Fiber is making a $150,000 cash donation to the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Digital Inclusion Fund to support LMG’s digital inclusion efforts, which include refurbishing used computers for low-income individuals and the enrollment of public housing residents in low-cost internet access through other companies providing service in Louisville. The company is also planning to make a donation of 275 refurbished computers to the Louisville Metro Housing Authority.

“Infrastructure in neighborhoods and public properties affected by Google Fiber will look as good or better than they did before the company began construction, just as our franchise agreement stipulated,” said Grace Simrall, LMG’s Chief of Civic Innovation & Technology. “The city will diligently repair these roads and public spaces over the 20-month period.”

Simrall added: “It’s clear that Google Fiber’s presence in Louisville led other providers to step up and increase investment in Louisville, and that was good news for consumers everywhere. Moreover, we appreciate Google Fiber’s donation to our digital inclusion work, because improving equity in access to technology and digital skills is essential for Louisville’s economy today and tomorrow.”

Google Fiber is ceasing service in Louisville at 11:59 p.m. today (Monday, April 15). The company first shared this information with customers and LMG in February. Since then, Google Fiber has provided two months of free service to allow customers time to arrange an alternate internet service provider.

“This plan provides for the long-term protection of the city’s infrastructure and empowers LMG to prioritize and execute all aspects of the required work based on the needs of the community,” said Mark Strama, General Manager for Google Fiber. “We are also happy to be able to support digital inclusion efforts in Louisville to increase internet access and digital literacy across the city.”

“Discontinuing service in Louisville was a very difficult business decision for Google Fiber, and we will forever be grateful to Mayor Fischer and his team for their commitment to the residents of Louisville and their dedication to driving internet connectivity and digital inclusion across the city,” Strama said.

The Healthy Start Initiative of the Department of Public Health and Wellness has been awarded a five-year $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). 

Healthy Start works to reduce infant mortality, the rate at which babies die before their first birthday, and to improve the health of newborns in five west Louisville ZIP Codes – 40203, 40208, 40210, 40211 and 40212.  The infant mortality rate in these neighborhoods is more than double the overall rate in Louisville.

From 2013 – 2015 the overall infant mortality rate in the five Healthy Start ZIP Codes was 11.12 deaths per 100,000 live births for all babies and 13.68 for African American babies.  This compared to a rate of 5.30 for the overall Louisville area.  Among participants in the Healthy Start program for this same period, however, the average yearly infant mortality rate was 1.13, well below the city average.

“The ZIP Code that a baby is born into should not determine how long she will live or how healthy he will be,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.  “From the very beginning, my administration has been committed to making Louisville a healthier, more compassionate city that promotes life-long learning.  This grant from the federal government is helping us to achieve this.  Thanks to Congressman John Yarmuth for his continued work on behalf of our children and their families.”

“The Healthy Start program has the power to save lives and promote healthy families, and I’m so glad this important federal funding is coming home to Louisville,” said Congressman John Yarmuth. “It has been my honor to lead efforts to fund Healthy Start in the budget each year, and I’m proud to see that Louisville has become a national success story in ensuring that our children have the best possible chance at a life well-lived.”

Begun in Louisville in 1998, the Louisville Healthy Start program has served more than 10,000 children and their families, more than 800 last year alone.  The program promotes safe pregnancies by visiting the homes of pregnant women both before and after the birth of the child to ensure that women have early and continuous access to prenatal care, that they keep all their prenatal appointments and that newborns reach developmental milestones.  Other family support services include the WIC nutritional program, parenting classes, childhood immunizations, physical and mental health screenings and special fatherhood trainings.

The percentage of Healthy Start families in which fathers play an active role has increased from 14% in 2013 to 77% in 2015.  During the same period the percentage of mothers breastfeeding their children at six months rose from 50% to 75%.

“The future prosperity of any society depends on its ability to foster the health and wellbeing of the next generation,” said Dr. Caloia, medical director of the Department of Public Health and Wellness. “When a society invests wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and engagement. We are deeply grateful to be one of only 100 cities in the country to receive these funds. This helps us in achieving our mission of having a city where everyone and every community thrives.”

For more information about Healthy Start visit https://louisvilleky.gov or 502 Fathers or call 502.574.MOM1 (6661). To see how Healthy Start and many other partners in the Healthy Babies Louisville Coalition are working to foster healthy, thriving families, visit www.healthybabieslou.org.