When Kentucky’s new Pregnant Workers Act goes into effect this week, our state will be taking a huge step toward improving birth outcomes and children’s health, by guaranteeing reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnant workers and those who have recently given birth

Maternal health is crucial to the future health and success of a woman’s child. Babies born prematurely or at low birth weights are at much greater risk for chronic health conditions that can impact them throughout their lives, including heart disease and diabetes, as well as the ability to concentrate and thrive academically.

The relationship between the working environment and its impact on pregnancy is significant.  According to 2013 U.S. Census data, 62 percent of women were working while they carried their developing child.

Our Center for Health Equity conducted a Health Impact Assessment on the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act when it was introduced.  A Health impact Assessment is a process that brings together scientific data, health expertise and public input to identify potential health effects of proposed laws and regulations, programs, and projects.

We spoke with stakeholders and conducted a comprehensive review of existing data on the health impacts of working while pregnant to provide a more thorough understanding of how certain work environments can impact health. We also looked at evidence for the types of accommodations that can be made to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for pregnant workers and their developing children.

What the evidence proved is that making reasonable accommodations in the workplace can improve birth outcomes and help infants flourish.  For example:

• Reducing heavy lifting, bending or standing can prevent pre-term birth.
• Reducing exposure to continuously loud noises may prevent hearing loss in infants.
• Allowing a pregnant mom consistent access to water helps her maintain a healthy pregnancy.
• Providing a safe, private space for a postpartum mom to pump breastmilk helps her prevent mastitis and ensures a healthy flow of the most nutritious food source possible.

The ability to maintain employment during pregnancy is critical for the health and wellbeing of a mother and her developing child. Income provides for food, housing, and access to health care. Allowing pregnant workers to request reasonable accommodations for the physical transitions of pregnancy can both help alleviate health concerns and allow pregnant workers to continue earning an income during this important stage of life.

The Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act helps to ensure that any woman can work to support her family without risking the health of her pregnancy and developing child. Workers and employers who want to learn more about the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act can find a helpful fact sheet here.

The Kentucky State Fair announced GenCanna as the presenting sponsor of this year’s summer celebration as well as the lineup of Texas Roadhouse Concert Series.

“The state fair is all about two things GenCanna cares deeply about- Kentucky and agriculture,” said Matty Mangone-Miranda, CEO of GenCanna. “Hemp production, both in agriculture and science, has a promising future in Kentucky. We’re proud to help showcase the great work done here in the Commonwealth as the presenting sponsor of the 2019 Kentucky State Fair.”

“Through partnerships with successful Kentucky-based businesses like GenCanna and Texas Roadhouse, we’ll be able to make the 2019 Kentucky State Fair a wonderful experience to remember,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues.

Held August 15-25 during the Kentucky State Fair presented by GenCanna, the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series features a wide range of musical artists with a different concert every night, for a total of 26 bands. This year all concerts are free with paid gate admission.

The Texas Roadhouse Concert Series Line-up Is:

• Thursday, August 15th
  • Montgomery Gentry, featuring Eddie Montgomery with special guests Exile and Layla Spring
• Friday, August 16th
  • Sheila E
• Saturday, August 17th
  • Black Stone Cherry, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, and The Josephines
• Sunday, August 18th
  • The Oak Ridge Boys with special guest Lee Greenwood
• Monday, August 19th
  • for KING & COUNTRY with special guest Young Escape
• Tuesday, August 20th
  • Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone with special guests Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Mitch Ryder
• Wednesday, August 21
  • Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. with special guest Brandon Lay
• Thursday, August 22nd
  • lovelytheband with special guest The Mowgli’s
• Friday, August 23rd
  • Dylan Scott and Mitchell Tenpenny with special guest Jake Rose
• Saturday, August 24th
  • Vince Neil of Motley Crue with special guest KIX
• Sunday, August 25th
  • Lauren Daigle with special guest AHI

The week that started off extremely wet turned out beautiful for Championship matches held on Thursday at Iroquois Golf Course.  Great spirit and sportsmanship came to a conclusion with Joe Benton of Estill County defeating Andreas Olsen from Louisville Trinity High School 5&4 in the 36-hole Boys Championship match.  Jenna Estravillo defeated Matti Spalding impressively 9&8 in the Girls Championship Flight.  For the 11 & Under Boys/Girls division Championship Flight, Luc Kelty defeated Jace Wilder 5&4.  The 12/13 Boys/Girls Championship Flight winner was Landon Stillwell who defeated Jack Talbott 3&2.  

Other Flight winners and runner-ups were:

Girls Consolation Flight
Isabella Wiley def.  Emma Lindemoen

Boys Consolation Flight
Micah Bertram def. Miles Parraco

Boys First Flight
Coby Johnson def.  Ryan Johnson

Boys Second Flight
Jake Leonberger def. Kade Benton

Boys Third Flight
Eli Beck def. Drew Johnson

11 & under Boys/Girls First Flight
Dylan Logsdon def. Finn Johnson

12/13 Boys/Girls First Flight
Abigail Deerr def.  William Frazure

The Ohio River will come alive with fireworks and fun on Saturday, June 29th at the Riverview Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities.

The celebration will be a day of music, entertainment, and family fun in the beautiful southwest park along the Ohio River and this year features a fantastic musical lineup and an expanded kids’ activity area! At night, patriotic sounds and spectacular lights of fireworks will emanate from a barge on the Ohio River for a stunning display with a picturesque backdrop.

“I am excited for the Southwest to host what has become an Independence Holiday tradition in our community,” said Blackwell. “The Riverview Festival is the perfect way to start your holiday weekend, with thousands of your friends and neighbors enjoying music, family fun, and fireworks together.”      

The Riverview Independence Festival will begin at 5:00 pm and will cap off with the Fireworks show at 10:00 pm.

“Brown-Forman is proud to continue our support of the Riverview Independence Festival. We look forward to the continued growth and success of this beloved Southwest tradition,” says Carly Launius, Community Relations Manager for Brown-Forman.

“This annual festival brings families together, and allows kids to be kids,” said Keith Inman, President of Kosair Charities. “We are thrilled to help present an event that aligns so closely with our mission and connects our community.”

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. Returning this year is up-and-coming country musician Shane Dawson. Local group Long Lost Country will round out this year’s lineup featuring classic country and honky-tonk hits.

This free community event has a day of fun for the whole family. The highlights of this year’s festival include:

• WAVE 3’s Dawne Gee and Tawana Andrews as emcee the events
• Kids can enjoy outdoor adventure activities from the Jefferson Memorial Forest ECHO Mobile and a 24 foot Rock Climbing Wall
• Mingle and take pictures with the Squallis Puppeteers and Louisville League of Mascots
• Make giant bubbles with Enchanted Rainbow Bubbles
• WUOL’s 90.5 Classical Corner with Jecorey Arthur for a hands-on experience with classical music
• Patriotic Photo Area with red, white and blue accessories
• Beat the heat with the Riverview Spray Ground and refillable water station
• Enjoy food from Pollo Food Truck, Sivori Fair Foods, and Ehrler’s Ice Cream

Limited parking is available at the event site. Additional parking will be available at LG&E, located at 7301 Distribution Drive. A shuttle service from the LG&E lot to the park will be provided by TARC for attendees from 5:00 to 10:45 pm.

Joining Blackwell as Metro Council sponsors are Cindi Fowler (D-14), David Yates (D-25), Mark Fox (D-13), Kevin Triplett (D-13), Madonna Flood (D-24), Pat Mulvihill (D-10), Jessica Green (D-1), James Peden (R-23) and Anthony Piagentini (D-19).

“This southwest tradition would not be possible without the partnership from our community sponsors. We are thrilled that Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities have returned as Presenting Sponsors for this year’s event and are thankful to all of the businesses that have invested in this event and our southwest community,” says Blackwell.

Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities have returned as Presenting Stars & Stripes Sponsors of the event. WAVE3 News, Q103.1, Café Press and LG&E are supporting as Proud Patriot Sponsors. We are proud to have Horseshoe Southern Casino, Signarama Dixie, Beacon Federal Credit Union and Owen Funeral Home as Red, White & Blue Sponsors.

To see a listing of all the events for the 8th  Annual Riverview Park Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities, visit www.RiverviewFestival.com or follow the event on Facebook.com/riverviewfest.

By a vote of 24 to 1, the Louisville Metro Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Operating Budget for Metro Government. In a unanimous vote, the Council has approved the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Capital Budget for Metro Government.

“Our task was to appropriate available funds in a way which would best serve the public, agree on a budget which would draw the most support on the Council and be signed by the Mayor.  The job was much more difficult this year because of our dramatically higher pension costs, which are one part of the budget we cannot reduce.  The result is a budget that makes cuts in nearly every department and many services provided to Louisville residents.  We have tried to minimize those cuts as much as possible, but they remain very deep”, says Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9), Chair of the Budget Committee.  “Unfortunately, the pension costs will rise again next year and for several years after that, so even deeper cuts will be coming unless we find new revenue.”

“I am pleased that despite increasing expenses, the Council was able to come together on a budget that moves the conversation from crisis to correction.  In a budget year where our expenses grew more than our revenue, we were forced to look more closely at how we are spending taxpayer dollars.  This process allowed us to ask some very difficult questions, examine how some programs were being run, and to prioritize which services and amenities the citizens expect,” said Councilman Kevin Kramer (R-11), Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. “I am proud of the fact that we moved the police recruit class forward and offered additional support to new recruits, we were able to restore funding for 2 pools, restore regular library hours and reopen a library. This budget maintains our plans for addressing the paving needs of our streets, the health needs of our citizens and the maintenance needs of our buildings.”

The recommended budget included a projection that LMPD will have 40 fewer officers at the end of the year than the beginning, due to bringing on fewer recruits to replace officers leaving the force.  The Council approved an amendment to the Mayor’s proposed budget which moved one recruit class up one month and includes a new recruit allowance, but those changes will not completely reverse the projected loss of officers.

Louisville Fire Department will lose 15 positions through attrition.  The department is still working on a plan to absorb that loss while minimizing the effect on response times for fire and medical calls.

The Louisville Free Public Library, which had the largest percentage cut in the Mayor’s proposed budget, will see money restored to preserve hours at branch libraries and to resume service in Middletown, provided a facility is made available at little or no cost to the library.  LFPL will still see some cuts, including closure of the Fern Creek Library and some personnel reductions.

Weekly recycling and seasonal yard waste collection in the Urban Services District is funded in the budget but a wet-dry recycling program in the Central Business District will be eliminated, resulting in less recycling and more items sent to the landfill.

External Agencies are funded at $1.3 Million, a reduction of 28% from the previous year’s budget.

To address food insecurity issues, the budget includes a $200,000 appropriation to Dare to Care.

Youth Detention services is funded through December 31, 2019, when its programs will transition to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as is the case in all other Kentucky counties.

Funding for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods is reduced by over $1 Million, eliminated three of four Cure Violence sites but retaining to hospital-based violence reduction programs. It provides $110,000 in funding for the Centerstone Crisis and Information Center.

The approved budget increases funding for paving, sidewalk repair and construction, and maintains other recommended funding for Parks, the Zoo, and other projects and services.

Every year, Independence Day brings hundreds of visitors to the parks – and with that heavy traffic comes a lot of extra litter. On July 5-6, Louisville Parks and Recreation will host the first-ever “Pick-up the Parks” Days. The event will function as a do-it yourself volunteer project for individuals, families, neighborhood groups and organizations. Louisville Parks and Recreation encourages anyone and everyone to stop by their neighborhood park or one of the suggested parks to check for litter.

Any litter collected can be left in a tied off bag next to any trashcan in the park.

Need gloves or trash bags? Those cleaning up the parks can pick up supplies from any of these locations during operating hours starting June 24th:

• Joe Creason Park, Main Park Office, 1297 Trevilian Way, 40213
• Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Avenue, 40218
• Molly Leonard Portland Community Center, 640 N. 27th Street, 40212
• Berrytown Community Center,1300 Heafer Road, 40223

For large groups, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Flarsheim at call (502) 574-7275 ahead of the clean-up to ensure there are enough supplies.

Recommended parks for clean-ups. Parks has identified high-traffic parks that might need a little bit of extra attention after the holiday. Those parks are listed below, but those wanting to chip in can clean up any park  in the city.

• George Rodgers Clark Park
• Petersburg Park
• Chickasaw Park
• Berrytown Park
• Highview Park

Win prizes! Share your #LitterFreeLou photos! Be sure to post clean-up photos to social media using the hashtag #LitterFreeLou and tag @loukyparks. Those posting photos will be entered into the Park Prize Raffle. It’s that easy! Have Questions? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Flarsheim. Email sarah.flarsheim@louisvilleky.gov or call/text (502) 574-7275.

Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Free Public Library officials welcomed the public today to the new Northeast Regional Library located at 15 Bellevoir Circle off Ormsby Station Road in Lyndon.

The nearly 40,000-square-foot facility—which replaces the much-smaller Westport branch—enhances service for more than 170,000 people in eastern Jefferson County, with new books, open spaces, and cutting-edge technology that encourages learning at all stages of life. Similar in size and scope to the award-winning Southwest and South Central Regional libraries, Northeast houses more than 120,000 books and materials, and includes comfortable, quiet spaces for reading and studying, several meeting rooms, an auditorium, a large children’s area, and a separate teen space.

“The Northeast Regional Library builds on the success we’ve had with the Southwest and South Central Regional Libraries,” said Mayor Fischer. “They’ve been huge hits with the public, and we’re excited that we can open the third beautiful, full-service modern library our citizens demand and deserve.”

New to LFPL, the Northeast Regional features an innovative, hands-on “makerspace” with audio/visual studio and demonstration kitchen. Called the Maker Pavilion, it is Northeast’s hub for making, collaborating, and hands on learning. The Maker Room features the latest in maker technology including a Makerbot 3D printer, Glowforge laser cutter, programmable drones, sewing machines, and more. The Media Studio offers a sound booth for patrons to record podcasts and music, and an area to create videos using green screen technology. In the Kitchen, chefs and other local experts will host scheduled cooking classes and demos for the public. The entire Maker Pavilion will host open hours, regular orientations, and specialized classes geared towards different age groups, including kids, teens, and adults.

“Libraries incubate intellectual curiosity, promote literacy, help our children succeed in school and our adults to reach their full potential,” said Library Director Lee Burchfield. “The Northeast Regional is a spectacular library in a beautiful, park-like setting that will inspire creativity and innovation for generations of Louisvillians.”

The eco-friendly Northeast Regional Library project utilizes green building construction methods and materials and has been designed to save energy, improve quality of life, and reduce operating costs through such elements as geothermal heating and daylight harvesting interior lighting. Walls of glass and clerestory windows fill the space with abundant natural light and offer incredible views of the park-like campus and the historic Ormsby House. The surrounding grounds include walking paths, benches, and outdoor learning spaces. And thanks to two donations—one from Trees Louisville and one from LG&E and KU Energy’s Plant for the Planet program—an additional 63 new trees have been added to the 13.5 acre campus, complementing the existing 104 mature specimens on the site. 

“The completion of the Northeast Regional Library represents a coming together of our community to make improving and expanding our libraries a priority,” said District 18 Councilwoman Marilyn Parker. “While Metro Government has played a big role in this development, we also counted on support from State Government, the City of Lyndon, the Library Foundation and many individuals and groups who helped raise the funding and support needed to complete this facility. This branch is located in District 18, but in reality, it will be a resource for the entire community.”

The design team for the Northeast Regional Library included JRA Architects, MSR Design, and MKSK, in consultation with library staff, neighborhood residents, and community leaders. The total price tag for construction, books, computers and furnishings is estimated at $17.8 million, with $14 million combined from the state and capital funds allocated by Mayor Fischer and approved by the Metro Council, and the additional $3.8 million raised from private donations to the Library Foundation.

“The generous financial support of private donors to The Library Foundation funds the margin of excellence which makes good libraries into great libraries,” said Library Foundation Chair Steve Gault. “I thank all who supported our successful Campaign for the Northeast Regional Library and helped make this a great library for our city.”

“It’s an honor to have this library in Lyndon,” said Lyndon Mayor Brent Hagan. “We hope that you use the space. Schedule meetings here, meet people for coffee. Take the kids for story time, find a quiet place to write or watch a cooking demonstration. I know it sounds crazy, but you could even check out a book!”

Mayor Fischer, Burchfield, and Metro Council members were joined at today’s event by Library Foundation Chair Steve Gault, Lyndon Mayor Brent Hagan, and Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives Commissioner Terry Manuel.

If you visit the Northeast Regional Library

The hours of operation are: Sunday: 1–5 p.m., Monday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The library hosts a variety of free programs, classes, and events every month for adults and youth including weekly storytimes, computer classes, and Maker Pavilion programs. Search the library’s online calendar at http://LFPL.org/events for a complete list of upcoming program dates and times.

In addition, the Northeast Regional’s meeting rooms are available for use by community groups and organizations; it is free but reservations are required. For more information call (502) 394-0379 or visit LFPL.org/meeting-rooms.htm.