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Sunday December 7, 2025
Local Connection
As part of his Mission Veterans Protected program, Attorney General Andy Beshear is calling on the federal government to better protect Kentucky military families against the onslaught of predatory lenders.
Beshear and a group of state attorneys general are asking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to reconsider its reported decision to stop examining lenders to ensure they comply with the Military Lending Act of 2006.
The act protects military service members and their families from exploitative lenders and loans so that they are not overburdened with debt. The bureau has the authority to examine lenders’ compliance with the act to detect potential risks to Kentuckians and ensure that military service members aren’t being offered illegal loans.
Beshear said this is especially important for younger service members who have less experience managing their own finances and may be more vulnerable to predatory loans.
“As attorney general, my mission is to protect Kentucky’s military families from consumer fraud, especially the ongoing deception by predatory lenders,” Beshear said. “We must do everything in our power to ensure our military service members and veterans aren’t bombarded from those who would steal their savings or pensions.”
Beshear said approximately 60 percent of military families report experiencing stress related to their financial condition. Service members in financial distress may have their security clearance revoked and be compelled to leave the military, resulting in the loss of well-trained service members and additional financial burdens for the military.
Beshear created “Mission Veterans Protected” (MVP) aimed at helping Kentucky’s veteran community combat the findings in an AARP study where veterans are twice as likely to fall victim to fraud when compared to nonveterans.
“Mission Veterans Protected” is the latest step Beshear has taken to both stop con artists and help protect veterans.
Most recently, Beshear announced his office joined other state AGs in shuttering the doors of a charity, VietNow National Headquarters Inc., who misled thousands of donors by claiming contributions supported local veterans.
His office also secured federal debt relief for approximately 2,000 Kentuckians, most of them veterans, who were victimized by predatory practices by Corinthian Colleges Inc.
Citing Louisville’s strong economy, sound management, and budgetary flexibility, the nationally recognized credit rating services Fitch Ratings, Inc. and Moody’s Investors Service have again granted Louisville Metro positive bond ratings.
The economic renaissance underway in Louisville includes $13 billion of capital investment since 2014, 80,000 new jobs and 2,700 new businesses since 2011, rising wages and an unemployment rate below four percent. The new acknowledgements from Fitch and Moody’s of “The Big Three” credit agencies position Louisville Metro to build on that economic momentum through additional capital investments across the city.
“Unprecedented economic growth is visible in every corner of Louisville, from the Southwest, South Central and Northeast Regional Libraries to the revitalization at the intersection of 18th and Broadway and the renaissance underway in Russell,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Positive credit ratings strengthen our ability to make smart investments that complement the contributions coming from other sectors.”
Louisville Metro’s upcoming bond sales will be used to repay notes issued in 2017 to provide initial financing for land acquisition associated with the approximately $200 million development of the Butchertown Stadium District. The sale will include $15.8 million in tax-exempt and $14.8 million in taxable general obligation bonds. Louisville City FC, which has enhanced their financing portfolio with support from the state, will pay $14.5 million back to the city over 20 years for reimbursement of a large portion of the land cost.
Fitch again assigned and affirmed its highest rating of AAA for Louisville Metro.
In its report, Fitch stated that the “AAA’ ratings reflect metro government’s low long-term liabilities, strong revenue and expenditure frameworks, and Fitch’s expectation that the metro government will maintain a high level of financial flexibility throughout economic cycles.”
Moody’s affirmed its Aa1 rating for Louisville Metro.
Moody’s report cited Louisville Metro’s “sizeable and growing tax base serving as a regionally important economic hub” as a factor in assigning the Aa1 rating, and the “regionally important local economy” as rationale for issuing a stable outlook.
“Mayor Fischer’s leadership in strengthening our financial foundation has positioned Louisville Metro to act on strategic opportunities that build on our economic momentum,” said Louisville Metro’s Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Frockt. “Our positive credit ratings are key to making that happen.”
Louisville Metro’s bond sales are scheduled for Oct. 31, 2018.
Attorney General Andy Beshear says a Kansas man who attempted to purchase a Kentucky child online for $500 and drugs earlier this year was sentenced to five years and designated a lifetime sex offender.
Ernest Merle John Anziana, 49, of Fredonia, Kansas, was sentenced Oct. 19 in Franklin Circuit Court to five counts of unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth of Kentucky to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, all Class D felonies; and one count of promoting human trafficking, a Class C felony.
After release from prison, Anziana is required to register as a lifetime sex offender and must complete an approved sex offender treatment program. He will be under post-incarceration supervision as a sex offender.
The investigation began early in 2018 when Beshear’s Cyber Crimes Unit obtained information that Anziana was attempting to solicit sex from an underage child in Kentucky and offered to purchase the child for $500 and 7 grams of methamphetamine.
Following the unit’s lead, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office out of Kansas traced the information back to Anziana.
Anziana was also charged with solicitation to commit human trafficking in Greenwood County, which is located in the southeast portion of Kansas nearly 700 miles from Frankfort.
Anziana was indicted in Franklin Circuit Court Feb. 6, 2018, and was served with the indictment warrant in Kansas Feb. 7, 2018 when he was arrested. He was extradited to Kentucky, and his bond was set at $500,000.
“The details involved in this case are disturbing, yet our office encounters human trafficking cases in every county, city and community across Kentucky,” Beshear said. “Human trafficking represents the worst form of abuse, most often in children, like we have in this case. Every part of my office is committed to investigating and prosecuting predators seeking to harm our children and families. I want to thank our cyber investigators, the team at the Greenwood County Sheriff’s office, and the Franklin Commonwealth’s Attorney for prosecuting the case.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Zachary Becker prosecuted the case.
Beshear created the Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention when he entered office. The office, along with the Department of Criminal Investigations, has 15 open human trafficking cases, and over the course of 2018 the offices have been involved in 31 arrests or citations involving the crime.
Upon taking office in 2016, Beshear teamed up with Catholic Charities of Louisville to secure a three-year, $1.5 million federal grant to help train law enforcement, increase victim services and hire the state’s first full-time human trafficking investigator.
In February, the office secured a 20-year sentence against former Campbell County District Judge Timothy Nolan on numerous felony charges, including human trafficking of adults and minors.
Last month, Beshear joined Rep. Dennis Keene, of Wilder, to announce legislation that would grant the Office of the Attorney General the ability to investigate crimes, like human trafficking, that can occur across multiple jurisdictions.
If a human trafficking victim is in immediate danger dial 911 or report suspected human trafficking of a child to 877-KYSAFE1. Victims of human trafficking may call or text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
Photo: Kentucky Education And Workforce Development Cabinet
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary September 2018 unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. The unemployment rate for September 2018 was up from the 4.4 percent reported for August 2018.
The preliminary September 2018 jobless rate was down 0.2 percentage points from the 4.7 percent recorded for the state in September 2017.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for September 2018 was 3.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from the 3.9 percent reported for August 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based on estimates from the Current Population Survey of households. The survey is designed to measure trends in the number of people working. It includes jobs in agriculture and individuals who are self-employed.
Kentucky added 2,311 individuals to its civilian labor force in September 2018. This brings the state’s labor force to 2,073,753. The number of people employed in September was up by 777, while the number unemployed increased by 1,534.
“The total number of people working in Kentucky increased during September,” said University of Kentucky’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) Associate Director Mike Clark, Ph.D. “However, the increase in the number of people who were unemployed was greater—causing the unemployment rate to increase.”
In a separate federal survey of business establishments that excludes jobs in agriculture and people who are self-employed, Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 2,100 jobs in September 2018 compared to August 2018. Kentucky has added 14,500 jobs since September 2017, a 0.8 percent employment growth.
“Among the more notable results from the employment data that BLS released this month are the revisions for August,” Clark said. “The preliminary data released last month had suggested that Kentucky’s employment decreased in August. The revised data show employment increased by 3,700 in August. This was followed by an additional 2,100 jobs in the preliminary estimates for September.”
Nonfarm data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics program. According to this survey, six of Kentucky’s 11 major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors saw employment increases from the previous month while four declined and one was unchanged.
Employment in Kentucky’s construction sector jumped 2.3 percent, adding 1,700 jobs from August 2018 to September 2018. Over the past 12 months, construction employment is down 900 positions or 1.2 percent.
Trade, transportation and utilities sector gained 900 jobs in September 2018. All three subsectors showed growth from August 2018 to September 2018. Wholesale trade added 600 positions; retail trade gained 200 positions; and transportation, warehousing and utilities added 100 positions. This sector has expanded by 9,700 positions or 2.4 percent since September 2017.
Employment in the professional and business services sector increased by 500 jobs from August 2018 to September 2018, a gain of 0.2 percent. This sector has added 3,500 jobs since September 2017.
The leisure and hospitality sector increased by 300 jobs from August 2018 to September 2018. The accommodations and food service subsector added 400 jobs, while the arts, entertainment and recreation subsector fell by 100 jobs in September 2018. Since September 2017, leisure and hospitality has lost 600 positions or 0.3 percent.
Education and health services sector grew by 100 jobs in September 2018. Within this sector, health care and social assistance added 200 jobs and educational services lost 100 jobs. Employment in education and health services for September 2018 was up 900 since a year ago.
Employment in Kentucky’s mining and logging sector rose by 100 jobs from August 2018 to September 2018. Employment in this sector is up 200 positions since September 2017.
Employment in the financial activities sector was unchanged from August 2018 to September 2018. This sector has gained 1,000 jobs since last September. Within the sector, the finance and insurance subsector added 100 jobs and the real estate, rental and leasing subsector lost 100 jobs.
Kentucky’s manufacturing sector decreased by 200 jobs from August 2018 to September 2018, a drop of 0.1 percent. Durable goods manufacturing declined by 600 jobs. Employment in nondurable goods manufacturing added 400 jobs in September. Kentucky’s manufacturing employment was up by 400 since September 2017.
“The revised August estimates suggest that manufacturing employment did not decline as indicated initially last month,” said Clark. “However, the data does point to more variation in manufacturing employment from month-to-month, which might indicate that manufacturers are less certain about demand for their products.”
Information services sector lost 100 jobs in September 2018. This sector has declined by 300 jobs since September 2017. The industries in this sector include traditional publishing as well as software publishing; motion pictures and broadcasting; and telecommunications.
The government sector decreased by 1,000 jobs in September 2018. Federal government employment declined by 200 jobs; state government jobs fell by 100; and local government fell by 700 jobs. Total government employment is down 300 since September 2017.
Employment in the other services sector was down by 200 from August 2018 to September 2018. Other services rose by 900 jobs from a year ago for a growth rate of 1.4 percent since September 2017. Other services sector includes repairs and maintenance, personal care services and religious organizations.
Civilian labor force statistics include nonmilitary workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.
Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at http://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.
Artwork submitted by a student at Asbury Theological Seminary has been selected to represent the Kentucky Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, Attorney General Andy Beshear announced today.
Nicholas T. Porritt, a second-year marriage and family therapy masters student at Asbury, won a competition hosted by Beshear to raise awareness of human trafficking by creating a logo for the task force.
Monday in Frankfort, Beshear presented Porritt with a grant-funded $1,000 scholarship and congratulated him for being selected to help Kentuckians better identify the work the task force is doing to combat human trafficking.
Beshear said Porritt’s undergraduate roommate, who runs a safe house in Malawi and helps victims of sex trafficking, served as inspiration for the design.
“I applaud Nicholas for his outstanding design that focuses on the positive reality of a life filled with hope, peace and freedom – a message that resonates with victims of human trafficking,” Beshear said. “Providing victims a way out is what drives us each day in the AG’s office. We are working with our law enforcement and community partners to arrest traffickers and help victims find hope.”
Porritt said he wants his art to help people find hope, much like how art has helped him find hope.
“I believe that all of the qualities of this logo will help those who are in this situation to see a symbol of what can be,” Porritt said. “It’s not a reflection of the struggle and pain they are in, but hope for where they will be and what they can expect of this trafficking task force.”
Porritt’s design uses a dove to symbolize freedom, peace and hope. The bird is made to look like green leaves to symbolize growth, endurance and nourishment. The olive branch symbolizes freedom as well as a place to find stability. The yellow background is symbolic of the sun and evokes growth and life.
In September, Beshear launched the logo initiative with state and local partners to help support the Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, which Beshear’s office and Catholic Charities of Louisville co-chair.
Primary task force partners include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Kentucky State Police and Lexington Police Department. Overall membership of the task force includes nearly 50 agencies.
All high school juniors and seniors, and all college students were invited to enter the competition. A random panel of members of the Kentucky Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force chose the winning logo. The panel included law enforcement, victim advocates and survivor leaders.
Beshear said human trafficking is the second-largest criminal enterprise in the world and the Office of the Attorney General is focused on raising awareness of the crime, helping victims and prosecuting traffickers.
Beshear’s Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution operates to assist victims, prosecutors and law enforcement across the state in identifying and responding to these cases and leads the efforts of the Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force.
The Office of Victims Advocacy provides direct advocacy services to victims of trafficking as they work to navigate the legal system and find healing and recovery from the trauma.
Beshear’s office and Catholic Charities of Louisville received a federal grant that has allowed the hiring of the state’s first full-time human trafficking investigator and training of more than 5,000 law enforcement officers, health care employees, first responders, inspectors and community members across the state.
Beshear’s office currently has 15 open human trafficking cases, and over the course of 2018, the office has been involved in 31 arrests or citations involving the crime. In February, the office secured a 20-year sentence against former Campbell County District Judge Timothy Nolan on numerous felony charges, including human trafficking of adults and minors.
Last month, Beshear joined Rep. Dennis Keene, of Wilder, to announce legislation that would grant the Office of the Attorney General the ability to investigate crimes, like human trafficking, throughout multiple jurisdictions in the state.
If a human trafficking victim is in immediate danger dial 911 and report suspected human trafficking of a child to 877-KYSAFE1. Victims of human trafficking may call or text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
The Muhammad Ali Center will host a screening of the new documentary “Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes” on Thursday, November 1st at 5:30 p.m. in the Center’s auditorium. Light refreshments will be available at 5:30 p.m. and the film begins at 6:00 p.m. This is the first screening of the film in Louisville, following its premiere at South by Southwest Film Festival this past spring.
The documentary follows the life and times of Muhammad Ali shown through the lens of his numerous appearances on The Dick Cavett Show. The film features new interviews with Dick Cavett, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Larry Merchant, as well as archival material from the Cavett Show. Following the film, there will be a discussion with producer/director Robert Bader and a special appearance by Dick Cavett.
Formerly a stand-up comedian and Tonight Show writer, Dick Cavett was given his own daily talk show in the spring of 1968. The first show he taped featured the former Heavyweight Champion of the World. Muhammad Ali would appear on Cavett’s shows a total of fourteen times in the coming years. Ali and Cavett’s friendship spanned more than fifty years.
Among other individuals, the film features interviews with Cavett, Thomas Hauser, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Juan Williams, as well as archival material from the Cavett Show. This is more than a sports documentary; the film delves into political and social matters that remain relevant today.
“Muhammad and Mr. Cavett’s 48-year friendship played out publicly on late night television in the late 1960s, but it grew privately off screen,” said Lonnie Ali, co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center. “Both men admired and respected one another for their mutual intellect, humor, and curiosity about people.”
“Anyone who watched The Dick Cavett Show will remember the magic of Muhammad’s appearances on the program,” said Donald Lassere, President and CEO of the Ali Center, “especially the frank discussions they had about politics and society. We are honored to show this film and to have Dick sitting in the audience, here at the Muhammad Ali Center.”
Doors open at 5:30pm. Limited seating available. $15 admission to the event. Tickets must be purchased online at https://alicenter.org/?event=ali-cavett-the-tale-of-the-tapes
For additional info about the film and to view the trailer: https://ew.com/movies/2018/03/08/muhammad-ali-dick-cavett-ali-cavett-the-tale-of-the-tapes/
A proposed Ordinance dealing with Itinerant Vendors, Peddlers, and Solicitors is now before the Louisville Metro Council’s Public Works, Facilities, Transportation and Accessibility Committee.
The sponsors of the Ordinance are asking for public comment as the legislation moves forward.
“This is a starting point as we begin a review of how to deal with itinerant vendors, peddlers and solicitors in this growing area of our economy,” says Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4). “It is important that we hear from everyone on this issue. We are in no rush to get this legislation passed. We want to make sure all interested parties and the public know where and how they can advise us on this issue.”
Sexton Smith is one of four sponsors of the Ordinance. Council member Brandon Coan (D-8), Pat Mulvihill (D-10) and Scott Reed (R-16) are also sponsors. Councilman Mulvihill chairs the Public Works Committee.
“Current regulations regarding vending are complex and outdated” says Coan. “That is why we are treating this legislation with a public process to eliminate confusion and crowdsource policy ideas.”
Appearing before the Public Works Committee, the sponsors announced the public will be able to comment online by accessing a new webpage on the Metro Council Clerk’s Homepage that shows the current ordinance, the proposed changes and offers a comment section.
“When this ordinance was recently legally challenged and changed, this prompted Metro Council to look at the ordinance governing vendors, peddlers, and solicitors and attempt to update this audience since it has not been examined since 2011. The proposed ordinance is just a proposal at this point and is seeking public input from all interested parties on what, if any, changes need to be made going forward,” says Mulvihill, who chairs the Committee.
The Committee has announced two public hearings regarding the proposed Ordinance. On October 30th, all businesses that are currently regulated as vendors will be able to testify on the Ordinance. Each person will be given three minutes to make a statement and be available for questions by any committee members. On November 13th, anyone else who would like to comment on the new proposal will be invited to speak.
Following those hearings, the Committee will begin its discussion on the Ordinance. Online comments will be taken up to Friday, November 16th.
All meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. All meetings of the Metro Council are streamed live. Go to the Metro Council Home page at www.Louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil and click on the Metro Council Agendas link.
To access the new page that explains the proposed changes in the Itinerate Vendors, Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance, go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/proposed-changes-itine…