Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Monday December 15, 2025
Local Connection
Attorney General Andy Beshear is calling on federal regulators to allow telephone service providers to block more illegal robocalls being made to Kentuckians.
Beshear and more than 30 state attorneys general detail in their letter that scammers have devised methods to evade a call blocking order issued by the Federal Communications Commission last year.
Beshear said at issue is “neighborhood spoofing,” a technique allowing scammers – no matter where they are located – to appear on Kentuckians’ caller ID as being from a phone number that has the same local area code – 270, 502, 606 or 859.
“Protecting Kentuckians from the constant barrage of unwanted scams and robocalls is an ongoing priority of my office,” Beshear said. “We must strengthen the protections to our citizens when scammers strengthen their ploys to deceive them.”
In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission received 4.5 million illegal robocall complaints – two and a half times more than in 2014.
Beshear said his Office of Consumer Protection receives more than a thousand complaints each year with respect to illegal calls, including scam calls, telemarketing complaints and robocalls.
Beshear encourages Kentuckians to use the National Do Not Call Registry provided by the FCC.
Beshear and his office are fighting to stop con artists and are asking Kentuckians to report scams and identity theft via his office’s online form.
Earlier this year, Beshear announced nearly 2,200 Kentucky small businesses would get money back from a Michigan-based company that allegedly sold scam services.
Beshear recommends all Kentuckians stay ahead of scammers by signing up for his office’s Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV-311 (468-311) or online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
District Court judges from across the state participated in sessions on Casey’s Law, guardianship cases, cultural competency and more Sept. 16-19 at the 2018 District Judges College in Lexington. The Education Committee of the Kentucky District Judges Association and the Office of Judicial Branch Education at the Administrative Office of the Courts developed the college.
“The educational programs help judges enhance their legal knowledge and administrative skills, with the resulting public benefit of competent and fair administration of justice,” said District Court Judge John M. McCarty, president of the Kentucky District Judges Association. “The judges also got to spend some quality time with each other. Our annual colleges are a great opportunity to come together and discuss insights and shared challenges.”
Judge McCarty serves as a district judge for Butler, Edmonson, Hancock and Ohio counties, and is temporarily serving as a Family Court judge for Daviess County.
In the session on Casey’s Law, judges heard from people who said they benefited from the involuntary commitment law, which allows parents and others to petition courts for treatment on behalf of the person with a substance use disorder. The legislation is named for Casey Wethington of Northern Kentucky, who died from a heroin overdose in 2002. Guest speakers were Casey’s mother, Charlotte Wethington, who initiated the law and is a recovery advocate, and Wayne Crabtree, recently retired director of the Office of Addiction Services for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. Judges led a discussion on addiction, treatment and court intervention during the session.
The session on guardianship covered House Bill 5, a law the 2018 General Assembly passed that aims to address the growing number of vulnerable elderly and disabled people who become wards of the state. Under the legislation, judges must determine exceptional circumstances before appointing the state, rather than a family member, as guardian.
Pastor Edward Palmer, a certified diversity trainer, presented on cultural competency, which involves understanding differences in culture and interacting with people of other cultures effectively. The session also focused on racial disparity in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, where black youths are overrepresented in areas such as diversion overrides, meaning they are not allowed to participate in diversion after committing an offense and instead are sentenced in court.
The college also covered pretrial release, court designated workers and juvenile case processing, domestic violence, ethics and new case law.
Judges had a special opportunity to hear from the justices of the Supreme Court of Kentucky in a panel discussion.
The college included 17 hours of continuing judicial education credit for the district judges.
The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. (KAFC) approved $1,803,438 in agricultural loans for projects in the Commonwealth at its board meeting today.
Agricultural Infrastructure Loan Program (AILP)
- One Agricultural Infrastructure loan was approved for a recipients in Taylor ($150,000) county. KAFC participates with lenders to provide financing to producers making capital expenditures for agricultural projects through the AILP. Eligible projects include permanent farm structures with attached equipment that improves the profitability of farming operations. Producers with documented tobacco history may be eligible for up to $150,000 not to exceed 50 percent of the project.
Beginning Farmer Loan Program (BFLP)
- Eleven Beginning Farmer loans totaled $1,653,438 for recipients in Ballard ($123,750), Bourbon ($67,688), Clark ($150,000), Graves ($250,000), Green ($250,000), Henry ($117,500), Madison ($112,000), McLean ($267,500), Muhlenberg ($250,000) and Washington ($65,000) counties. BFLP is designed to assist individuals with some farming experience who desire to develop, expand or buy into a farming operation. Beginning farmers may qualify for financing to purchase livestock, equipment or agriculture facilities; to secure permanent working capital; for the purchase of farm real estate; or to invest in a partnership or LLC.
For more information on the programs offered by the KAFC, contact Sadie Middleton, Loan Programs Manager, at (502) 782-1757, sadier.middleton@ky.gov or visit the KAFC webpage at kafc.ky.gov.
Helping transit employees identify and report human trafficking when they encounter it on the streets of the Greater Louisville area is the goal of a new training effort announced Thursday by Attorney General Andy Beshear.
At Union Station, Beshear and J. Barry Barker, the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) executive director, rolled out human trafficking awareness training and reporting protocols that focus on the specific needs of nearly 400 TARC managers, dispatchers and bus drivers.
Beshear said trafficking occurs in countless locations in every community in this state, including at bus terminals where traffickers try to recruit victims and on busses where victims are transported.
“TARC employees are among those who serve as the eyes and ears of our community, and this training will help ensure they are in a better position to spot potential human trafficking situations and safely assist victims,” Beshear said. “Our partnership with TARC presents a momentous opportunity to confront human trafficking throughout Greater Louisville.”
Beshear said TARC will be a strong partner to help fight one of the nation’s fasting growing crimes because it has more than 15 million customers on 41 routes in five counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana.
“TARC is proud to partner with the Attorney General to bring awareness to and support their efforts in leading the fight against human trafficking,” Barker said. “As an agency that interacts with the public every day, the training provided by the Attorney General’s office positions us to be of great service in recognizing and reporting signs of trafficking in our region.”
Beshear’s Office of Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention and Prosecution is prepared to train TARC employees beginning Oct. 29.
The training includes guidance on the signs of human trafficking, questions to ask suspected victims and reporting protocols. Awareness signage, including window clings for over 200 buses, a wallet card for each driver and brochures will be distributed at the training thanks to Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) Busing on the Lookout program.
Beshear said he is thankful for the support of Truckers Against Trafficking, an organization that his office worked with to train Kentucky commercial drivers and truck-stop employees on how to recognize and report human trafficking.
Beshear also recognized Maryhurst on Thursday, a nonprofit agency that helps survivors of abuse and young women who are vulnerable to human trafficking, for hosting human trafficking training for their staff and leadership.
“Even though trafficking can be difficult to see, there are clear warning signs that anyone can spot with the right training,” said Judy Lambeth, president and chief executive officer of Maryhurst. “The girls who come to us have terribly upsetting stories full of pain and trauma, most often inflicted in secret. We’re supportive of the TARC program because it will empower our system to better expose – and ultimately remedy – situations where trafficking is common.”
Other public and private agencies including all Kentucky Transportation Cabinet highway incident safety professionals, the Kentucky Baptist Convention, hotel and hospitality industry employees, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics have joined Beshear’s fight against trafficking, allowing the office to train more than 5,000 individuals statewide.
Thursday’s announcement is the latest in a string of moves Beshear has taken to turn his office into the leading state agency fighting human trafficking – a crime that often targets children for sex or labor services.
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.
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 that can occur across multiple jurisdictions.
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.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
With great fall weather underway, another great Old Louisville tradition takes place this weekend highlighting some of the best blues music to hear in Metro Louisville. And no one can argue with the price for admission: it’s FREE.
President David James (D-6) and Four Roses Bourbon invite the community to the 2018 Garvin Gate Blues Festival to be held on Friday and Saturday, October 12th and 13th at The Gate on Garvin Place at Oak Street in historic Old Louisville.
“The Garvin Gate Blues Festival is yet another reason why Old Louisville is the place to be during the fall season. It began as a simple idea to bring a little music to a neighborhood and then grew into a wonderful community event,” says James. “I can think of no better place where you can sit back and enjoy some great music from some of the best in our area and across the country.”
Among the headliners for this year are the Andy T Band, Danielle Nicole, The Keeshea Pratt Band, L. C. Williams and The Driver, Jamiah “BluesSuperMan” Rogers Band, and Laurie Jane & the 45s and Friends.
The Festival grew from what began in the parking lot of the Rudyard Kipling in 1988; a simple jam session that became popular to the people of the area. Over the years, the Garvin Place Association experienced growth with new expanded boundaries and before long became the Garvin Place Neighborhood Association.
The Association extended an invitation to those in the jam session to be an accommodating host and create a new neighborhood event. Since then, legendary blues musicians that have performed at the festival through the years.
“The Garvin Gate Neighborhood invites you join us for this free annual two-day arts and music event featuring local and national performers, a celebration of the blues and the arts, this festival attracts a multiracial, intergenerational audience,” says Howard Rosenberg, Director of The Garvin Gate Blues Festival. “In addition to continuous live entertainment from two stages the festival has an array of food and drink vendors and over 50 crafts booths. The event now in its 23rd year is one of the most prestigious blues events between Chicago and Mississippi.”
Garvin Gate Blues Festival Schedule
Friday, October 12
Four Roses Stage
- 6:30-7:15 Jamiah “BluesSuperMan” Rogers Band
- 8:15-9:00 L. C. Williams and The Driver
- 10:00-11:15 Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike and Anson Funderburgh
Info+ Kentucky Blues Stage
- 7:20-8:00 One Shot Johnny
- 9:10-9:55 Ladies Sing the Blues featuring LaToye Montgomery, Lainey Brown, and Jennifer Lauletta
Saturday, October 13
Four Roses Stage
- 2:00-2:45 The Pearls
- 3:15-4:00 King Bee & The Stingers
- 4:30-5:15 Django Knight
- 5:45-6:30 Mississippi Adam Riggle Band
- 7:15-8:15 Laurie Jane & the 45s and Friends
- 8:45-9:45 Danielle Nicole
- 10:00-11:15 Keeshea Pratt Band
Info+ Kentucky Blues Stage
- 4:05-4:25, 5:20-5:40 da Mudcats
- 6:40-7:10, 8:20-8:40 The Dirty Church Revival
In continuous live entertainment from two stages, the festival has an array of food and drink vendors and over 50 craft booths.
This free blues music festival is presented by Four Roses Bourbon and Garvin Gate Neighborhood, Metro Council President David James, Genscape, FMS Commercial Cleaning, and Down In The Alley Records
“This Festival is also one way we can help preserve the historic nature of the Garvin Gate Neighborhood in Old Louisville,” says James. “I want to thank Four Roses Bourbon for partnering with us as we keep Old Louisville unique. Help yourself to some great blues this weekend,”
Proceeds benefit the Garvin Gate and Old Louisville neighborhoods.
For more details, contact Councilman James’ Office at 574-1106 or Howard Rosenberg at 502-445-4193 or visit the website at www.garvingatebluesfestival.com.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
A review of theft from automobiles, stolen vehicles and burglaries in the Highlands for the third quarter of 2018 shows that 38.5% of the crimes committed (47 of 122) were easy targets because the doors were left unlocked, keys were left inside or otherwise made available to thieves, according to Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8). This is a slight increase from the second quarter of 2018, where 34.1% of crimes committed (44 of 129) were the result of unlocked homes, businesses or vehicles.
Councilman Coan strongly urges citizens to lock their vehicles and buildings and take their valuables out of their cars as part of a new campaign called #KeepLouisvilleLocked.
“The failure to lock your doors and take your valuables out of your car not only inflates the crime rate, it gives your neighborhood a reputation as an easy target which, in turn, attracts more crime,” Coan said. “Please do your part and park smart.”
Coan is partnering with the Louisville Metro Police Fifth Division, Louisville Parks and Recreation and others to reduce crime of opportunity in District 8. He tracks “unlocked” crimes in his bi-weekly newsletter and intends to report out the statistics to local media outlets and community stakeholders on a quarterly basis.
To receive District 8 eNews, go to: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-8/subscribe-s…
For more information about #KeepLouisvilleLocked, contact Councilman Coan’s office at 574-1108.
Thousands of students and teachers at five middle schools in the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District began receiving their very own, brand new iPads complete with a monthly data plan on October 9 as part of the Verizon Innovative Learning rollout. The initiative represents a multi-million dollar investment by Verizon in JCPS to bolster technology-infused curricula for underserved students.
As part of the initiative, every student in the five schools—Olmsted Academy North, W.E.B. DuBois Academy, the Academy @ Shawnee, Lassiter and Newburg middle schools—as well as every teacher at those schools will receive a new iPad equipped with a data plan for two years. Additionally, the schools received funding to help support a full-time instructional coach and professional development for all teachers and staff, as well as ongoing project planning and implementation support. More than 3,400 iPads will be distributed as part of the initiative in JCPS.
“Strengthening access to technology for students is critical—and our partnership with Verizon Innovative Learning is helping do that in a big way,” JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio said. “This partnership helps ensure classrooms are integrated with the latest technology, teachers have relevant and professional coaching and assistance, and most importantly, our students are equipped with the latest devices to learn on and reach their full potential.”
At Newburg Middle School, where students and their parents filed in and out of the school’s gym throughout the day on Tuesday, each student received and learned how to safely and responsibly use their iPad. The device will be the personal property of the student to use throughout the school year.
The initiative in JCPS runs through the 2019-20 school year.