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Sunday December 21, 2025
Local Connection
Southwest Airlines today announced new daily nonstop service between Louisville International Airport (SDF) and Dallas Love Field (DAL) beginning January 7, 2019. The airline will operate the flight using 143-seat Boeing 737 aircraft.
“We are excited to see Southwest supporting the demand for new service in Louisville by adding two new routes in a matter of months,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “The morning departure and evening return schedule of this flight make it convenient for those travelers who have business in the Dallas-area, as well as a variety of options for connections to the western half of the country.”
With this announcement, Southwest Airlines will offer 15 daily nonstop flights to nine destinations from Louisville including Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Denver, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa. Tickets are now available at www.southwest.com.
“Adding direct flights out of Louisville International Airport is good for our citizens and our businesses, and it’s attractive for the businesses we want to locate and grow in our city,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Airlift is a significant conversation in our city right now, particularly with our coast cities and other strong business centers like Dallas.”
Louisville International Airport is served by seven airlines offering flights to 32 nonstop destinations including 18 of the region’s top 20 domestic markets. With just one stop travelers from across the region can reach 170 international destinations in 81 countries on six continents.
For additional information regarding Louisville International Airport, visit www.FlyLouisville.com.
Credit: Louisville Metro Police
Former U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey’s 90-page report on allegations surrounding the Louisville Metro Police Department Explorer program found the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) made mistakes in oversight of the program and in its investigation of the allegations, but concluded there was “no ongoing, orchestrated effort to cover up misconduct.”
Mayor Greg Fischer, who ordered the Harvey investigation after learning the extent of the allegations last year, said, “As I said when I ordered this investigation, we have to get to the bottom of these disturbing allegations — for ourselves, for our citizens, for the thousands of LMPD officers who are honest, compassionate, courageous people of integrity. We need to know the truth. And, most importantly, for the victims of anyone who may have committed a crime while wearing an LMPD uniform.”
Mayor Fischer had instructed Mr. Harvey to evaluate five issues:
- A review of the internal processes, policies and procedures concerning the Explorers program;
- A review of whether any employment laws may have been violated;
- A review of whether any ethics laws may have been violated;
- The sufficiency of the checks and balances within the LMPD professional standards and public integrity components; and
- A timeline showing when information or accusations were first shown, to whom same were reported, as well as subsequent actions and whether such actions followed Metro practices and policies.
An initial review finds that the report includes background on the program, facts about the cases against former LMPD officers Brandon Wood and Kenneth Betts, and a narrative on the Harvey investigation.
It concludes, “Our review leads us to conclude that mistakes were made and policy was not rigidly followed. We also reviewed the work of many LMPD officers striving mightily to do the right thing in the right way. While we do not believe that there was, as some have asserted, a massive coverup of misconduct in the senior ranks of the LMPD, there are lessons to be learned from this episode.”
The report also includes a section on false rumors, and found the following:
- “The investigative team has confirmed that no public funds have been paid to settle any claims related to the Explorer program.” (Page 60)
- “Chief [Steve] Conrad did nothing to prematurely end or limit the 2013 PSU investigation.” (Page 60)
Regarding a rumor that the Mayor’s office interfered with the 2016 investigation, the report found, “Chief Conrad believes that he told Deputy Mayor [Ellen] Hesen about the 2013 PSU Betts investigation in late 2013 or early 2014 during one of their regular meetings.” He said he did not have a special meeting to discuss the matter with her, but “in passing” shared that there was a PSU matter involving an inappropriate text message exchange with a teenager. This occurred, he said, after subordinates told him there appeared to be no criminal conduct on Betts’ part. He said he had no discussion of this matter with Mayor Fischer. (Page 60)
“We conclude that the suggestion that Deputy Mayor Hesen, or anyone else in the Mayor’s office, demanded weekly or regularly scheduled briefings from the PIU detectives is false.” (Page 67)
The report also says that Harvey’s team interviewed Mayor Fischer twice. “Mayor Fischer learned of the Betts and Wood misconduct in October 2016. He requested and received a briefing from PIU in November 2016.” It notes that the Mayor directed an internal review into the Explorer program in March 2017, along with an FBI investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct within the program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The report touched on the potential for resuming the LMPD Explorer Program, but both Chief Conrad and Mayor Fischer said today that there is no plan to resume the program.
Regarding the operation of the Special Investigations Division, the report makes these recommendations:
- Conflicts of Interest: “Adopt a rigorous conflicts of interest policy for the Special Investigations Division.”
- Legal review of PSU determinations: “We recommend that a policy be implemented requiring a review by attorneys, presumably prosecutors with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, in PSU matters involving serious allegations of misconduct.”
- Consider term-limiting assignments to the Special Investigations Division.
The report includes redactions, made by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office and lawyers for the Mayor and the Louisville Metro Council, of content that:
- Would be in conflict to federal court orders;
- Would be in violation of state or federal statutes if released; or
- Could identify victims.
After his initial review of the report, Mayor Fischer said, “I am deeply angry about the disturbing allegations of abuse against children outlined in the report, as well as violations of the community’s trust. It is also clear that mistakes were made and must be addressed.”
The Mayor said he and his team, including Chief Conrad, would further review the report and quickly begin implementing appropriate changes.
The Mayor also noted that his office has not waited for this report to take action, including ordering a separate review of all city programs that involve children and teenagers, to ensure adequate steps are in place to protect youth. After that review was completed in March, the city announced it is expanding its internal policies to better prevent and respond to child abuse in any youth-serving program. He also, along with Council President David James, asked the FBI’s Louisville office to investigate potential violations of federal law related to the allegations. That investigation is ongoing.
Mayor Fischer thanked Mr. Harvey and his team for their work. “Our utmost goal with this report was the truth,” Mayor Fischer said. “I appreciate their diligence and hard work, which gets us one step closer to the justice.
The number of people in Louisville who are getting hepatitis A continues to grow. As of today, there have been 478 cases and three deaths. Here are 10 key things to know:
- The hepatitis A virus is being spread through person to person contact: Sharing a home, a cigarette, marijuana joint, a drink, or sex with someone who has the virus puts you at high risk.
- There have been cases of hepatitis A in every Louisville ZIP code.
- While the outbreak is largely centered in people who use drugs (any kind of drug use, not just injecting) and people who are homeless, 1 out of 8 cases report no risk factors.
- More than 60 percent of the 478 people who have had hepatitis A have been hospitalized. Getting hepatitis A can make you very sick.
- A person can have hepatitis A for up to 2 weeks before symptoms ever develop. During that 2 weeks they are contagious and exposing others to the virus.
- The hepatitis A virus can live for a long time on surfaces. Disinfecting kitchens and particularly any restroom open to public use with a solution of bleach and water is the most effective way to kill the virus. Specific disinfection guidelines can be found here.
- Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap is a way to protect yourself from many diseases, including hepatitis A. Be aware that hand sanitizer has not been proven as effective as handwashing against hepatitis A.
- For the best protection, you need to be vaccinated against hepatitis A. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness as well as the Kentucky Department for Public Health have been encouraging residents of Jefferson and any other counties with a hepatitis A outbreak to get vaccinated for several months. “Our hepatitis A outbreak will stop when the majority of our Louisville residents are vaccinated,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director, Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.
- Most health insurance plans should cover 100 percent of the cost of the hepatitis A vaccination. If your pharmacist or healthcare provider tells you there’s a cost, contact your health insurance provider to find out where they allow you to get vaccinated at no cost.
- If you get diagnosed with hepatitis A and we call you, please talk to us. When someone gets infected with a communicable disease, a nurse or epidemiologist from Public Health and Wellness will contact them. Any information you share is protected and helps us make progress in stopping the spread of hepatitis A.
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.
By a vote 21 to 3, the Louisville Metro Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2018- 2019 Operating Budget for Metro Government. By a vote of 20 to 4, the Council gave its approval to the Capital Budget for the coming year.
“The approved budget continues to heavily fund public safety and infrastructure, including paving and sidewalks. It increases funding for the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, which is helping to reduce crime in ways proven to work around the country. It maintains historically high funding for affordable housing. The Council has increased appropriations to the Library, to the Living Room project, which diverts people from the jail and emergency rooms, and to Dare to Care and New Roots, to address Louisville’s food insecurity issues. The budget also funds personnel and equipment to double the City’s graffiti abatement program,” says Councilman Bill Hollander (D-9) chair of the Budget Committee. “Budgets require compromise – and the results aren’t exactly what anyone wants. I thank the scores of people who appeared before Council to express their opinions on spending priorities, and Council members and staff who worked hard over the last two months to produce a budget that will continue to move Louisville forward.”
“This budget addresses many of the concerns that I and many of my colleagues had expressed regarding the Mayor’s proposed budget. Our amendments increased oversight and accountability in areas where additional scrutiny is needed and continues to push for a much needed new police headquarters and government building that will better help us serve the community” said Councilman Kevin Kramer (District 11), Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. “There were many areas of change that I would have liked to have seen incorporated into the final proposal, but I do believe that the budget that was passed tonight does continue to move our community forward.”
Aside from maintaining the operations and needs of Louisville Metro Government, the budget also highlights the following areas:
Preserves jobs at the Main Library and funds full staffing at the new Northeast Regional Library and the expansion of the St. Matthews Library. Requires Budget Committee approval of proposed renovations to the Main Library, including any changes to space utilization, staffing and services. ($265,000 increase in proposed budget to LFPL).
Focuses on food insecurity issues by doubling proposed funding to Dare to Care for general operations to a total of $200,000, and more than tripling proposed funding to New Roots to $70,000 (an increase of $100,000 for Dare to Care and $50,000 to New Roots).
Funds the Living Room program, diverting individuals from the jail and emergency rooms, at $1,000,000 and requires monthly reporting by Centerstone on usage and outcomes. ($350,000 increase in proposed budget).
Doubles Metro’s graffiti abatement program run by Codes and Regulation, providing for additional vehicles and personnel to operate them, beginning in February 2019.
Increases funding for the development of the new YMCA at 18th & Broadway by $50,000, bringing the total to $300,000.
Provides additional funding for Parks: $200,000 for Phase III of Charlie Vettiner Park; $75,000 to be matched by the Louisville Parks Foundation for soccer fields at William Harrison and Wyandotte Parks; and $50,000 for Quail Chase Golf Course.
Increases funding for Waterfront Development Corporation by $50,000, bringing Metro’s contribution to Waterfront Park to $1,037,000, to address an operating deficit and to provide for increased restroom cleaning in the park.
Allocates $1,000,000 for improvements at the Impound Lot (a reduction of $1,000,000 in the proposed amount due to timing issues on the need for the funds).
Maintains other recommended funding for paving, sidewalk repair and construction, LMPD, the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, Heritage West, Parks, the Zoo and other projects and services.
Funds increased pension and healthcare costs, with no layoffs of Metro employees and no increase in taxes.
The Ohio River will come alive with fireworks and fun on Saturday, June 30th 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 an all- new musical lineup and 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 3:00 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.
The Riverview Festival stage boasts an all-new musical lineup with rising country music star Cale Dodds as our headliner. Rounding out the stage are local singer-songwriter Justin Paul Lewis, teen country sensation Bailey James, and up-and-coming country singer Shane Dawson Band.
This free community event will be a day of fun for the whole family. The highlights of this year’s festival include:
- WAVE 3’s Dawne Gee, David Mattingly and Ryan Hoke will emcee the day’s events
- Kids can enjoy outdoor adventure activities from the Jefferson Memorial Forest ECHO Mobile and Elemental Climb’s Rock Climbing Wall
- Appearances by Squallis Puppeteers and Louisville League of Mascots
- WUOL’s 90.5 Classical Corner with Jecorey Arthur for a hands-on experience with classical music
- Make your own slime and silly putty from Mad Science of Kentucky
- Patriotic Photo Booth with red, white and blue accessories
- Beat the heat with the Riverview Spray Ground and refillable water station
- Enjoy food from Ramiro’s Cantina, Moelicious BBQ, 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 4:00 to 10:45 pm.
Joining Blackwell as Metro Council sponsors are Cindi Fowler (D-14), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13), (D-15), President David Yates (D-25), Madonna Flood (D-24), Marianne Butler (D-15), Jessica Green (D-1), Pat Mulvihill (D-10), James Peden (R-23) and Council President David James (D-6).
“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 have returned as presenting sponsors of the event. WAVE3 News, G105.1, 102.3 JackFM, LG&E, Signarama Dixie, Atlas Machine & Supply, Café Press, Owen Funeral Home and Metro PCS have contributed as lead sponsors. Algood Food Company and Coit Cleaning have signed on as Proud Patrons.
To see a listing of all the events for the 7th Annual Riverview Park Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities, visit www.RiverviewFestival.com
Louisville Metro Animal Services is investigating the death of a dog that was shot with an arrow in the Fairdale area, and a $500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the unacceptable act of cruelty on a defenseless animal.
On Wednesday, June 21st at about 5p.m., a man brought to the LMAS shelter an approximately 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier with a large arrow protruding through its body. Despite the efforts of staff, the dog died on the way to Jefferson Animal Hospital.
The LMAS Animal Control Division is investigating, and the non-profit Friends of Metro Animal Services is offering a $500 reward for information in this case. Shooting a pet with an arrow is a criminal act.
The dog was found Wednesday afternoon in the vicinity of the 8900 block of Brown Austin Rd. in Fairdale. The approximately 2-foot long arrow entered the dog’s left hip area and was protruding from the right side of its abdomen, near the left shoulder. The dog did not have a microchip and so far, its owner has not been located.
LMAS Animal Control is interviewing residents in the area in an effort to get justice for a helpless dog that suffered tremendously before its death.
LMAS will gladly accept donations to boost the $500 reward being offered by FOMAS. Anyone with information about the dog’s owner, or knows who may be responsible for its fatal injuries is asked to contact Louisville Metro Police at 574-LMPD.
Mayor Greg Fischer today joined Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of Louisville Urban League, and community leaders to announce that Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has entered into a development agreement with the Louisville Urban League (LUL) for the redevelopment of the Heritage West site, a 24-acre acre property in the Russell neighborhood. LUL’s master plan is centered on a 4,000-seat indoor and outdoor track and field facility and will feature community green space and outdoor event space.
“It’s an exciting time to be in west Louisville as it is experiencing nearly $1 billion in investment right now, and we are thrilled to add this sports and education complex to the list,” said the Mayor. “This project will activate a vacant lot, bring investment and jobs to the Russell neighborhood and serve as a healthy outlet for youth and adults from across our country. I applaud Sadiqa and her team at Louisville Urban League for their vision to bring a state-of-the-art sports facility to west Louisville.”
The development agreement states that, pending Metro Council approval, LMG will provide $10 million toward construction costs of the track. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019.
“There is no silver bullet in community revitalization and while sports may be part of an answer, track is not now, nor has it ever been the entire answer. While we can’t ignore the cries of our local track teams to ‘build this facility,’ this project is about more than sports. It is about economic opportunity, families traveling into our community with disposable income and the jobs and organic growth that will happen as a result of this catalytic project. It is truly about the need for a facility like this in our community and since it is to be built, why not right here in Russell,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, President and CEO of Louisville Urban League. “I am thrilled about the work we are about to do and the support this project has garnered, not just from the local community but from partners like the National Development Council (NDC), a national not-for-profit economic development agency that has been working to increase the flow of private capital into underserved areas for almost fifty years.”
The complex will be designed to host a variety of sporting events supported by organizations such as USA Track and Field, and the NCAA, our local and regional public and private schools and local track teams. The facility also will feature retail space and related amenities and will be owned and operated by the LUL. Browne Engineering & Construction has been selected as the Project Manager and Moody Nolan has been selected as the architect.
“NDC is delighted to have the opportunity to be working with the Louisville Urban League and its first rate committee on this mixed-use recreation facility that will be a catalyst for future development opportunities and lead to a substantial community impact in the Russell neighborhood for years to come,” said Kevin Gremse, Senior Director of National Development Council.
Heritage West is located on the western border of the Russell neighborhood, which is currently seeing an influx of investment, including the $29.5 million mixed-income, mixed-use redevelopment of Beecher Terrace, a project expected to leverage at least $200 million in new investment; Waterfront Park Phase Four expansion; relocation of Passport Health Plan’s headquarters; construction of a new YMCA at 18th and Broadway; and the city’s first Bus Rapid Transit Line.
“I am excited that this project is continuing to move forward with a $10 million commitment, pending Metro Council approval, from Louisville Metro Government to help make this dream a reality. The west Louisville community participated in discussions and sessions to make this sports complex project a priority for our community, and it will certainly be a destination spot for Louisvillians and visitors to the city alike,” said Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, D-5. “This project will help change a 24-acre vacant lot into a positive vision of hope and a productive use which will generate other positive effects for our neighborhood. Thank you to Sadiqa Reynolds and everyone at the Louisville Urban Louisville for their belief and dedication to this project, and let’s do all we can to help make this dream a reality.”
The selection of the Louisville Urban League’s development plan was announced in late 2017 after an extensive community engagement process that included multiple public meetings to hear the concerns and values of people from the Russell neighborhood. More than 125 public comments were received on the four development proposals that were submitted after the SOI was released.
An evaluation panel of both LMG staff and members of the community was formed to review all four proposals submitted and to make a recommendation to Louisville Forward. The evaluation panel used scoresheets to review each proposal.
In the evaluations panel Bonnie Cole, Bill Gatewood, Vanessa Lackey and Gary Watrous represented the community and Jeana Dunlap (Director of Redevelopment Strategies), Laura Grabowski (Director of Vacant and Public Property Administration), Scott Herrmann (Director of Economic Development), Aaron Jackson (Director of Finance) and Allison Smith (Brownsfields Program Manager) represented LMG.
LUL will now, like all development projects, formalize their plans and submit them to Louisville Metro Planning & Design Services for review by staff, the Planning Commission and, if a rezoning or street closure is needed, Metro Council.
For the latest updates on the development, follow @LouisvilleUL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or visit www.lul.org.
To view the development agreement, evaluation panel scoresheets and more please visit
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/heritage-west
