Monday January 26, 2026
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It is a classic story of politics, intrigue, deception, betrayal and murder of a political leader. It is not a story of Washington DC but instead a classic tale of politics in ancient Rome.
Councilman David James (D-6) and other Metro Council members are kicking off a fourth year of “Shakespeare in the Parks” with a free production of “Julius Caesar” on March 30th at the Parkhill Community Center.
“Once again, Kentucky Shakespeare takes to the road around Metro Louisville to present the arts to many areas of our community,” says James. “Shakespeare in the Parks brings the arts to all areas of our city.”
Over 57 years, Kentucky Shakespeare, a not-for-profit charitable organization, professional theatre company, and the oldest free Shakespeare Festival in the United States has been offering free Shakespeare in Central Park in Old Louisville during the summer.
This year, “Shakespeare in the Parks” will bring an 85 minute, six actor version of Julius Caesar at 6:00pm at the Parkhill Community Center, 1703 S 13th Street.
“Thanks to Councilman James and the residents of District 6, we’re thrilled to also bring our free spring Shakespeare in the Parks to the Parkhill Community Center,” says Matt Wallace of Kentucky Shakespeare. “We are grateful for Councilman James and all he’s done to champion the arts in this city.”
This year “Shakespeare in the Parks” has a touring schedule of 23 locations in the Metro Louisville area from March 26th through May 19th.
For more information about Thursday’s “Shakespeare in the Parks” at the Parkhill Community Center, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will host its first “Celebrate Languages Week” beginning March 27, highlighting the benefits of students speaking different languages learning alongside each other.
With more than 130 languages spoken by students in JCPS, an average school day can sound like a symphony of speech. That blend of voices is music to the ears of Eli Beardsley, the district’s English as a Second Language (ESL) coordinator.
“Second language learners are another example of how our rich diversity strengthens the learning environment at JCPS,” Beardsley said. “Not only do they help students for whom English is their primary language to learn a new language, but they foster an understanding and acceptance of other cultures that will prepare our students to be successful citizens in a global economy.”
Throughout the week, schools will host events to highlight and celebrate the various languages spoken by students, including having students making morning announcements in their native language; welcoming students each morning with a world-language greeting; and promoting bilingual books in school libraries. World-language classrooms will also participate in poster contests.
In addition, some sites will hold schoolwide events to mark the celebration:
- ESL Newcomer Academy, 4018 W. Market St., Global Homecoming, Thursday, March 23, events during the day and open house from 3-5 p.m.
- Goldsmith Elementary School, 3520 Goldsmith Lane, International Festival, Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m.
- Seneca High School, 3510 Goldsmith Lane, Cultural Extravaganza, Thursday, March 30, during the school day
- Semple Elementary School, 724 Denmark St., International Festival, Thursday, March 30, 6 p.m.
The District’s English Language Learner population – students born in other countries or raised by parents who speak another language – has boomed, growing by 30 percent over the past five years, to more than 8,100 in 2017. The number is projected to top more than 10,000 by the 2018-19 school year.
For more highlights on the District’s World Language programs, click here.
Twitter/@realDonaldTrump
President Donald Trump visited Louisville this evening for a rally in Freedom Hall. The arena was filled to capacity with supporters holding “Women For Trump,” “Promises Made, Promises Kept,” and “Buy American, Hire American” signs as well as the omnipresent “Make America Great Again” caps while a long line of people stood outside hoping to be let in.
Not everyone in attendance was a supporter, however, as there was a scattering of several protesters outside of the event.
During the event, President Trump hit on all of his usual talking points including terrorism, imigration, tax reform, crime and drugs, trade agreements, and the Second Amendment.
He covered the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in depth, while making multiple references to US Congressmen Andy Barr and James Comer (both from Kentucky) for their help and a reference to the efforts of US Senator Rand Paul in making sure the replacement is not just “Obamacare lite”. He pointed out that as many one third of the counties in the entire US are limited to only one health insurance provider because of the regulations that the ACA put into place, causing health insurance companies to pull out of many markets.
He went on to outline that the real issue is not just the cost of health insurance, but the cost of health care and medicines. Trump tied in tax reform with this repeal and replacement, stating that the administration cannot accomplish tax reform until they know how the new health law will be structured. The President was very optimistic with the replacement plan that is coming forth and is confident that a plan that will make everyone happy will be on his desk at the end of the day.
Near and dear to many Kentucky workers, Trump also specifically mentioned the automobile manufacturing and coal industries. He recently signed a bill that eliminated a piece of regulation that many supporters of the repeal believe was put into place to shrink the coal industry by requiring coal mines to spend millions on compliance costs. More than 600 coal mines have closed since the 2009 regulation went into effect. Since the rule has been revoked, many coal mines have slightly increased their labor force, but POTUS Trump promised that this is just the beginning.
No Trump event would be complete without Trump’s trademark jabs at the “fake news” and former political rival Hilary Clinton. The President even made light of the Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team’s second-round elimination from the 2017 NCAA basketball tournament. He did continue on to say, “They are a great team, great coach.”
What do pawpaw trees, river birches and devil’s walkingstick trees have in common? They are all woody plants that are native to our region.
Using native trees, shrubs, vines, hedges, grasses, ferns and flowering plants in landscapes large and small helps conserve water, attract wildlife and reduce the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
The public is invited to learn more about the native plants of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana at a free workshop March 20 on the University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus.
The 1 p.m. event will be held inside the Cultural Center Multipurpose Room next to UofL’s Garden Commons community garden. Margaret Shea, owner of Dropseed Native Plant Nursery in Goshen, will be the speaker.
“Native species are so important to our environment, even right here on our urban campus,” said Justin Mog, assistant to the provost for sustainability initiatives. “Margaret has more than 25 years of training and practical experience in natural areas management, restoration and biological inventory. We are thrilled she is coming here to speak to students, faculty, staff and members of the public.”
For more information, contact Mog at justin.mog@louisville.edu or visit louisville.edu/sustainability.
The UofL Alumni Association will host local and national events for alumni and fans to celebrate the NCAA Tournament play this week.
UofL’s #2-seeded men’s team will face #15 Jacksonville State at 2:45 p.m. Friday in Indianapolis in the first round, while #4 women’s basketball will face #13 Chattanooga at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center.
On Friday, March 17, in Indianapolis, two locations are available for UofL alumni and fans to gather. They are: Colts Grill at 10 a.m. and Scotty’s Brewhouse at 11 a.m.; both are one block from Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Entry is free and the first 50 fans at each location will receive a special giveaway. Seating is first come, first serve with no reservations. If the Cardinals advance, the pre-game gathering locations will remain the same for Sunday’s games.
Fans are also invited to support the 12 Cardinals competing in the NCAA Division 1 Swimming & Diving Championship, which will be March 15-18 at IU Natatorium.
On Saturday, March 18, the UofL and UK alumni chapters in Indianapolis will co-host a Collaborative Community Service Project from 9 a.m.–noon at Gleaners Food Bank. While rivals off the court, the two schools will come together to give back during the event.
Alumni regional chapters will also host national game watches in more than 30 locations across the country including the Sport & Social Club for local fans. A full list of men’s and women’s tournament-related news can be found at: UofLalumni.org/UofLNCAA.
For more information, on-site interview opportunities or photos, contact Lindsay Wehr, Director of Advancement Communications, at 502-262-5434 or lawehr01@louisville.edu.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced changes meant to reduce the role of Louisville Metro Police in providing traffic details and security for special events.
Under new guidelines, organizers of special events in the city will be asked to increase volunteer participation during their events for positions that may not require a sworn police officer. Additionally, organizers will be asked to use private security companies when possible. Organizers will also be encouraged to use pre-designated routes that will need a limited or reduced number of sworn law enforcement.
“The sheer number of events throughout the city each week is a sign of vibrancy and community,” Mayor Fischer said. “But we must balance that with the need for LMPD to spend fewer hours covering special events.
“This new process allows our public safety teams to better coordinate with community groups to provide a better experience for participants and other citizens, while freeing up police officers to focus on other pressing needs.”
Earlier this year, the special events permitting process moved to Louisville Metro Emergency Services from Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations. Within Emergency Services, recently appointed Deputy Director Kelly Jones will oversee special events permitting, along with his other duties.
Jones will work with community groups to find appropriate venues for special events, with the goal of reducing LMPD involvement and street closures. The change will also allow for better internal coordination of city services for special events.
Jones retired last year from Louisville Metro Police. His most recent role included leading the city’s law enforcement details for special events, including Thunder Over Louisville and the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. He also played a large role in this past summer’s commemoration of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
“Louisville Metro is committed to facilitating safe experiences for event participants,” Jones said. “I’m pleased to return to public service, and to lend my experience coordinating logistics and security for events.”
More information about special events policies can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/emergency-services/special-events
The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show opened this morning at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The show features home improvement and landscaping exhibitors from all over the nation, but the majority are from right here in Kentucky. The more than 300 exhibitors will showcase their products and services, which include everything from hot tubs and roofing materials to fire places, landscaping and deck furniture.
The show also features many information sessions that will cover gardening and landscaping tips, insect control (as well as what not to control), and cooking classes. L&N Federal Credit Union will be sponsoring a tree giveaway: 4,000 saplings of several varieties will be given to show guests who stop by their booth.
The Kids Craft Area for children up to 10 years of age provides the opportunity to take home a flower that they planted themselves, and a bug house that will feature tropical insects. If you need a break from all of the information, there will also be multiple performances each day that will feature performing Frisbee dogs.
The show exhibits occupy the Kentucky Exposition Centers’s south wing halls B & C all weekend. Show hours today and Saturday are from 10 AM to 9 PM and Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM.
Pets, excluding service animals, will not be allowed into the show area. Admission is $10 per person (16 and older) with free admission for children accompanied by an adult. Those with a military ID will be admitted free and seniors will receive a discount. Credit cards will not be accepted at the Ticket Gate. Advanced tickets are available online through Facebook with a Buy 1, Get 1 Offer or through the show page with a $2 discount along with a one year subscription to one of four magazines. Kentucky Exposition Center parking is $8 per car.
Follow Louisville Dispatch on Facebook for more details and additional photos from the 2017 Louisville Home, Garden, and Remodeling Show. Continue reading
