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Gov. Matt Bevin has joined 15 states in a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief supporting Second Amendment rights, in response to New York City’s restrictions on handguns kept for self-defense.
The brief was filed in response to the costly and restrictive “premises permit” required by the city to own a personal handgun for self-defense. The permit prohibits taking a weapon outside the home for any purpose other than to practice at a New York City shooting range and entirely prohibits leaving the state with the weapon. The costly “carry” permit is required to remove the weapon from the home for other purposes and is difficult to obtain.
“Citizens have the Constitutional right to ‘keep and bear Arms,’ and New York’s restrictive regulations set a dangerous precedent that heavily restricts this right and prevents responsible gun owners from protecting themselves outside of their home,” said Bevin General Counsel Steve Pitt. “Kentucky has a fundamental interest in ensuring that the Second Amendment is preserved for our citizens and that the Commonwealth is not harmed by the liberal policies of other states.”
The 16-state coalition urged the Supreme Court to review the case and provide clear guidance on the scope of the Second Amendment. The brief also calls upon the court to decide that self-defense is not limited to the home.
Kentucky joined the other states in arguing that while city and state governments have an interest in public safety and crime prevention, New York City offered no evidence that demonstrated its regulations actually enhance public safety and crime prevention. In fact, the brief argues that the restrictive regulatory scheme has the opposite effect by arbitrarily limiting a gun owner’s ability to become proficient with his or her own weapon.
The brief also points out the effect of the regulations on hunting and shooting sports, which could harm the tourism industry in states like Kentucky. “New York’s regulatory scheme discriminates against interstate commerce because it ‘deprives out-of-state businesses of access to a local market’ by forbidding its citizens from hunting and patronizing ranges outside the State with their own guns,” the states wrote.
Gov. Bevin was joined by the Governor of Mississippi in signing the brief. Fourteen states joined the brief through their Attorneys General, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the brief is available here.
For the fourth year in a row, Louisville has earned a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) scorecard.
The ranking — called the Municipal Equality Index (MEI) — reflects the city’s support of the LGBTQ community, and the commitment of all Louisville Metro Government agencies to ensure the city is welcoming and inclusive.
“In Louisville, we believe that everyone has the right to be treated with respect, and that being a compassionate community means working to ensure everyone has the ability to reach their full human potential,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This ranking underscores our hard work and commitment to those beliefs.”
The Human Rights Campaign began in 1980 and is now the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Americans. It represents more than 1.5 million members and supporters.
In a press release, HRC says its index, “the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy, shows that cities across the country, including in Kentucky, continue to take the lead in supporting LGBTQ people and workers — even in the face of renewed attacks this year on the LGBTQ community by federal and state officials.”
Mayor Fischer said Louisville’s HRC ranking is a boost to the city’s economic development efforts, given that inclusive cities are increasingly winning in the competition for residents, businesses and employees.
That message was emphasized in the HRC report, in which Richard Florida, Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, noted: “Cities that do not guarantee equal rights to LGBTQ people send a strong unwelcoming message to potential visitors, residents, and investors, stymying their potential for economic advancement. In short, many businesses and top talent consider LGBTQ discrimination a deal-breaker. Fully-inclusive laws draw in diverse residents, visitors, and enterprises, the ingredients of sustained economic growth. It pays to prioritize inclusion.”
HRC president Chad Griffin said this year’s MEI “again proves that there are no barriers to municipal LGBTQ equality for a city with dedicated, pro-equality city officials. … As we approach one of the most critical elections of our lifetimes, it is incumbent on all of us to make sure that we help elect more leaders across the nation who share this uncompromising commitment to equality for all.”
Mayor Fischer applauded all city workers and staff for their work in human rights, including Louisville Metro Police and the Metro Louisville Human Relations Commission, whose mission is to promote unity, understanding and equal opportunity among all people of Louisville Metro, and to eliminate all forms of bigotry, bias, and hatred from the community.
Chris Hartman, Fairness Campaign Executive Director, said the HRC ranking highlights Louisville’s exemplary leadership on LGBTQ inclusion, which “should serve as a model for other cities in our Commonwealth and across the nation.
“As we near the 20th anniversary of Louisville’s original Fairness Ordinance in January, we’re reminded that time and time again, our city has helped pave the way for LGBTQ rights–and we’re not stopping here,” Hartman said. “We’re grateful for the dedicated work of Mayor Greg Fischer and his staff, the Louisville Metro Council and Louisville Tourism to embrace, promote and protect our diverse LGBTQ community.”
Read the full MEI report at www.hrc.org/mei.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) on October 3, 2018. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed. The test was postponed from September 20 due to hurricane Florence recovery efforts.
This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in September 2011, 2016 and 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.
The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. It allows customers whose wireless provider participates in WEA and who own a WEA compatible wireless phone to receive geo-targeted alerts of imminent threats to safety in their area through unique tones and vibration. The national WEA test will use the same special tone and vibration. The WEA test message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Wireless phones will display the test message under the header “Presidential Alert.”
The WEA test will be sent through FEMA’s IPAWS, as part of the nation’s modern alert and warning infrastructure that automatically authenticates alerts. Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, cell phones that are switched on and within range of an active cell tower should be capable of receiving the test message. Cell phones should receive the message once.
The EAS test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.
Significant coordination has been conducted with EAS Participants, wireless providers, and emergency managers in preparation for this WEA-EAS national test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems is also a way to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure required for the distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed.
The EAS is based upon the War Powers Act provision of the Communications Act of 1934, which provides for Presidential access to commercial communications during “a state of public peril or disaster or other national emergency.” For WEA, the Warning, Alert, and Response Network (WARN) Act of 2006 provides that subscribers may opt out of receiving any wireless alerts “other than an alert issued by the President,” and that wireless alerting service should allow wireless subscribers the capability of opting out of receiving WEA alerts, other than an alert issued at the direction of the President and/or his/her designee.
In the event of a national emergency, a Presidential WEA alert would be issued at the direction of the President and/or his/her designee, and activated by FEMA.
More information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts is available at www.ready.gov/alerts.
Photo: Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place partners have organized three family-friendly events for Halloween as well as several valuable services and resources in October including a “Freedom from Smoking” series, an outreach by Medicare/Medicaid plan representatives, the next edition in the “Addiction 101” series and much more. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
Beginning Oct. 3, Freedom from Smoking Classes at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register or for more information. Join this weekly group on Wednesdays for seven weeks to get the guidance needed to be free from smoking. Support will be provided on stress management, creating a personal plan and avoiding weight gain. All classes are free. Sponsored by the Family Health Centers.
Oct 4 and 8, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities
Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
- Oct. 4 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road (T.J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more info.
- Oct. 8 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more info.
Oct. 4, 10 and 18, Passport Health Care Community Engagement
Passport members are invited to join with representatives from Passport Health Care for one-on-one consultations to discuss plan benefits and options. This is a great opportunity as Passport aims to raise awareness and educate the community about the Passport Health Plan mission. Passport members will receive a $10 retail gift card for attending.
- Oct. 4, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 12 – 1 p.m. Call 313-4089 for more info. Oct. 10 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 485-6710 for more info.
- Oct. 18, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m. Call 1-800-578-0603, ext. 8428 to sign up.
Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call Keyonna Humphrey at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
Oct 9, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
Oct. 9, Healthy Living Club at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Call 363-1483 for more information. Classes are open to anyone interested in gaining more knowledge to live a better and more fulfilling life. Monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss healthy living and to get the support you need to eat better, get active, and lose weight. This month a representative from the Fairdale Branch Library will be on hand to highlight various experiences the library has to offer.
Oct. 10, “Addiction 101: Family Focused – A Path to Healing” at St. Ann’s Center, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Located at 1515 Alonquin Pkwy. Call Nannette Dix at 634-6057 for more information. Part of the “Addiction 101” series, this day-long forum will explore the effect that drug and alcohol abuse and addictions have on families. This event is designed to help loved ones understand the behaviors of their family member dealing with addiction in a way that allows them to support the individual in recovery and learn about their own need for change. The event is free and open to the public and will feature an opening by Mayor Fischer.
Oct. 11 – Nov. 15, Living Well Workshop at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register. If you or someone you know has diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, arthritis, depression or other ongoing health problems, this program offers free support and manage your health. Earn an 8-week YMCA membership just for attending. Sponsored by Family Health Centers and the YMCA.
Oct 11, 23 and 24, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 341-5400. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- Oct 11, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. 1 – 3pm
- Oct. 23, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- Oct. 24, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p. m.
Oct. 16 and 30, Passport Health Plan Informational Sessions at Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 12 – 1:30 p.m. or 2 – 3:30 p.m. both days (4 sessions total)
Located at 3410 Lees Ln. Call Leesa Mitchell at 502-212-6677 to RSVP or for more information. These informational sessions will introduce changes to Passport Health Plan’s 2019 Medicaid coverage and provide current information on the roll-out of Kentucky HEALTH.
Oct. 18, Free Blood Pressure Screenings at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 12 – 2 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure screenings and health information.
Oct. 18, Low-cost internet outreach and sign-up event at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3 – 5 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion team will be on hand to share information about low-cost internet plans in our community and to help sign-up qualifying households.
Oct. 22, Diabetes Education Classes at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 502-772-8588 to sign up. This information session is provided monthly to assist in learning the latest information on managing diabetes including healthy eating, developing an active lifestyle, taking medications and reducing health risks. Sponsored by Family Health Centers.
Oct. 25, Medicare/Medicaid Community Special Needs and Advantage Plans at Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 9 – 10 a.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, Ste 200. Call 574-6638 for more information. Licensed Sales Agent for Medicare/Medicaid Community Special Needs and Advantage Plans will be available to provide resources and answer questions in our lobby. Contact info for representative present at the event is Mary Catlett, 850-624-9040 or mhih76@yahoo.com.
Oct 25, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street; on the Market Street side of the Academy at Shawnee. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
Oct. 25, Trunk or Treat located at the DuValle Education Center, 5:30 -7 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. This annual Halloween event provides a safe and fun environment for the entire family with trick or treating in a line-up of vehicles with trunks full of goodies for children up to 12 years old. Family-friendly costumes and trunk decorations are encouraged.
Oct. 29, Medicare Hub/United HealthCare at Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 2 – 3 p.m.
Located at 3410 Lees Ln. Call 485-6810 for more information. Representatives for Medicare Hub and United HealthCare will be available to provide resources and answer questions about Medicare enrollment for 2019. Note that Medicare is for seniors 65+ and permanently disabled persons only.
Oct. 29, Trunk or Treat Halloween Health and Safety Fair at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 363-1483 for more information. Join the Second Annual Trunk or Treat and Health Fair guaranteed to surprise and delight kids of all ages. Free health related items, candy, movies, treats and games. Dress in your favorite costume and join the fun.
Oct. 31, Monsters, Inc. Movie Night at New Birth Church, starts at 6 p.m.
Located at 3301 Linda Ln. Call 775-5388 for more information. Cane Run Neighborhood Place’s Community Council is teaming up with New Birth Church for a night of food, fun, information, and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. on a giant inflatable screen. All activities are free. Feel free to wear a costume. In event of rain or cold, all activities will move indoors.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
It is a powerful visual art exhibit and its message is a simple one to the young people of every black community in America. The message: youth violence, black on black violence must stop. It is time to talk and find alternatives.
Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) and members of the Louisville Metro Council have brought “James Pate’s KKK Series: Kin Killin Kin” to the Kentucky Center for African American heritage and encourages everyone to view and discuss the exhibit and through the art see the impact violence on is having on young men and children in the community.
It is a free exhibit and suggested for children over the age of twelve. There will be an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk on Friday, September 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
“I first saw this exhibit in Cincinnati. It hit home with me. We know that black on black crime is stealing our future,” says Hamilton. “James Pate through his art shows what is happening on our streets and how senseless violence is taking hold in the Black Community.”
“Kin Killin Kin” is a series of paintings in charcoals and colors that realistically show how violence is impacting young men and children. A stark feature of the works shows African Americans wearing the hoods of the Ku Klux Klan as they execute acts of violence.
James Pate is a contemporary visual artist whose works have been displayed in the J.B. Speed Museum in Louisville, The Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, and The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
He explains, as part of the exhibit, his reason for creating “Kin Killin Kin” which he began drawing in 2000.
“I decided as a personal private protest I would continue to compose a rendering as long as these insidious acts continue. The concept of visually comparing Black on Black terrorism to the Ku Klux Klan terrorism came directly from conversations among the black community. It is often said that we, African Americans, in a strange fruit kind of way, are doing the business of the KKK with our Black on Black violence.”
Joining Councilwoman Hamilton in bringing this exhibit to the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage Center are Council Members Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4), Mary C. Woolridge (D-3), Barbara Shanklin (D-2), Jessica Green (D-1) and President David James (D-6).
Again, the Exhibit is free and open to the public.
There will be an Opening Reception and Gallery Talk on Friday, September 21st from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Councilwoman Hamilton is also moderating a Youth Voices Against Violence Forum on Saturday, November 3rd from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
“I encourage everyone young an old to take advantage of the special exhibit,” says Hamilton. “These striking images will make any one stop and think about what is going on in our city today. All of us need to talk about it and find alternatives to this special kind of violence.”
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is located at 1701 West Muhammad Ali Blvd. To learn more go to www.kcaahc.org. Or you can call 502-583-4100.
Adverse weather rates available at all resort parks through Sept. 30
Kentucky State Resort Parks are offering a discounted rate of $49.95/night on lodge rooms to residents of any East Coast state seeking shelter from Hurricane Florence. The rate for one bedroom cottages is $69.95/night and for two bedrooms, $79.95/night.
These adverse weather rates are available at all resort parks until September 30th by calling the park front desk direct. An out of state driver’s license must be presented at check-in to receive this rate.
Park locations and phone numbers are available at https://parks.ky.gov.
As in past years, Kentucky State Parks support surrounding states during adverse weather in the same manner we support Kentucky communities in a crisis.
On Saturday, August 25th more than 300 motorcycles are expected to hit the road as “Riders for Heroes” begins its fund raising efforts to help local first responders and veterans organizations.
It is the beginning of an event to honor those who put their lives on the line every day with an afternoon of fun and live music.
“I am honored to join UAW Local 862 and its members in celebrating the third year of this event,” says President David James (D-6). “Riders for Heroes is a chance for all of us to say thank you to dedicated police officers, fire fighters EMS workers and veterans. They sacrifice so much for us, now is the time to give them a helping hand.”
The Third Annual Riders for Heroes will feature a bike ride, bike rally, bike and car show, live music and fun for a full day events on the last Saturday of August.
“This event began as a way for the UAW’s members, who enjoy riding motorcycles, to help people in the community and we don’t believe there has ever been a ride for the first responders in our area,” says Todd Dunn of UAW Local 862. “This is way to raise funding for their organizations and charities to help take care of the needs of those who serve and protect our community.”
The event beings at 8:00am at Bluegrass Harley Davidson on Blankenbaker Parkway with registration for a ride to Elizabethtown to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Kick stands up at 9:00am.
Then, the rally gets underway at2:00pm at Expo Five located at 2900 Seventh Street Road. The entry fee to the show is $10. Preregistration is $20 and includes a rally shirt. It costs $10 if you would like to place an entry for the Bike and Car Show.
“The UAW has been working with us on Operation Victory, which is a program of unions, community groups, and businesses working together to renovate homes for homeless veterans in Metro Louisville,” says Tim Morris of the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council. “We owe it to our veterans, to help them through this ride and through programs like Operation Victory.”
Schedule of events for Riders for Heroes:
- 8:00am register for the Bike Ride to Elizabethtown
- 9:00am Riders depart Bluegrass Harley Davidson
- 12:00pm Bike and Car Show Registration begins
- 2:00pm Rally Begins at 2900 Seventh Street Road
- 3:00pm Bands Begin
The event will be held rain or shine. Proceeds raised will go to local first responder groups and local veterans.
For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ridersforheroes/ or contact President James office at 574-1106.
