Sunday November 16, 2025
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SubscribeCiting Louisville’s reputation as an international model city of compassion, Mayor Greg Fischer is calling on citizens and businesses to celebrate the season of giving by helping break the world record for the most toys collected for Toys for Tots in a 12-hour period.
Louisville set the record last year, with 6,223 toys collected during the annual Holiday in the City.
The toy collection, sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Margaret’s Moving and Storage, WLKY and Louisville Downtown Partnership, will take place on Thursday, Dec. 1 at Louisville’s Holiday Square, located in the plaza at Fourth and Jefferson streets. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day, all are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to Marines Corps League members who will be collecting them, near the city Christmas Tree at Holiday Square.
“The holiday season is a time of giving, and in this city of compassion, our true goal is not collecting the most toys, but spreading the most joy among the children of Louisville.”
The Toys for Tots collection is the first in a weekly event featuring a local charitable organization, part of Holiday in the City’s goal of spreading compassion throughout the city.
Holiday in the City has expanded upon the festive history of Louisville’s seasonal traditions to showcase downtown as a year-end destination. As part of Holiday in the City, the plaza at Fourth and Jefferson streets has been transformed into a Holiday Square, featuring an ice-skating rink and the city Christmas tree.
Visitors can travel from Holiday Square and follow the Gum Drop Trail to the Holiday Market, hosted by Fourth Street Live! featuring chalets that sell unique-custom gifts, holiday decorations, sweets and more.
Local businesses along the Gum Drop Trail – a path identified by sidewalk decals that run from Market Street, through Fourth Street Live! to Broadway – will offer special discounts and deals. Shoppers who collect three Gum Drop discounts from these local businesses can enter into a weekly drawing for prizes, which include gift cards, Louisville swag and more.
Holiday in the City is made possible with support from LG&E, MainSource Bank, Fourth Street Live!, Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ford/UAW, Beam Suntory, MetroPCS, Hyatt Hotel Louisville, 400 West Market, USA Image, WLKY, Outfront Media, 106.9 Play, Louisville Magazine and The Courier-Journal.
For more information on the Marine Toys for Tots program, visit www.louisville-ky.toysfortots.org and follow them on Facebook or on Twitter.
Angel’s Envy™, the super-premium Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey of uncompromising character and quality, will officially open its new distillery and visitor center to the public for guided tours beginning Saturday, November 19. Online reservations, which are required, are now being accepted at www.angelsenvy.com. Admission is $15 per person and includes a tasting.
Located at 500 E. Main Street at Jackson, (the former Vermont American and Baer Fabrics Building), the new state-of-the-art facility is the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. Having completed a $27 million renovation since breaking ground in 2013, the brand home center houses the Angel’s Envy distillery operations (including everything from milling of grains to blending and bottling on site), as well as a visitor center and gift shop. From the exterior walls to the vaulted ceilings and arched windows, their architects worked diligently to preserve every possible feature of the original building. Their breathtaking, one-of-a-kind 35-foot-tall column still, pot still and doubler were sourced locally from Vendome Coppery & Brass Works—just four blocks away.
The small batch artisan bourbon is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s storied career. Each of the brand’s three current expressions (flagship Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Port Wine Barrels, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks), exhibit his passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms by producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.
“Opening the Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor’s center in downtown Louisville was a dream Dad (Lincoln Henderson) and I had,” said Wes Henderson, Co-founder/Chief Innovation Officer, Louisville Distilling Company. “He would be so proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. My sons and I proudly carry on his legacy. The distillery is a must-see experience.”
“We are delighted that Angel’s Envy chose downtown Louisville for its new distillery and visitor center,” said Louisville Mayor, Greg Fischer. “It is evident that Angel’s Envy is not only committed to quality craftsmanship, but also the greater Louisville community.”
The Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor center is open for tours every Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm, and every Sunday, from 1:00 – 5:00pm. Tours will not be available on Tuesdays.
For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).
Mayor Greg Fischer, TreesLouisville and the Community Foundation of Louisville announced today that an anonymous donor has contributed $1 million for tree planting throughout the city, and the community is launching an effort to match that donation.
“That’s an ambitious goal, but we know that trees are very important for our environment, our economy and civic pride, and if all citizens participate, we can get it done,” Mayor Fischer said.
Susan Barry, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, said her agency will accept donations to match the $1 million. TreesLouisville will manage the outreach and focus of the initiative.
“Now is the time for all of us to get fired up about planting and caring for trees,” said TreesLouisville Executive Director Cindi Sullivan, “We need trees if we want to have a healthy place to live, learn, work and play. So the question is: have you planted a tree today?”
While the city will continue planting trees on public land through city agencies such as Brightside, the Division of Community Forestry and Metro Parks, the Mayor stressed that the city also needs more trees on private land.
And to reach the city’s goal of a 45 percent tree canopy, he urged residents and businesses to plant trees in their yards and community greenspaces. (Louisville’s tree canopy is currently about 37 percent.)
“I’m asking residents and businesses to recommit themselves in growing our tree canopy by contributing their funds to this effort to buy trees, or their time to plant and maintain them,” the Mayor said. “I am grateful to the private and corporate citizens who have started this effort, and ask the community to match the contribution and more.”
Adding trees has many benefits for a community. Economically, the shade trees provide can lower energy costs and, because they are aesthetically pleasing, trees increase property values and attract business to the neighborhood. Environmentally, trees provide better air quality, a reduction in our city’s heat island effect and a habitat for wildlife. Trees also put more pride into neighborhoods and promote the beauty of city streets.
Local advertising agency Red7e has provided creative services for this initiative.
To donate to the tree planting initiative, please visit https://treeslouisville.org/
Mayor Greg Fischer announced today that Louisville Metro has been ranked a top digital city, placing in the top 10 in the Center for Digital Government’s Digital Cities Survey.
The survey takes a broad look at how cities are approaching open data, transparency, innovation, citizen services and engagement, and much more.
“Our city prides itself on its innovative and entrepreneurial culture, and this recognition as a top 10 digital city is welcome affirmation that we’re on the right track,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “We’re working to move more and more services online and to meet citizens and businesses where they are.”
In recent months, the city has hired its first data officer, launched a new open data portal, and announced plans for a Gigabit Experience Center.
“This year’s top digital cities are using technology to ensure citizens can meaningfully interact with city government more easily than in any other time in history,” said Todd Sander, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. “From open data portals to enhanced connectivity and mobile platforms, this year’s top-ranked cities are actively promoting transparency, encouraging citizen participation and making it easier for people to do business with government. Congratulations to the winners!”
This year the survey honors cities in five population classifications. Louisville placed 9th in the 500,000 or more classification:
500,000 or more population category:
- City of Los Angeles, CA
- City of Philadelphia, PA
- City of Phoenix, AZ
- City of Charlotte, NC (tie for 4th)
- City of Seattle, WA (tie for 4th)
- City of Austin, TX
- City of Albuquerque, NM
- City and County of Denver, CO
- City and County of San Francisco, CA
- City of Louisville, KY
- City of El Paso, TX
Learn more about the awards on the Digital Communities website, part of e.Republic and get highlights from the winning cities.
About Center for Digital Government
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.
The Center is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
Citizens invited to share opinions on preliminary designs for road improvements, transit upgrades along Dixie Highway
Residents who drive on Dixie Highway will have two opportunities to view preliminary designs for the project, including details about median placements and bus stops.
Each meeting will be from 5-7 p.m. and is designed as a “drop-in” Open House style event, where people can come and go as their schedules allow. They will be able to meet some of the people working on the Dixie Project, look at plans and ask questions.
Meetings will feature:
- Informational handouts
- Maps and renderings
- Comment forms
- Team members available to answer questions
- Consulting party information (Section 106, National Historic Preservation Act)
The events will be:
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Southwest Regional Library
9725 Dixie Highway
5-7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Shively Community Center
1901 Park Road
5-7 pm.
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate two new historical markers in November. One, in Jefferson County, marks the Kentucky Soldiers’ Home site. The other, in Paducah, recognizes a Boy Scout troop founded in 1910.
The Kentucky Soldiers’ Home was the only institution in Kentucky established for Union Civil War veterans. Its purpose was to provide a home for those who were aged, infirm and unable to support themselves. J.T. Boyle Post No. 109 of the Grand Army of the Republic proposed the home. It was chartered in 1890 and opened in 1891.
Former Union Gen.Speed S. Fry served as the home’s first superintendent and director. He died in 1892. Catherine E. Hirst of the Ladies’ Aid Society headed the facility until it closed several years later. During its brief time in operation, it housed 35 veterans. Five of them died at the home.
The Kentucky Soldiers’ Home marker dedication will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at 6319 Upper River Road, Harrods Creek.
In 1910, Rev. Clinton S. Quin, rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, organized Boy Scout Troop 1. The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on Feb. 8 of that year. Troop 1 is the seventh-oldest troop in the United States. Grace Episcopal Church continues to sponsor the troop, providing meeting facilities and volunteer leadership. The troop is a member of the Lincoln Heritage Council, one of the older local councils serving both urban and rural areas in the nation.
The Boy Scout Troop 1 marker dedication will be at 11:30 a.m. (CST), Sunday, Nov. 13, at 820 Broadway, Paducah.
More than 2,400 historical markers statewide tell Kentucky’s history. More information about the marker application process and a database of markers and their text is available at history.ky.gov/markers. Also available on the site is the Explore Kentucky History app, a source of supplemental information about marker topics and virtual tours of markers by theme. KHS administers the Kentucky Historical Marker Program in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
The North American Championship Rodeo comes to Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center November 10-12 for the Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo finals.
Held during the North American International Livestock Expo, rodeo contestants vie for over $80,000 in prizes and the title of Regional Champion. Winners will go on to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida, for the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.
During the North American Championship Rodeo, top cowboys and cowgirls from Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota. Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin will compete in a number of events, including:
- Bareback riding
- Bull riding
- Saddle bronc riding
- Steer wrestling
- Team roping
- Women’s barrel racing
- Rodeo clowns
The rodeo will feature special promotions on Friday and Saturday:
- Friday, November 11: Tough Enough to Wear Pink, fans and contestants are encouraged to wear pink and show their support for the fight against breast cancer, a portion of proceeds will be donated to Horses for Hope.
- Saturday, November 12: Kid’s Cowboy Hat Night, the first 500 children in the lobby after 6 p.m. will receive a free straw cowboy hat.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission ticket prices vary:
- Thursday, November 10 $25, adults $5, children (ages 2-12)
- Friday, November 11 $30, adults $10, children (ages 2-12)
- Saturday, November 12 $32, adults $10, children (ages 2-12)
Tickets are available at the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center is $8 per vehicle.
For more information, visit www.livestockexpo.org.