News

The drought that’s been plaguing areas of Kentucky and Indiana for much of the summer could end up having an effect on honeybee colonies, too.

Sean Burgess is Kentucky’s state apiarist. He says this time of year is critical for bee colonies, because it’s when they harvest nectar to make the honey that nourishes them through the winter.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is being targeted by a progressive group urging lawmakers to let the Bush-era tax cuts expire for those earning more than $250,000 annually.

The ‘If I Were a Rich Man Tour’ is a national effort that will make a stop in Louisville on Monday to pressure the GOP leader to back President Obama’s proposal to end the tax breaks for wealthier Americans. Under Mr. Obama's plan, all Americans would keep their current tax rates for the first quarter of a million dollars they earn.

But Republicans have opposed the idea, arguing that it will be a tax increase on job creators and further slow the economic recovery.

Tera Greene is a group volunteer with the tour. She says McConnell is being focused on because he is one of the wealthiest lawmakers to oppose the proposal.

"We’re asking why they continue to vote to line their own pockets instead of defending the best interest of their constituents," he says.

In “Time Flies,” four time travelers wander from their births back to the beginning of the universe and forward to the end of time. Along the way, they stage a hip hop tribute to a famous clock maker and engage in a bout of bare-knuckle boxing.

In other words, it’s a typical absurdist Le Petomane show. Co-producing artistic director Kyle Ware says this play is a study in anachronism, with philosophical undercurrents.

Technologies for the blind and visually impaired will be demonstrated during an expo later this month in Louisville. Cora McNabb with the Kentucky Office for the Blind says the two-day event at the Galt House will feature the latest devices.

“They kind of surround that person with a team of individuals that looks at what their needs are. Once we determine what those needs are, we individualize the types of services that support that individual need,” McNabb said

The Governor's Cup will remain in Louisville for another year.

The Louisville Cards defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 32-14 today as the programs renewed their rivalry for the 25th time.

It was Louisville's second straight victory over Kentucky but the first at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium since 2006.

U of L running back Jeremy Wright ran for three touchdowns and sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater passed for 232 yards.

Senorise Perry added a 47 yard touchdown run for the Cards, and John Wallace kicked a 22 yard field goal.

Violent crime statistics are on an uptick in Louisville in 2012, and Police Chief Steve Conrad recently announced the formation of a new unit to specifically tackle this growing problem.  The VIPER unit will go after the worst offenders in the city and focus resources on known hot spots.

Today marks six months from the day tornadoes tore through parts of Indiana and Kentucky, killing more than 30 and destroying buildings in their path. Churches in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio are marking the milestone.

The Republican National Convention is over, with Mitt Romney formally accepting the GOP presidential nomination.  Friday on Byline, we talked about the RNC with the Courier-Journal’s James Carroll, who covered the convention in Tampa, WFPL's Phillip Bailey, and Kentucky Public Radio’s Kenny Colston. 

WDRB sports reporter Eric Crawford checked in with WFPL's Rick Howlett on Byline yesterday to dissect the big UofL/UK football game this weekend.  It’s the highly-anticipated season opener for two teams facing very different challenges. Crawford and Howlett discuss the coaches, key players, the potentially iffy weather forecast, and other factors making this game a fan favorite in the Bluegrass state.

Louisville Metro Government Public Works Director Ted Pullen has resigned.

Mayor Greg Fischer's office has confirmed that Pullen turned in his letter of resignation at 4:30 p.m. Friday, saying he wanted to pursue other opportunities.

Fischer spokesman Chris Poynter says the search for a new director will begin immediately.

In June, WFPL requested documents from Metro Government, including "complaints filed against Louisville Metro Public Works Director Ted Pullen by Metro employees in the department since February 1, 2012." In response, we were told a complaint was pending and could not be released.

When asked later that week about any complaints against Pullen and whether his office asked Pullen to resign, Fischer told WFPL he had not asked Pullen to resign at that time. When asked whether there was an investigation into any complaints against Pullen, Fischer replied "We have personnel issues all the time and obviously we don't discuss those."