Fourth Street Live is reopening with live music, games and plenty of outdoor seating options this weekend.

Not all of the attractions and restaurants will be open, however many will be. Brazeiros, Guy Fieri's Smokehouse, TGI Friday's and Whiskey Dry are all open for dine-in and patio seating, and live music is scheduled for this weekend. Go to Fourth Street Live's Facebook events for list of free live concerts scheduled for July 16, 17, 18, 23 and 25 with local artists like Jack N Lindsey, Dusty Bo and Colton Kise.

New safety precautions described on Fourth Street Live's website.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Metro Council is moving forward with an investigation into recent LMPD activities, while a work group continues efforts to create a civilian oversight system for the department.

The Government Oversight and Audit Committee, on which I serve, voted unanimously to begin an investigation of actions and inactions surrounding the deaths of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee, and related protests in Louisville Metro. Prior to the vote, I emphasized the importance of this committee focusing on systemic issues, policies and procedures. You deserve to know which rules were followed and not followed, and why. Who made the decisions and gave the orders?

It is very important that this investigation conducted by Metro Council does not do anything that compromises or interferes with the con-current investigations being conducted by the Kentucky Attorney General, FBI and Department of Justice. Those investigations are focused on determining if criminal conduct occurred. I would be horrified if our committee did anything that resulted in the criminal investigations from being able to bring forth charges should they find evidence to do so.

You deserve transparency and answers from LMPD and Mayor Greg Fischer's administration. We shall work to get there.

We also need a civilian oversight system for our police department. The Civilian Oversight Review Board Work Group is continuing their work and they are seeking your input.

Metro Council funded $763,500 in the current Metro Budget for the formation of an approved Civilian Oversight Board along with an Inspector General. The Work Group materials and more information is here. You can share your thoughts about civilian oversight here.

Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday commemorating the end of American Slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation took effect January 1st, 1863; however, the last slaves were not freed until June 19, 1865, a full two and a half years later. Juneteenth is a holiday solely dedicated to celebrating the emancipation of slaves.

In commemoration of this historic day, the Juneteenth Jubilee 2020 docuseries consists of seven (7) episodes which air each Friday through July 31. View all episodes at: https://ourwaterfront.org/annual-events/juneteenth-jubiliee/ and  https://www.actorstheatre.org/direct/juneteenth/

Self-Guided Public Art Walk at Waterfront Park

Even as our museums and cultural institutions are temporarily closed, there are many opportunities to enjoy beautiful works of art throughout Waterfront Park.  Take a walk to see them all in one day or enjoy multiple visits to the park to view them.  

• “Tetra” by Charles O. Perry (1929-2011)
• “Gracehoper” by Tony Smith (1912-1980)
• “Flock of Finns” – a tribute to beloved Louisville folk artist Marvin Finn (1913-2007)
• “Lincoln Memorial” by Ed Hamilton
• “Bike Sense” by Todd Smith.

Click HERE to visit our blog and download your own printable Self-Guided Public Art Walk Map!

Safety Reporting Hotline

Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians that the COVID-19 reporting hotline is available to help keep everyone safe.

People who witness dangerous non-compliance with coronavirus mandates, including requirements for mask wearing, social distancing and sanitation, at Kentucky businesses are encouraged to call the COVID-19 reporting hotline at 833-KY SAFER (833-597-2337). 

Labor Cabinet personnel will monitor the hotline from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT. To file a complaint online, click here

Through community partners, COVID-19 testing is expanding to help residents get the care they need and help our city better track and control the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community. 

A critical step to transition from the current phase of social distancing and restart the economy will be an initiative to dramatically increase testing in order to understand when COVID-19 is making a comeback in our city, so we can take measures to quickly get it back under control. In conjunction, Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness will work to trace every close contact people who test positive have had, and make sure every one of those people quarantines for two weeks to ensure they don’t further spread the disease. 

Who should get tested for COVID-19? 

• Anyone who has symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, sore throat, congestion or runny nose. Contact your healthcare provider about scheduling a test.
• Testing for people who do not have symptoms (asymptomatic) including:
• Persons without symptoms who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. Consider getting tested during your 14-day quarantine if you do not develop symptoms. 
• Healthcare facility workers, workers in congregate living settings, and first responders without symptoms.
• Residents in long-term care facilities or other congregate living settings, including prisons and shelters, without symptoms
• People without symptoms who have been in large gatherings where social distancing was difficult, and you do not know if you were in close contact with a positive case.

For more information on the process and testing sites, please click here.

Louisville Parks and Recreation opened Algonquin, Fairdale and Sun Valley swimming pools and each pool will be open two days a week from 11am-4pm.

Patrons should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues both in and out of the water by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene. Patrons are encouraged to come wearing their swimsuits, as access to changing areas will be extremely limited. There will be no furniture allowed on the pool decks to discourage social distancing. 

Pool users must register to swim by calling Metro Parks Aquatics at (502) 897-9949. All three pools will have an initial maximum of 45 swimmers per each two-hour session for a total of 90 swimmers each day. General admission is $2 for each patron. 

Until third grade, children are learning to read. After that, they are reading to learn…and the more they enjoy reading, the easier it will be for them to learn throughout their entire lives. Studies have shown that children who participate in public library summer reading programs increase their enjoyment of reading, improve their reading skills, and return to school better prepared to learn. The Louisville Free Public Library’s annual 10-week program engages children from birth through their teen years in the joy of reading and helps young readers avoid the Summer Slide!

*Distribution of prizes will take place later in the summer at to-be-determined dates, times, and locations, and following state health and safety guidelines. Details will be announced on the Library’s Facebook page and at www.lfpl.org

LFPL’s Summer Reading Program is FREE to all area youth, birth - 12^th grade. You can register and log books:

• Online
• By Phone: (502) 574-1611
• By Email: Beanstack@LFPL.org
• Or by completing the Summer Reading form or writing your book titles on a piece of paper, and mailing to: Main Library, 301 York St., 40203.

To complete the program, simply read the designated number of books:

• PRESCHOOLER (birth - age 5): 20 books
• SCHOOL-AGE (kindergarten - 5th grade): 10 books
• TEEN (6th - 12th grade): 6 books

Everyone who completes the program will receive a throwback backpack, and free passes to local attractions, including: Kentucky Science Center, Frazier History Museum, Locust Grove, Rauch Planetarium, Squire Boone Caverns, Hwang’s Martial Arts, and Louisville Bats game, as well as sweet treats from Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Fazoli’s Lemon Ice, and an ice cream cone at participating McDonald’s. Plus, every completer is automatically entered for a chance to win one of our Grand Prize giveaways.

While you’re registering, sign up for the 2020 Virtual Cultural Pass and earn activity badges that take you on a virtual trip to arts and culture venues for FREE!

New Roots has been making fresh food for ALL a reality for ten years. This season, they are once again offering biweekly shares (bags) of affordable, local, organic produce to all. They are now open to accept online orders for the first share for the 2020 Fresh Stop Market growing season.

They will have eight Fresh Stop Markets to choose from, (click here for a location near you), and they accept (and double) SNAP Benefits!

Fresh Stop Markets are farm-fresh food markets that pop up biweekly in Louisville and southern Indiana neighborhoods. Shareholders (customers) pool their resources—both SNAP Benefits and Debit/Credit—on an income-based sliding scale to pre-purchase shares (bags) of nine varieties of local, seasonal, organic produce from Kentucky farmers. Every week is different depending on what is in season, but everyone gets the same amount (nine varieties) regardless of what they pay. The prices range from $6-$40 depending on income, for $40 worth of food. It’s a huge bag with the most delicious local produce in the region! No one is turned away for lack of resources. See attached poster for more details.

For more information visit our website at https://newroots.org/ or  call 502-509-6770 or email us at info@newroots.org.

Due to the concern for everyone's safety and the physical distancing requirements of COVID-19, our shares will be pre-packed this year. They cannot sell eggs on site, so if you would like eggs, they must be ordered in advance on Farmigo.

Qualifications and guidelines are as follows:

• Person 60 years of age or older
• Or documentation verified by a physician of a disability
• Resident of Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble or Bullitt Counties
• Proof of address and age
• ​One fan per household
• Household must not have functional central air conditioning

Beginning Monday, July 6, qualified individuals may call one of the sites listed at the Resilience and Community Services Website for more information and instruction on how to apply to receive a fan and make an appointment.  

Monetary donations are still accepted and appreciated to purchase fans.  Checks can be made payable to KIPDA, Attn:  Fan Fair, mailed to 11520 Commonwealth Drive, Louisville, KY 40299 and postmarked by July 30.

Fan supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

If you see a streetlight out in your neighborhood (or anywhere in Louisville), please note the address and report it to LG&E for repair. Click here to fill out the online form to report broken or malfunctioning streetlights. We always recommend adding your contact information to the request, so a technician who has questions can contact you. LG&E makes repairs during the day. Make sure you follow up if the streetlight hasn’t been repaired within seven (7) days.

Now there's an even easier option for applying for the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund.

Eligible households seeking assistance can apply online and submit required documentation via a secure portal.

See more details at louisvilleky.gov/oneloufund

Income eligible households, with a verifiable loss of income - directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic - and a demonstrated need, may be eligible to receive payment assistance up to $1,000 per household.  Funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until available funding is expended.

Share a downloadable flyer by clicking here:

Opening Guidance for Schools 

Gov. Beshear, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Kevin Brown, interim commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education, on Wednesday released long-awaited initial guidance for Kentucky schools looking ahead to opening this coming autumn. For more information, click here.

COVID-19 Testing Expansion
Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians to take advantage of the state’s partnership with Kroger, which has brought free drive-through testing across the commonwealth. Information on how to register at more than 200 sites throughout the commonwealth can be found here.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at tinyurl.com/kygovespanol (Spanish) and tinyurl.com/kygovtranslations (more than 20 additional languages).