News Updates
+ There’s still time to participate in Cultural Pass and LFPL's Summer Reading Program
There are nearly four weeks left of the Louisville Free Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program and the Cultural Pass!
The Cultural Pass, a partnership between Louisville Metro Government, Fund for the Arts and the Arts & Culture Alliance, offers youth ages 0 to 21 free access to many of the region's arts and culture experiences, including The Little Loomhouse, Carnegie Center for Art and History, the Kentucky Science Center, the Louisville Zoo and more.
The Cultural Pass runs through August 6.
The Summer Reading Program encourages more than 40,000 children and teens to read for fun over the summer. Kids and teens who complete the Summer Reading Program will receive some amazing prizes, including a backpack or sling shoulder bag and passes to local attractions and sporting events. Everyone who completes Summer Reading will also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of the Library's Grand Prizes.
The Summer Reading Program runs through August 5.
+ Thousands of residents at risk of losing their Medicaid health insurance
The Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services (DMS) has began unwinding COVID-19-related policies and resumed eligibility certification for Medicaid enrollees beginning in April 2023. That means 45,000 Louisville residents could lose their Medicaid insurance if they do not complete paperwork and turn in information that shows they are eligible for Medicaid.
“We cannot afford to have 45,000 people lose coverage because they don’t know what’s going on or they don’t know the next steps. We already know that people are losing coverage across the country, not because they are no longer eligible for the program, but because they weren’t ready to take action when needed,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “We are here today to say we are here for you, and we’re ready to help make sure you keep the coverage you need.”
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+ LPM: Commission gathering public input on 20-year-old Louisville merger
 The following was originally published by Louisville Public Media.
State and local officials want to hear from Louisville residents about how they’ve been impacted by the 2003 merger between the city and Jefferson County.
The legislature created the Louisville Metro Comprehensive Review Commission last year to examine the successes and failures of merger 20 years after implementation.
The first of the panel’s six meetings to gather public comment will be Saturday at South Central Library. Community members who want to speak need to sign up 30 minutes before the meeting begins. There will be 30 spots available with each person getting three minutes to speak.
Commission members have said they want to discuss how city resources, like ambulance services and road repaving, are allocated across Jefferson County. They’ll also look at Metro Government’s relationship with the 83 independent cities and special service districts that still exist in the county.
After gathering input, the commission will report back to state lawmakers with proposals to make Louisville more fair and efficient, including any necessary changes to Kentucky law.
The six community feedback sessions will all take place in July, starting this Saturday:
Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m.
South Central Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd.
Monday, July 17 at 6 p.m.
West Louisville Central Community Center, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m.
Southwest Valley High School, 10200 Dixie Hwy.
Monday, July 24 at 6 p.m.
Eastern High School, 12400 Old Shelbyville Road
Tuesday, July 25 at 6 p.m.
Atherton High School, 3000 Dundee Road
Monday, July 31 at 6 p.m.
City Hall, 601 W. Jefferson St.
+ Louisville Bats, Atrium Brewing partner to honor city’s diverse Hispanic and Latinx population
 Louisville Bats and Atrium Brewing in the Shelby Park neighborhood have collaborated on a Mexican lager to pay homage to Louisville's diverse Hispanic and LatinX population.
The beer launch is part of the Bats annual celebration of Hispanic and Latinx culture when they play as the Los Murcielagos de Louisville. The new brew debuted earlier this week and will be available at Louisville Bats' home games starting July 14.
+ Louisville Metro Government awards $22.2 million for affordable housing
 Louisville Metro Government has awarded $22.2 million to affordable housing developers to fund the creation of more than 700 new housing units, a minimum of 272 of which will be affordable.
Since January 2023, the city has dedicated $37.2 million for affordable housing as part of the Mayor’s initiative to build 15,000 affordable housing units over the next four years.
The following projects received funding:
- The Prestonian, a 345-unit mixed-income housing project from LDG Development, received $10 million to create 145 affordable housing apartments within the development.
- Beecher IV LLC was awarded $1 million, which will fund the creation of seven units within its 210-unit Phase IV redevelopment.
- Habitat for Humanity received $273,020 to construct four single-family homes.
- River City Housing was awarded $1,789,583 to renovate nine existing affordable single-family homes and construct five new ones.
- Family Scholar House was awarded $7 million to construct a 60-unit multi-family housing project called the Family Scholar House Medical Center Campus.
- Wellspring and Woda Cooper Companies received $2,187,697 to fund the creation of 42 affordable units as part of its 90-unit Bridlewood Crossing development.
+ Be part of the Worldfest Parade of Cultures
 Louisville Metro Government is looking for participants for its annual Parade of Cultures during Worldfest. Individuals and groups must sign-up to walk in the parade, which takes place at noon on Saturday, September 2.
The WorldFest Parade of Cultures is a celebration of the different cultural heritages that make Louisville a unique and vibrant place to live and work. Worldfest takes place each year during Labor Day Weekend and features live music, food and vendors.
+ Sign-up for LENSAlert & Smart911
Sign up to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone!
Text "LENSAlert" to 67283
Policy Updates
+ DHS announces family reunification parole processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
Nationals from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family members can be considered for parole on a case-by-case basis for up to three years while they wait to apply to become a lawful permanent resident. Qualifying beneficiaries must be outside the U.S., meet all requirements, including screening and vetting and medical requirements, and must not have already received an immigrant visa.
+ Temporary Protected Status designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua reinstated and extended for 18 months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded the 2017 and 2018 terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and extended these four reinstated TPS designations for 18 months.
TPS beneficiaries under the four designations must re-register to maintain their TPS during the 18-month extension. Eligible individuals are those who arrived in the U.S. before the following continuous residence dates: Feb. 13, 2001, for El Salvador; Dec. 30, 1998, for Honduras; June 24, 2015, for Nepal; and Dec. 30, 1998, for Nicaragua.
+ DHS, State Department announce enhancements to the Central American Minors program
The most recent enhancement, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department on April 12, builds on President Joe Biden’s Executive Order in the following ways:
Central American Minors program applicants interviewed between August 16, 2017 and January 31, 2018, who did not qualify for refugee status and were ineligible for parole consideration following the 2017 termination of the parole component of the CAM program will now be eligible to pursue parole.
+ DHS announces upcoming re-parole process for Afghan nationals
On May 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is establishing a process to re-parole eligible Afghan nationals so they can continue living and working legally in the United States. Beginning in June, Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States under humanitarian parole through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) will be able to request a re-parole through online and paper filing. As with any parole request, these requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit. Additional details regarding the process will be available soon.
+ USCIS opens HART Service Center focusing on humanitarian cases and backlogs
On March 30, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the opening of the Humanitarian, Adjustment, Removing Conditions, and Travel Documents (HART) Service Center, the sixth service center within its Service Center Operations (SCOPS) directorate, and the first to focus on humanitarian and other workload cases.
In an effort to address the backlog associated with humanitarian immigration relief, the center has reassigned 150 current service center personnel and plans to hire an additional 330 employees, with nearly full staffing by June 30, 2025. While the center is currently hybrid, it is envisioned to be a 100% virtual service center across multiple time zones, identified by specialized work rather than a physical location.
+ Redesign of Green Cards and Employment Authorization Document
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to improve security. The new Green Card and EAD designs contain improved technology and designs meant to further secure the documents. Current cards remain valid until their expiration date unless otherwise noted. Green card holders are encouraged to apply for the new cards.
+ Guidance for Adjustment of Status applications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their guidance in their policy manual to clarify that both asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least one year when their Adjustment of Status is adjudicated. This new physical presence requirement supersedes the old rule which stated that asylees and refugees must have been physically present in the U.S. for one year at the time they file their adjustment of status application.
Events
+ Second annual Taste of Uganda
 Saturday, July 14 | 5 to 7 p.m.
SaSa Samosa Kitchen and the BEL initiative are hosting a fundraising dinner, Taste of Uganda, to completion and furnishing of a basic library for the Bwoga community. The event will feature inspirational presentation, exposure to Ugandan culture through authentic Ugandan food, African drumming, dance performances, and more.
Tickets are $55. The event is being held at New Life Church Gym, 3402 Goose Creek Road.
+ African Heritage Festival returns
Saturday, July 15 | 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
After a three-year hiatus, Bridge Kids International and the Kentucky Old School Sports Association are bringing back the African Heritage Festival. The event will be held at Ben Washer Park & Spalding University Soccer Fields, on West Kentucky Street between 5th and 8th streets.
The African Heritage Festival will include food, music, cultural demonstrations, storytelling, activities for children and health resources.
+ Buy Local Fair South Points
Saturday, July 15 | noon to 4 p.m.
The Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) is hosting a Buy Local Fair to highlight businesses in the South Points area. Hosted at Iroquois Park, the event will include independent South Louisville businesses offering a diversity of products, drinks, food and more. The Buy Local Fair will also include a kids area.
+ LouCity FC hosting international friendly Atlante FC
 Saturday, July 15 | 8 p.m.
Louisville City FC will welcome international competition to Lynn Family Stadium for the second time when hosting Mexican club Atlante FC for a friendly kicking off on Saturday, July 15.
The LouCity-Atlante matchup will double as a showcase of authentic Mexican culture and cuisine at Lynn Family Stadium. Live music will feature in the Fan Zone, which opens at 6 p.m. at the stadium’s waterfront/open end. Ticket start at just $12 and are available online by clicking below or in person at the following Supermercados Guanajuato locations: 6201 Preston Hwy., 9901 La Grange Rd., 5624 Bardstown Rd. and 8704 National Turnpike. Buyers can pay with cash at Guanajuato.
Ticketholders also will receive free entry to a 21-and-over postgame Latin Night party at The Hub, 2235 Frankfort Ave.
+ “Downtown After the Pandemic: A New Paradigm?" virtual panel
Wednesday, July 19 | 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Join Louisville Downtown Partnership for their continued public engagement for the new ten-year Downtown Louisville Strategic Plan as they host a panel of nationally renowned urbanists to provide an overview of the state of downtowns, addressing both the challenges that we all face as well as new opportunities that have arisen in response to these changing conditions.
The panel is free to attend.
+ Get your fill at the Louisville Street Food Festival
 Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23 | 2 to 8 p.m.
The inaugural Louisville Street Food Festival is kicking off at Fourth Street Live! The weekend event will feature the Louisville area's best food trucks and restaurants. The best part is ALL food items priced at $5 or less.
And the fun doesn’t end there. The festival will include live entertainment, axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, eating challenges, family-friendly activities, a vendor market, and cooking demonstrations!
+ "Russia-Ukraine War: A Military Perspective" pop-up discussion
 Wednesday, August 9 | 5:30 p.m.
Join the World Affairs Council for a pop-up discussion on the Russia-Ukraine War: A Military Perspective.
Retired United States Army Brigadier General, Rob Givens, will share his insights on how the war is progressing (where we are) and what the "end" game might look like (where we're going) from a military perspective. BG Givens will also offer his perspective on how weapon systems have changed the strategic course of the war, the nature of this war, and what it might mean for future defense scenarios.
This program is $10 for non-members and free for members.
+ African American Golf Expo & Forum's Youth and Adult Golf Clinic
 Saturday, August 19 at 9 a.m.
The African American Golf Expo & Forum is hosting a free golf clinic at Shawnee Golf Course. The clinic includes golf instruction, a kid-preneur pop-up vendor shop, adaptive golf, a food truck and special guest Carter Bonas, Sports Illustrated 2022 Kid of the Year.
+ Register for the Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference this August
 August 24-25
The Kentucky Affordable Housing Conference will be hosted this year in Lexington at the new Central Bank Center. This year’s theme “Rising to the Challenge: Building A Stronger Kentucky" reflects the work of the Kentucky Housing Coalition and its partners in the aftermath of COVID-19, working together to re-home those affected by disasters in both Eastern and Western Kentucky, and overcoming ongoing issues in affordable housing.
The conference lineup includes keynote speeches from Gregg Colburn, Martin Muoto, and Shane Phillips, as well as breakout sessions about mortgage lending, homeless services, single-family development, multifamily development, and business development.
+ Downtown Drive-In with the Cinebus
Select Fridays through October 20
The Downtown Drive-In is an outdoor movie night series, taking place at Brown-Forman Amphitheater on select Friday nights through October.
Movies will begin at sundown, with the amphitheater open an hour before to allow guests to grab their spot in the theater. The event will include snacks and beer for purchase from local brewer Ten20 Craft Brewery and lemonade by Amiracle Ade Company. Movie-goers are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs to the viewing.
In collaboration with Waterfront Development Corporation, the film series is hosted at Waterfront Park’s Brown-Forman Amphitheater, 1301 River Road. The event is free to the public with free parking available at Waterfront Park’s Tan and Turquoise lots.
The Downtown Drive-In schedule:
- July 14: Black Panther (PG-13)
- July 28: Encanto (PG)
- August 11: A League of Their Own (PG)
- August 25: Cars (G)
- September 8: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG)
- September 22: Up (PG)
- October 20: Hocus Pocus (PG)
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+ Free summer movie nights at Iroquois Amphitheater
 Select Wednesdays through September
Louisville Parks and Recreation has added 12 free movie nights to this year’s event calendar.
The Free Summer Movie Season includes the following titles and dates:
- July 19: Hairspray (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- July 26: The Sandlot (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- August 9: Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (R) 8:30 p.m.
- August 16: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) 8:30 p.m.
- August 23: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (PG-13) 8:30 p.m.
- August 31: Goldfinger (PG) 8 p.m.
- September 6: Star Trek: Into Darkness (PG-13) 8 p.m.
- September 13: Pokémon: The First Movie-Mewtwo Strikes Back (G) 8 p.m.
- September 20: Godzilla (NR) 7:30 p.m.
- September 27: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R) 7:30 p.m.
For a full list of events, visit www.iroquoisamphitheater.com.
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