Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 11/07/2025 11:45 AM EST
COUNCILWOMAN DR. BARBARA SHANKLIN
(502) 574-1102 / 601 West Jefferson Street City Hall, 1st Floor Louisville, KY 40202
Dr. Barbara Shanklin District 2 Councilwoman 601 West Jefferson Street City Hall, 1st Floor Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 574-1102 Barbara.Shanklin@louisvilleky.gov
Caleb Howard Legislative Assistant Caleb.Howard@louisvilleky.gov
On the third Tuesday of each month, a Community Meeting is held to give residents an opportunity to be informed, discuss ideas and share. Be part of the change we want to see for our community. Join us at 6:00PM to share with Councilwoman Dr. Barbara Shanklin.
JOIN US IN-PERSON THIS MONTH TO MEET WITH COUNCILWOMAN SHANKLIN'S OFFICE AT NEWBURG LIBRARY (4800 EXETER AVE.)
Louisville Metro Police Department 6th Division Questions? Contact Us
STAY CONNECTED:
CLICK HERE OR CALL 574-LMPD (5673) TO SUBMIT A CRIME TIP
Only service requests for the past 30 days will be accessible in the system. If you need information on an older request, please call Metro 311 for status.
To receive email notifications of the status of your service request you must have an account and you must have included your email address when you created your account. You can create a new account and report a new issue.
Not all issues you put a service request in for require you to login. Some issues may be submitted anonymously, such as reporting a pothole and property maintenance cases, for instance. But having an account will allow you to track the progress and status of the request.
Please allow up to three business days for your request to be processed. We ask that you complete the entire form. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. If you need immediate assistance, or to report a down wire or gas leak/odor, contact us at: LG&E:502-589-1444 or 800-331-7370, KU/ODP:800-981-0600.
If the pole is near an interstate exchange and is metal, or on a highway, please contact the State Highway Dept at 502-210-5400.
We will make every effort to repair the light within 48 hours of this request. Some repairs may take longer due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the nature of the repair or weather-related events. Please do not hesitate to contact us again if the repairs are not made within seven (7) days.
In the wake of the recent UPS plane crash, Louisville residents are encouraged to seek support and stay informed.
UPS has established a Family Assistance Hotline at 800-631-0604 for those directly affected.
For mental health emergencies, call 988, and for non-emergency counseling, the Office of Violence Prevention is available at 502-574-6949.
JCPS has resumed classes, and families should stay in touch with their schools for any updates.
If you encounter any debris possibly related to the crash, please report it to the National Transportation Safety Board by emailing witness@ntsb.gov.
For information to be translated into your preferred language, please visit louisvilleky.gov. Our community is here to support one another. Please share this information with those who may need it.
News from Mayor Greenberg and the City of Louisville
Louisville Launches Free Legacy Planning Program to Help Increase Asset Protection and Intergenerational Wealth
Louisville Financial Empowerment Center to offer one-on-one to legacy planning support to help residents retain wealth by protecting and preserving assets, with support from Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund
LOUISVILLE, KY (November 3, 2025) – Today, Louisville Metro Government’s Office of Social Services, in partnership with thenational nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) announced that free legacy planning services are now available through the Louisville Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). This one-on-one financial counseling program offers residents access to help with legacy planning and taking steps to protect their assets at no cost. Louisville residents can schedule an appointment with the FEC here.
Research shows that the vast majority of Americans own at least one asset – a bank account, a 401K, or a home – that is valuable today and likely to appreciate, but few have taken the steps necessary to secure those assets. Nearly 70 percent of Americans do not have a will or a broader legacy or estate plan. By increasing access to information about topics like adding beneficiaries to accounts and creating essential documents such as wills and powers of attorney, this program will help people in America protect their assets for the future.
"Every Louisville family deserves the peace of mind that comes with planning for the future,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “By adding legacy planning to the Louisville Financial Empowerment Center services, we’re making sure that legal and financial security aren’t luxuries – they’re for everyone. This initiative helps residents protect what they’ve built, provide for their loved ones, and build stronger neighborhoods across our city.”
“Louisville FEC counselors work hard to help clients build assets. With the addition of legacy planning services, counselors also can help Louisvillians protect and preserve those assets for future generations”, said Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “We are thrilled to partner with Louisville and Mayor Greenberg to provide these crucial services and ensure that legacy planning is available for everyone.”
The Louisville FEC is one of dozens of cities and counties nationwide offering free financial counseling services through the FEC initiative. At FECs, professionally trained counselors provide one-on-one guidance to help individuals and families with low and moderate incomes manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, access safe and affordable mainstream banking products – and now, protect and preserve their assets.
FECs have served more than 200,000 clients nationwide. Collectively, they have helped residents reduce over $344 million in debt and grow their families’ savings by nearly $70 million. Since opening in 2022, the Louisville FEC has supported more than 2,500 clients, helping them reduce $3.1 million in debt and build $223,000 in savings.
About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 145 cities and counties, and has disbursed over $70 million to local governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Bluesky at @cfefund.bsky.social; learn more about the FEC Public initiative at www.fecpublic.org.
About Louisville Metro Government Office of Social Services The Louisville Metro Office of Social Services provides essential services for Louisville residents. Our priorities include mitigating homelessness, providing nutritious meals to seniors, helping families build financial stability, and supporting eight Neighborhood Places. Learn more at www.louisvilleky.gov/oss.
Mayor Greenberg announces new Office of Behavioral Health New office will drive behavioral health, housing, and public health coordination across Metro Government
LOUISVILLE, KY (October 30, 2025) — Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the establishment of the Office of Behavioral Health to underscore the city’s commitment to mental health, substance use recovery, and housing stability as core priorities for Louisville’s future.
Elevated to the Mayor’s office, it will serve as the central coordinating body for behavioral health, aligning work across public health, housing, corrections, and public safety to ensure residents have access to care, stability, and recovery supports.
“This is about saving lives and transforming systems,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “By elevating behavioral health to the Mayor’s Office, we’re sending a clear message: mental health is a top priority for Louisville’s safety, stability, and success.”
Permanent supportive housing (PSH) will be central to the new office’s work. This proven, evidence-based approach combines affordable housing with individualized support services to help people who face chronic homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or other complex challenges live stably and independently. PSH is a key component of the Mayor’s strategy for reducing chronic homelessness in Louisville.
“Stable housing is the foundation of recovery,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Permanent supportive housing helps people heal, stay safe, and move forward. It’s a proven tool used to reduce homelessness and break the cycle of crisis.”
Dr. Leyderman added, “Supportive housing is not just shelter — it’s a comprehensive approach to community wellbeing. We must treat all people as our own neighbor and ensure everyone has a place to call home. The concept of “home” must also be a place for people to be supported in ways that will provide them with long-term stability and independence.”
This move also reflects Mayor Greenberg’s commitment to addressing the behavioral health components of the Community Commitment - Louisville's Consent Decree, which calls for reforms to ensure individuals experiencing mental health crises receive appropriate, empathetic, and clinically informed care.
It also aligns with the Mayor’s Safe Louisville plan which includes initiatives to provide trauma-informed services, substance use prevention and treatment, mental health support for first responders, community wellness initiatives, and coordinated interventions for high-risk individuals to address the root causes of violence and reduce recidivism.
“Behavioral health is at the heart of our consent decree reform plan,” Greenberg said. “This new office will help us fulfill those commitments by expanding crisis response, integrating public health into public safety, and ensuring that people in crisis receive treatment, not trauma.”
Mayor Greenberg appointed Dr. Mariya Leyderman to lead the Mayor’s Office of Behavioral Health as the Executive Director of Behavioral Health. Dr. Leyderman is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in forensics and trauma, with nearly 20 years of experience working in many different behavioral health and criminal justice systems. She has worked in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, state and federal prisons, and community mental health.
In her most recent role, she was appointed as the first psychologist to serve in an administrative and executive role at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC), where she spearheaded mental health initiatives, substance use treatment, and wellness programming for both individuals in custody and correctional employees. Her collaborative approach and community partnerships moved the needle toward system reform and a more progressive and modernized approach to justice-involvement, especially for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
Several of her notable accomplishments that she oversaw included establishing KY’s very first jail-based competency restoration program, creating KY’s first and only certified Peer Support Team for Correctional Officer’s, the expansion of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) at LMDC, and creating a post-arrest diversion program with crisis stabilization units.
Both nationally and internationally, Dr. Leyderman has conducted numerous engagements, presentations, and publications focused on the intersection of mental health and the justice system and enhancing and developing trauma-informed systems.
“Louisville is setting the standard for coordinated, integrated care,” said Dr. Leyderman. “When housing, health, and public safety work together, we create a community anchored in stability and dignity, which is what everyone deserves.
The Mayor’s Office of Behavioral Health will:
Establish a cross-sector coordination framework among healthcare, education, housing, justice, and public safety agencies.
Coordinate behavioral health, substance use, and housing policy across all Louisville Metro Government departments.
Collaborate with the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections to strengthen in-custody behavioral health treatment and reentry supports.
Lead implementation of the behavioral health reforms, including crisis intervention and deflection strategies.
Expand permanent supportive housing to break the cycle of homelessness and crisis.
Oversee co-responder and alternative crisis response programs to divert individuals from jail into systems of care.
“With Dr. Leyderman’s leadership, we’re building a coordinated system that honors the dignity of every person — recovery is possible, housing is possible, and community safety is possible. Behavioral health will be at the heart of how we build a safe, healthy and stronger Louisville,” said Mayor Greenberg.
Louisville Metro Council News
The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Louisville Metro Health and Wellness News
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What does it mean to shelter in place?
This has been a sad week for our community. We hold close in our hearts families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, and all the dedicated first responders on the scene of the plane crash at our airport. Many of our Public Health and Wellness coworkers were on site assisting with hazardous materials and environmental response, serving in the Emergency Operations Center and at the Family Reunification Center. We are grateful and proud of the way our community responds in challenging times.
Immediately after the plane crash, residents in a specified area around the site were told to “shelter in place.” This phrase is often used during a disaster where chemical or radiological contaminants may have been released into the air. A call to shelter in place will come quickly, with little notice, and require immediate action.
If you receive a call to shelter in place while at home, act quickly:
Bring all household members and pets indoors.
Close and lock all windows and doors.
Turn off heating, air conditioning systems and fans.
Once officials say the shelter in place has been lifted and it’s safe to come out, consider changing the air filter for your heating and air conditioning unit, especially if you were unable to immediately shut down your system. Air filters are made to catch air pollutants and allergens. The effectiveness of air filters lessons over time. Replacing an air filter regularly (according to the manufacturers recommendations) helps promote optimal protection.
If you’re driving when you hear instructions to shelter in place, switch your car’s heat/air conditioning to recirculate internal air, if you have such a setting, or turn the air condition or heat off. Go to the closest safe space, whether it be your home, workplace, or a public or retail building.
If you’d like to learn more about sheltering in place, including creating an emergency stockpile kit to be prepared for sheltering in place for an extended period, visit this website.
To receive critical and lifesaving information regarding severe weather hazards, evacuation notices, hazardous materials incidents, even traffic advisories and service disruptions, sign up for LENS Alerts. You can sign up here or, to sign up from your cell phone, text “LENSALERT” to 67283.
Protect yourself and family from norovirus
In recent weeks, public health researchers have detected an increase in norovirus levels in Louisville’s wastewater. This kind of signal – from sewers rather than from hospitals – is a warning sign that more of the virus is circulating in our community than before and may herald an increase in cases of gastrointestinal illnesses.
Norovirus, a common cause of the “stomach flu,” is a highly contagious virus that causes sudden stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Each year, norovirus causes 21 million illnesses in the United States. Most people recover in one to three days, but serious complications such as dehydration can occur, especially in young children, older adults, and people with weaker immune systems.
Norovirus spreads easily, often through contact with tiny amounts of stool or vomit from an infected person. You can catch it by touching contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects and then touching your mouth, or by eating food handled by someone who is sick. Illness can also be acquired by eating shellfish harvested from polluted waters. Norovirus can occur anytime throughout the year, but illness is most commonly seen from November through April. The virus can survive for days on high-touch surfaces like tables and doorknobs, allowing it to spread quickly in schools, daycares, residential facilities, and workplaces. Even after norovirus symptoms stop, a person can still shed the virus and infect other people.
While there is a laboratory test to diagnose norovirus, most people with vomiting and diarrhea do not need to be tested. Testing is usually reserved for people who are severely ill, those who have prolonged symptoms and those who are part of a suspected outbreak.
Practical steps can protect your and your family from norovirus this winter:
Wash hands regularly, and especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Hand sanitizer does not reliably kill norovirus, so you should wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and bathrooms often with a bleach-based cleaner.
Ensure that seafood is cooked thoroughly, and fruits and vegetables are washed before eating.
Any clothes or linens soiled with vomit or diarrhea should be washed with hot water and dried on high heat.
Most importantly, if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, please stay home. Wait at least 48 hours after your symptoms end before returning to work, childcare, or school since you could still shed the virus and infect other people. More strict criteria apply to daycare workers, caregivers, food handlers, and people who work in long-term care facilities who are ill with symptoms of norovirus. These individuals should be excluded for 72 hours after recovery.
Anyone with vomiting and/or diarrhea should NOT use pools, swimming beaches, recreational water parks, spas or hot tubs for at least 72 hours (3 days) after diarrhea and/or vomiting symptoms have stopped, if you have questions, please visit our Communicable Disease website.
Doula training assists men interested in the birthing process
Black Birth Justice invites you to participate in the Full Spectrum Doula Training: Male Centered Doula Training at 10 a.m. on Nov. 8 at 1141 S. 2nd St.
This session will offer an inclusive approach to doula training, emphasizing the role of male-identifying individuals as doulas in diverse environments, assisting families throughout the childbirth experience and beyond.
You're invited to participate in United We Share event at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Ave.
The free wellness event will feature COVID-19 and flu vaccines ($12 or no cost if billed to insurance), personal hygiene care kits, snack packs, family-friendly activities and giveaways.
Office of Social Services News
Mayor Greenberg announces enrollment for LIHEAP Fall Subsidy beginning November 3
One-time home heating assistance available to low-income households
LOUISVILLE, KY (October 31, 2025) – Today Mayor Greenberg announced that starting November 3, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Fall Subsidy enrollment is available through Kentucky’s Community Action Network for eligible Kentucky households. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through December 12, 2025, or until designated funds have been expended.
LIHEAP Fall Subsidy provides households with a one-time benefit depending on housing category, fuel type used for heating, and income level. The benefit can be applied towards home heating cost for electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil.
“As temperatures drop, so does the burden on many Louisville families trying to stay warm and safe,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “The LIHEAP Fall Subsidy is a vital resource that helps ease that burden by providing direct support for energy costs. We encourage all eligible Jefferson County residents to apply early and take advantage of this opportunity to protect their health and well-being during the coldest months of the year.”
Benefits are paid directly to the household's energy vendor. Prior LIHEAP assistance does not impact a household’s eligibility. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
In Jefferson County, LIHEAP Fall Subsidy is available through the Louisville Metro Office of Social Services. Appointments are required in advance to apply. Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Subsidy and MSD’s EWRAP with one single appointment.
MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP)
Through our partnership with Louisville MSD, eligible residents will have the opportunity to apply for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP).
EWRAP can provide eligible residents in Jefferson County a 30% discount on wastewater charges and the consent decree surcharge. Eligibility includes households at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines, with proof of an active utility account with the Louisville Water Company and MSD. This enrollment period is for new and renewing MSD discount program clients.
MSD clients who are 65 years of age or older with a gross household income of $40,000 or less per year may be eligible for MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program. It is recommended you submit your MSD bill with your LIHEAP documentation to see if you qualify for a MSD discount program. For more details about the MSD Discount Programs, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.
How to Apply
Our toll-free automated appointment system is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to schedule an in-person appointment at one of seven locations. The automated scheduler will provide details about these locations as well as eligibility and required documentation.
Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com
Eligibility
Jefferson County households within 150% of 2025-26 federal poverty guidelines
Must be responsible for home heating costs or pay heating costs if utilities are included as an undesignated portion of rent.
LIHEAP Subsidy is a one-time benefit. You do not need to have a past-due balance or disconnect notice to be eligible.
Documentation
Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, etc. or proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the Office of Social Services main office at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201, as well as the seven LIHEAP locations listed here.
Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
Most current heating bill; or statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent; or statement from your utility company if you participate in a pre-pay electric program. Please bring the account number and name on the account for all heating fuel sources and electricity.
For MSD’s EWRAP program, you will need proof of an active utility account with Louisville Water Company and MSD. (i.e. named customers with MSD, receiving metered water service for a property used solely for residential purposes, and owned or leased by the customer as principal residence).
For more information about this process on how to apply for LIHEAP or the MSD discount programs, please contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or 574-5000, email metro.call@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s Online Customer Service or Live Chat at www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocall, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website.
Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about LIHEAP, including contact information for all local Community Action agencies, please visit the Community Action Kentucky website at www.CAPKY.org.
The Louisville Metro Office of Social Services (OSS) serves as the administering agency of the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency.
We Are Launching our 2025 Community Needs Assessment Survey, and We Need Your Help!
The Louisville Metro Office of Social Services is currently conducting its annual Community Needs Assessment to collect information about the needs of Jefferson County residents like you. This is a totally anonymous survey that asks questions about needs related to housing, employment, education, and more. Please follow this link to fill out the survey, which can take between 5-15 minutes to fill out. The survey can be taken by any Jefferson County resident over the age of 18. The survey will close December 5.
Neighborhood Place is a collaboration of Louisville Metro agencies, community partners and Louisville residents who have come together to deliver services in an innovative way. This approach requires a unified action plan to maximize every resource available to continue to build opportunity and significant benefit to the families each Neighborhood Place location serves. This new plan focuses on both the people, the partnerships and the places we serve. We will continue to make each of these a top priority to drive success and strengthen our community.
Office of Planning News
Louisville Parks and Recreation News
Mayor Greenberg announces plan to distribute free COVID-19 and Flu at-home tests at Louisville Parks and Recreation community centers
LOUISVILLE, KY (November 3, 2025) – Mayor Craig Greenberg has announced a renewed partnership between the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Louisville Parks and Recreation to distribute free at-home COVID-19/Flu combo test kits to residents starting November 3.
“Keeping our community healthy is one of my top priorities,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. “By partnering with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and our Parks and Recreation teams, we’re making it easier for every resident to access the tools they need to protect themselves and their families all season long.”
The free at-home tests will be available at all Louisville Parks and Recreation community centers. A full list of centers and their addresses is available on the Louisville Parks and Recreation website. Each center will receive test deliveries from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, and staff will ensure that kits are easily accessible.
“Louisville’s community centers have long played a vital role in keeping residents healthy, informed, and connected,” said Jason Canuel, director of Louisville Parks and Recreation. “In years past, we’ve distributed thousands of test kits through these centers, and we’re proud to continue that partnership with the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness ensuring every household has easy access to testing as we head into flu season.”
There is no cost or data collection involved, and residents of all ages are eligible to participate. Individuals are encouraged to take between two and four kits per visit, and there is no need to register, show identification, or sign up in advance.
“Access to reliable testing is one of the most effective ways we can slow the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu,” said Connie Mendel, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Chief Health Strategist. “By making these combo test kits available in community centers across Louisville, we’re removing barriers and empowering residents to take quick action to protect themselves and others.”
The free at-home test kits will remain available as long as supplies last. Residents seeking more information or guidance about COVID-19, the flu, or testing can call the COVID/Flu Helpline at 502-574-8207 or visit Louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness for additional resources.
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ABOUT LOUISVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION Louisville Parks and Recreation, a nationally accredited parks and recreation agency, manages more than 120 parks and six parkways on more than 13,000 acres of land and operates recreation programs for area residents of all ages and abilities through its 14 community centers. The department’s inventory also includes 10 golf courses; the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center and four outdoor pools; the David Armstrong Extreme Park; two historic homes; the historic Iroquois Amphitheater performance venue; and the nation’s largest municipally owned urban forest, Jefferson Memorial Forest. More details on the department’s people and programs can be found at bestparksever.com.
ABOUT LOUISVILLE METRO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is a nationally accredited, independent, academic health department committed to improving the health and well-being of all Louisville residents and visitors.
Metro United Way’s Hardship to Hope Food Relief Fund
Metro United Way’s Hardship to Hope Food Relief Fund is offering prepaid grocery gift cards for SNAP-eligible households with children and seniors in Metro United Way’s service area, including Jefferson County.
To apply for grocery gift cards through the Hardship to Hope Food Relief Fund, you must apply online.
Applicants must show proof of SNAP eligibility and a government-issued photo ID. Details on eligibility requirements are available in the H2H FAQ.
We are initially prioritizing households that expected to receive their SNAP benefits between November 1 – 7.
Applications will open daily (M-F) at 8:00 a.m. and again at 5:00 p.m. and remain open until the limit for applications has been reached.
Eligible recipients will receive gift card amounts varying from $200 - $350 depending on the size of the household.
If you do not qualify for the Hardship to Hope Food Relief Fund, you can call or visit 211 for other food resources. For more information on this program, visit the Metro United Way website.
Please note: Metro United Way is processing a limited number of applications per day and working to increase the limit to provide resources to as many households as possible.
Louisville Zoo News
Mayor Greenberg announces: Save on Zoo admission with a canned food item during Wild Winter Days
Join the Mayor, Louisville Zoo and Kroger in supporting Dare to Care
LOUISVILLE, KY (November 4, 2025) – The Louisville Zoo is thrilled to welcome guests back for Wild Winter Days, presented by Kroger, running now through February 28, 2026. And Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is proud to announce that this seasonal promotion offers discounted Zoo admission while supporting a vital cause: a food drive benefitting Dare to Care.
“No family, child, or senior should ever have to go hungry, and our local food pantries are needed now more than ever before,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Our community needs us, and I hope that people will take advantage of this chance to help feed our neighbors who need us while supporting our fantastic Louisville Zoo.”
Guests who bring at least one non-perishable food item per person can purchase discounted tickets at the Zoo ticket windows for just $11 per adult and $8 per child or senior. In addition, 25 cents of every admission ticket will also support the Zoo’s conservation efforts in Kentuckiana and around the world.
Over the past 17 years of this partnership, generous Zoo guests have donated more than 30,000 pounds of food. That is roughly the weight of nearly five male rhinoceroses!
Dare to Care Food Bank’s most needed items include canned meats like tuna and chicken, as well as canned fruit and vegetables, beans, peanut butter, soup, rice, cereal, fruit juice and pasta. Please note that no glass containers are accepted. For a full list of needed and excluded items, visit daretocare.org.
The discount is available only at the Zoo’s admission windows and cannot be applied to online purchases, special fee-based programs, prepaid groups, field trips or other discounts. No refunds will be provided for tickets purchased online or in advance. While multiple canned good items per person are appreciated, only one discount applies per ticket.
Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through March 20, 2026, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guests exiting by 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information.
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The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of zoos and aquariums. For more information visit www.louisvillezoo.org.
Waste Management News
The Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue is open. This is a popular disposal site for large loads of unbagged yard waste, tree limbs and stumps up to three feet in diameter, construction debris, and large household items. (Fees may apply.) Residents can dispose of up to four tires, up to three electronic items, and up to three large household items for FREE! Details can be found on the website. Open Tuesday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Illegal dumping harms our neighborhoods, strains city resources and won’t be tolerated.
Not sure how to dispose of something? Use the Recycle Coach app to search for any item and find out how to properly recycle, dispose or drop it off. You can also visit our website for detailed guidance.
See something? Say something! You can report illegal dumping online through Metro311 at Louisvilleky.gov/metro311. Your report helps us take action quickly and keep our neighborhoods clean. To submit photos or video of illegal dumping directly to our team, visit Louisvilleky.gov/IllegalDumpingand fill out the reporting form.
Let’s work together to keep Louisville clean and hold illegal dumpers accountable!
Help Stop Illegal Dumping!
To report materials that have been illegally dumped or "junk" set out on the wrong day, use Metro311 or 574-5000.
If you WITNESSED A PERSON illegal dumping and have information (pictures, license plate #, etc.), please report it on our new online form.
Keep an eye out for the vehicles our Enforcement Team is currently looking for!
Don't contribute to the problem!
If you hire someone to dispose waste for you,ask to see their Waste Hauler License and do not pay without a disposal receipt. Properly disposing of truck loads of materials costs at least $50 - if you're charged less than that, be suspicious. Perpetrators will often take your money and illegally dump your items to avoid the disposal fee. Drop off up to three household items for free at the Waste Reduction Center. (Disposal fees may apply for additional items.)
Only set out junk or bulky items during your scheduled set out period. Residents in the Urban Services District can sign up for set out reminders using the Recycle Coach app. Residents outside of the Urban Services District should call their contracted waste hauler for information.
Tips to Prevent Illegal Dumping on your Property
Keep your property well lit and clear of overgrown trees and shrubs.
Monitor your property - the presence of illegally dumped materials or bulky items set out too early attracts additional dumping.
Install security cameras - send your video or photos anonymously to us and enforcement officers can use identifying information to catch the perpetrator.
Cover your loads! A lot of litter ends up on the highway because of waste not properly contained in trucks
Remove vehicle debris after an accident. When a wrecked vehicle is removed, the debris must be removed with it.
Report materials that have been illegally dumped or "junk" set out on the wrong day to Metro311 or call 311 or 574-5000.
If you WITNESSED A PERSON illegally dumping and have information (pictures, license plate #, etc.) report it on our online form.
If you hire someone to dispose waste for you, ask to see their Waste Hauler License and do not pay without a disposal receipt. Properly disposing of truckloads of material costs at least $50 - if you're charged less than that, be suspicious. Perpetrators will often take your money and illegally dump items to avoid the disposal fee. Drop off up to three household items for free at the Waste Reduction Center. (Disposal fees apply for additional items.)
Only set out large items during your scheduled set out period. Residents in the Urban Services District can sign up for set out reminders using the Recycle Coach app. Residents outside the Urban Services District should call their contracted waste hauler for information.
Dispose of large items like tires and furniture at Pop-Up Drop-Off events – free recycling and large item disposal events for residents of Jefferson County.
The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to communicate with our community partners about events and provide information you may find beneficial to have and share with your neighbors. Our monthly letter will provide you with an overview of crime trends within the division and highlight the work our talented women and men do each day serving our community. We will also provide any information that could impact our neighborhoods and travel such as construction and festivals. Please feel free and share this newsletter with your friends, family, and neighbors. Signing up will ensure they receive the newsletter as soon as it is published.
LMPD reminder: Please secure your property and stay vigilant!
The city has seen an increase of illegal activity, including vandalism, vehicle thefts, items stolen from vehicles, and gun shots reported over the past year. Here are several tips from LMPD that may seem simple but could be very effective in preventing crime in our neighborhoods!
Immediately report any suspicious person, activity (gunshots), or vehicles to (502) 574-7111 or (502) 574-TIPS. This is not just for vehicle vandalism but drug activity, home/garage vandalism, gun shots - ANY suspicious activity! Make a police report!
- Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices, and even loose change. - Always lock your vehicle doors. - Remove garage door openers from vehicles usually parked outside. - Do not leave your keys in your vehicle. Do not warm up your vehicles without you in them! - Do not leave the windows of you vehicle open, or partially open. - Consider additional lighting around your property; try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area. - Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
Please remember to not leave your vehicle running and unattended!
Metro Emergency Repair Program
Eligibility criteria:
Must be owner occupied for at least one year.
Not available on rental property.
Must meet income guidelines (see intake staff).
May receive assistance once in a five year period.
Louisville-Jefferson County only.
Types of repairs:
Furnace repair or replacement (October-April only).
A/C unit- repair or replacement (Requires medical statement, available May-Sept. only).
Electrical repairs/upgrades.
Water line repairs/replacement.
Sewer line repairs/replacement.
Water heater repair/replacement (gas or electric).
Peace Presbyterian Church (4210 East Indian Trail, Louisville, KY 40213)
Open every 2nd Monday of the month -- 10am - 12pm
Forest Baptist Church (4500 Petersburg Road, Louisville, KY 40218)
Open every 1st Thursday of the month -- 4pm - 6pm
Information about both pantries:
Serving households in the 40213, 40218 & 40219 Zip Codes Only
First Come, First Served Basis
Picture ID & proof of residency required!
LouieConnect
Louisville non-profits have launched a new website to help connect people in need of food, shelter, and more. Metro United Way and the Family Scholar House partnered to create LouieConnect, modeling it on a similar site created in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When someone uses LouieConnect, the web-based app asks for basic information and then lists applicable resources nearby — from food pantries to shelters to career centers to financial literacy programs.
***Important Metro Services Phone Numbers***
Air Pollution: (502) 574-6000
Animal Services: (502) 363-6609 or (502) 361-1318
Brightside: (502) 574-2613
Community Services & Revitalization: (502) 574-4377
Congressman Morgan McGarvey: (502) 582-5129
IPL (Code Enforcement): (502) 574-3321
Legal Aid Society: (502) 584-1254
LG&E Business: (502) 627-3313 or (800)- 331-7370
LG&E Residential: (502) 589-1444 or (800) 331-7370
LMPD 6th Division: (502) 574-2187
LMPD Anonymous Tipline: (502) 574-LMPD (5673)
LMPD: (Non Emergency): (502) 574-7111 or (502) 574-2111
