Public Works once again played a major role in bringing holiday cheer to downtown Louisville during Light Up Louisville. Before, during, and after the event, our teams worked behind the scenes to help make the city’s signature celebration shine.

It all began with the arrival of the Christmas tree. Public Works crews helped safely deliver the tree to Jefferson Square Park, setting the stage for the season. From there, our Electrical Maintenance Team hung between 20,000 and 25,000 lights on the tree itself, along with more than 100,000 additional lights throughout the park. Nearly every twinkling display had their craftsmanship behind it.

Our teams also blocked streets with our big orange trucks during Light Up Louisville to help keep everyone safe and to help traffic flow smoothly while the city celebrated.  

Our Snow Team wrapped up the Lots of Lights Parade by rolling in with their highly decorated snowplows — featuring artwork from talented JCPS students. 

This year's parade featured artwork from Brandeis Elementary and Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary. Artwork from Carter Traditional Elementary and Klondike Elementary was unfortunately affected during the snow event the first week of December -- but we want to give a huge thank you to all the students who shared their creativity with us. Their designs brought joy to our Snow Team and helped brighten the season!  

We will be at PetCo Friday December 11th!

Petco and Louisville Metro Animal Services are teaming up for a festive Holiday Adoption Mash-Up and you’re invited to meet some of the sweetest adoptable dogs and puppies in town!

Bring the whole family and soak up the cozy holiday vibes as you meet dogs who are ready to head home just in time for the holidays. Even better? Every adoption fee is completely covered thanks to the generous support of Bissell Pet Foundation!

Expect wagging tails, fluffy faces, and lots of holly jolly cheer +++plus holiday tunes, cute photo ops, and staff & volunteers ready to help you find your match.

This is the perfect chance to give a pet the best gift of all: a loving home. 

Come make a memory, save a life, and kick off the season with kindness. We can’t wait to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/4107821002811790 (if you would like to share the event)

Celebrate the holidays with reuse and joy!

The holidays are upon us, and what better way to spread cheer than by choosing reuse over overconsumption? After all, we’ve already had a fabulous run this year: Secondhand September kicked things off, October brought us the Clothing Swap, and now December is shining bright with our newest tradition… Thriftmas! 🌟

What is Thriftmas?

You may be asking, “Thriftmas? What’s that all about?” Thriftmas is all about sustainable gifting — shopping secondhand instead of buying brand new. Whether it’s a cozy sweater, a quirky mug, or a vintage treasure, thrifted gifts carry more character, more thoughtfulness, and less impact on the planet.

Why Thriftmas matters

• Save money while still giving meaningful gifts.
• Reduce waste by keeping items out of landfills.
• Fight overproduction and overconsumption, which skyrocket during the holiday season.
• Avoid the landfill blues. Did you know many returned holiday items end up trashed instead of resold?

This year, let’s flip the script. Instead of contributing to the cycle of excess, let’s give gifts that tell a story, spark joy, and don't contribute to more waste.

🛍️ Local thrift and vintage treasures

Louisville is full of gems waiting to be discovered! Here are some fantastic spots to check out for your Thriftmas shopping spree:

• Fat Rabbit – eclectic finds for every personality
• Fleur de Flea – vintage vibes with flair
• Tickled Pink – quirky, colorful treasures
• What the LOU – local charm and unique gifts
• Barret Babes – trendy secondhand fashion
• Goodwill & St. Vincent de Paul – classics that never disappoint

Wrap it up with love

This holiday season, let’s celebrate not with piles of packaging and mass-produced goods, but with thoughtful, sustainable gifts that make both hearts and the planet happy. Thriftmas isn’t just a trend — it’s a movement toward mindful giving.

So grab your reusable shopping bag, put on your festive playlist, and head out to discover the magic of secondhand shopping. Who knows? The perfect gift might already be waiting for you on a thrift store shelf.

✨ Happy Thriftmas and Happy Holidays from the kNOw Waste Louisville Team! ✨

Contact Us

Get ready for an evening of holiday joy at our UCHM Community Holiday Party! Bring your family and friends for a festive celebration filled with fun, food, and community cheer.

📅 Friday, December 12

⏰ 6:00pm–7:30pm

📍 150 State St., Louisville, KY 40206

Enjoy a variety of holiday activities including:

✨ Cookie decorating

✨ Arts and crafts

✨ Pictures with Santa

✨ Pizza, salad, and refreshments

This event is free and open to the community. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you!

Each year, we partner with generous individuals, churches, and local businesses to provide holiday gifts, meals, and essential items to families in need right here in our community.

You can help make this season brighter by:

Making a financial contribution of $150 to support our Christmas Connection Program assistance

Learn more or sign up to give: www.uchmlouky.org

Donations accepted through December 12th at UCHM (150 S. State Street, Louisville) or online at uchmlouky.org/give

Looking for winter fun? Our Winter Break Camps are the perfect way to keep kids ages 5–12 active and creative during the holiday season! From games and crafts to outdoor play and new friendships, it’s all happening Dec. 29–Jan. 2 at community centers across Louisville. Registration is just $60. Sign up today by clicking here.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) has reported an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in recent weeks. To date in 2025, there have been 566 reported cases across 93 counties in Kentucky, marking the highest total since 2012. Many U.S. states and other countries are also experiencing elevated levels of pertussis.

In Jefferson County, the number of pertussis cases is also on the rise:

• 2023: 2 total cases, 2 confirmed.
• 2024: 47 total cases, 39 confirmed and 8 probable.
• 2025 to date: 41 total cases, 36 confirmed and 5 probable.

Pertussis is a bacterial illness that causes severe coughing spells that can last for weeks or months. While the earliest symptoms of pertussis may resemble those of a common cold, the disease can become life-threatening, particularly for infants according to Dr. Kris Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and associate medical director for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW).

Dr. Bryant emphasized that three deaths is a significant number for any year and highlighted the heightened risk for infants.

“When pertussis cases go up, we expect to see cases in the most vulnerable people and that’s really infants,” said Dr. Bryant. “These young infants who died had not been immunized, and their mothers had not been immunized.”

Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent pertussis. The vaccine for children is known as DTaP, while the booster for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both DTaP and Tdap provide protection against pertussis, as well as tetanus and diphtheria. Children generally begin receiving immunizations at 2 months of age, with a series of five doses completed by 4 to 6 years of age.

Dr. Bryant stressed the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date. “When children receive all recommended immunizations on time, our whole community benefits. High childhood vaccination rates help to create community immunity, which offers widespread protection against contagious diseases. By coming together to support immunization programs, our community can ensure that all children get the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends all pregnant women should be immunized with every pregnancy to protect their babies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants be immunized when they are 2 months, 4 months, 6 months and 12 to 15 months old. Children should be immunized before starting kindergarten. Teenagers should be immunized when 11 to 12 years old. Teens and adults should be immunized at least every 10 years or sooner if an injury occurs, or to protect a newborn.

Parents who do not have health insurance and wish to have their child vaccinated can contact the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness at 574-5380 or visit our Immunizations webpage to schedule an appointment.

NOTE: media b-roll here and images attached: https://youtu.be/ZzOuxLpgRSs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (December 4, 2025) – Mayor Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo are thrilled to announce the arrival of two new Sumatran orangutans — the first to join the Zoo in 28 years.

Meet Sumagu (sue MA goo), a 38-year-old female orangutan, and her seven-year-old daughter, Kera (care ah). Both come to Louisville from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

After completing a standard quarantine and ongoing acclimation period, the pair are now rotating with the Zoo’s three other orangutans in the dayroom at the Islands habitat. When winter temperatures give way to spring, they will also be visible in the Islands’ outdoor habitats.

“I am delighted that families in our community will have new animals to enjoy, learn from and build memories with this winter and beyond,” said Mayor Greenberg. “The Zoo offers fun experiences and learning opportunities for all ages, and the fact that it’s open year-round makes it an even greater resource for our city.”

Currently, Sumagu and Kera will be exhibited together with the plan of joining the other two females, Bella and Amber eventually. The Zoo’s male orangutan, Segundo, will also be part of the habitat rotation, though males are typically solitary or occasionally paired with females.

The Zoo’s website will be updated daily to indicate when the pair can be seen in their habitat. Visit louisvillezoo.org/plan and check the animal viewing schedule for details.

Sumagu comes with a future breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP) with our male, Segundo. Aimed at maintaining the genetic diversity of managed animal populations in human care, the SSP contributes to the conservation of this species.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Sumagu and Kera to the Louisville Zoo family,” said Louisville Zoo Director Dan Maloney.  “Both are gorgeous, and we encourage every member of our community to come see our newest residents. This is a great time of the year to visit the Zoo during Kroger’s Wild Winter Days running now through the end of February. Bring a canned food item and receive a discount.”

About orangutans

Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammals. They are the most socially solitary of the great apes. There are three species – Bornean, Sumatran and a recently identified Tapanuli.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species lists all three as critically endangered due to habitat loss with forests being extensively logged and converted to agriculture and palm plantations. All three species are listed as such.

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.

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) is looking for volunteers and donations to support our Food Pantry and 60+ Adult Program.

Volunteer: Help stock the food pantry, do data entry, or spend time with our 60+ program.

🥫 Donate: We especially need canned foods with pop-top lids, canned meats, ready-to-eat pasta, and hygiene products.

Additional Food Pantry Needs:

Use of our pantry has surged, and with SNAP benefits not renewing for many neighbors next week, we expect even more visitors. Here’s how you can help right now:

Most-Needed Items: Canned meat, canned fruits/vegetables (pop-tops preferred) shelf-stable boxed milk, sugar, flour, jelly, coffee and tea, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cooking oil, salt, pepper, basic spices, dish soap and period products.

Please Avoid: Expired or opened food.

Drop off items Mon–Thurs, 9 AM–3 PM at UCHM, 150 S. State Street, Louisville, KY 40206

Give online: https://www.uchmlouky.org/get-involved/give/

Learn more: uchmlouky.org

Together, we’re building compassionate community one neighbor at a time.

Need help but not sure who to call?

• Text, call, or chat 988 for help with mental health, suicide, and substance use problems.
• Call 911 for emergencies involving immediate physical danger.

Understanding the appropriate number is vital.

Graphic and content courtesy of FDA.gov

Parties, family dinners, and gatherings with food are aspects of holiday celebrations. However, the enjoyment can turn into discomfort if food causes illness.

Common symptoms of foodborne illness, or food poisoning, include vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms, which may appear anywhere from hours to days after ingesting contaminated food or drinks.

Typically, these symptoms are short-lived in healthy individuals, lasting a few hours or days, and usually resolve without medical treatment. Nevertheless, foodborne illness can be serious and potentially life-threatening, particularly for those at higher risk:

• older adults
• infants and young children
• pregnant women
• people with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or any condition that weakens their immune system
• people who take medicines that suppress the immune system; for example, some medicines for lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis

The good news is that practicing four basic food safety measures can help prevent foodborne illness.

1. Clean

The first rule of safe food preparation in the home is to keep everything clean.

• Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling any food. To help you remember, it takes about 20 seconds to sing "Happy Birthday" two times.
• Wash food-contact surfaces (cutting boards, dishes, utensils, countertops) with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next item.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cool running water and use a produce brush to remove surface dirt.
• Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing these foods makes it more likely for bacteria to spread to areas around the sink and countertops.

2. Separate

Don't give bacteria the opportunity to spread from one food to another (cross-contamination).

• Keep raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from foods that won't be cooked. Take this precaution while shopping in the store, when storing in the refrigerator at home, and while preparing meals.
• Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked (such as raw meat, poultry, and seafood) and another one for foods that will not be cooked (such as raw fruits and vegetables).
• Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from other foods such as raw meat, poultry or seafood — and from kitchen utensils used for those products.
• Do not put cooked meat or other food that is ready to eat on an unwashed plate that has held any raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, or their juices.

3. Cook

Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria.

• Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat, poultry, and fish are cooked to a safe internal temperature. To check a turkey for safety, insert a food thermometer into the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. The turkey is safe when the temperature reaches 165ºF. If the turkey is stuffed, the temperature of the stuffing should be 165ºF.
• Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating.
• Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm. When making your own eggnog or other recipe calling for raw eggs, use pasteurized shell eggs, liquid or frozen pasteurized egg products, or powdered egg whites.
• Don't eat uncooked cookie dough, which may contain raw eggs and raw flour. 

4. Chill

Refrigerate foods quickly because harmful bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature.

• Refrigerate leftovers and takeout foods — and any type of food that should be refrigerated — within two hours. 
• Set your refrigerator at or below 40ºF and the freezer at 0ºF. Check both periodically with an appliance thermometer.
• Never defrost food at room temperature. Food can be defrosted safely in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.
• Allow the correct amount of time to properly thaw food. For example, a 20-pound turkey needs four to five days to thaw completely when thawed in the refrigerator.
• Leftovers should be used within three to four days.

For more information, visit our Holiday Food Safety for Home Cooks webpage.

A mutated strain of Influenza A H3N2 is spreading in the United States and other countries, leading to warnings that this could be a severe flu season. This mutated strain emerged over the summer in the Southern hemisphere and is causing outbreaks of flu in multiple counties in the Northern hemisphere.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness flu data dashboard shows that cases of flu are increasing in Jefferson County.

If you have symptoms of flu, consider getting tested. Fee rapid flu tests are available at all Louisville Metro Parks Community Centers while supplies last. You can also purchase them at local pharmacies and grocery stores. Many viral illnesses just have to run their course but there are antiviral medications to treat flu. They are most effective when  started within the first two days of experiencing symptoms. Treatment is especially important for people at higher risk of complications from flu.

The flu vaccine still matters. It can:

• Reduce how sick you get
• Prevent hospitalizations
• Protect against multiple strains

Bottom line: It's important year to get vaccinated against flu. To have the best protection, get your flu shot as soon as possible. Once you have been vaccinated, it takes 10-14 days for your immune system to develop antibodies that can protect you against a flu infection.

Resources for more information:

• The Flu Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know
• The Flu Vaccine and Pregnancy
• Key Facts about the 2025 – 2026 Flu Season
• People at Increased Risk for Severe Respiratory Illnesses

It's time again for the Anti-Racism Challenge!

We can't think of a better time to recommit to justice than January 2026! 

Anti-Racism Challenge (ARC) begins January 2nd. The free 4-Week Challenge works in much the same way as a food challenge or lifestyle challenge: by regularly participating in anti-racism activities, we naturally develop better habits of noticing and challenging racism in our daily lives. Each week, participants will receive a free email with a list of 12 antiracism activities, such as read an article, view a documentary, contact an elected official, etc; we ask that you complete 3. It’s individual, you don’t report to anyone. Learn more and sign up here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kXPcuQm

The Dot Experience recently helped the Portland Library celebrate its grand reopening. During the weekend celebration activities, The Connect the Dots team hosted a table demonstrating how images can be transformed into tactile experiences. WAVE 3 News covered the event. Watch the WAVE 3 News story.

As a leadup to the October 2026 opening of The Dot Experience, Connect the Dots has participated in various events hosted at local library branches throughout the city, in partnership with the Louisville Free Public Library. The events aim to create a space that welcomes everyone by providing education and insight into the world of blindness and low vision. Visit The Dot Experience website.

Image description: Two members of the Connect the Dots team sit behind a table. Two guests look at the materials on the table.

We’ve got an awesome dog to share with you, her name is TWIGGY! Twigs was taken from a neglectful owner but isn’t letting that (or anything tbh) get her down.

She is a HAPPY GIRL! She is the happiest when she is playing with her favorite people (you and everyone else) and her favorite toys (any and all of them).

Twiggy is housetrained too, no messes for this mature madam! Twiggy is around 5yrs old and abouts 50lbs.

Twiggy knows sit, lay down, and paw! She is a smartie pants and easy to train because she LOVES food!!

Twiggy is a CHAMPION at #YourCityShelter! That means her adoption comes with perks!

No adoption fee, Freedom Harness with leash, crate, starter bag of food, and 6 months of heartworm prevention. She will also have a lifetime free license and a 3 years of core vaccines thanks to Friends of Metro Animal Services.

Twigs is available for SAME DAY ADOPTION! You can fall in love and move her in the same day!

Meet Twiggy at Animal House TODAY!! Ask for her BY NAME!

LMAS Animal House | 516 Newburg Rd, Louisville | Open daily 12–6pm

Adopt, foster, volunteer & more: linktree.com/yourcityshelter | #Yourcityshelter #Todayattheshelter

Louisville Water's Reservoir Relining Project

 The north basin of the reservoir has been drained, and our contractor is on site with their equipment.  They are finalizing installation of a conveyor system which will make sediment removal faster and more efficient.  Trucks are also hauling sediment out of the basin. Reservoir Avenue will remain closed on weekdays between Frankfort Avenue and Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center to allow the work to continue safely and smoothly. Reservoir Avenue will reopen at the close of business every Friday and stay open until Monday morning. Access to Mary T. Aquatic Center will always remain open. The closure is expected to be in place for the duration of the project.  

The reservoir remains closed to the public.  One half is closed because of construction activity, and the second half is closed because the existing railing is no longer a safe barrier between the walkway and the reservoir.  This was determined after a recent inspection found that it has deteriorated to a point that it’s now unsafe to allow visitors.   Once the safety of the railing is addressed, we remain committed to reopening the reservoir when feasible. We are working with a historical advisory group to help us decide the best way to address the aging railing. 

For updates on the project, go to LouisvilleWater.com/ReservoirReliningProject.

Louisville Water Residual Line Work at Crescent Hill

 Beginning this month, Louisville Water will start construction of a new underground pipeline on our Crescent Hill Treatment Plant property. The residual line is necessary to remove the treatment residual from the plant. Our filtration process produces residuals that must be removed. Initial construction will begin on our property adjacent to the fountain. This work will not impact access to the fountain or sidewalk. Construction activity will then move across the street. Below is a map of the impacted area. The entire project is expected to last approximately 12-months. Customers’ water service will not be impacted.

As temperatures drop, the Louisville Metro Department of Transportation is pausing paving operations for the winter season. Cold weather and moisture prevent asphalt from bonding and curing correctly, which can lead to weak pavement and shorter roadway life.

By waiting for warmer, more stable conditions -- our crews can ensure that new pavement is durable, long-lasting, and safe for everyone who travels our streets.

We appreciate the community’s patience and look forward to resuming paving work as soon as weather conditions allow.