In this Issue
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
Last week, the Louisville Metro Council Planning and Zoning Committee considered a proposed moratorium on the construction of new data centers in Louisville. The measure, however, did not receive enough support to advance out of committee. It was tabled for discussion at a later date.
I don’t serve on the Planning and Zoning Committee, but I support a moratorium on data centers. My position is simple: before we approve data centers, the Metro Council should take the time to understand them fully. Data centers are becoming increasingly common across the country. While they may offer economic development opportunities, they also raise important questions about energy consumption, water use, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, land-use planning, and long-term effects on surrounding neighborhoods.
As elected officials, we have a responsibility to make informed decisions. That means studying the advantages and disadvantages of data centers, determining where they are most appropriately located within a community, understanding their environmental footprint, evaluating their impact on local economies, and examining best practices implemented in other cities and states. We should attend webinars, participate in educational seminars, consult subject-matter experts, and ask meaningful questions before making decisions that could affect Louisville for decades to come.
I believe Louisville Metro deserves a thoughtful and deliberate approach to this issue. If we do not take the time to thoroughly study data centers and gain a better understanding of their potential impacts, then I will be a hard “NO” vote on future requests to build data centers in Louisville Metro. Responsible government requires due diligence, and I believe our community deserves nothing less.
Finally, this is a Metro Council meeting week, and much of my focus will be on helping to bring the budget process to a close and advocating for infrastructure investments in District 7. As budget discussions continue, I remain committed to fighting for the resources necessary to improve our roads, sidewalks, public spaces, traffic infrastructure, and the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Stay tuned. I will continue to keep you informed as the budget process moves forward and Council debates begin.
As always, thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your Metro Councilwoman. Your voice matters, and I remain committed to keeping you informed about the issues that impact our community.
With gratitude,
Juneteenth - a national holiday, observed annually on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The holiday marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth serves as a time to reflect on the enduring struggle for freedom, equality, and justice, while celebrating the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. I serve as the Louisville Metro Council’s representative on the Juneteenth Jubilee Commission.
The first Juneteenth event of 2026 in Louisville was a newly introduced Juneteenth Essay Contest for high school students. I am thrilled to report that 63 students from across our community submitted essays reflecting on the meaning of Juneteenth. A panel of Juneteenth Commissioners carefully reviewed the submissions and selected the top three essays. The winners will be recognized during Mayor Craig Greenberg’s press conference on June 16.
Other activities include AGAPE DAY, our annual community service initiative (a Dare to Care food distribution event); a special tribute to York, the enslaved member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition whose contributions to American history are often overlooked; and a powerful theatrical production depicting the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and the struggle for freedom that followed.
You are warmly invited to join the Juneteenth Jubilee Commission as we celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Louisville. See three of the many Juneteenth activities highlighted below on accompanying flyers.
To find more Juneteenth events and activities taking place throughout the community, click here: https://www.juneteenthlouisville.guide/
The Juneteenth Jubilee Commission and the Divine Nine Greek fraternities and sororities with Dare to Care will be giving out food to the community on June 12, 2026, 2pm to 4pm at Dare to Dare, 5803 Fern Valley Rd.
You're invited to attend a Juneteenth celebration to pay tribute to an American explorer - York - a key member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the enslaved Black servant to William Clark.
The event will take place where York spent most of his life - at the childhood home of Clark, formerly known as Mulberry Hill, now known as George Rogers Clark Park. The gathering will take place in the lodge of the park and inclide tours, talks, singing, and poetry readings with special guests; sculptor Ed Hamilton, poet Frank X Walker, Louisville Juneteenth Jubilee Commission member Dr. John Chenault, the Filson’s Jim Holmberg, Sankofa singers, and more.
This free program is offered in partnership between the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, Filson Historical Society, Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, Roots101, Louisville Parks and Recreation, and the Louisville Juneteenth Jubilee Commission.
Event Details
Date & Time: June 16th from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Location: George Rogers Clark Park (1024 Thruston Avenue). Attendees should enter by the tennis courts.
Admission: This event is completely Free! No RSVP is required!
Before Freedom Rang: A Juneteenth Story of Kentucky’s Emancipation Truth tells the powerful story of enslaved people who dared to imagine freedom before it was written into law. Beginning in the cotton fields where enslaved men and women quietly dreamed of liberty, the production weaves together dramatic storytelling, historical excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom songs, African-rooted rhythms, and a stirring church sermon on spiritual resistance. The play connects Juneteenth—the announcement of freedom in 1865—to Kentucky’s long-standing August 8 Emancipation celebrations, revealing how Black Kentuckians prepared for freedom before it arrived. More than history, the production is a reminder that hope, faith, and courage helped shape the path to liberation.
DATE: June 19, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM
COST: FREE
VENUE: Kentucky Center: Bomhard Theater
ADDRESS: 501 W Main St | Get Directions
Tickets are available now on the website of the Kentucky Center. Admission is completely FREE, and a ticket is required.
To get your free tickets, use the QR code on the flyer or click HERE!
Juneteenth 2026 Essay Contest Winners!!
Thank you to the 63 students who participated in the Juneteenth Essay Contest. We are proud to announce this year's top three winners and celebrate their outstanding work and thoughtful reflections.
Each winning student will receive a cash prize, to be presented to them by three organizations: The Louisville Section, National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; the NAACP, Louisville Branch; and the Louisville Central Community Center. Winning students will also receive a proclamation from Mayor Greenberg, who will recognize them during a press conference on June 16 at 10 a.m., at the Baxter Community Center.
1st Prize: $500
2nd Prize: $250
3rd Prize: $100
Metro Council Budget Hearings are on-going.
In the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting last week, the ordinance to place a moratorium on Data Centers was discussed but tabled.
In the Public Safety Committee meeting last week, the Trans Safe Haven ordinance, presented by Councilman Lyninger, failed, and will be presented to the full Council next Thursday with a recommendation to vote it down.
The FY 2026-2027 Recommended Executive Budget Document and Metro Council Hearing Schedule can be found at FY26-27 Budget Hearing Schedule
The Council is expected to vote to adopt the FY 2026-2027 Budget during the regularly scheduled Metro Council meeting on Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m.
Mayor Craig Greenberg continues to move Louisville forward with strategic investments that strengthen neighborhoods, improve public safety, and expand opportunity for families across the city:
Mayor Greenberg and students from local elementary schools opened the new Camp Taylor Waterpark with a celebratory "first cannon ball", a $6.2 million investment to replace the Camp Taylor Pool that had been closed for nearly a decade
From cracking down on crime, to honoring trailblazing women, engaging young leaders, and celebrating new small businesses, Mayor Greenberg celebrated progress across Louisville:
- Louisville Metro Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, conducted a human trafficking enforcement operation resulting in multiple arrests tied to alleged illicit massage businesses operating in Louisville.
- The city unveiled a statue honoring civil rights champion Alberta O. Jones, Louisville's first female prosecutor and the first Black woman to pass the Kentucky bar exam.
- High school students were selected to join the 2027 Youth Ambassadors Leading Louisville (YALL) class, officially beginning a yearlong city leadership program that introduces students to local government, civic engagement, and public service.
- Mayor Greenberg honored Donna Barton Brothers and Cherie DeVaux as they made history at the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
- Two new locally-owned restaurants opened in Louisville: Eden and Kissi, serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and Cousins Fried Seafood.
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Community members wishing to participate in the public hearing are encouraged to review the agenda and staff reports online and must complete a speaker form to provide testimony during the meeting.
A public hearing for a Revised Detailed District Development Plan regarding 907 Ormsby Lane, Louisville, KY 40242 (Case 26-DDP-0012) will be held by the Board of Zoning Adjustment on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM at 514 W Liberty Street.
Participate in Louisville Metro’s development by attending a Board of Zoning Adjustment (BOZA) public hearing to share your testimony on proposed projects. You can prepare by reviewing staff reports on the PrimeGov Public Portal and filling out a speaker form with your contact information. To provide the most effective input, focus your comments on how a proposal impacts public health, safety, and its consistency with the community’s Plan 2040 goals.
What You Need to Know
- I-65 is scheduled to close between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and downtown Louisville (Jefferson Street) on Monday, June 1 and reopen on Saturday, Aug. 1.
- The two-month closure saves at least a year of additional restrictions and construction delays.
- Bridges over Kentucky Street/Brook Street, Hill Street/CSX Railroad/Burnett Avenue, and Bradley Avenue are being replaced. Significant progress will be made during the closure.
- A two-mile section of southbound I-65 is expected to reopen to two lanes of traffic by Wednesday, July 1. It stretches from University Boulevard to the Watterson Expressway (I-264).
- Reopening this section of roadway will reopen four ramps: Crittenden Drive on and off ramps and the on-ramps from Eastern Parkway and University Boulevard to southbound I-65.
- After the closure, I-65 will be open to two lanes in each direction.
- Team Kentucky is investing in a better I-65 with a scheduled, temporary closure that will allow contract crews to accelerate the replacement of three key bridges.
For more information, click HERE
The Louisville Bats, AAA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds are once again delighted to host two Metro Council Community Nights of baseball this season. These two games are scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th ; and Wednesday, September 9th . While supplies last, the offer will include free admission for a reserved seat at Louisville Slugger Field, and a voucher good for one free hot dog, and one free small soft drink. The offer is extended to both individuals and mentoring organizations, social service agencies, underprivileged kids’ groups, etc. Please request your tickets in advance to ensure availability!
INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS of - 20 GUESTS: https://bit.ly/4ttW776
ORGANIZATIONS/GROUPS of 20+ GUESTS: https://bit.ly/3RzfApE
The cutoff date for ticket requests for the August 11th date will be August 3rd and September 1st for the September 9th game.
Ticket distribution will be done as responses come in. Please be patient and allow time for tickets to be distributed. If you do not receive your tickets by August 3rd, please email mgraham@batsbaseball.com
Are you 50+ and wanting to take charge of your brain health?
What is Be BRIGHT?
- A study open to anyone 50+ within 5 hours of Lexington, Ky with telephone or internet access
- Annual Memory Screening over a 30-minute phone interview, with optional health and lifestyle surveys
For more information click HERE
Northeast Regional
Northeast - Community Room
15 Bellevoir Circle, Louisville, KY 40223
Monday, June 15, 2026
10:00am–11:00am
Event Details
It’s never too late to take charge of your brain health! This session is a good overview for anyone interested in learning more about brain health and will share information on the latest research, lifestyle suggestions, and resources. Register below or call 502-394-0379!
REGISTER
LFPL’s Summer Reading Program has been a Louisville tradition for nearly a century, helping encourage children and teens to read for fun during the summer by offering prizes and incentives. Join the fun and get "Wild About Reading" this summer!
Summer Reading runs through August 1.
READ BOOKS · WIN PRIZES · HAVE FUN!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Also, you can call the Northeast Library for more details: Phone: (502) 394-0379
Mosquito season is officially underway. When temperatures stay above 50 degrees, mosquitoes become active, and in Louisville their peak season stretches from May to October. To protect residents from mosquito‑borne diseases like West Nile virus, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) takes several measures to control mosquitoes:
LMPHW works year-round to control the mosquito population
- To prevent mosquitoes from breeding or hatching we apply pretreatment larvicides to 385 areas known to hold water around the county including wet wooded areas, swampy areas, areas that frequently flood, right of ways, drainage easements, and vacant properties.
- At least three times a year, we apply larvicides to approximately 14,500 Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) catch basins. By design, catch basins hold water to prevent sewer odors from escaping from the sewer Because these catch basins hold water, they provide an excellent breeding habitat for disease-carrying mosquitoes which is why we prioritize treating them.
- We place numerous mosquito traps around the community which attract different types of mosquitos. The mosquitoes are speciated and tested for disease. When mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus or other diseases are found in those traps, it triggers misting and fogging to kill mosquito larvae as well as adult mosquitoes.
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Gambusia, a small native fish, is found in most creeks and permanently wet ditches in Louisville. These fish are voracious eaters of mosquito larvae and pupae. We transplant them into creeks, decommissioned wastewater treatment plants, ponds, lakes, water retention areas, untreated swimming pools, and ditches where mosquito breeding is found.
Mosquito prevention resources
- Here are ways to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
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Watch this video to learn how to reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home.
- To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood call Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.
Join the festivities at Westport Village for the ultimate pawty on June 13th from 11 AM - 2 PM celebrating our four-legged friends! Music, vendors, photo ops, giveaways, and more!
The 2026 Lyndon Summer Festival will take place on Friday, June 19 (6 PM to 10 PM) and Saturday, June 20 (2 PM to 10 PM) at Robsion Park in Lyndon, Kentucky. The free community event features local vendors, food trucks, carnival rides, games, and a beer garden.
Key Festival Highlights:
Live Music: The popular local band The Louisville Crashers will headline the main stage, with music kicking off at 7 PM on Friday.
Admission: Entry is completely free, with costs only applying to food, drinks, and carnival rides.
Parking: Free parking is available behind the Lyndon Post Office or off Lyndon Park Lane (adjacent to Lyndon Lane), with event signage pointing the way.
Tips: Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs, as seating fills up quickly.
For more information, a full entertainment schedule, or vendor updates, you can check the official website for more information: https://eventlogicky.com/lyndon-summer-festival/
One price. Unlimited putts. Play as long as your arms (and your ego) can handle, Sunday-Friday for just $25 per adult.
Location: 7900 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40222
Rainbow Blossom Farmers Market in St. Matthews hosts a weekly farmers market on Sundays from 12 PM - 4 PM at 3738 Lexington Rd, Louisville KY 40207.
Featured vendors include local farmers, food artisans and crafters who bring the best in just-picked produce, organic meats, fresh eggs, baked goods, preserves, ready-to-eat items, and hand-crafted goods!
Thursday, June 11 · 6:00 to 7:30pm
Graeser Family Education Center, Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206
$70 (Registration cost includes the rain barrel and kit.)
Join us to learn how to set up and maintain your own rain barrel to sustainably water your garden. Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District experts Bethany Pratt & Kris Mann will guide you through the process from start to finish.
Participants will leave with a rain barrel and installation kit at the end of the workshop.
Register HERE!
The Green at Oxmoor Mall (Near Puttshack and TopGolf)
Saturday, June 20
12pm - 2pm
Join us for a Father’s Day celebration on The Green. Grab lunch, pick up a gift from one of Dad’s favorite stores, then enjoy complimentary drinks, freebies, and time together outdoors.
Northeast Regional
Northeast - Community Room
Saturday, June 27, 2026
10:00am–2:00pm
Event Details
Come out to play! Northeast is hosting a day of play full of imagination, art, games, fun, performances and activities led by local community groups. Dress to get messy! Food trucks will be there.
Join us for a hands‑on, nature‑based outdoor art class, followed by some cool‑down time at the splash pad. Baby & Me: Art with Nature is the perfect event for families to get messy, get creative, and make art using natural materials.
The event begins at 2 p.m. on June 13 at the Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way. Please click here to RSVP for this fun event. Anyone who RSVPs will receive a confirmation with further details or be placed on a waitlist.
Your ticket includes parking, a full‑day zoo pass, and all class fees.
HeARTS Days
Louisville Metro Government and Fund for the Arts have partnered to present HeARTS Days at select Parks & Recreation Community Centers. These free, one-day programs will be offered from June 11-25 during JCPS’ summer break.
View scheduled dates and programming
Read more about the HeARTS Program
HeARTS Day at Douglass Community Center, 2305 Douglass Boulevard Louisville, KY 40205
June 20, 2026, 12-5 p.m.
Louisville Folk School will provide 4 teaching artists for an afternoon of World Music and Dance. Artists include Fernando Moya, Jazz Navarro, Gregory Acker, and Peter Jones, and art forms will include panpipe making and playing, West African music and dance, World Percussion and drum set, and Afro-Cuban/Cumbia dance. The day is structured to give families, teens, and elders an opportunity to get to know the artists and their art forms before engaging in hands-on participation. The art forms emphasize inclusion, full community participation, teamwork, and having a lot of fun expressing yourself with others through the arts. A culminating mini performance will create lasting memories of the experience.
Click here to read the social media public comment policy of the Louisville Metro Council.
We see sixteen 7s. What was your count? |
