Now that we’re fully rested from the holidays + a new year has dawned, it’s time to get back to business, and for city leaders, that means legislative business — cue gavel slam.

Mayor Greg Fischer released his priorities for 2022 last week which include enhancing public safety, local tax reform + boosting equitable economic and sustainability efforts. It will also be Fischer’s last year in office, with the mayoral primary set to take place on May 17 and the general election to follow on Nov. 8. Check your voter registration here.

🛣️ Infrastructure

Reimagining 9th Street to promote safety and connectivity between Downtown + West Louisville
Widening US 60 near Eastwood to improve intersection safety for a forthcoming JCPS middle school

💰 Tax + Finance

Supporting a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to discuss local government tax policies
Support reforming Kentucky’s bail system

🚧 Development

Redeveloping Kentucky incentive programs to attract business services and non-capital-intensive projects
Supporting revitalization Downtown + incentivizing urban residency

🦺 Public Safety

Urging legislators to support the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) initiative through amending state laws
Support granting the Civilian Review & Accountability Board subpoena power

Pro tip: You can find your legislator + get in on the conversation using this handy interactive map.

7 MORE GOALS HERE

Share this story with three friends to activate their civic participation.

EVENTS

Tuesday

Tumbao Tuesdays | Tues., Jan. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Logan Street Market | Free | Dance classes, drinks at the bar + food from vendors until 8 p.m. 💃

Thursday

Michter's Bourbon Dinner by Swizzle Dinner & Drinks | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Swizzle Dinner & Drinks | $150 | Chow down on a five course dinner with hand-selected bourbon + Swizzle favorites with the rotating wheel. 🥃

Friday

Happy Hour Networking January 2022 | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Blind Squirrel Party Room Upstairs, 592 N. English Station Rd. | Meet members of Louisville’s business community + bring a door prize to present your company to the audience. 🤝

Saturday

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit | Fri., Jan. 14-Sat., Jan. 15 | 8 p.m. | Louisville Palace | $49.50 | Warm up those vocal cords with this alternative country + southern rock band. 🎤

Sunday

MLK Culture Fest | Sat., Jan. 15-Sun., Jan. 16 | 12-6 p.m. | 416 W. Liberty St. | Free | Keep the dream alive at the MLK tribute with spoken word, live music + art, food court, and vendors.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE JANUARY EVENTS HERE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

36º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain

Open

Taqueria El Mexicano is now open in the former El Chuletón space next to Sugar Diva on Preston Highway. You can snag breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the new restaurant from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., with pozole + Menudo soups available on the weekend. (Louisville Business First) 🥣

Eat

KFC is launching its new Beyond Fried Chicken at locations across the country today. The Louisville-based brand has been testing its meatless chicken since August 2019 — a limited run in Atlanta had the test store sold out within five hours. It must be pretty finger-lickin' good. 🍗 (Louisville Business First)

Louisvillian

The Ali Center is celebrating Muhammad Ali’s 80th birthday on Wednesday with an hour-long virtual program that will be streamed from PBS Books’ Facebook page. You can also honor Muhammad Ali’s life through service to the community through the center’s The Greatest Giveback program. 🥊 (WDRB)

Civic

Metro Council President David James will continue to lead the city council for another year after he was unanimously re-elected on Thursday. James represents District 6 which covers the Algonquin, Park Hill + Old Louisville neighborhoods. He’s led the council since 2018 and first joined the governing body in 2010. (WFPL)

Health

Wiltshire Pantry + Communities in Health are offering free COVID-19 PCR testing today at the bakery’s Highlands location from 2-5 p.m. You must pre-register before attending and bring your ID and insurance card. If you’re not insured, no payment is required as the test will be billed to the COVID-19 relief fund.

Show

Next week, there’s a new Cat About Town. The musical “Cats” will be taking the stage at Whitney Hall from Jan. 18-23 with tickets starting at $47.39. The musical is one of the longest-running Broadway musicals in history since its debut in 1981 at the New London Theatre. 🐈 (The Courier-Journal)

Arts

The latest exhibition at Revelry Boutique + Gallery premiered on Friday by Toti Light. Toti Light is a group of designers, business professionals, and entrepreneurs. The LED jellyfish exhibition they made for Forecastle will be hanging in the NuLu-based shop through the end of the month.

Asked

Reader Michele T. — a transplant from New Jersey — wrote to us seeking the best authentic Italian food in the city. We already suggested Silvio’s + Sarino, but to give Michele and her husband a warm Derby City welcome, send us your recommendations here. 🍝

Answered

Order up. Reader Steven S. wrote to us last week seeking the most delectable ribs in the West Louisville and Buechel areas and boy did you all deliver. We hear Tim Page's BBQ, Shack in the Back BBQ + Back Deck BBQ have got your fix. 🍖

📸 @uoflwbb

The University of Louisville’s Women’s Basketball team runs the court — no matter the opponent — and their victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers on Thursday 81-39 is a testament to that.

The No. 3 ranked Cards take the court at the KFC Yum! Center again on Thursday against Syracuse. The game begins at 7 p.m. + tickets start at $8. Don’t forget your foam finger.

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

Just use #LOUtoday on social media.

Here is the unique referral link for you: ⤵️

Copy, paste, share + save this in a safe spot... or check here each morning anytime you need it.

loutoday.6amcity.com/subscribe/

THE WRAP

Editor's Pick: Our Asked today has me thinking intensely about local Italian food + I must recommend a family favorite of mine: Porcini Restaurant.

We've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries + impressed visiting family members with this delicious local staple for at least the last 10 years. My favorite — and what I recommend to anyone who asks — is the penne carbonara without peas. It's a perfect dish. Finish with the tiramisu.

Missed Friday's newsletter? Follow the Buffalo here.