Finally! A top editorial board is calling out the bogus pension “reform” being pushed by people like Damon Thayer exactly what it is. Smoke and mirrors. [H-L]

The top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee called Tuesday for Congress to “immediately” hold a hearing to investigate a controversial $8.5 billion foreclosure abuse settlement reached this year. Will Jack Conway still be excited to have hitched his wagon to it? [HuffPo]

Gov. Steve Beshear and Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes made a secret economic development trip last week to Germany. Which must mean a campaign donor begged for the trip. [Bluegrass Politics]

The late 20th century will be remembered for the onset of dramatic economic, social, environmental and political changes which continue to challenge us at home and abroad. [Bill Clinton]

Every year, the federal government releases data about the toxic releases companies emit into the air or dispose of on land or in water. In the data from 2011 that was just released, the overall emissions for Kentucky continue a general downward trend. But in Jefferson County the most recent data shows that toxic pollution is still about as high as it was in 2004. [WFPL]

The Canadian penny is being withdrawn from circulation because production costs have exceeded its monetary value. When will the United States do the same? [BBC]

Rand Paul has introduced the bipartisan Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2013. Known widely as “Audit the Fed,” the bill calls to eliminate restrictions on Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits of the Federal Reserve and mandating the Fed’s credit facilities, securities purchases, and quantitative easing activities would be subject to Congressional oversight. [Press Release]

Ken Ward at The Charleston Gazette has a story worth reading about West Virginia’s failure to enforce new coal mine dust standards prompted by the deadly explosion three years ago at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine. [NPR]

More than 1,200 special taxing districts in Kentucky would have to file their annual financial reports with an online state registry under a proposal aimed at helping Kentuckians track the state’s “ghost government.” [H-L]

Much has been made in recent weeks about the NRA’s political strength, but PPP’s newest national poll finds more voters consider their endorsement to be a negative than a positive. [PPP]

They’re spreading the pension stupidity on thick in Frankfort this year. It’s almost like they’re attempting to play politics (imagine that) instead of working to solve the pension disaster. [CN|2]

We’ve all been there. Some baby is hopped up on goofballs and sucking Mountain Dew from a bottle. And he is running around the grocery store like a Hell’s Angel at Altamont while his pilled-out mom manages to whisper a couple times, “Jaaaden … um … honey? Where am I?” [Wonkette]