Oh, and Lonnie Napier’s hair made an appearance. Forgot about that.

Wow, we’re still pretending that Frankfort isn’t bought and paid for by king coal, payday loan sharks and associated pals? And Kerri Richardson still feels comfortable officially lying? Hope she’s able to stay on long enough to get a good retirement – at least enough to make up for what’s sure to eat her conscience. [C-J/AKN]

Here’s the smart politician’s guide to avoiding scandal. Start with don’t being stupid. [NPR]

This is why the mortgage industry is a flipping disaster. It’s why America can’t have nice things. [Pro Publica]

Just cold caught in the net? Alabama’s immigration law is proving too strict and too costly. [The Economist]

Teabagger Phil Moffett officially filed to run for the State House in the 32nd District. [SoS]

Why groups like the ASPCA and Humane Society take what they can and give nothing in return. [Nathan Winograd]

Morehead State University’s president is skeptical of the University of Pikeville shenanigans. [Ryan Alessi]

This is the wet dream of Steve Beshear and Greg Fischer. The absolute tops for them. You know they’re aching to pull this stunt. [Mother Jones]

While Jack Conway has spent the past few weeks proclaiming Kentucky’s prescription pill mill problem water the the bridge, the war rages on in, you know, the real world. [HuffPo]

Will Kathy Stein joining the redistricting lawsuit matter at the end of the day? Who believes this will change anything in Kentucky? How fitting that Greg Stumbo and Larry Clark – two of the people who have worked since 2008 to remove Kathy Stein from office – would join the suit in support of all their shenanigans. [H-L]

Proposed anti-bullying legislation in Kentucky is horribly flawed and will likely die on the vine. Again. Bullying shouldn’t be illegal just for protected classes – it should be illegal AND IMMORAL to bully any child. This isn’t a gay-only thing. Or a race-only thing. This story about Rutgers student Tyler Clementi’s suicide illustrates it perfectly. [New Yorker]

A burning issue. Tighter regulation, bountiful natural gas and declining installation costs for renewable energy herald the end of America’s coal era. [The Economist]

HAHAHA PEE ALERT. The Muppets finally attacked Faux News. Miss Piggy lookin hongry. [Wonkette]

Here’s your reminder that this silly welfare drug testing legislation was withdrawn in Indiana after it was amended to include testing for legislators. This should happen in Frankfort ASAP. [HuffPo]

Where is R.J. Palmer? He campaigned to be the Democratic Minority Leader of the State Senate and now he’s invisible. More invisible than he was a lowly State Senator. He’s ceded his position to Ray Jones, it seems, as he’s the one who is always front and center. [Anyone Else Noticed This?]

The Vatican was shaken by a corruption scandal Thursday after an Italian television investigation said a former top official had been transferred against his will after complaining about irregularities in awarding contracts. [Reuters]

Here’s a long ass story about bonds being issued for the Ohio River Bridges Debacle. [Bond Buyer]

Woah, these two articles about Newt Gingrich are severe. Here’s one of the headlines: Not so fast, Newt – Like Walt Whitman, Newt Gingrich is large, and contains multitudes. [The Economist Here & Here]

Newt’s GOP pal, Duke Cunningham, is offering his support. From Federal prison. [Wonkette]

The State House and State Senate have agreed to continue their negotiations on congressional redistricting. [Bluegrass Politics]

You’ve gotta read the latest from Ronnie Ellis, the most spot-on Frankfort reporter currently on the beat. You know, if the problems we face weren’t so serious and threatening, the state Capitol would be about the most entertaining place one could find. He goes on to mention unintended humor. He might as well just come out and say schadenfreude. [Ashland Independent]

Some guy named Greg Frank filed as a Democrat to run for the U.S. Congressional seat in Kentucky 04. [SoS]

It’s frustrating when your elected officials make excuse after excuse for not taking action. But it’s entertaining when they do so publicly and on our websites. [We Get Comments]

A grand jury indicted that crazy constable guy in Louisville who shot a woman. [WKYT]

The Kentucky Division of Forestry is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Steve Beshear has proclaimed 2012 as the ‘Year of Kentucky’s Forests.’ All while killing them with logging and mountaintop removal. [Forestry & Press Release]

Wait, Newt Gingrich has a vision of moon sex, lunar honeymoons and other creepy stuff? No wonder Sarah The Quitter Palin loves him. [HuffPo]

Just like that, Tom Jensen backed off the meth Rx legislation and Bob Stivers became the co-sponsor. [Corrupt Money Game]

An appeals court judge is allowing the state to withhold EVEN MORE details about child abuse deaths. [H-L]

“We are grateful that this wreck caused no injuries or loss of life. Since that bridge carries 2,800 cars every day, we were very fortunate that no one was on the span at that time,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ll turn our attention to a full inspection of the bridge and determine what steps we can take next to speed up the replacement of that important artery.”

“I encourage our citizens to remain calm and patient as our state transportation officials investigate the structure and determine next steps,” said Sen. Ken Winters, of Murray. “I thank the Governor and Transportation Secretary for their immediate attention to this matter, and I hope that they will fully explore many alternatives, even temporary bridges, to best serve the people of western Kentucky.”

Quick, let’s pretend the Energy and Environment Cabinet cares about Earth Day! [Click the Clicky]

The state is now appealing the decision to release child abuse records. We repeat, Steve Beshear’s administration is now appealing the decision to release child abuse records. That’s how quickly they flip-flop and waste your tax dollars. [Debby Yetter]

And just like that, ANOTHER attorney was hired at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. [SoS]

Jerry Abramson desperately wants to run for the U.S. Senate. Or for Congress. So papaw is floating him all over the state to sound official. [State-Journal]

Andy Barr says he’s raised $425,000 in his second bid against Ben Chandler. [Press Release]

Apparently the Council on Postsecondary Education didn’t pay attention to what President Barack Obama had to say in his State of the Union address. [C-J/AKN]

Do you want to read another story about people suing over the ridiculous Greg Stumbo-Damon g…Thayer redistricting poop? Of course you do. [Ronnie Ellis]

Maybe you want to read yet another story about the redistricting lawsuit. So. Here you go. [H-L]

Oh, nope, you need another story about it all. The case will be heard at 10:30 A.M. on Monday by Judge Phillip Shepherd, who will hopefully strike down this bogus mess. But don’t hold your breath. [AP/Amanda Van Benschoten's Replacement]

Maybe it’d be easier to just watch a video about the redistricting mess. [WKYT]

Yes, a bridge over Kentucky Lake was struck by a tugboat last night and it partially collapsed. No one died, though, so calm down. It’s not earth-shattering news and there’s no need for us to write 45 times about it. [Press Releases/Email Blasts]

When Jerry Abramson says small businesses should have a large role in tax reform in Kentucky? He means gigantic businesses that employ thousands and operate outside the state. [Business First]

Newspapers in Eastern Kentucky are on fire this week over pill mill busts throughout the region. Just a week ago, Jack Conway was saying the problem was disappearing. Funny how that works. [The Morehead News]

The office of State Treasurer needs to be abolished. Democrats are costing this state tons of money by voting against it. If Todd Hollenbach is in Jake’s neighborhood every day at random hours, there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell there’s work that he’s actually doing. Especially when he’s spotted at Kroger with… people… [Bluegrass Politics]

It’s time for the rest of the pain clinics in Eastern Kentucky to get raided. Rowan and Morgan Counties are loaded down with shady medical providers that allow doctor shopping and pharmacies that willingly comply. [WKYT]

Damon Thayer has taken his princess hat off for a bit and is trying to help Papaw Beshear fail at gambling for the fourth year in a row. [Ronnie Ellis]

Steve Beshear says an agreement has been reached on language for the gambling bill. But he’s still only spoken with Damon Thayer and maybe two other legislators. Hasn’t even bothered to conference with his own party’s members. [C-J/AKN]

No one can figure out if Michele Bachmann is going to run for Congress again. The world will be sad without her and her gay husband on television all the time. [Wonkette]

The Mine Safety and Health Administration has cited three Kentucky coal mines for safety violations. [WFPL]

American banks are apparently now only able to cheer for their own survival. It wouldn’t make sense, apparently, for them to do much else. Yay America. [The Economist]

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund says that the global economy is deeply in the danger zone over risks from the euro crisis. [BBC]

Unions in Louisville are unhappy with the way Greg Fischer is trying to “save” the city from overtime costs. He has no idea that all it takes is proper management and he wouldn’t be wasting umpteen millions of dollars per year. [FOX41]

Don’t queen out like you’re a run-of-the-mill meth head in the state capitol and you won’t get your ass arrested. [Bluegrass Politics]

Niger and El Salvador beat the United States when it comes to freedoms of the press. Your country dropped 27 places in just a year, thanks to harsh treatment of reporters covering protests. [Slate]

The U.S. Conference of Mayors quietly led efforts to coordinate responses to protests. Oh, what? You’re shocked? [HuffPo]

There was an altercation outside Senate chambers today when supporters of Kathy Stein shook their fingers at people. Bob Stivers says it was Kathy’s fault and that she may be disciplined. Meanwhile, Keith Hall gets to go free with absolutely zero discipline from his legislative chamber. And you wonder why Kentucky is routinely effed up the rear with the rusty knife of corruption. [Frankfort Failure]

Sorry, there’s no way Kentucky legislators are going to consider the health impact of coal. [H-L]

Did you see WATB Mitch McConnell today? Ole gurl was hollering about President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address and he hadn’t even read it. [WATB Alert]

Look, here he is having his “Nuh uh, Honey!” moment:

Speaking of “Nuh uh, Honey!” faces, did you see Monty Webb last night? [The 'Ville Voice]

The University of Kentucky got upset with the WKU Herald’s editorial and left us a big comment. [We Get Comments]

The glass is half empty. That’s why businesspeople are so gloomy about America. [The Economist]

Is THIS why the Kentucky Lottery is polling online lottery options lately? Several states are pushing plans to offer lotteries on the internets. [NPR]

Tonight President Barack Obama will give the State of the Union Address and most folks expect it to be the beginning of the presidential race. [Reuters]

Oh, look, it’s Newt Gingrich playing fancy tax games. Maybe the press needs to attack him a bit instead of yelling about Mittens Romney all the time. [Forbes]

Oh, look, Indiana is having problems with its child protection agency, too. Maybe Janie Miller and crew have spread their disease of incompetence. [Indy Star]

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer isn’t just constantly turning a blind eye to campaign finance law and, well, his job. Now he’s using a private email account to skirt Kentucky’s open records law. [The 'Ville Voice]

Papaw is really good at cutting educational funding while preserving funds for the bullshiz Ark Park. [Think Progress]

Have you read the latest from Ronnie Ellis? I’m betting that if you’ve followed the redistricting contortions birthed by the Democratic controlled House and Republican controlled Senate, you’re hardly shocked. [Ashland Independent]

Greg Fischer just got his ass handed to him – again – by Ed Hart and Bruce Lunsford. This time for campaign finance corruption. And Jennifer Moore was dumb enough to believe Fischer was telling the truth. She needs to ditch that crew because she’s better than that. [Dan Klepal]

Don’t hold your breath, Curt. Emily Dennis isn’t about to dig too deeply. And if the case got to the point where Jack Conway had to appoint a special prosecutor, it’d take a couple years for anything to happen. And then folks would plead down to misdemeanors. Won’t even get that far unless you’re willing to spend $30,000ish on attorneys to push it. [Curt Morrison]

You come across as partisan, disingenuous and disconnected, sadly, when you push the talking put that only Republicans in Washington are bought and sold by King Coal. Ignoring the reality that Democrats are probably in deeper with coal than Republicans really kills your argument. [H-L]

But when an organization as great as Kentuckians For The Commonwealth also pushes that same dishonest talking point by promoting your op-ed, well, then you just have to bang your head against a desk. [Twitter]

How many fights are there going to be over redistricting in Frankfort? [WTVQ]

Look how angry people were in Lexington over Kathy Stein’s State Senate seat getting ripped away by Greg Stumbo and Steve Beshear. [WKYT]

Wait for it. Wait for it. Rick Santorum is having a Conservatives Unite Moneybomb. You read that correctly. [CLICK THE CLICKY]

Are libertarians worrying too much about the presidency? Probably. [FMIKY]

We’re trying hard to remain positive, working diligently not to roll our eyes. But it doesn’t seem likely that Steve Beshear can actually get 300 new positions going at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (it’s a whole cabinet, WFPL, not just a department). [WFPL]

HAHAHA. Here’s Greg Stumbo trying to “set the record straight” with “the hard facts, not political spin.” We almost died laughing. [House Dem Caucus]

Some of the highlights:

• In 2009, citizens, institutions, and firms spent more than $17.4 billion on energy commodities and energy consumption in Kentucky, representing 11 percent of state GDP.
• Kentucky was the fifth largest producer of energy in the United States in 2009. Deriving production through coal, natural gas, crude oil, and renewable resources, Kentucky maintained its ranking compared with 2008. Additionally, in 2010, Kentucky held its position as the third largest producer of coal in the United States. Realizing output from two distinct geological basins, the Central Appalachian Basin in the east and the Illinois Basin in the west, statewide production for 2010 reached over 105 million tons.
• Kentucky was the 18th largest consumer of energy versus all other states, and ranked No. 8 in terms of total energy consumption per capita in 2009. In the same year Kentucky ranked ninth nationally in terms of residential energy consumption per capita.
• The industrial sector was the largest consumer of energy in 2009, accounting for approximately 43 percent of total energy consumption. Compared across states, the proportional size of Kentucky’s industrial sector is notably larger than the national average, and is reflective of the importance of industry to the economy of the Commonwealth.
• The industrial sector in Kentucky consumes nearly half of all electricity consumed in the state. This proportion is second highest in the country, double the national average for the industrial sector, and reflects the substantial electricity requirements of manufacturing firms in the Commonwealth. Overall, the breakdown of electricity demand in Kentucky is the function of a heavily industrialized, electricity-intensive economy, a less economically prominent commercial sector, and a residential sector which utilizes a variety of fuel sources for home heating applications.

It’s a pretty decent look at Kentucky’s energy production and consumption data.

So, who wants to help Kathy start castrating people for trying to get rid of her State Senate district? [H-L]

Yep, this is how campaign finance works and it’s part of the reason the loopholes ruin politics nationwide. Stewart & Colbert illustrating the coordination loopholes is just icing on the cake. [HuffPo]

Eastern Kentucky is abuzz with news from Papaw Beshear that he’s including $35 million in his budget to deal with Maxey Flats. [Ledger Independent]

Now the University of Pikeville talking point is that making it a state school will create jobs. [WYMT]

The State House approved a bill allowing advertisements on the side of school buses. Will it float? [C-J/AKN]

Kentucky child-protection workers describe hostile work environment. Imagine that. [H-L]

Oh, oh, wait for this! Rick Santorum created something called the “Creamcup Trust” with a male friend. [Wonkette]

Lexington is still burning to the ground. Literally everything is on fire or will be on fire. [WLEX18]

ABC News is set to air a “bombshell” interview with the ex-wife of Newt Gingrich. This could get pretty exciting. [HuffPo]

Smart ammunition is about to make things a lot more dangerous for guerrillas fighting regular troops. [The Economist]

Let’s see how high college tuition can get as presidents and college executives continue to pocket monstrous, multi-million dollar pay raises. [WFPL]

Remember the woman that crazy ass constable shot at a Walmart location? She’s been arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Kmart. [FOX41]