This was a dumb idea in Lexington to begin with, right? Who comes up with something like that? [H-L]

OH GOD NOW RED CHINA IS JUST COLD TAKIN OVER THE MOVIES!!!1! A Chinese conglomerate announced Monday it will buy a major U.S. cinema chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings, for $2.6 billion in China’s biggest takeover of an American company to date. [NPR]

In a time when gay satan has plagued the churches with rampant homosexual battles, a breath of fresh air has been given to those on the side of good. This story is absolutely crazy. [Wonkette]

The Kentucky Democratic Republican Party will pretend this isn’t based in reality: Obama, as we’ve noted before, has performed especially poorly in West Virginia and Oklahoma, where he took less than 60 percent of the vote. (His top opponent in West Virginia was a federal inmate in Texas, while in Oklahoma it was an anti-abortion rights activist). Obama also took just 77 percent in Louisiana, where several other candidates split up the vote. In the same vein, the Arkansas and Kentucky primaries tonight are likely to include significant numbers of Democrats spurning the president. In the former, Obama faces a one-on-one contest against attorney John Wolfe , while in the latter, he faces the “uncommitted” option. [WaPo]

A rare slip-up by lawyers has helped shed some light on a high-profile legal battle, the details of which some of the largest Wall Street firms have been fighting to keep under wraps. [The Economist]

If you’ve spent much time consuming conservative media lately, you’ve probably learned about a slow-burning “race war” going on in America today. [BuzzFeed]

Election problems were minimal by the middle of the day because next to no one showed up to vote. [H-L]

Here’s an interesting look at Joplin a year later. Is this the future for Eastern Kentucky? [HuffPo]

Late last Friday, Buzzfeed reporter and Rolling Stone contributor Michael Hastings broke what looked like a big scoop: Congress was quietly planning to lift a 64-year-old law preventing the US government from using propaganda on its own citizenry. Before the House passed its defense budget bill Friday afternoon, Hastings reported, a bipartisan group of congressmen tacked on an amendment that would “essentially neutralize” a set of time-tested guidelines “that had been passed to protect U.S. audiences from our own government’s misinformation campaigns.” [Mother Jones]

A Washington-based watchdog group says an eastern Kentucky Baptist pastor violated federal law when he urged his followers to vote President Barack Obama out of office in November. [WKYT]

Of course Paul Patton is trying to figure out a way to get even more of your tax dollars to use at his private school. [H-L]

A super PAC’s abortive plan to launch incendiary, personally charged attack ads against President Barack Obama sent a sharp warning message to candidates up and down the federal ballot: This year more than ever, they are not in control of their own destinies. [Politico]

You could fill a baseball stadium many times with the people who experts say die each year from an error, injury or infection suffered while undergoing medical treatment. Many more are harmed. [ProPublica]

After emotional appeals from parents on both sides of the case, Dharun Ravi was this afternoon sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation for bias intimidation and invasion of privacy when he used a webcam to spy on his gay roommate at Rutgers University in September 2010. [NPR]

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear an Obama administration appeal arguing that attorneys, journalists and human rights groups have no right to sue over a law making it easier for U.S. intelligence agencies to eavesdrop on foreign communications. [Reuters]

A retail renaissance? The internet and mobile phones are at long last turning boring old retail banking into an exciting industry, says Jonathan Rosenthal. [The Economist]

What’ll happen in those Whitley County elections today? Will the good old boy system further its network of corruption? [Times-Tribune]

Hal Rogers’ fancy little airport is once again coming under fire. The Feds are raising questions about services contracts at the joint. [H-L]

Nope, no one is going to vote today. Turnout is expected to be worse than, well, you can imagine. [C-J/AKN]

What happens in Laurel County when you try to break up a fight? You get hit with an ax. Obviously. [WYMT]

Rick The Splooge owes all kinds of money to his mouth-breathing folks, apparently. Is he still a thing? Why are we still talking about Rick Santorum? [HuffPo]

Comment on Kentucky will likely be a bit boring tonight on KET at 8:00 P.M. Eastern. But you should consider watching it anyway. Scheduled guests: Joe Gerth, Donna Groves, Amanda Van Benschoten’s replacement. [KET]

Can you imagine Steve Beshear – a man who can’t even say the word “gay” – doing this? Kansas Governor Sam Brownback apologized on Thursday to blacks for segregation in his state in the last century as he marked the anniversary of a ruling that struck down segregation in schools. [Reuters]

This is what you have to look forward to in the Fourth District, Kentucky! A candidate whois so embarrassingly ill-informed that a KET host has to school him and a candidate who wouldn’t know what hypocrisy was if it slammed into her special interest-driven face. [Page One]

The renewed focus on President Barack Obama’s controversial pastor is reviving the issue that neither presidential campaign wants to discuss directly: race. But the differing reactions Thursday from Obama aides and Romney officials to revelations about a planned ad campaign linking Obama to Rev. Jeremiah Wright shows that Obama has more to gain than Romney if race enters the 2012 campaign. [Politico]

Could this be the counter revolution? Fusty old retail banking faces its biggest shake-up in 200 years. [The Economist]

While you’re spending thousands of dollars on vacation this summer? Don’t forget those in Kentucky – especially children – who need your immediate help to avoid hunger. Yes, this is a real and serious problem in the Commonwealth. [FOX41]

This is the first story the Herald-Leader has run, really, about the 4th District Congressional race. And you wonder why voter turnout is going to be abysmal. [H-L]

Some obese white guys are freaking out over where President Barack Obama was born. Again. Because why not? [Wonkette]

Louisville makes this list of the most religious cities in America. Northern Kentucky also makes the list, kinda. [HuffPo]

One of Greg Fischer’s legacies will be the failure of Louisville Metro Animal Services. The latest embarrassing move (out of thousands – literally) only solidifies that. [The 'Ville Voice]

Let’s pretend this isn’t a complete waste of time and taxpayer dollars. Starsky, from Starsky & Hutch, was busted for having gross weed in Bowling Green. [WKYT]

Not all Kentucky State Police officers are like this guy. Not all officers try to get a little sexytime in exchange for not making an arrest. [H-L]

This Winchester man did such a great thing that he became a hot topic throughout the national media yesterday. [HuffPo]

Clarence Aaron seemed to be especially deserving of a federal commutation, an immediate release from prison granted by the president of the United States. At 24, he was sentenced to three life terms for his role in a cocaine deal, even though it was his first criminal offense and he was not the buyer, seller or supplier of the drugs. [ProPublica]

Here comes Ben Chandler trying to pretend he’s responsible for keeping the USPS facility in Lexington open. [WKYT]

U.S. crime statistics show illegal drugs play a central role in criminal acts, providing new evidence that tackling drugs as a public health issue could offer a powerful tool for lowering national crime rates, officials said on Thursday. [Reuters]

If you missed it? Almost everybody is getting killed in Louisville these days. You can’t do anything without getting shot. It’s almost like being in Lexington. [C-J/AKN]

Almost nobody is going to go vote on Tuesday. All those television advertising dollars? Completely wasted. [H-L]

Okay, this latest thing from Chuck Schumer seems a bit ridiculous. If these douchebags want to renounce their citizenship, why not just go ahead and push them out forever? [Wonkette]

Only in Kentucky. A condemned killer’s fight to receive surgery for agonizing hip pain pushed Kentucky officials into an uncomfortable debate over security, politics and even the possibility of inviting scorn from Fox News pundits. [WLEX18]

Did you know that President Barack Obama is a scary dictator monster because he wants women to be able to decide whether or not they do things with their bodies? [Wonkette]

Yep, the House voted to continue the war with Afghanistan. Which may be a bigger blunder than Iraq. But that’s the American way. [HuffPo]

Robert Wilcher, one of two Kentucky Retirement Systems board members representing county employees, resigned today. The board gets to appoint someone to fill his term. [Deep KRS Shenanigans]

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet: As mandated by the Kentucky Legislature, uninsured motorists across the Commonwealth will begin receiving notices in June that registrations for their personal vehicles will be canceled if they do not obtain required insurance or show proof of existing insurance. [Press Release & More Info]

This ad against Gary Moore and Alecia Webb-Edgington from the teabagger kid in Texas is hilarious. Alecia missed some votes and Gary went on a work trip. Ha. [Joe Gerth]

State Rep. Tim Moore is currently in flight training as part of his duty with the Air Force Reserve. Maybe he should fly over West Liberty to reflect on his insensitive and gross remarks about political choices and deadly storms? He sure needs a reality check on that front. [Deep Frankfort Thoughts]

Where the heck was this Herald-Leader editorial writer as all this was going down? Oh, right, completely ignoring the political realities of Frankfort. [H-L]

Secretary of State Alison Grimes says no one is going to vote in next Tuesday’s primary election. [Press Release]

Mitch McConnell is really mad at the Democrats again this week. He’s so mad he could spit if he had lips. [The Hill]

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has launched a new website it says will enhance customer service re: child support. Customers can make payments, update information and check appointments. [Press Release]

Even Fox News says President Barack Obama is ahead of Mittens Romney. And that’s from their poll. [Politico]

For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S., capping decades of heady immigration growth that is now slowing. [NPR]

The Texas teachers’ pension fund invested in casinos and lost $99 million. Those casino owners who got the investment? They were Gov. Rick Perry’s donors. Sounds just like Kentucky! [Dallas Morning News Here & Here]

New claims for jobless benefits last week held at levels suggesting sluggish growth in hiring and factory activity in the mid-Atlantic region contracted in May, worrisome signs for a still-fragile economic recovery. [Reuters]

Now Steve Beshear has a good excuse to get rid of one of Daniel Mongiardo’s last guys, Jerry Lunsford. [H-L]

Candidates for the 4th District congressional seat were at KET on Monday for a debate. During a discussion about where money to pay for federal education grants comes from, get a load of what Thomas Massie had to say:

HAHA – China! Seems ole dude is taking his talking points directly from teabagger Phil Moffett. Interesting hearing the other candidates chuckle under their breath.

Bill Goodman’s response/rebuttal was terrific, though.

That’s what the Fourth District has to look forward to.

Lexington is in full panic mode over a homeless shelter. It’s all the typical hoopla. [H-L]

Karl Rove and the teabaggers may suddenly have to disclose their fancy donors. And you know Republicans don’t like anything like that. [HuffPo]

If Marcus Carey has the goods on Thomas Massie lying about euthanasia, he needs to release them. Otherwise, he’s just playing pat-a-cake and is itching for someone to bring up DUIs. [Bluegrass Bulletin]

On a scale of one to teabagger crazy, how hilarious is it that Rand Paul is now trying to run for the presidency or whatever? [C-J/AKN]

It must have been the tales of privileged schoolboy terorrizing that ultimately won over Bush’s heart. [Wonkette]

Mittens Romney’s campaign is defending the massive JPMorgan loss. Wow. That should illustrate perfectly what’s wrong with Mittens. [HuffPo]

What? You mean the deficit is lower now than when President Barack Obama took office? Surely not! [Think Progress]

It’s almost sad that Ray Jones didn’t have much to say when Steve Beshear was selling off Medicaid to the highest bidder without any due diligence. Eastern Kentucky certainly loses again. [WYMT]

“God” may be a major theme in this south-central state senate race but it’s a shame people still continue to play pat-a-cake with wedge issues. [H-L]

Earmarks still have friends in high places – like Mitch McConnell. Because he loves loves loves to buy votes with your tax dollars. [Politico]

An historic country store went up in flames in Grant County last night. They’re one of our favorite things about rural Kentucky. [WLEX18]

Here’s a sad look at why Democrats are losing the Fourth Congressional District. Again. For the millionth time. [Page One]

What was that, again, about us being the only folks to criticize Rand Paul, mouth-breathers? [C-J/AKN]

Didn’t take long for CoventryCares to resume coverage of that addiction drug. [Business First]

Whaaaaat? An undercover gay bathhouse spy was endorsed by Michele Beard Bachmann? Nope, it’s not her husband! This is getting more and more interesting. [Wonkette]

This story about Morehead State will literally make you pee your pants while laughing. [H-L]

Here’s a nice look at how Louisvillians will be screwed by the Louisville Water Company and Metro Sewer District. BEND OVER AND GRAB YOUR ANKLES! [C-J/AKN]

Really, you can’t even sit at home in Lexington without having your home invaded these days. [WKYT]

In Pennsylvania, there’s an industrial revolution going on. Battalions of drilling rigs are boring into the earth to extract natural gas from an underground layer of shale called the Marcellus formation. And as the wells multiply all along the western end of the state, people worry they may be facing another toxic legacy. [NPR]

On April 8th Envisat, Europe’s largest Earth-observing satellite, unexpectedly stopped talking to its users on the Earth below. Since then those users have been frantically trying to re-establish contact. [The Economist]

The House GOP leadership is moving swiftly to try to change the Violence Against Women Act to earn support from outside groups and gain passage on the floor. [Politico]

Doesn’t look like President Barack Obama’s decision to say he doesn’t hate the gays had much of an impact on polling. [Daily Kos]

The agreement over voting on amendments to the Export-Import Bank reauthorization legislation is a good example of how bills will make their way through the Senate, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday. [The Hill]

Is Thomas Massie a big time jobs creator? Not so much. And he’s following directly in Rand Paul’s hypocritical footsteps. [Page One Here & Here]

Why did Thomas Massie allow this bank in Lewis County to be robbed? He hates America. [84WHAS]

Please, hold your laughter. What? The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet maybe did something corrupt and people want Jack Conway to deal with it? [C-J/AKN]

Just in case you want another reason to end the death penalty in Kentucky? Take a look at this Texas case. [HuffPo]

Here’s your daily ruh ro moment! A state watchdog agency has issued charges against the former chief of tourism, alleging that he misused state resources for his own financial gain. [Bluegrass Politics]

After falling for several straight weeks, gasoline prices began shooting up across central Kentucky on Monday. So everybody is going to freak out a bit more. [WLEX18]

Here’s a look at how John Roberts ripped apart campaign finance reform and, you know, ruined the whole world. [The New Yorker]

American democracy’s most persistent old fart Ron Paul has announced that he no longer cares for democracy per se in the traditional sense of trying to “win votes” from “voters,” because this is a hard thing to do, when your platform is mostly insane. [Wonkette]

You can’t even walk around in Lexington these days without getting hit twice by vehicles and then dying. [H-L]

Just what Kentucky needed! A national news story about the lesbian couple in Lexington barred from their high school prom. [HuffPo]

The faux family association mouth-breathers who love to pervert their religion in order to push their ignorant views (fat white guys complaining about the gays – which half of them are) are freaking out that we – along with half the country – dared bring up Rand Paul’s homophobic mess. [Page One]

You can’t even go to the bank in Pike County these days without it being robbed at gunpoint. [WYMT]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on KET. Scheduled guests: Russ Cassady, Bill Estep, Tom Loftus. Sure to be a great show with Cassady – the editor of the Appalachian News-Express. [KET]

Steve Nunn’s attorney, Warren Scoville, finally ditched him. Could it be the recent national media attention? Or the lack of cash? [H-L]

This bootlegger story is one of the dumbest things we’ve read in a long time. Locking people up for having alcohol in a dry county. It’s 2012! [WKYT]

This foreigner maybe stole all of Jim Higdon’s Cornbread. This is why America can’t have nice things. [Daily Herald]

The legacy of unemployment will haunt the United States’ economy for years to come. [NYT]

Gay-hater Vernie McGaha endorsed Republican mark Polston to be his replacement in Frankfort. [WKYT]

You can’t even let your kid ride a bike in Richmond these days without it getting hit by a car. [Richmond Register]

Afghan commanders have refused more than a dozen times within the past two months to act on U.S. intelligence regarding high-level insurgents, arguing that night-time operations to target the men would result in civilian casualties, Afghan officials say. [WaPo]

KSP Commissioner shares a touching story about fallen trooper Mack Brady in honor of National Police Memorial Week. You should probably give this a read. [Rodney Brewer]

What the hell are these teabaggers going on about these days? Something about killing each other? The Paul Family and their pals sure are wonky. [Wonkette]

Yep, Linda Breathitt was appointed to the Public Service Commission to replace Charlie Borders. [Press Release & H-L]

What doesn’t smell right about Steve Beshear “promoting” the bourbon industry in Taiwan? [C-J/AKN]

Former Congresscritter Ron Lewis endorsed Gary Moore in the 4th District race for the U.S. Congress today. [Releases & Such]