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]

During last evening’s 4th District GOP debate, both Gary Moore and Alecia Webb-Edgington pledged to continue funding headstart programs and both emphasized the importance of early childhood education. Thomas Massie? He said he wouldn’t and blamed illiteracy on parents. Even went so far as to blame family break-ups on taxes. We’re left wondering who beat Massie so hard with the stupid stick. Was it Rand Paul? Maybe the curb stomper guy? Hoo boy. [Stupidity Should Hurt]

At the dawn of the Internet era, Congress set out to avert a digital divide between rich and poor students. In a landmark bill, lawmakers required the nation’s phone companies to provide bargain voice and data rates to schools and to subsidize the cost of equipment and services, with the biggest subsidies going to the schools with the most disadvantaged children. More than a decade later, as schools struggle for funding amid widespread budget cuts, there is growing evidence that the program’s crucial low-price requirement has been widely neglected by federal regulators and at least one telecom giant. [HuffPo]

The Kentucky Public Service Commission is set to decide soon whether American Electric Power can keep burning coal at an eastern Kentucky power plant. [WFPL]

And the demand for coal for U.S. coal is plummeting. According to analysts, it may never recover. [The Atlantic]

On Friday, May 4, President Obama will welcome the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team to the White House to celebrate their 2012 NCAA championship. [Press Release]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified at least three businesses that may be responsible for cleaning up toxic waste at the former Black Leaf chemical site in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood, two of which have agreed to work with the EPA to help make the property safe. [C-J/AKN]

Maybe Glenn Kessler of the Washington Post needs a reality check? Because the bridges situation in Louisville isn’t puppies and rainbows, as he’d have you believe. Most of Kentucky’s bridges are falling apart. [WaPo]

Why does Andy Barr continue to half-ass his second campaign against Ben Chandler? The latest polling shows him 24 points behind Chandler. [WLEX18]

Of course Mittens Romney has a Swiss bank account. Of course he does. [HuffPo]

Just a reminder that the government doesn’t have any money because you are fat as hell and rip toilets off the wall. [Wonkette]

Some things with Greg Fischer’s Metro Animal Services mess will never change. The latest is just kind of sad. [The 'Ville Voice]

Lately, her people and those who work with Jack Conway, say the two are considering a gubernatorial ticket with Crit as the Number Two. It’d give her more free time and freedom to be outside Frankfort when she wasn’t feeling the nastiness of that cesspool.

All this comes as Jack Conway also floats around his desire to run for the U.S. Congress (again) if/when John Yarmuth decides to retire.

Greg Fischer is also waiting in the wings and folks around him are hilariously tossing his name into the gubernatorial rumor ring. Can you imagine the hilarity that would ensue? There are at least half a dozen attack ads that Jim King didn’t run and twice as many that Hal Heiner wimped out on in 2010. It’d be a dream come true for political writers.

There’s also discussion about a prominent politician switching from one of the major parties to Independent status. With the rancor and distaste for electeds that the public has these days? We can only assume something like that could have a serious chance if there’s enough money available.

We think Daniel Mongiardo should give it a go.

Now you know why there was so much drama with the Lexington fire chief. The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Lexington fire department’s employment practices, city officials confirmed Monday. Susan Straub, naturally, is being dishonest with her response. The city has been aware of the investigation since its beginning – not just since April. [H-L]

Whattya mean Steve Beshear’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services fired someone because they were gay? Like you didn’t see that coming. Unfortunately, Kerri Richardson lied just like Susan Straub did. Steve Beshear’s entire office – including the governor and his wife – have been keenly aware of this case and the facts involved. Primarily since it’s all his gay staffers have been able to talk about for weeks. [C-J/AKN]

MOAA had its members “storm Capitol Hill” last week to urge legislators to block the Pentagon’s proposed reforms. But close analysis of the proposals from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the Joint Chiefs of Staff reveals that their critics’ arguments are baseless. [Politico]

Glencore — founded by famous fugitive Marc Rich — has cornered the market on just about everything. Now that it’s going public, will its ties to dictators and spies stand up to scrutiny? [Foreign Policy]

Yep, here’s yet another death/murder story about Laurel County giving Clay County a run for its money. [WKYT]

Ted Nugent is so mad that Fort Knox canceled his concert because he believes he is an American hero. [Wonkette]

No, Crit Luallen isn’t running for the U.S. Senate in 2014 against Mitch McConnell. She’s – according to her people and those who work for Jack Conway – talking to Jack about running as a gubernatorial ticket, however. Crit doesn’t want to be in Frankfort all the time so running as Jack’s lieutenant would give her more freedom and flexibility. [WFPL]

President Barack Obama’s campaign sought to make the death of Osama bin Laden a central part of the U.S. presidential election on Friday with a video that questioned whether Republican rival Mitt Romney would have made the same call to approve the mission that killed the al Qaeda leader. [Reuters]

Forget the teabaggers when it comes to taking on Mitch McConnell. There’s not even a solid Democrat who can take him on. [Politico]

Have you seen the reaction from Richie Farmer’s attorney? It’s actually sad to examine. What a hot mess that side is. Saying the audit is political and self-serving – ha. [H-L]

Nina Rhodes-Hughes, a key witness to the Robert F. Kennedy assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in 1968, is making bombshell claims in a CNN interview, suggesting that convicted murderer Sirhan Sirhan didn’t act alone. [HuffPo & CNN]

A Bowling Green doctor says the Kentucky House Speaker should stop pretending he knows what the majority of physicians, nurses, and dentists thinks regarding a prescription drug bill. [WKU Public Radio]

What would you do if your home, place of employment and entire community were wiped off the face of the earth by a tornado? Recovery in Eastern Kentucky will take a long time and only the Red Cross remains on the ground supporting the people who most need it. [Click Here To Give]

Now officials say it’s just a rumor that Calumet Farm is being sold. Did Paulick get it wrong? Ruh ro. [H-L]

Lexington television stations are basing their reports on the original story we linked early this morning. [WKYT]

Oh, cute, here’s a nice little story about Kenyans involving President Barack Obama’s father. It’s sure to send racist mouth-breathers into a tailspin. [BBC]

Greg Fischer ran on a platform of JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. Unfortunately for him, his signature Ohio River Bridges Debacle moves thousands upon thousands of jobs out of Louisville. [The 'Ville Voice]

Bogota, New Jersey, police officer Regina Tasca responded to a call about a young man who was being erratic. She was supposed to transport him to the hospital. Two of her fellow officers, though, thought they were more supposed to jump on him and kick him in the head and shit — you know, the law! Tasca jumped in and managed to pry the officers off the young man. What do you suppose has happened since? A commendation, maybe? Definitely a commendation right? [Wonkette]

If Greg Fischer is pushing a piece of legislation, you know it’s 100% flawed and should be immediately scrapped. [WFPL]

A State Senate panel put David Williams’ vetoed road projects into the transportation budget. Which means the cat fight will never end. [H-L]

Whattya mean another mouth-breathing Republican is spewing Anti-Semitic tripe? Comparing smoking bans to Hitler’s “Jewish Stars.” Jesus H. Christ people are dumb as hell. Republican leadership needs to own up to these shenanigans and address them head-on, unlike Eric Cantor. [HuffPo & More HuffPo]

The 20 best small towns in America? None of them are in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, according to this list. [Smithsonian Magazine]

Candy Barr sent out a press release that was something about pretending to create jobs or something. [Press Release]

If you’re a blogger and you receive equipment, food, products and mention them in your writing? The FTC requires you to disclose the specifics. If you wear a t-shirt you receive from a restaurant in a photo? You’ve gotta make a disclosure. Yes, this means if you receive a free taste of coffee? It must be disclosed. Stop playing pat-a-cake and giving others a bad name when you violate regulations. [Read This Again]

You know what sucks? Kentucky’s pay equity rating is worse than Texas, Georgia, Arizona, South Dakota and even Floriduh. [HuffPo]

What would you do if your home, place of employment and entire community were wiped off the face of the earth by a tornado? Recovery in Eastern Kentucky will take a long time and only the Red Cross remains on the ground supporting the people who most need it. [Click Here To Give]

Greg Fischer on Charlie Rose? HAHAHA. Lawwwd, that is truly pee-worthy if we’ve ever seen pee-worthy. [Charlie Rose]

Republicans – Mitch McConnell – are getting away with saving an unpopular tax loophole that favors the super-rich. [Salon]

You already know that big banks slack on maintaining foreclosed homes in minority-populated areas. [Pro Publica]

Voters were absolutely robbed in the stupid Hilary Rose-Ann Romney media shizstorm. Completely stupid. [Politico]

Mittens Romney’s remarks on limiting tax deductions draw fire. Was it case of a politician being candid behind closed doors? Or was he merely leading a provocative discussion of tax proposals? [Reuters]

ALEC caved, ditching those fancy ‘Stand Your Ground’ and voter ID laws. [HuffPo]

Mysterious circumstances surround an overnight traffic stop in Lexington. So, naturally, the local media there are freaking out. [WKYT]

This is an interesting look back at Kentucky ties to the disaster that was the Titanic on its maiden voyage. [H-L]

You know you want to win a fancy copy of Jim Higdon’s Cornbread Mafia! Go enter ASAP and consider supporting his Kickstarter project to take the book on tour. [Page One]

Turns out Steve Beshear is not one of the nation’s top ten governors. Despite what his staff paid with taxpayer dollars would have you believe. [WaPo]

Just what Eastern Kentucky needs. A wildfire. Absolutely terrific. [H-L]

Earlier today, Candy Barr said he raised $181,594 in the first quarter of 2012 for his congressional race against Ben Chandler. That brings Candy to a total of $606,965 raised. [Press Release]

We’ve already descended to WAR ON WOMEN: CATERPILLARS vs. CNN DEMRAT PR LESBO-FEMINAZI as the hot narrative, several months before the typical bottoming-out month of August. [Wonkette]

Greg Fischer’s staff told media outlets we were lying about having telephone records and other pieces of information to prove he knew about his drunk driving parks director months before the scandal broke. So we started proving that Greg’s folks are the liars. We published the first tidbits of phone records. Proving Fischer is using your tax dollars to willingly lie to the press. [The 'Ville Voice]

Did you know that May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month in Kentucky? [SoS]

Ruh ro. A filmmaker goes undercover at Marcus Bachmann’s ‘pray the gay away’ clinic. You know this is going to be hilarious. [HuffPo]

Burnside in Pulaski County can’t catch a break. Two were killed in a shooting inside an apartment Wednesday night. [WKYT]

Mittens Romney’s opposition to gay marriage, which helped endear him to conservative activists during the dog days of the presidential primary, puts him at odds with three of his most prominent donors, all of whom helped fund a successful effort to legalize same-sex nuptials in New York last year. [Politico]

Here’s how Ben Chandler and his pals get to shroud details of their fancy congressional trips abroad. [Pro Publica]

Jobless claims rose by 13,000 last week. So much for our puppies and rainbows economy. [NPR]

You know you want to win a fancy copy of Jim Higdon’s Cornbread Mafia! Go enter ASAP and consider supporting his Kickstarter project to take the book on tour. [Page One]

Steve Beshear, after facing a mountaintop removal zone worth of heat, finally spoke out about the hate rally planned in Frankfort: “The Constitution affords the right to free speech and free assembly to all, and we will respect those rights, even for this Michigan-based, hate-filled group. This group should know that their ideology is reprehensible to Kentuckians, and that Kentucky is a tolerant, progressive, and welcoming state for all people.” [Press Release]

Really? You wonder why we continue to lose hope for Louisville Metro Government on a daily basis? [The 'Ville Voice]

States with abstinence-only sex education requirements continue to knock their teens up the most? Surely not! [Wonkette]

Stand Your Ground laws coincide with a jump in justifiable homicide cases. Ruh ro. [WaPo]

The great American foreclosure story: the struggle for justice and a place to call home. [Pro Publica]

A “preferred” Ohio River Bridge plan has been chosen for I-75 between Kentucky and Cincinnasti. Will Louisville ever move along? Or will it continue to be a massive failure? [H-L]

There are just too many things to be said about 21c. It’s going to be interesting to see how Lexington reacts once the hotel is finished. [WKYT]

It’s just shameful watching Mitch McConnell advocate for the mega-wealthy billionaires of the United States while throwing 99.99% of his constituents and the rest of the country under the bus. [WFPL]

How are the people in Floriduh reacting to Hal Rogers’ fun times meth vacation at Disney World? Take a look. [Sun Sentinel]

Listen, folks, you’ve got to stop using “Santorum” and “edge” in the same headline. It is offensive and gross. [NYT]

Businesses in Lexington are raising money for tornado victims in West Liberty. Some folks know how to do the right thing. Here’s hoping officials in Morgan County figure out how not to be corrupt and wasteful. [WKYT]

Meanwhile, shady characters in Morgan County are continuing to thieve and be, you know, awful. [H-L]

Adam Edelen launched some new page on his website that allows people to report waste, fraud and abuse. Remember, however, that you don’t have to go through his office. You don’t have to risk your livelihood or reputation. You can typically report fraud to law enforcement anonymously. And if you don’t get anywhere, you can always come to us with the guarantee of anonymity and confidence. [Click the Clicky]

It’s a little sad that Rick The Splooge Santorum is dropping out of the presidential race. Who will hate everybody now? [WaPo]

Woo, yeah, awesome sauce. Let’s let a bunch of fat, racist, white blobs march on Frankfort to keep Kentucky white and pure, amen! Because Jesus etc. [Some Gay ]

If Jack Conway can’t be trusted to investigate the shenanigans at Kentucky Retirement Systems or Kentucky Educational Television… how can he be trusted to monitor doctors’ prescriptions? [FOX41]

Maybe for Kentucky’s next act, it can do something like fire teachers for suggesting students ask permission to hold fundraisers for Trayvon Martin rather than cause disruptions without approval. [Wonkette]

You know you want to win a fancy copy of Jim Higdon’s Cornbread Mafia! Go enter ASAP and consider supporting his Kickstarter project to take the book on tour. [Page One]

As you Republicans in Kentucky continue to push Chris Christie as some savior of your dying party (yes, we know the Democratic Party in Kentucky is dead), remember that he’s a lying, fat blob who can’t count. [HuffPo]

You’re sure to be working yourself up into a froth over his upcoming visit. [Bluegrass Politics]

Turns out Greg Fischer knew MONTHS in advance about his drunk driving Metro Parks Director and he did nothing about it. Nothing but sweep it under the rug, that is. [The 'Ville Voice]

Of course:

Published at 9:06pm on April 05, 2012 The Kentucky Retirement Systems Board of Trustees held its annual meeting this morning at 9:00am. Thomas Elliott was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Daniel L. Bauer was elected vice-chair. Mr. Elliott has served on the KRS Board as vice-chair since 2011 and currently serves on the Retiree Health Plan Committee, Legislative and Budget Committee and acts as chair of the Human Resources Committee.

Currently, Tommy serves as Senior Vice President of Old National Bank, Louisville, where he leads new commercial, investment, and retail business development. He is also Chairman of the Baptist Hospital Foundation Board where he is committed to reaching out into the community to develop and strengthen partnerships for the healthcare provider.

Tommy Elliott was the chairman of the Investment Committee for the past year and that was conveniently unmentioned.

You’ll also note that the term “investment” wasn’t used once in describing Dan Bauer:

Dr. Bauer was appointed to the KRS Board this April by Governor Beshear. Dr. Bauer is currently serving as the dean of the Rubel School and teaching MBA courses at Bellarmine University. He was named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in both 2000 and 2003 and received the 1999 Mid-Continent East “Innovation in Leadership Business Education Award” for development and implementation of an integrated MBA curriculum. His research and scholarly activities have earned Dr. Bauer a national reputation as an expert on business issues relating to “Generation X.” He holds an MBA from the University of Kentucky and a doctor of business administration degree from Mississippi State University. Before coming to Bellarmine, he was a federal bank examiner with the Farm Credit Administration.

Yep, the guy (Tommy Elliott) responsible for Greg Fischer’s campaign finance fraud is the board chair at KRS now. The new guy – an Abramson pal and Beshear crony – is vice-chair. Interesting how that works, isn’t it?

The situation at KRS is spiraling into the pits of hell.

Like we told you Thursday:

Unfortunately for Thielen, the Securities and Exchange Commission has spoken with Tobe. On a number of occasions. So has the Federal Bureau of Investigation. And countless others have also been interviewed and questioned. Though Tobe won’t admit it publicly, there’s plenty of evidence that the SEC has been in heavy communication with him that anyone loosely monitoring the story can pinpoint. The timeline in the State-Journal even makes that clear.

If Thielen wants to lie to the press about whether or not someone in the Lexington FBI office and someone in the New York SEC office are deeply investigating and talking to people – including Chris Tobe – he may want to prepare himself for the ramifications. That is, if anyone in Frankfort ever sacks up enough to deal with this corrupt mess.

Tobe’s attorney offered this:

Siedle also took offense to Thielen’s comments in Tuesday’s State Journal that the SEC hasn’t informed KRS whether it intended to speak with Tobe. Siedle called Thielen’s comments “irresponsible” and said Tobe has had “extensive” communication with the SEC.

“That’s insane. Why would the SEC tell them whether they want to talk to the whistleblower?” he said. “He’s represented by independent counsel –me.

“Again, this reflects a fundamental lack of knowledge of the role of independent counsel. The SEC is communicating with me … not with them. They are his adversary in this process.”

If you think Tommy Elliott isn’t at KRS to help whitewash this mess for the powers that be? Here’s this from a group of state government retirees:

In a brief interview after the board meeting adjourned, Chairman Tommy Elliott said to the best of the board’s knowledge, necessary support material regarding the invoices had not been provided. Elliott said, for example, legal bills typically have an itemized list of billable hours. He said the matter could be reviewed again if the required information is provided.

In a March 14, 2012, press release posted on its site, KRS stated that the agency had received invoices from Mr. Tobe’s counsel totaling $42,350 which appear to be for preparation of a document “which reviews and critiques the placement agent audits conducted by KRS’ internal audit division and the Commonwealth’s Auditor of Public Accounts (APA). KRS has forwarded the document to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its consideration.”

The press release continues, “The KRS board imposed a $25,000 cap on re-imbursement of the attorneys’ fees Mr. Tobe might incur and required that his counsel reduce his hourly rate to conform with the rate charged by counsel for KRS and the other individuals. The fee cap was designed to prevent Mr. Tobe and Mr. (Edward) Siedle from pursuing their own personal agendas and promoting their own interests, as it appears the Document provided to KRS is intended to do.”

But that’s just hogwash. Tobe’s attorney says it best:

Siedle declined to provide details with invoices he sent KRS because doing so would violate attorney-client privilege, he said.

Thielen said KRS asked to stay informed of “the basic nature of the services provided” as part of its agreement with Siedle. The board may reconsider its decision if Siedle provides documentation in the future, he said.

But Siedle says he never agreed to divulge privileged information, such as what he’s doing or whom he’s talking to on behalf of Tobe.

“They’ve asked me for information on the direction of my investigation, and I’ve always said, ‘No, you’re not going to get that,’” he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of dollars – taxpayer dollars – are being spent defending former KRS employees and officials currently involved in the shenanigans.

And common sense would tell you that you can’t get any better documentation of the legal services provided to Tobe than that scandalous 32-page report released about the KRS.

Something that should scare the daylights out of people at KRS: One of Tobe’s relatives was one of the undercover FBI agents who helped break the door wide open on BOPTROT.