Isn’t it entertaining to watch reporters act surprised to find out Hal Rogers has earmarked more than $7 million since 2002 to directly benefit his family? [H-L]

Mitt Romney’s mormon cultism or whatever it is he’s calling it doesn’t sell well with the American people. Here’s just one tiny example of why people will think he’s crazy when the time comes for him to really campaign. [Wonkette]

Do you trust Republicans in Warshington to put an end to insider trading in Congress? You shouldn’t – not if you don’t trust the Democrats. [HuffPo]

Papaw Beshear says there’s plenty of time remaining in the legislative session to address the expansion of gambling. [Bluegrass Politics]

Why is it the current state of affairs that we’re forced to shop around for surgery in the United States of America? Making health care costs transparent is a good thing but let’s get real. [The Economist]

Meet the obscure regulator who is not helping homeowners. This is why America can’t have nice things. [Pro Publica]

The payroll tax cut extension isn’t just a mess in the making. It’s been a nightmare for a long time. [Politico]

Here’s a shocker: second-hand smoke in cars with kids is a bad thing. [NPR]

It’s still hilarious to us that there are communities in Kentucky that refuse to allow alcohol sales. [H-L]

Just because the woman that crazy constable guy shot got arrested for drugs? Doesn’t mean his actions are okay. [C-J/AKN]

Lawwwd, you can’t even drive around near Georgetown College these days without getting car jacked. [WLEX18]

How do you feel about Sylvia Lovely getting to continually play with your tax dollars? [Page One]

Health departments across Kentucky are facing cuts amid growing demand. Legislators just kind of roll their eyes at the situation. [Debby Yetter]

The long-term unemployment situation in America just got a lot worse. The maximum duration is dropping to 79 weeks. [HuffPo]

Yep, it’s about time for the presidential race to get all, well, racy. Because fat white guys are always this stupid. [Politico]

Woah, are we finally seeing proof that sex education fails in mouth-breather-dominated areas of the country? [MSNBC]

How likely is it that the filing deadline won’t be moved again? Highly unlikely. Since Frankfort is a literal disaster. [Kenny Coleslaw]

A new University of Kentucky report says that the Commonwealth should broaden its tax code to include services. [H-L]

Bill Adkins filed to run as a Democrat in the 4th Congressional district. Which means a Republican is still winning. [NKY Losing?]

Of course child abuse secrecy in Frankfort is only designed to protect officials appointed by Steve Beshear. [C-J/AKN]

Mouth-breathers in this country will never cease to amaze you. Now they’re trying to ban abortions based on race and gender. Because abortion is all they thing about. [Wonkette]

No only is Michele Bachmann clueless about being married to a gay guy… she believes she was the perfect candidate. [HuffPo]

SuperPACs are altering the dynamics of the presidential race and it is turning into a primary about money. [The Economist]

Of course congressional earmarks are sometimes used to fund projects near lawmakers’ properties. Like that airport Hal Rogers had built for himself that sits empty. [WaPo]

He’s probably keeping umpteen people on the dole for this mess. So let’s abort all children forever.

John Boehner is so angry about Barney Frank’s nipples that he queened out on the House floor. [The Hill]

This is why Kentucky can’t have nice things. A very big reason. [SoS]

President Barack Obama put Jim Ramsey on notice last night: “If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding you get from taxpayers will go down. Higher education can’t be a luxury – it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.” [SOTU]

Leave it to some tired queen to cause a physical altercation over Kathy Stein’s ouster from the State Senate instead of acting like an adult. Leave it to bloated pussy Bob Stivers (you know he’s a pussy if he’s afraid of me – so save the feigned offense at the word – you should have seen him haul ass away from me when I was last spotted with Holly Harris VonLuejaosuitur8zzz) for threatening to discipline Stein. It’s a shame Kathy will have to start sharing everything she knows about Bob and pals once she’s officially out of the legislature. It won’t be pretty. [Bluegrass Politics]

It’s cute that some Democrats are “disappointed” in Steve Beshear for not pushing for more tax revenue. [Ryan Alessi]

Here’s Mitch McConnell complaining about President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. [Click the Clicky]

Here’s Hal Rogers just completely freaking out and probably crying over the State of the Union. He’s probably still sitting alone, eating another box of Oreos, yelling at the teevee. [WKYT]

The State Fair Board is set to maybe get $8.5 million. No mention of when the state will begin repaying Ed Hart’s millions. [C-J/AKN]

Don’t worry, this congressional redistricting mess in Frankfort still isn’t resolved. Likely won’t be today. [H-L]

This is why the “official” Occupy Wall Street stuff is completely bogus. Absolutely hilarious that they’d embargo their official State of the Union response. [Wonkette]

If you missed it last night, check out the full text of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. And maybe take a peek at the Blueprint For An America Built To Last. [Page One]

Oh, look, it’s Sexytime Herman Cain delivering a response to the president’s address last night. [HuffPo]

When will a legislator in Frankfort press for legislators to be drug tested? This needs to happen right now. [HuffPo]

The legislature is still scrambling to pay $44 million in interest on that unemployment loan. Remember how that was forgotten during the gubernatorial campaign? [H-L]

Fiscal conservatism is trumped by the social variety. In 2010 Americans voted for economic austerity; in 2011 they got abortion restrictions. Let’s abort all babies forever. [The Economist]

You probably weren’t wondering why everybody hates Congress again. But just in case you were. [Wonkette]

Louisville’s Metro Animal Services continues to be a nightmare. But people in Boyle County are stealing animals from the shelter. [WKYT]

Hal Rogers’ staff wrote his Happy New Year greeting. Are you excited to read all about it? [Hal Rogers]

Bruton Smith, owner of Kentucky Speedway, gave Steve Beshear’s inaugural committee $50,000. And there you have it. That’s what it costs to score some new roads. [Kevin Kelly]

Chris Christie apparently threatened to eat people in New Hampshire over the weekend. [Reuters]

Newt Gingrich is irritated that everybody is outraged over his foodstamps comments. So may he should stop saying racist things. [HuffPo]

A couple weeks ago a home exploded in Louisville. Now? Houses are exploding in Lexington. [WLEX18]

There’s “Santorum on the comeback trail.” Yep, that’s actually part of a headline. We can’t wait for that race to be over so we can stop dry heaving. [WaPo]

This is the State of the Commonwealth speech that Steve Beshear should have given. It did need a bit of Gatewood Galbraith. [Tom Eblen]

In an editorial praising the merger of non-public hospitals, the editorial board has finally decided that it’s appropriate to question the soundness of “stewardship” at the University of Louisville and its hospital. [C-J/AKN]

Lookit how many people are freaking out over Hal Rogers’ home county maybe getting split in half. But not really. Because the Republicans won’t allow that to happen. [Joe Gerth]

And here’s even more information about proposed redistricting from Ronnie Ellis. [Ashland Independent]

It’s obviously the American way for the White House and Congress to cut heating assistance just in time for the dead of winter. [HuffPo]

GROSS! Sexytime Herman Cain has launched a personals website. Gross gross gross. He is going to try to sexytime every woman, forever. At least, that’s what we think he’s doing. [Wonkette]

Willie Nelson on the death of his friend Gatewood Galbraith. The Commonwealth never realizes what it has until it’s too late. [WHAS11]

It’s always interesting to see how the Steve Beshear and Jim Ramsey crews spin things for the mainstream. The latest claim that the University of Louisville Hospital merger meeting with the governor was only an hour. Despite the fact that Ramsey was all over the Capitol Annex on both Wednesday and Thursday. [C-J/AKN]

How much faith do you have that Kentucky will actually see comprehensive tax reform? [H-L]

Come on, people, it’s time to quit threatening presidents and elected officials with physical harm. [FOX41]

What is it with Republicans like Newt Gingrich who constantly bring up non-whites and food stamps at every opportunity? [HuffPo]

Three days ago we ran a story about owner-surrenders at Louisville Metro Animal Services not being the nightmare that its administrators claimed. And they’re still foaming at the mouth about it. [The 'Ville Voice]

Are there encouraging economic signs from state and local governments? Are things really less of a drag? Not in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. [The Economist]

Jim Gray is hosting a press conference this morning to address fire department issues. Is a hot mess of you-know-what about to hit the fan at 10:15 A.M.? [WLEX18]

Wonder where the Herald-Leader got its idea for a story about the crazy Hart County superintendent and his creationism fantasies? [H-L]

Hal Rogers absolutely loves giving your tax dollars to his friends and family. Nothing has changed. [CNN]

Anyone who thinks Steve Beshear won’t approve the University of Louisville Hospital merger because the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression says not to is disconnected from the world. [C-J/AKN]

When UK athletics folks say they don’t want state dollars to go toward the Rupp Arena project, you know something fishy is up. [WKYT]

Every mouth-breather in the country is excited that Lowe’s has turned to bigotry out of fear. If you aren’t a bigot, guess you’ll have to stick with Homo Depot or – gasp – your local hardware store. [Wonkette]

You’ve gotta see what all the wingnuts are saying on Lowe’s Fakebook page. It’s a magical world of Mica-style ignorance. [Buzzfeed]

The state has started to release child-death records. Is this the beginning of some real transparency? Of course not. But we won’t complain. [H-L]

Haha, Mormon cultist Mitt Romney tricked himself into talking to a gay veteran. [HuffPo]

Why do some evangelicals back Newt Gingrich? It’s because they don’t believe in their mouth-breathing ways even less than they believe in being hypocrites. Also, Newt isn’t Mormon. So there’s that. [NPR]

Republicans just can’t figure out why America is angry over their stance on extending the payroll tax cut. [WaPo]

Of course, those same Republicans believe millionaires should be able to receive food stamps and unemployment insurance when they’re laid off. [NY Times]

Oh my goodness, only in Alabama: A federal judge temporarily blocked a part of Alabama’s tough new immigration law on Monday that requires residents to show proof of citizenship when registering mobile homes with the state. [Reuters]

The problem continues to grow and he never bothers to examine his own actions (and inaction) that haven’t done anything to curb the problem. Interesting.

Maybe it’s time we start looking to other countries for ways to resolve these problems.

Ruh ro – here come the big dogs calling Greg Fischer out for pulling a campaign finance bait and switch. [C-J/AKN]

Here’s hoping Laurel County Public Schools’ interim superintendent can handle some investigations that are about to be thrown that way by the state and federal governments. [H-L]

Mitch McConnell says people who stand against the Keystone Pipeline are just envelope stuffers. That’s how disconnected from reality this man is. [The Hill]

You’ll note that Mitch McConnell is also continuing to stand against the average working Kentuckian in favor of supporting the mega wealthy. [CNN]

The former head of Massey Energy, Don Blankenship, has started a new mining company in Kentucky. [C-J/AKN]

Hal Rogers continues to claim that Washington is working hard and making progress on the spending front. [Politico]

Brave Patriot Rick Perry is warning the Nation that Barack Obama is letting the gays steal Christmas from the children. [Wonkette]

Foreign crook Rupert Murdoch is lobbying Congress to restrict the internet. When he’s in support of it, you know it’s time to look the other way. [HuffPo]

Newt Gingrich’s own sister backs President Barack Obama in the 2012 bid for the White House. [The Guardian]

We still have absolutely no idea why Kentucky continues to execute people. Steve Beshear needs to sack up and do the right thing. [H-L]

The mayor of Erlanger is set to head the Kentucky Bar Association. Northern Kentucky seems excited. [Enquirer]

It’s time for a reminder that Steve Beshear said he had the state’s budget under control. But now he’s cutting even more from already-hurting state agencies instead of cutting some of his dozens of overpaid “advisers.” [Ronnie Ellis]

You know what’s crazy? How Operation UNITE is wasting umpteen thousands of dollars to hold a fancy conference at – get this – Disney World. No wonder nothing ever improves in Eastern Kentucky. No wonder law enforcement officials get no support. These people are too busy being ridiculous. [Wasted Money Galore]

On a scale of 1 to Sexytime Herman Cain pretending he doesn’t love the ladies, how surprised are you to learn that Michele Beard Bachmann’s supporters are crazy, racist nuts? [HuffPo]

The quarterly Kentucky Commission on Women meeting has been canceled because, well, it’s apparently an afterthought in state government. [Press Release]

The sister of Sexytime Herman Cain’s alleged mistress is talking to Louisville teevee stations. This is definitely worthy of a pee alert. [WAVE3]

HAHAHA! Richie Farmer says his mistress/girlfriend/whatever was “qualified” for the fancy job he gave her in his office that she never showed up for. HAHAHAHAHA. Giving his ladyfriend $5,000 a month to pretend to answer phones. Laaawwwwwd. Adult baby strikes again. [H-L]

President Barack Obama is right. From a press release at 8:58 P.M. last night: Tonight, Senate Republicans chose to raise taxes on nearly 160 million hardworking Americans because they refused to ask a few hundred thousand millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. They voted against a bill that would have not only extended the $1,000 tax cut for a typical family, but expanded that tax cut to put an extra $1,500 in their pockets next year, and given nearly six million small business owners new incentives to expand and hire. That is unacceptable. It makes absolutely no sense to raise taxes on the middle class at a time when so many are still trying to get back on their feet. [Press Release]

Is Hal Rogers caving? Could that really be happening? Maybe this deserves a pee alert notice. [Politico]

What is it about reality that Mitch McConnell refuses to understand? It’s not Barack Obama standing in the way of the Keystone Pipeline project. It’s the American people. [The Hill]

Greg Fischer campaigned on transparency and has spent the past year claiming to be the most transparent mayor in the country. Reality? He and his staff are working like mad to hide public documents, to obfuscate, to play pat-a-cake and be all-around difficult butt cramps when it comes to releasing information about their level of mismanagement at certain agencies. [The 'Ville Voice]

Fewer Kentucky kids died from abuse or neglect during the past fiscal year than the year before, according to the latest (sorely lacking) report. What Terry Brooks won’t tell you is that he’s part of the problem. He talks a big game but you’ll note he did literally nothing during the gubernatorial race to bring up major issues and barely rolled his eyes when he saw things going down that will end up hurting Kentucky youth. Only now is he loosely criticizing Steve Beshear – because it’s somewhat safe to do so. [Debby Yetter]

The second victim of the Berea shooting, Kevin Price, is speaking out. What a sad situation. [WKYT]

Republican strategists are frightened to death by the Occupy Wall Street movement and we cannot stop laughing. [Wonkette]