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]

Kentucky doesn’t discriminate against the gays who want to adopt children, thanks to David Williams and bitter coward Bob Stivers. But Virginia sure does. [HuffPo]

Small pharmacies across Kentucky say problems with the Commonwealth’s managed care system are threatening their livelihood. [Debby Yetter & Mike Wynn]

Lawwwd, Bill Summers has finally retired from Louisville Metro Gubmint. The interim police chief will replace him. [WFPL]

On a scale of 1 to 10, how serious do you think these folks are about fighting the pill epidemic in Kentucky? [WKYT]

It’s time for a reminder to Ruth Ann Palumbo that she could faces charges just like this. And this guy was convicted. Voter fraud is a serious issue and she needs to be legally dealt with. No one in Frankfort wants to take action, though, because she’s a Democrat. [FOX41 & Politico]

This story about some high school students in Morehead making an astronomical discovery is so cool we have to link to it again. Be sure to read this. [H-L]

What is it about Republicans in Congress who believe THE ONION is an actual news service? PEE ALERT. [Wonkette]

Just when you think it can’t get any worse, another Republican runs a super-racist television spot during the Super Bowl. [HuffPo]

Just because we’re tired of mouth-breathers foaming at the mouth about abortion? Go read this story about the morning after pill and how it works. [NPR]

We heard from Joe Riffe over the weekend. He’s the Louisville EMS worker who had his leg amputated and is getting the shaft by Greg Fischer and crew. [The 'Ville Voice]

Sorry, if you work for a charity, you should not be flying first class. That is absolutely ridiculous. [WaPo]

Ruh ro.

No, you weren’t dreaming when we told you Phil Moffett was running for office. So take your pee break now before reading about it from the Associated Press. [H-L]

SuperPACs are worrying the DCCC chairman. Unfortunately, the Democrats were basically voiceless and silent when this mess came to fruition. [Politico]

Louisville has a few new finalists for Metro Police chief. A couple of them are shockingly great. [The 'Ville Voice]

Now that Papaw Beshear has suddenly decided the bourbon industry is worthy of his attention – after nearly five years – we can only hope he starts paying attention to Kentucky’s ridiculous label taxation and the fact that it’s tough to get many imports in the Commonwealth. [WFPL]

Goodness gracious, isn’t anything safe these days? Some doofus burgled a pharmacy in Georgetown. [WLEX18]

You already know Laurel County is a hot mess. Almost as bad as Clay County. So this won’t surprise you in the least. [WKYT]

Finally some news from Eastern Kentucky that isn’t embarrassing. Some high school students in Morehead made an astronomical discovery. [H-L]

Really, Joe Gerth? When has the legislature ever NOT been meek? The filing deadline issue is just their excuse this time. [C-J/AKN]

What would Jesus do if he was a teabagger wingnut “Christian”? Oh, the jokes to be made. [Wonkette]

We’re still loosely alarmed that these are the people in charge of making sure the University of Louisville Hospital isn’t a nightmare. [Page One]

Did you see Rachel Maddow get into a slap fight on the teevee about the Republicans trying to wage a war on contraception? She ought to remind Americans that Democrats are pussing out and doing the same damn thing. [HuffPo]

GLAAD ought to recognize that you can’t fire someone for being gay in Louisville. Not ALL of Kentucky is a disaster. [GLAAD]

People often ask us why the House Democrats aren’t as organized as the House Republicans. But they’ve finally started putting press releases or something online, occasionally. They just never tell anyone about them. Because 99% of the Dem staffers are 80-years-old and have no clue what the internet is. [Democratic Caucus]

Come on. What is he snorting? What the hell is wrong with this man? [WKYT]

Steve Beshear says shutting down pill mills is a top legislative priority. But it most certainly wasn’t in 2008, 2009, 2010 or 2011. Even Jack Conway was talking about how bad the pill problem was and complaining about how the governor wouldn’t have anything to do with alleviating the problem. [H-L]

Whaaaaaat? A frozen lake that is more than 20 million-years-old? We thought the Earth was only 5,000-years-old! [WaPo]

Brave Patriot Marilyn Parker got endorsed by Metro Council Republicans. Here’s your proof that Louisville’s Metro Council Republicans are dumber than Kentucky Democrats by a mile. DUMB AS HELL. [C-J/AKN]

Rick Santorum says government shouldn’t try to limit prescription drug costs. And, wait, nope, still not relevant. [MSNBC]

What’s wrong with a little human trafficking? Goodness gracious. Can’t even sell a kid or two these days. [H-L]

Now, hopefully you hateful ass liberal women have gotten the message about why we refuse to promote the Komen bunch on this site every time you send us crap. [RawStory & NY Times]

Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd not only put on hold the filing deadline for candidates for state House and Senate districts — he effectively shut down the business of the General Assembly. [Ronnie Ellis]

Southern Republican / Kentucky Democratic thinking: pay raises for teachers are bad because it’s against the bible or something – pay raises for legislators are good because of the bible or something. [Wonkette]

This explanation of possibly why beehives sometimes just up and vanish is a nice reminder that Jamie Comer is playing pat-a-cake on the apiarist front. But at least he’s not playing pat-a-cake with hookers in his office. [The Economist]

Washington’s state senate has decided that it doesn’t hate the gays. Sometime in the next 35-40 years, Kentucky will decide the same. [WaPo]

Guess Republicans aren’t fans of automatic U.S. spending cuts after all. Since they’re moving to stop them. [Reuters]

You can’t throw your garbage away in Lexington these days without finding a mummified human body in the trash can. [WLEX18]

Looks like Kentucky is going to get a No Child Left Behind waiver. [WFPL]

Is this really one of Steve Beshear’s top priorities or is he merely trying to save face with disabled people in Kentucky? [Page One]

Today House Republicans in Warshington earned their salary by worrying about strip clubs. [Wonkette]

Mittens Romney literally said he is “not concerned about the very poor.” That’s how your mormon cultist overlord feels about a huge swatch of the United States of America. [WaPo]

Quietly, the U.S. is moving to block lawsuits filed by military families over medical malpractice. [The Atlantic]

Ruh ro, here comes everybody freaking out about the Republicans they have to pick between. [NPR & Politico]

We still can’t believe it requires legislation to keep some uptight homeowners association from freaking out over a child’s playhouse. The House panel rejected the bill. [WKYT]

A for-profit college regulator bill is proceeding to the State House. Remember when Jack Conway was feigning concerned about this when he was in the fight of his life? [H-L]

Aww, look how concerned Denise Harper Angel got over her new Democratic opponent, Curt Morrison. [The 'Ville Voice]

What was that, again, about Greg Fischer saving Louisville Metro Government money? Look what Metro Council had to deal with and look at the excuses offered by Fischer’s office. [C-J/AKN]

Oh, look, how Republicans in Warshington are having journalists arrested. Sounds like something Kentucky Democrats would try to pull. [HuffPo]

CLICK TO ENLARGE

It’s funny cause it’s true.

Almost as funny as that time Jim Newberry donated her book to the lieberry. No, not Turd Burgling & Taxpayer Fleecing: Putting The Swindle Wool Over Their Eyes And Complaining When Caught. This is what we’re talking about.

Definitely not as funny as that time she referred to herself as the “Britney Spears of central Kentucky,” though. Or when she literally fleeced the taxpayers left and right.

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]

How hilarious would it be to watch Jerry Abramson get his ass handed to him by Crit Luallen? He and his lackeys, like Jim McGovern, are still complaining about Crit’s audit that detailed their decades-long corruption scheme. These sons of bitches think they’re above every person and every thing. [C-J/AKN]

Lonnie Napier can’t read or use the Google so there’s no way for him to realize that welfare drug testing doesn’t work. What does work, though, is testing legislators for drug use. Someone needs to file that as an amendment ASAP. [WKYT]

What kind of economic impact will this have on the United States? Economic conditions and social media are making protests more common in China—at a delicate time for the country’s rulers. [The Economist]

Ron Paul’s associates say he signed off on those racist newsletters from the 1990s. This is sure to enrage a few more folks. [WaPo]

Mitch McConnell is declining to write off a tax increase. This will make all kinds of folks angry, right? [Politico]

Here’s why new photo identification laws will mean some people won’t vote. [NPR]

Louisville’s Metro Council President – Jim King – is also playing pat-a-cake with that city’s Metro Animal Services nightmare. [The 'Ville Voice]

What was that, again, about the Legislative Ethics Commission not being under the direct control of the good old boys in Frankfort? [John Cheves]

Whaaat? Sexytime Herman Cain endorsed Multiple Sexytimes Newt Gingrich? Surely not! [More WaPo]

You should probably check these three stories out to see just how bigoted some Republicans are in the south. They’re just like Kentucky Democrats, for the most part. [Wonkette Here, Here & Here]

Newt Gingrich is pulling a Napleon Dynamite (or is it a Pedro?) by trying to claim businesses will start creating jobs on election night if President Barack Obama loses re-election. Can we just go ahead and get this over so Republicans can lick their wounds? [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]