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]

The hair of the dog. Does a bit more debt keep the economic recovery on track? [The Economist]

The Indianapolis stadium deal is souring and you can bet it’s only a matter of time until Louisville faces a similar, though smaller, problem with its arena. [Bloomberg]

This failing museum in Lexington – the Explorium – owes money to the city and its director is stepping down. Would you expect less from a joint that bills itself as Kentucky’s only children’s museum? Since, you know, that’s not remotely accurate? [H-L]

The economic impact of the stimulus is unclear and highly debated. But one thing is for sure: it’s done more to promote government transparency than any piece of legislation in recent memory. But that’s still just scratching the surface. [Governing]

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer today announced his top five finalists to be the new Metro Police chief. [The 'Ville Voice]

Now that Roseanne Barr is running for the presidency as a Green Party candidate, that’s someone you can finally get behind, right? [Politico]

Work on the collapsed bridge at Kentucky Lake is on hold while the Coast Guard awaits a plan of action. [WKYT]

Testimony describes the differences in how states report and review child fatalities as a result of abuse. [H-L]

Jamie Comer finally fired the friend of Richie Farmer’s girlfriend. We’re still waiting on someone to stage a Richie Farmer Intervention, amen. [C-J/AKN]

Donald Trump isn’t just endorsing Mittens Romney for being rich, he’s also starting a cemetery at his fancy golf course or something. [Wonkette]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on KET. Scheduled guests: Ronnie Ellis, Roger Alford, Janet Patton. When Ronnie’s on, you know it’s good. [KET]

The Supreme Court is beginning to drop hints about its looming health care reform decision. [HuffPo]

Here are two more stories about the major drug indictment operation in Franklin County. [State-Journal & More State-Journal]

A million dollar lottery ticket was sold in Frankfort. Probably to some dirtbag legislator who will use it to buy more hookers and coke. [H-L]

Steve Beshear says the gambling amendment is a done deal. Princess Damon Thayer says it’s merely close. [C-J/AKN]

Alison Lundergan Grimes has some sort of slogan contest poll thing going on. Don’t pick something stupid. [SoS]

Sam Sifton, national editor for the New York Times will be at Bellarmine on the 9th to discuss presidential campaign coverage. [Press Release]

Get a grip, bar owners, and quit it with the racist crap. You may not be a racist but what you do and say can most certainly be racist. [Curt Morrison]

On top of the earlier story about 27 people getting indicted in Franklin county, 15 were arrested in Lee County. The pill problem isn’t going away like Jack Conway says it is. [H-L]

State House Democrats say the Congressional redistricting map is very close. Which means more cat fights are on the way. [CN|2]

Senate Bill 21 was okayed today. It’s maybe a good move. Would allow school districts to stay open on election days if no schools are being used as polling locations. [Deep Senate Thoughts]

You know these new stem cell research developments are going to drive the mouth-breathers so insane they can’t stand it. [The Economist]

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is soliciting nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Awards. [Click the Clicky]

Are fewer people seeking unemployment aid because the job market is improving or because their benefits are running out and they have to stop looking for work? [WKYT]

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]

Ark Parkers and Steve Beshear will lose their shiz in 3, 2… because human evolution is still happening. [Big Think]

UPS is eliminating 542 jobs in Northern Kentucky. Don’t worry, everything is puppies and rainbows in Kentucky! [Enquirer]

That Audubon book? It sold for $7.9 million. [Reuters]

The prescription drug epidemic is out of control like woah. Meanwhile, a handful of paid-for-by-Hal Rogers folks are fighting to make it worse. [Investigate West]

This explains why President Barack Obama detoured to thank Defense Secretary Leon Panetta last night. [NPR]

A corrupt Paintsville pain clinic was raided by law enforcement for the second time in a year. [C-J/AKN]

We were wondering what happened to gay orange person Charlie Crist. Turns out Newt Gingrich ate him! [Politico]

How is it, exactly, that reflective safety tape is any different than a reflective triangle on an Amish buggy? [Bluegrass Politics]

Steve Beshear loves to pretend that Kentucky is great on the business tax front. Unfortunately? It ranks 22nd in the nation. [Business First]

An overwhelming majority of people believe that Mittens Romney – like most politicians – will say anything to get elected. [Daily Kos]

Four individuals want to replace Joe Peek as the faculty trustee on the University of Kentucky board of trustees. Which yes man will win? [H-L]

If you aren’t stalking Jake on Twitter, you may have missed news that Newt Gingrich is officially filed as a candidate in Kentucky. [Twitter]

Here’s the first clip of Richie Farmer’s feller on that Amazing Race show. Lawwwd. [CBS]

“This study confirms that legislation to diversify our electricity portfolio would be economically beneficial to Kentucky,” said Justin Maxson, President of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED). “The bill would allow the state to hedge against increasing rates by making homes and businesses more energy efficient. And it would spur the creation of clean energy jobs installing renewable energy projects and making energy efficiency upgrades.”

“The era of cheap energy is coming to an end,” said Maxson, “and it is really a question of whether we in Kentucky take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the clean energy economy of the future.”

A bit more from MACED:

The Clean Energy Opportunity Act calls for the establishment of a renewable and efficiency portfolio standard (REPS). An REPS requires utilities to obtain a small but growing share of their electricity from clean renewable energy and increase their energy efficiency programs. The bill would require utilities to get 12.5 percent of their electricity from renewable energy and achieve 10.25 percent cumulative savings from energy efficiency efforts by 2022.

Synapse’s study is a high level analysis of the proposed legislation’s impacts on Kentucky’s electricity bills, jobs, and economy. The study concludes that making small but significant steps to begin diversifying Kentucky’s portfolio over the next ten years will lower the bills of Kentucky’s residents, business owners, and industrial facilities compared to their bills without a clean energy standard.

Synapse projects that, under the REPS, average annual electricity bills could be eight percent to 10 percent lower than under a do nothing scenario. In addition to saving Kentuckians money, the REPS would lead to over 28,000 net new jobs over and above any jobs lost in fossil fuels and add $1.5 billion to gross state product once fully implemented in 2022.

“Efficiency and renewables are already the emerging trend in construction in the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky solar entrepreneur Matt Partymiller of Solar Energy Solutions in Lexington. “This report by Synapse captures what Kentucky engineers and contractors already know and what other states have already seen. Legislation like the Clean Energy Opportunity Act will provide the tools necessary for Kentucky builders to create jobs while ensuring Kentucky energy costs stay low.”

The study’s findings are supported by what neighboring states that have passed similar legislation have experienced. North Carolina has seen tremendous growth in the number of clean energy firms operating in their state since passing an REPS in 2007. Ohio built on the strengths of its traditional manufacturing sector to start building clean energy equipment in state, and reap real economic benefits from their 2008 law.

Synapse carried out the study for the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, a Berea based economic development organization, and the Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance, a coalition of over 50 businesses, affordable housing advocates, non-profit organizations and faith based groups. MACED and KySEA wanted to understand the economic impacts of an REPS in Kentucky, and a comprehensive analysis of a bill like the Clean Energy Opportunity Act has not been part of the policy conversation until now.

You’ll probably want to click here (Warning: External PDF Link) to access the complete 55-page report.

Ron Paul correctly observed that Newt Gingrich is a massive wimp. The more you know. [Wonkette]

It’s just a shame that Ron Paul’s SuperPAC didn’t mention what Santorum actually is in its parody video. [WaPo]

Goodness gracious. Sexytime Herman Cain has turned into the new Sarah The Quitter Palin. Now he’s going on a fancy bus tour. [Politico]

Louisville’s Metro Councilcritters are now just calling Greg Fischer out with challenges and demands in press releases. [The 'Ville Voice]

Kentucky is receiving $9.5 million in additional federal dollars for LIHEAP. So what’s Steve Beshear’s office do? Send out a press release giving Beshear credit for “Authoriz[ing] Funding for Heating Crisis Program”, of course. [Press Release]

America offers less economic mobility than Canada and much of Western Europe. [NYT]

We can’t believe there’s an adult store in Knox County. And who robs a joint like that and only takes cash, incense and potpourri? [H-L]

The United States Enrichment Corporation has told federal officials that it is considering pulling out of a uranium enrichment facility in Paducah because of questions about power prices, demand for the product and its future mission. [C-J/AKN]

Isn’t it wonderful watching the Republican field freak out over campaign finance nightmares that THEY created? [HuffPo]

Five people died in four separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from December 30 through January 2. [KSP Release]

Who knew we would need to start protecting our white women from SECRET MEXICAN State Senator Jimmy Higdon? He’s stealing Dougie Hawkins’ thunder. [Page One]

A whopping 17% of Americans are satisfied with the current direction of the United States and its jacked up elected officials. [Politico]

The nation’s economy grew at a 1.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the Bureau of Economic Analysis just reported. [NPR]

Mark Miller, Louisville’s chief labor negotiator for metro government, died today. [Greg Fischer]

Is the government reimbursing companies facing legal actions by whistleblowers? [WaPo]

Laaaawd, everybody is trying to run for the 4th District Congressional seat these days. This is going to be a full-on teabagging teabaggery of crazy. [CN|2]

A lack of autopsies after elderly die is concealing health care flaws. Doesn’t help matters that suspicious elder deaths are rarely investigated. [NPR & ProPublica]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern because it may not suck. Scheduled guests: Ryan Alessi, Joe Arnold, Jack Brammer. [KET]

Another deal with Louisville’s Metro Sewer District doesn’t smell quite right and this one involves State Senator Gerald Neal. [Page One]

This is how bad things are in Warshington right now: Even Mitch McConnell says Congressional Republicans are jacked up for screwing around with the payroll tax. And then, bam, they caved. [H-L]

Hold up – has the craziness officially spread from Clay County all the way to Harlan County? Now people just cold jump off bridges when the cops approach them? [WKYT]

And you wonder why the gays roll their eyes 24/7 when a Catholic priest makes a remark about the gay community. [HuffPo]

Or is the fact that he says the state is withholding too much information about child deaths a good thing when it comes to his potential decisions? [H-L]

The truth about the Keystone XL pipeline? Doesn’t look like the McConnell-Republican claim of jobs is based in reality. [HuffPo]

Kentucky ranks sixth in the United States when it comes to overdose deaths. Yet another statistic for the Commonwealth to be proud of. [WKYT]

Kentucky obtained $47 million to help clean up abandoned mine sites left prior to 1982. So how many mines will the state claim were abandoned after 1982? It’s been a common practice in Frankfort to claim something is much newer than it is to avoid responsibility. [H-L]

Gasoline prices jumped a whopping 40 cents over night and Jack Conway isn’t batting an eye. Price gouging? What? [WLEX18]

Economists are predicting only modest growth in state revenues. But the only thing they’re really certain of us more uncertainty on all fronts. [Ronnie Ellis]

Are charter schools really holding up their end of the bargain? Some are, some aren’t. You can go ahead and assume the right-wing ark park-type aren’t. [HuffPo]

Officials are split on a hands-free ban for drivers nationwide. Because that is clearly the most important issue facing this country. Cell phones. [Reuters]

This is truly the American way. Presiding over and knowing about the theft of millions of millions of tax dollars and getting rewarded with bonuses and raises worth millions. [Page One]

Your flourishing economy has contributed to the slowest population growth rate since the 1940s. Nothing to see here, though! Everything is puppies & rainbows. [NY Times]

300 Fort Knox soldiers have returned home to Kentucky for the holidays. Check out the slideshow. [FOX41]