More older Americans than ever before are employed because they can’t even afford to buy cheap cat food and dog food to eat. [WaPo]

Kentucky’s child protection system is in shambles and no one responsible wants to try to resolve problems. Social workers face retribution, they’re forced to sign documentation prohibiting them from acting as whistleblowers and messes continue to unfold. [H-L]

We’re still waiting for someone to tell us what the benefit to the community versus the cost is for this “Workforce Ready” program is. [Click the Clicky]

Ronnie Ellis takes on the crazy ass cat fights going on in Frankfort these days. [Ashland Independent]

Don’t miss Comment on Kentucky tonight at 8:00 P.M. Eastern on KET. Scheduled guests: Kenny Coleslaw, Greg Hall, Phil Pendleton. Ferrell will have to carry the humor load this week but it should still be interesting. [KET]

Whaaaaat?! Chris Christie told Oprah he was a doughnut burglar?! This is too much for Gays With Decent Taste to handle. [Wonkette]

President Barack Obama is seeking greater power to shrink the federal government and consolidate duplicative services. Naturally, the teabaggers are melting down over it. It’s a secret muslin commie takeover attempt, obviously. [HuffPo]

Just what Kentucky needs. Those Amish folks are taking their buggy case to the Kentucky Supreme Court. [WKYT]

There’s not gonna be any trash pick up in Louisville on Monday so you can bet tensions will rise even further in the river city. [C-J/AKN]

The State Senate Judiciary Committee failed everybody in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This sort of behavior is as bad as that of Greg Stumbo and Keith Hall. [Page One]

We ask because he seems to have the same relationship with his fancy newsletters than his son had with his fancy pledge thing. [HuffPo]

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? Putting an Autistic nine-year-old boy in a duffel bag?! These Mercer County sons of bitches need to be tied up in a bag somewhere. Superintendent Dennis Davis needs to fire everyone in sight and then resign himself. Terry Holliday needs to drive to Mercer County right now to start hitting people in the face. What a farce. [C-J/AKN]

The Kentucky Supreme Court says it’s unconstitutional to force miners with black lung to jump through hoops. [84WHAS]

Hahaha. Marcus Carey AND Nathan Smith considering the 4th District Congressional seat. HAHAHAHA. Oh god. HAHAHAHAHA. [CN|2]

Kentucky is apparently incapable of getting anything but hand transplants right. Really? Hep C? Come on. Yet another reason Jewish Hospital doesn’t need to merge with the University of Louisville. [H-L]

Paul Patton says he’ll probably leave his chairmanship at the Council for Postsecondary Education so there’s no conflict as he tries to hitch the University of Pikeville to the state trough. [C-J/AKN]

Kentucky should be glad that Vernie McGayhater is retiring. Praise jeebus. Amen. [Deep Gay Thoughts]

Steve Beshear says he’s got some goals for 2012. Which means the General Assembly will descend into chaos in 3, 2… [WKYT]

Now you know why the Cabinet for Health and Family Services added so many new attorneys. They were back in court yesterday fighting the release of public records. [Debby Yetter]

Wait, wait, this is worth it. A drunk guy in his underwear fell through the ceiling of a Frankfort hospital. [H-L]

Cities that broke up Occupy camps are now facing lawsuits over the freedom of speech and the use of force. You can expect something similar to go down in Louisville. [WaPo]

The Federal Communications Commission once again wants to make it easier for the same company to own a newspaper and television or radio station in the same local market. [NY Times]

Roger Crittenden and Robert Coots were appointed as special justices to the Supreme Court of Kentucky today for a fancy hearing and decision. [SoS More SoS]

Take a look at this graphic from the White House that compares the Democratic and Republican jobs plans. [White House]

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray backs K.C. Crosbie over Todd Hollenbach for State Treasurer because he knows Todd is a complete waste of everything. The entire state would know it, too, if Mary John had the guts to file those suits she continually claims she’s filing. [Ryan Alessi]

Remember when Kathy Groob spent all kinds of time attempting to defame me for pointing out what she was doing as part of a political campaign? Particularly about being anti-choice? Turns out she’s pro-choice again. [Feministing]

Judge Phillip Shepherd has ordered the state to hand over records of kids killed by abuse and neglect. [Bluegrass Politics]

You excited for Kentucky Tonight on KET at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Monday? Scheduled guests: Daniel Logsdon, Jennifer Moore, Steve Robertson, John David Dyche. Hopefully Robertson and Dyche will remind Dannyboy and Jennifer of the many Beshear-Conway scandals. The Republicans won’t be winning but the least they can do is hold people accountable. [Press Release]

One would think people should know by now that protesting at Mitch McConnell’s office accomplishes absolutely nothing. [Think Progress & ABC News]

The White House is sending a warning shot to Republicans in Warshington on the budget. [WaPo]

You already know that pockets of poverty are growing in the United States. This has been a reality in Kentucky for, what, centuries? [Reuters]

How long before some university in Kentucky tries to ban the gays like this psycho joint? We’re sure Al Mohler and some of his closet case staffers are working on it as we speak. [Slate]

The finance industry needs a better response to the protest movement attacking it. You know, like doing the right thing. Unfortunately for this country, that’ll never happen. [The Economist]

Should we bother holding our breath for the mainstream media to take an interest in this KCTCS scandal that’s been going on for a few years? [Page One]

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell is telling the University of Louisville to hand over records relating to the hospital merger. We predict a white wash before he can get his hands on anything. [C-J/AKN]

You can’t even trust meemaw and poppop with the kids because they’ll give them a methadone overdose. [WKYT]

The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and regulators from Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina announced today the appointment of A.B. Data, Ltd. of Milwaukee to distribute $200 million to investors from the regulators’ settlements with Regions Morgan Keegan. [Press Release]

Unlike some Louisville bloggers, we don’t take freebies or payoffs. We never accept anything for reviews. And when we do get goods (never for reviews or mentions), we give them to readers. [Gawker]

There’s some fancy drama with the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission and complying with open meetings laws. [H-L]

Republicans in Warshington are worse than Kentucky Democrats. And that’s saying a lot. Now they contend that health care reform legislation will break marriages up. Wow, the stupid, it hurts. [Politico]

If you were wondering just how ridiculous Warshington has gotten, now legislators are completely unfazed by the risk of downgrade for the United States. [Reuters]

They’re just gonna redecorate all of the country, okay? Gay troops plan to file a lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. [WaPo]

Two crazed lunatics are running for office! Orly Taitz is running for the U.S. Senate and that redneck Koran-burning pastor from Floriduh says he’s running for president. [Wonkette & More Wonkette]

Watch this video of a gay student being attacked by a bully. Then ask yourself why this country can’t get its shiz in check. [HuffPo]

A corrupt judge has finally – permanently – been disbarred by the Kentucky Supreme Court. [WKYT]

Why the flip is Louisville so backwater? Why is the state’s largest city allowing Lexington and even New Albany, Indiana to steal away valuable tax revenue from food trucks? What the heck? These are some of the dumbest ordinances we’ve ever encountered. [The 'Ville Voice]

Massey Energy blames regulators for losses and gave its ex-CEO a sweet ass retirement package. Don got to get paid, son. [HuffPo]

Who is to blame for high gas prices? Is it Qaddafi? Or Mitch McConnell? [DownWithTyranny]

Jack Conway wants Pabst Brewing Company to stop selling it’s ‘Blast by Colt 45′ alcoholic beverage and he’s written a letter with some other folks about it. [External PDF Link]

Former Republican State Representative Leo Marcum has been suspended from practicing law for three years. [H-L]

Rand Paul and Paul Ryan are battling it out over budget cuts. Do you think this will get messy? [HuffPo]

Hannity completely misses the big picture on coal and asthma. But what did anyone expect, anyway? [Media Matters]

Could this be your next president? The guy who trains monkeys to ride dogs? [Wonkette]

Tomorrow Jack Conway, Lori Blakely of the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force, concerned parent Mike Donta and Madisonville pharmacist Gary Russell will host a prescription drug prevention program at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. 1:00 P.M. Central. [Press Release]

Really? The teabaggers essentially admit to violating campaign finance law and the mainstream ignores it because they’re going to lose or whatever? Since when does the law only apply to the credible candidates? The Kentucky Registry of Election Finance needs to start doing its job. [Page One]

Granted, I’ve been amped up out of my mind for a few days by taking a single Kroger generic Claritin D (thank you, allergies & congestion!), but I still think it’s absurd to want to require a prescription for it. I mean, what the heck kind of world is it we live in when it’s easier to get a handgun than some allergy medicine? [H-L]

The Kentucky Supreme Court has worked to streamline Family Court procedures. [WAVE3]

Dear Rand Paul: You can’t pretend that nasty political rhetoric isn’t a problem. Regardless of whether or not it had anything to do with the nutbag who killed people in Tucson. That’s like pretending Jack Conway ran a great U.S. Senate campaign and we know that’s not based in reality. [The Hill & B&P]

Sarah The Quitter Palin’s email hacker is serving his sentence at a prison camp in Ashland. Unlike Palin, he won’t be able to quit his sentence half way through when he gets tired of it. [HuffPo]

Mitch McConnell says he is going to ruin Social Security with the help of the Democrats. You better tell your meemaw and poppop right away. [Ryan Alessi]

That’s after he kills health reform legislation, of course. It’ll be fun watching that veto process, if repeal should happen. [Reuters]

Assistant Attorney General Scott Crawford Sutherland, the guy prosecuted Ernie Fletcher, is headed to Nashville to work. Ernest Lee is probably happy about that. [WHAS11]

My favorite thing out of Frankfort this week: poor Lonnie Napier talking about “welfare abysses out honky tonkin’ on the taxpayers’ dime.” Amen. Can’t stop laughing at that, even though it’s… less than couth.  (Laughing at Napier, of course) [Deep Frankfort Thoughts]

According to the Census Bureau’s Alternative Measurement, the elderly poverty rate has jumped to 16.1%. And you wonder why I’m always foaming at the mouth about elderly abuse and such. [HuffPo]

Now what will Teresa Isaac do with her time on Facebook and Twitter? The Comair Flight 5191 crash trial has been postponed by a judge. [WKYT]

And what will Kentucky schools do? They may no longer be allowed to serve french fries to students every single day. [WLEX]

Kentucky Retirement Systems – Money, Death and Attorney Client Privilege. Your tax dollars may not be working for the purpose intended, but they’re still working. [Ralph Long]

The heroic intern who saved Rep. Giffords’ life could be asked for his papers under Arizona’s racist and ignorant immigration law. The same law Kentucky wants to enact. [HuffPo]

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take a case where Kentucky wanted to reinstate a death sentence for a convicted murderer. The Kentucky Supreme Court’s ruling stands. [H-L]

The SCOTUS also rejected the appeal of birther queen psych job lawyer dentist Orly Taitz. Guess she’ll just have to live with her new Kenyan Overlord. [HuffPo]

You probably shouldn’t assault your neighbors with chairs. Or kill them. [84WHAS]

Today at 1:00 P.M., Governor Steve Beshear, CHFS and the IRS will hold a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda to make an Earned Income Tax Credit announcement. [Press Release]

The Bug Man Tom DeLay was sentenced to a three-year prison term. I repeat, the Bug Man has been sentenced to three years in the pokey. [WaPo]

Getting tons of reports from folks that David Adams and Phil Moffett could be illegally using Rand Paul’s email database for their state-level campaign. On top of allegedly paying people under the table – one of them $1,300/mo – this just ices the David Adams cake. [Various Reports]

This captioned humorous photo of Mitch McConnell is horribly creepy in a nightmarish way. [Pundit Kitchen]

Ah, the Herald-Leader decided to ignore Kentucky’s gun show loophole this weekend. How cute. [B&P]

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that the Public Service Commission has broad powers to approve special surcharges outside of a normal rate increase request. Something tells me the Conway – Atmos mess isn’t going away any time soon. Even though the two aren’t related. [AP via BGDN]

Jim Gray leads Jim Newberry 44 to 40 in the latest mayoral poll in Lexington. Does this mean there’s a slim chance Jim Newberry’s corruption is ending? Interesting that Andy Mead would say the race is too close to call at four points while the five-point lead by Rand Paul is major. [Bluegrass Politics]

Rand Paul’s bizarre college fraternity gets looked at by Matt Taibbi. Interesting stuff about making fun of Latinos and African Americans. A deep look at what makes Rand Paul? Or just some awkward history about his fancy club? [Rolling Stone]

Jack Conway, Tarzan’s Boy. OMG.  That headline.  Hahaha. [NPR]

I am going to call these people on David Williams’ mom jeans unless his wife remedies the situation. Maybe need to call them on Damon Thayer, too.  [Click the Clicky]

Everybody hates gubmint health care but they all love Medicare. Get your hands off my Medicare, you socialist! [HuffPo]

A giant orange man is coming to Lexington to play pat-a-cake with Andy Barr this weekend. [John Cheves]

John Yarmuth leads Todd Lally by 26 points in the latest CN|2 poll. Which really means he leads by 10-15. [Ryan Alessi]

In case you need some statistics to make you angry: County Health Ratings. Wolfe County ranks dead last. Morgan ranks 14. Jefferson ranks 33. Fayette 10. Boone ranks 1. [Click the Clicky]

Take a look at the top companies aiding the Chamber of Commerce in policy fights. [NYT]

Jobs and the drug epidemic are the hot topics in the 96th State House district. Republican Jill York’s got a fight on her hands with David Hayes. [Ronnie Ellis]

The U.S. Ambassador to Sweeden is Kentuckian Matthew Barzun. So why isn’t Kentucky working its rear end off to be in the same boat as Michigan? Seems Jennifer Granholm knows what she’s doing. Somebody needs to sit her down with Papaw when he gets back from Indier. [Jennifer Granhom]

The Paultards in the Ron/Rand Masturbatorium Basement have taken it upon themselves to try to tie Jack Conway to Rod Blagojevich. [FEAR]

Chris Matthews said his ‘Rise Of The New Right’ special would scare liberals. I watched it. It contained nothing but months-old news. What gives? [HuffPo]

Louisville is really excited about this anti-gay “recovery” group that operates under the guise of religion. Fitting that the anti-gay Salvation Army would sell its building to another anti-gay group. [C-J]

I wonder if Jack Conway is trying to snatch epic defeat from the jaws of victory… another cutesy campaign email with cutesy pictures and no mention of opponent Rand Paul. Of course, I didn’t receive the message. I mysteriously dropped off the list after criticizing Jack again. [Email Blast]

The court says pregnant women can’t be charged for taking drugs. No one loves the babies. Everyone is an abortionist! You know this is what the new talking points will be. [Bluegrass Politics]

The CentrePointe Scam will never go away. Fortunately for Jim Newberry, it’s not the worst thing currently plaguing his campaign. [Rob Morris via B&P]

What do Jim Newberry’s failed water company petition and Jack Conway’s failed random petitions have in common? [Page One]

Flood debris is choking part of the Kentucky River near downtown Frankfort. Also, some guy’s name is Rambo. That is awesome.  [WFPL]

Speaking of Lt. Dan being so so so mad… whattya know? Ben Chandler and Greg Stumbo wrote a letter to him. Basically telling him he’s a liar. (I’d publish the letter, but it’s Friday and I’m lazy…Thursday evening as I’m writing this and am already ready for the weekend. Easier just to link to it.) [Barefoot & Progressive]

The WHAS11 Crusade for Children has tightened its firefighter fundraising policies. But the Louisville community won’t let that slow fundraising down. [C-J]

Guess a falling economy is a good enough excuse for all the porn viewing at the SEC. Smart people do that stuff at home while their wife is putting clothes in the washer. [MSNBC]

Why on earth would a gay student at an Eastern Kentucky high school want to return after being attacked? [H-L]

Take a peak inside the state’s cybercrime lab. The Office of the Attorney General opened its doors to the newsies for this cool story. [WKYT/WYMT]

Kentucky’s College Access Program is out of funds. Meaning tons of students won’t be receiving grant money. Which is what happens when you have a bunch of obese hacks in Frankfort who can’t piece together a budget to save their lives and would never dream of supporting education. [Nancy Rodriguez]

You’ve definitely gotta read this story about the Kentucky Supreme Court striking $11 million in taxpayer dollars from the homophobic and bigoted University of the Cumberlands. David Williams and crew owe Kentuckians an apology for dragging us down this road. [John Cheves & Jack Brammer]

If you’re in the Louisville area and have a bunch of electronic crap to get rid off, here’s your ticket. Go to Whole Foods to toss your old and busted computers and junk. [Consuming Louisville]