There’s a new mayor in town

Mayor Craig Greenberg takes office

Mayor Craig Greenberg is only the fourth person to hold office as Louisville mayor since 1986. | Photo courtesy of Wales Hunter – Louisville Metro Government

On Monday, Jan. 2, Craig Greenberg was sworn in as the 51st mayor of Louisville in the second floor rotunda of Metro Hall.

Longtime friend and co-founder of 21c Museum Hotels Steve Wilson emceed the ceremony, which was attended by Gov. Andy Beshar and state Senators Gerald Neal and Julue Raque Adams.

The ceremony also included performances from Faith Works Rising Artists, The Real Young Prodigys, and Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams.

Greenberg, former CEO of 21c Museum Hotels and Whiskey Row investor, is only the fourth person to hold office as Louisville mayor since 1986. So you could say there’s a lot to unpack. From the last 12 years with former mayor Greg Fischer to Greenberg’s immediate priorities, let’s dive in.

The last 12 years

Greg Fischer was sworn into office in January 2011 and went on to serve three consecutive four-year terms as Louisville’s mayor — which is the term limit.

During his tenure he coined the term “Bourbonism” to promote Derby City’s booming bourbon industry, thriving local food scene, and tourism. Read an interview with Greg Fischer about his time as mayor.

DYK: Former mayors can run for office again after a four year break.

Greenberg’s vision

In his inaugural speech, Greenberg listed a few immediate priorities for his administration to tackle — public safety, affordable housing, and creating opportunities for all Louisvillians, especially for those in underserved neighborhoods.

Greenberg looks to take a holistic approach to violence through outreach, investment, communication, and community violence-intervention strategies. He also asked Louisvillians to hold him accountable to his promises.

Watch the full inauguration.

Looking to get more civically involved in 2023? Meet your newly elected or returning local and state legislators at a Cafe LOUIE event where you can let them know what issues are on your mind for the new year. Meetups take place every Saturday through March at different library locations.

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Jan. 4

Darts Night | Wednesday, Jan. 4 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Spring Street Bar and Grill, 300 S. Spring St., Louisville | Free | Sign up to play darts at this neighborhood bar with prizes for first, second, and third place winners.

Thursday, Jan. 5

NuLu Nights | Thursday, Jan. 5 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Local Seltzery, 828 E. Main St., Louisville | Free | Sip seltzers while browsing local artists and businesses wares.

Friday, Jan. 6

“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” | Friday, Jan. 6-Sunday, Jan. 8 | 6 p.m. | Speed Art Museum Cinema, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | $8-$12 | This award-winning documentary chronicles artist and activist Nan Goldin and her fight against the opioid overdose crisis.

Saturday, Jan. 7

Born Crossed Eye | Saturday, Jan. 7 | 8 p.m. | Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St., Louisville | $15 | Catch this local Grateful Dead cover band founded in 1991.

Sunday, Jan. 8

Elvis, the Colonel, and Author Alanna Nash | Sunday, Jan. 8 | 2-3 p.m. | Frazier Museum Store, 829 W. Main St., Louisville | $0-$14 | Commemorate Elvis’ birthday with Alanna Nash, a local author who spent 45 years writing about the King.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

58º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain

Open

The second location of New Orleans-inspired restaurant Lou Lou Food & Drink is open at 812 E. Market St. — formerly home to Decca. Lou Lou on Market boasts a new menu created by Chef Cristian Garay, which features dishes like Creole seafood fettuccine and etoufee. Plus, there’s live jazz every Friday. 🥘

Number

70+. That’s how many accolades Louisville racked up in 2022 for being one of the top US travel destinations. We already know all the great things LOU has to offer, but a few lists it fell on included best cities for soccer fans, best chicken sandwich, and scariest corn mazes in America.

Edu

The former St. Matthews location of Bluegrass Brewing Company (3929 Shelbyville Rd.) is now home to another company with a similar name — Bluegrass Hospitality Group. No longer a brewery, the space serves as a training hub for the restaurant group’s six brands, which include Drake’s and Harry’s. 🍽️ (Louisville Business First)

State

Kentuckians certified to purchase medical marijuana (from a legal state) are now legally allowed to use it for medical purposes across the commonwealth. The executive order signed by Gov. Andy Beshear pardons those Kentuckians from any state prosecution for possession under eight ounces. (WHAS11)

Arts

Tickets are available now for Louisville Ballet’s Season of Transcendence, feat. productions that push the boundaries of the art form and celebrate our past and local community. See what shows are on the schedule and reserve your tickets here. 🩰*

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: LOUtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

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Now that’s a lot of e-books

Louisville Free Public Library breaks 2022 digital checkout record

You can checkout e-books and audiobooks anytime anywhere. | Photo by LOUtoday

The Louisville Free Public Library hit a two-year streak for surpassing one million digital library checkouts and broke its 2021 e-book record with 1,235,000 e-books borrowed in 2022.

Since 2011, the library has provided free, 24/7 access to its e-book and audiobook catalog to library cardholders. Don’t have a library card? Time to get one.

Here are the top three e-books and audiobooks borrowed in 2022:

💻 E-books

“The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
“Verity” by Colleen Hoover
“Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty

🎧 Audiobooks

“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
“The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
“Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie Molck.

Editor’s pick: Happy New Year, y’all.

I’m happy to be back in the LOUtoday saddle after a week-long break and ready to see what stories 2023 will bring.

With that in mind, I’d love to know if you have any curiosities or topics you’d like us to explore this year. Give us something to write about.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet your local resolutions.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

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