Kentucky Bluegrass may look pretty, but it’s also a major allergen. | Photo by Matt Lavin via Wikimedia Commons
You’ve probably heard it before — Louisville is the worst for allergies. But why does Derby City get that reputation? And is it deserved? Let’s take a look at some facts — and myths — about Louisville’s allergens.
In 2025, Derby City ranked No. 69 on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s allergy capitals of the US. While that’s nothing to sneeze at, it’s a far cry from where Louisville placed a decade ago.
In 2014, Louisville was the No. 1 worst place for allergies in the entire country. LOU stayed in the top 10 until 2019, but has spent the 2020s much lower on the list.
So are allergies getting better in Louisville? Not necessarily. Nationwide, climate change has led to longer pollen seasons + increased pollen production. So Louisville may not be getting better — it might just have more competition.
Valerie June - Owls, Omens, and Oracles Tour with Jess Nolan | 8 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall | $35 | Influenced by vocalists like Billie Holiday + Macy Gray, she’s been hailed as one of America’s “most intriguing, fully formed new talents.”
Thursday, June 5
The Droptines | 8 p.m. | Zanzabar | $15+ | The group’s sound may blend a multitude of genres, but the vernacular is all Texas Hill Country.
Friday, June 6
First Friday Tour Actors Theatre | 10-11 a.m. | Actors Theatre of Louisville | $5 | Step behind the curtain of three distinct performance spaces + get a glimpse of the creative process that brings productions to life.
Germantown Schnitzleburg Blues Festival | Friday, June 6-Saturday, June 7 | Times vary | Hickory Street + Burnett Avenue | Free | Hear 11 acts on indoor + outdoor stages as the Kentuckiana Blues Society highlights local and regional acts as part of its 15th annual music fest.
Saturday, June 7
Kentucky Tomato Festival | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | East End Farmer’s Market | Free entry | Celebrate this versatile fruit with vendors, local farmers, crafts, and live music.
Horticulture Wagon Tour | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cave Hill Cemetery & Arboretum | $25 | Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the cemetery’s landscape with 600+ species of plants and trees.
Paws in Nature | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, Clermont | Treat your pup to tag-wagging fun at Paws in Nature — enjoy a splash zone, agility course, photo booth, and more, plus shop goodies from local artists and vendors.*
Louisville’s new Department of Transportation has its first director. Bill Bell comes to the organization from a career with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety. (WLKY)
Community
TARC announced plans to sell the Nia Center to Goodwill this week, which is considering using the space to construct affordable housing next door to its Opportunity Center. Current tenants of the building will remain through 2025. (WHAS11)
Edu
Applications for the Kentucky Arts Council’s Teaching Art Together Grant close Thursday, July 31. Apply today for the chance to collaborate with a professional artist by inviting them into the classroom.
Biz
A planned data center in Oldham County is revising its proposal to a smaller scale. The new proposal calls for two buildings, down from the previous six, to be constructed on the site of the current Sauerbeck Family Drive-In. (Courier Journal)
Try This
Next week is Friday the 13th — why not celebrate with some ink? Jesse Gordon at Neon Moon Tattoo will host walk-ins starting at $50, starting at 12 p.m.
Pets
Sundays For Dogs began when a veterinarian couldn’t find food she trusted for her own dog — so she made one. Try real, clean dog food for 50% off.*
Seasonal
Summer’s more fun when you can actually hear it. Whether it’s ocean waves or outdoor movies, get back in the moment with this crowd-favorite hearing aid that packs dual processing tech for the ultimate clarity. Bonus: The 45-day trial means no risk if you’re not into it.*
Category
City
Remaking Main Street
Phase one of the project would transform this stretch of Main in front of historic Whiskey Row. | Image from Main Remade, via Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Last year, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled the details of Main Remade, a project that will significantly change traffic patterns along Main Street in downtown Louisville. Now, the first phase has begun construction.
Here’s a look at what Main Remade project is setting out to do:
Convert Main from one-way to two-way traffic between 2nd Street and Wenzel Street for the East Phase + 10th Street to 22nd Street for the West Phase
Install new bike lanes along Main, some of them separated from traffic by parking
Upgrade the Main Street crosswalks by adding striping, marking, and lighting, improving the visibility of pedestrians
Add dedicated left-hand turning lanes at intersections
Upgrade traffic lights
The Buy
A really good electric bikini trimmer. Its stainless steel ceramic blades provide a smooth shave free of nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Bonus: It’s waterproof + boasts up to five hours of battery life.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Thanks for reading today’s newsletter Louisville — now it’s your turn. I want to hear about the historic markers in Louisville that you think deserve more attention.
I’ve already received some great submissions, so stay tuned to learn more about the historical markers your fellow Louisvillians have sent in.
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