I sneak away for a few days and Louisville erupts with a huge week of news and fun stories.

I took a quick Hilton Head trip with my son Jack. It’s our family’s 28th year going and it never gets old. A few quick reflections from the beach:

We found a new spot called Captain Jax that sells ice cream, mini pancakes, comic books, and Pokémon cards. Jack, who is 8, was in heaven (see photo here). The shop wasn’t anything fancy, but the mix of products was a hit. It was packed with locals. A good reminder we sometimes overcomplicate business. The owner just nailed what people actually want.

I also had a quick meeting with a local HHI exec who told me about two restaurants I had never even heard of. A good nudge that even in a place you think you know, there’s still more to discover. That’s true for Louisville too.

The trip ended with a twist. Jack beat me at golf for the first time. I didn’t expect it, but I loved seeing how proud he was. On 18, we spotted a gator floating near the green. Despite all the warning signs (see proof here), actually seeing one was a total surprise and the perfect mix of wild and memorable to close things out.

Hot job 💼: Chief Financial Officer at LGD Development ($200K–$300K). Lead finance, strategy, and capital management for a national real estate development firm. Requires 10+ yrs in real estate finance, investor reporting, and growth-stage leadership.

Shout-out 📣: Congrats to Sierra Enlow, Managing Partner at Cornerstone Strategies and Tanelle Sawyer, Chief External Impact Officer at KCTCS, on being named to Business First’s Forty Under 40!

Birthday Cheers 🎉: Wishing a happy birthday to Ashley Parker, one of the sharpest minds in Louisville real estate, and Casey Ramage, a pro at bringing big moments to life at Churchill Downs. Two women doing great work and making this city better.

-Todd

Most weeks bring one or two fun headlines. This one delivered a stack. From new bourbons and bagels to a banana-pawpaw soda, a possible TV station merger, and a surprise Hollywood-Louisville crossover, the city is loaded with stories that actually make you stop and say, “Wait, what?”

Here’s what’s worth knowing right now.

The kind of links that make you forget you had other tabs open.

🌡️ Louisville’s Streak of 70°+ Temps Ends After 41 Days
We almost forgot what cool mornings felt like. After 41 straight days above 70 degrees, the streak finally snapped. Whether you loved the heat or were counting the days, it's officially over.

🥃 7 New Kentucky Bourbons and Whiskeys to Try in August
From limited-edition bottles to under-the-radar releases, this list is full of reasons to raise a glass. Local shelves just got a lot more interesting this month.

🎬 Scottie Scheffler’s Wild PGA Arrest Story Ends Up in Happy Gilmore 2
Louisville’s biggest sports headline of 2024 is now a cameo in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2. The Scottie Scheffler PGA arrest is officially part of movie history.

📱 Louisville’s 502 Area Code Is Almost Full
There are 127 local businesses with 502 in the name and it feels like half of them are lawn care or CBD shops. With the area code running out, they all face a choice: rebrand, tweak the name, or stick with what they’ve got.

🍌 Ale-8-One Just Dropped a Banana-Pawpaw Flavor
Kentucky’s cult-favorite soda just went tropical. The new limited-edition banana-pawpaw Ale-8 is stirring up strong opinions. Some say it tastes like summer in a bottle, others say it’s deeply confusing. If you’re wondering, pawpaw is a soft, sweet fruit native to Southeastern states, including Kentucky.

👗 Derby Fashion Gets a Museum Moment
Big hats. Bold colors. Unspoken rules. The new exhibit at the Derby Museum unpacks the history, trends, and cultural flair of Derby fashion. A fun stop for tourists and locals alike.

📺 WDRB and WAVE Could Soon Be Under One Roof
Gray Media is buying WDRB’s parent company for $80 million. That would put Louisville’s Fox and NBC affiliates under the same owner, raising questions about what could change behind the scenes.

🍉 Watermelon Festival in Iroquois Park This Saturday
Cool off with watermelon slices, cold drinks, kids’ games, and summer vibes. The annual Watermelon Festival is back with live music and plenty of free family fun. It’s a feel-good tradition and a great Saturday plan.

🏢 Meidinger Tower Hits the Market
Downtown’s 26-story office tower is up for sale after last year’s foreclosure. Whether it sparks a new wave of investment or sits empty longer, this one’s worth watching.

🥯 Lexington’s Great Bagel Bakery Is Coming to Louisville
Bagel credibility just went up. Great Bagel Bakery is opening a shop in the Highlands with fresh-made bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and the Lexington fanbase already hyping it hard.

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We found the fun—so you don’t have to.

As part of our 💛 Giving Is Who We Are series, here’s another story of quiet local impact.

Even if you’ve never adopted a pet or fostered a rescue, you probably know the feeling of seeing a dog or cat that just needs a second chance. In our area, the shelters are crowded and the need is constant. But one small group is changing that story, one animal at a time.

Adopt Me Bluegrass Pet Rescue is their answer.

It all started with two women, two cellphones, and two vans. Since then, they’ve helped place more than 3,800 animals in loving homes, spayed and neutered over 3,200 pets, and delivered nearly 10,000 vaccinations. Their “Paws Behind Bars” program has trained more than 600 dogs with the help of inmate handlers, giving both dogs and people a chance to grow.

What makes it special isn’t just the numbers. It’s the way they operate. Every animal lives in a foster home rather than a shelter, giving them daily care, training, and stability that prepares them for life in a forever home. There’s no payroll, just volunteers, compassion, and a whole lot of heart.

We first learned about this incredible work at a recent Louisville Spark Live ⚡️ when Brandon Lucas shared that his family has fostered more than 30 dogs through Adopt Me Bluegrass. Yes, really… over thirty! We love hearing stories like his because they show just how much good is quietly happening all around us.

📦 Donate, foster, or learn more at https://www.adoptmebluegrasspetrescue.com

It’s back-to-school weekend for a lot of families, which means earlier alarms and one last Target run. If that’s you, power through. If not, take a walk, grab a coffee, and enjoy this unreal weather while the city settles back into gear. Personally, I’m excited to get back into a routine. Feels like the right kind of reset.

Thanks for reading, for replying (I read and reply to every one), and a big welcome to all the new subscribers. Glad you’re here.

–Todd