As the New Year approaches and 2025 celebrations begin, some might want to reflect on key moments and events during 2024. From the total solar eclipse to the 150th Kentucky Derby along with a multi-day manhunt in the Daniel Boone National Forest following an interstate shooting in London that injured five, plenty has happened around the commonwealth this calendar year.
Here is one memorable story for each month of 2024.
Louisville 2024 112 bars and restaurants have opened so far in Louisville this year: See the full list
January: Publix opens first Louisville location, marking expansion to Kentucky
Louisville’s first Publix opened Jan. 10 at 500 Terra Crossing Blvd. in the East End, marking the grocery chain’s first location in Kentucky.
The popular grocery chain with more than 1,300 stores across eight states, has two other Publix locations planned for the Louisville area. All three locations will be located in eastern Jefferson County, with one in the works at the northeast corner of Ballardsville Road and Brownsboro Road. Another is planned for the northwest corner of Flat Rock Road and Shelbyville Road, near the Shelby County line.
Outside Louisville, Publix is planning two stores in Lexington and another in Walton, located 20 miles southeast of Covington.
February: Mitch McConnell announces plans to step down from Republican Senate leadership role
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced at the end of February plans to step down from his leadership role in Congress, saying he’d step down in November but serve out the rest of his term. After leading Senate Republican Party through four presidential administrations, McConnell will be succeeded by South Dakota Sen. John Thune, who was elected by his GOP colleagues in November.
The 82-year-old is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history and is the second Kentuckian to be Majority Leader of the Senate, a position he held from 2015-2021. He has not announced whether he will seek re-election when his term ends in 2026.
More on McConnell: Here’s a look at Mitch McConnell’s career in the U.S. Senate
March: Pat Kelsey chosen to lead Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball
After the Kenny Payne era officially ended earlier in the month, the University of Louisville named Pat Kelsey as the next head coach of its men’s basketball program March 28.
Kelsey, 48, had spent three seasons with the College of Charleston Cougars — his second head-coaching gig. He left that program with a 75-27 record and a .735 winning percentage.
April: Solar eclipse nearly reaches totality in parts of Kentucky
Parts of Kentucky saw totality during the April 8 solar eclipse, but even near totality in Louisville sent residents outside to look at the sky.
The first salary eclipse in the United States since 2017 was a rare opportunity not to be missed, including by a man who flew more than 500 miles to Paducah from North Carolina to witness it.
April solar eclipse: Crowds left in awe by 2024 solar eclipse at Louisville’s Waterfront Park
May: Tornadoes leave 5 dead, property damage across commonwealth
Two EF-1 tornadoes that touched down in Kentucky over Memorial Day weekend left at least five people dead and communities reeling as the last spate of storms in an active tornado season.
According to survey results from the National Weather Service in Louisville, one tornado with 90 mph winds hit eastern Meade and northern Hardin counties, while a second tornado touched down in Butler and northern Warren counties with 85 mph winds.
Gov. Andy Beshear said one tornado narrowly missed the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville and the city of Mayfield, where residents are still recovering from the effects of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through the area in 2021.
June: Rep. Thomas Massie announces wife’s death
Thomas Massie announced the death of his wife, Rhonda Massie, his “high school sweetheart … the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever,” June 27.
The Massies were married for more than 30 years.
Thomas Massie, who represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, also highlighted Rhonda Massie’s achievements, including being named valedictorian in high school and earning a mechanical engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
July: Safer Kentucky Act goes into effect
The Safer Kentucky Act, which went into effect July 15, brought countless new laws with it, from unlawful camping legislation to limiting charity bail organizations to bonds of less than $5,000 and reclassifying carjacking as a separate crime, a Class B felony.
Other legislative changes include a “three strikes” rule, which prohibits probation, parole and early release for those convicted of three or more violent felonies; a right for business owners to use a “reasonable amount of force” to prevent escaping in instances of suspected shoplifting; and classifying an overdose death as manslaughter for those who sell or provide fentanyl to someone who later dies.
August: Banana Ball comes to Louisville Slugger Field
The Savannah Bananas took over Louisville Slugger Field for a three-night series in August.
With more than 13,000 in attendance opening night, rain delays couldn’t stop fans from witnessing a Bananas victory over the Party Animals after a young fan caught a foul ball in the stands for the third out, marking the second game to end that way in the team’s history.
The Bananas defeated the Animals again in game two, where a member of the Louisville Slugger Warriors, Sgt. 1st Class Carlo Adame of Rolla, Missouri, played catcher for the Bananas. The Louisville Slugger Warriors are a national amputee baseball team made up of U.S. military vets, active duty personnel, wounded warriors and former amputee college baseball players, and Adame, a U.S. Army combat veteran who has been with the team since 2012, entered the game in the top of the sixth inning.
The Party Animals will return to Slugger Field for a three-game series in June.
September: Louder Than Life forced to cancel Friday shows due to Hurricane Helene
Loudmouths who made their way to Louisville to see some of rock’s greatest bands perform were left frustrated and disappointed after remnants of Hurricane Helene brought high winds and rain forcing organizers to cancel the second day of the normally rain-or-shine event Sept. 27.
The four-day heavy metal, rock, punk and alternative music festival at the Highland Festival Grounds celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and had a highly-anticipated lineup scheduled for the day, including a five-years-in-the-making reunion of Slayer.
Organizers issued refunds to attendees and Slayer is set to return as a headliner for the festival in 2025.
October: Former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel sentenced to prison
Jamey Noel, former sheriff of Clark County, Indiana, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for felony theft, official misconduct and tax evasion after using millions of dollars in public funds to buy classic cars, jewelry and other luxury items.
Indiana State Police began investigating in June 2023 after accusations of Noel hiring county employees to work for his personal interests, using a business credit card for private purposes and falsifying documents to help an officer receive unauthorized pension funds. He ultimately pleaded guilty to 27 charges.
Noel’s wife, Misty, and daughter, Kasey, also face felony charges and are awaiting separate trials.
More on Jamey Noel: Former IN sheriff Jamey Noel previously appeared on A&E’s ’60 Days In.’ What we know
November: Jeff Brohm’s Cards bring Governor’s Cup back to Louisville
After a five-year wait and a disappointing loss in Jeff Brohm’s first season, the Governor’s Cup trophy is back in Louisville after the Cardinals dominated the University of Kentucky Wildcats, 41-14, in Lexington, Nov. 30.
Several new records and milestones were set during the annual matchup, including for Cardinals running back Isaac Brown, who broke Lamar Jackson’s freshman rushing record and became the first true freshman to rush for 1,000 yards.
Louisville faces the University of Washington in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
December: LMPD enters consent decree with DOJ
After nearly two years of negotiations, Louisville Metro Police and city officials entered into a long-awaited consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice in mid-December, marking the beginning of a new path for the beleaguered agency.
The 242-page document details how LMPD must move forward, including revising use-of-force policies, improving residential search warrant practices and improving training and accountability for officers, among dozens of other recommendations.
Mayor Craig Greenberg said is confident the city is already on track to be in full compliance with the decree by no later than 2029.
Hannah Pinski, Rebecca Grapevine, Olivia Evans, Leo Bertucci, Matthew Glowicki, Alexis Cubit, Brooks Holton, Prince James Story, Rich Barak, Bailey Loosemore, Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, Eleanor McCrary, Josh Wood, Lucas Aulbach, Leo Bertucci and Rachel Smith contributed to this article. Contact breaking and trending news reporter Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville, Kentucky: Memorable 2024 events happening in city, commonwealth
Read the full article here
