Honestly, if you stepped outside this morning, you already know the big story. It’s cold. Not just "grab a light jacket" cold, but a bone-chilling 13 degrees that basically slaps you in the face the second you open the door.
What's happening in Louisville today is a bit of a paradox. While the mercury is struggling to even reach 27 degrees, the city is actually buzzing with some pretty high-energy events. If you can make it from your car to a heated building without turning into an icicle, there’s a lot to get into.
The Deep Freeze is Real
We’ve had some mild winters lately, but today is a harsh reminder of what January in Kentucky can actually do. Meteorologist Bryce Jones over at WDRB noted that we dropped to 13 degrees early this morning. The "feels like" temp? Somewhere around 19 degrees if you're lucky, but the wind is the real killer. It’s coming out of the southwest at about 7 mph, which sounds gentle until it hits your ears.
We aren't out of the woods yet. Tonight is going to be another rough one, with lows dipping back into the teens. If you have neighbors who are vulnerable or pets that usually stay out, now is the time to check on them. The city has already seen some drama with the cold, including a fatal crash on Eastern Parkway yesterday where a man hit a tree. Whether the ice played a role is still being looked at by LMPD, but the roads are definitely tricky right now.
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Lunar New Year at the Speed
If you’re looking for a reason to leave the house, the Speed Art Museum is probably the best bet. They’re hosting "Lunar New Year at the Speed" today from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It’s the Year of the Horse, and honestly, the energy in there is usually fantastic. They’ve got live performances and hands-on crafts. It’s a joint effort with the Asia Institute – Crane House, and it’s one of those rare events that actually feels authentic rather than just a commercial "holiday" thing.
MLK Weekend and The "Keepers of the Dream"
Since it’s the Sunday of MLK weekend, the Kentucky Center for the Arts is doing its annual "Keepers of the Dream" celebration. It’s free, which is always a plus. The community festival starts at 3:00 PM in the lobby, followed by a play called "Beyond the Dream" at 5:00 PM in Whitney Hall.
Mayor Craig Greenberg is also handing out the 2026 Freedom Awards. This year, they’re honoring Yvette Gentry and Darrell Griffith. If you grew up here, you know "Dr. Dunks" Griffith is a local legend, so seeing him get recognized for his leadership outside of basketball is pretty cool.
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Sports: A Tale of Two Teams
If you follow the Cards, you’re likely still riding high from the men’s team absolutely obliterating Pitt 100-59 yesterday. Ryan Conwell dropped 24 points, and the team shot over 63%. It was a bloodbath.
But the real drama happened today on the women’s side. No. 9 Louisville was down by 13 points against NC State over in Raleigh. Most people probably tuned out by the third quarter, but Imari Berry went off. She finished with 33 points and 12 rebounds, leading a massive comeback to win 88-80 in overtime. That’s 11 wins in a row for them. They are officially terrifying right now.
Local Weirdness and News Bits
Louisville wouldn't be Louisville without some strange news. Metro Council is currently warning people about fake donation bins. Apparently, there are these unlicensed bins popping up all over the city with misspelled words on them. If you’re cleaning out your closet, maybe just take the stuff to a reputable spot instead of dropping it in a random box on a street corner.
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Also, Kentucky Shakespeare is wrapping up its run of "Emma" today. It’s a "feminist take" on the Jane Austen classic. If you haven't seen it yet, today is the final day. It breaks the fourth wall quite a bit, which is a nice change of pace from the usual stuffy period pieces.
What You Should Actually Do
- Check your pipes. Seriously. It’s going to be in the single digits by Tuesday morning.
- Head to the Speed. If you want to celebrate the Year of the Horse, the Lunar New Year event is the place to be until 4:00 PM.
- Dress in layers. Don't trust the sun. It looks bright out there, but that 27-degree high is a lie.
- Watch the roads. Even if they look dry, black ice on the overpasses is a real threat when the temps stay this low for this long.
The city is quiet because of the cold, but between the art scene and the massive sports wins, there’s plenty of life under the surface. Just make sure your car battery is up for the challenge before you head out.