Joseph Gerth
Verified
Native Louisvillian. Columnist for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Courier-Journal. Was once trolled by a preschool.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Joseph Gerth
Gerth: Kentuckian may run for president; it ain't Beshear | Opinion
All the talk around the country is about the possibility that Gov. Andy Beshear will announce he’s running for president shortly after the midterm elections are over. But what you’re not hearing much about is the thought that he won’t be the only Kentuckian on the ballot.
Gerth: WAVE, WDRB merger is a loss for Louisville's history | Opinion
It’s been said many times over the years — perhaps most famously by former Washington Post president and publisher Philip L. Graham — that news is the first rough draft of history. If that’s true, Louisville is losing some of its history.
Gerth: Colin Kaepernick is a perfect choice for Ali award | Opinion
Throughout much of his life, and for many in America, he wasn’t the loveable old champion who smiled and did magic tricks for kids.
McConnell is running out of excuses for his absence | Opinion Original
Aug. 29, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET Just two weeks away from the U.S. Senate coming back into session after more than a month of recess, Mitch McConnell may be facing a day of reckoning. His office has continued to downplay his absence from public life after the June 14 incident that led to his hospitalization in Washington, DC, and subsequent weeks of physical therapy, which his office insists is necessary only for him to regain strength, so he doesn’t fall again.
Gerth: No more Lake Ontario; Trump's move brings us SHAME | Opinion Original
From the time I was a kid, the only way I could name all five of the Great Lakes was by using the old mnemonic device that helped scores of school children pass geography tests.
Gerth: No more Lake Ontario; Trump's move brings us SHAME | Opinion
The author creates a new mnemonic, SHAME, to remember the Great Lakes and express disapproval of Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario. • Other shameful actions attributed to Trump include renaming the Gulf of Mexico and the Kennedy Center. • These events bring shame upon the United States and its international relationships.
Gerth: McConnell should return soon if strength is problem | Opinion
Just three weeks away from the U.S. Senate coming back into session after a month-and-a-half-long recess, Mitch McConnell may be facing a day of reckoning.
Gerth: We could solve Clark Bridge traffic with lower tolls | Opinion
The problem is that there is just too much traffic on the bridge that people have flocked to since we started tolling the Kennedy and Lincoln bridges, and modern cars and trucks are just too wide. Aug. 18, 2026, 5:12 a.m. ET Kentucky wants to reduce the number of lanes from two to one coming into Louisville on the Clark Memorial Bridge. Indiana politicians fear that will stop its residents from escaping the Hoosier State and they want the federal government to put a kibosh on that plan.
Gerth: My latest 'old man gripe': Store return fraud | Opinion
GERTH This has to do with cheats and fraudsters who twice in the last month or so have made me feel like I was doing something wrong – or could at least be blamed for doing something wrong – when I wasn't. Aug. 14, 2026, 5:12 a.m. ET I’m beginning to not like people. At least, I’m completely fed up with some of them. This is not a political statement – although I’m not really happy with the MAGAs, and some of the DSA members, too. This has to do with shoppers, and not your normal shoppers.
Gerth: If Paul wants Fauci to talk, he should offer immunity | Opinion
Sen. Rand Paul says he wants to end pandemics and jail Dr. Anthony Fauci. If he focuses on trying to put an 85-year-old immunologist and infectious disease expert in prison, he’ll succeed at neither. Aug. 11, 2026, 5:14 a.m. ET Rand Paul needs to decide if he wants to get to the bottom of the COVID pandemic and stop this sort of thing from happening again, or if he wants to put Anthony Fauci in jail. Because both things aren’t going to happen.
Gerth: Beshear's response to Fancy Farm was out of character | Opinion
Gov. Andy Beshear’s foes slammed him Saturday afternoon during the annual political speaking event at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Fancy Farm. Saturday night, as the biblical verse and his new book recommend, he went and did likewise.
Gerth: Fancy Farm can thank McConnell for rowdy, bipartisan event | Opinion
FANCY FARM, Ky. — If the first post-Mitch McConnell Fancy Farm told us anything, it was that future political speaking events at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County will likely be a lot like the ones in the past.
The 57 greatest zingers from 57 years of Fancy Farm
The Courier Journal has been chronicling the political speaking at St. Jerome Catholic Church's picnic at Fancy Farm for decades. Some years, the speeches were marked by a good zinger. Other times, they were marked by a quote that provided keen insight into what was going on in Kentucky or in national politics. We went back through 57 years of Courier Journal coverage and culled the pithiest, funniest or the most interesting quote from each of those picnics. Enjoy.
Gerth: In search of a KY senator ... and a former governor | Opinion
The latest big thing these days is the prediction markets that let you bet on just about anything — from sports to the economy to how many times a politician will use a certain word in a speech.
Gerth: Progressives pushing Beshear on McConnell are wrong | Opinion
The biggest story surrounding the “Is Mitch dead?” or “Is Mitch alive?” question this week seems to be the progressives who are bellyaching about why Gov. Andy Beshear doesn’t just declare Kentucky’s senior senator dead and call for a special election. Please tell me they are smarter than this.
Gerth: My too-early 'tribute' to Mitch McConnell | Opinion
Following the unexpected death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on July 11, it seemed that any criticism of the South Carolinian online garnered the same response — “How dare you say that about a guy who just died?”
Gerth: My too-early 'tribute' to Mitch McConnell | Opinion
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and wife Elaine Chao in a hospital room. Following the unexpected death of U.S. Sen.
Gerth: Governor's race may let Democrats act like real party | Opinion
Unless I'm completely misreading the tea leaves, Kentucky Democrats are about to see what it's like to be a real political party. I'm not suggesting the party is back after a couple of generations of decline, but next year there should be a sign of life unlike what anyone has seen in nearly a decade - a real, live, well-funded primary election that could produce a viable candidate. What I'm talking about is the brewing tilt between Lt. Gov.
Martin Johnstone, KY judge known for Mel Ignatow trial, dies at 81
|
Martin Johnstone, a well-liked judge who was the first person elected to all four levels of court in Kentucky, died July 16, a spokesperson at the State Administrative Office of the Courts confirmed. He was 81. Johnstone was one of a group of lawyers from southern Jefferson County known as the "Fairdale Mafia," whose members included Tom Conway, a successful trial lawyer.
By Lillian Metzmeier Verified, Joseph Gerth Verified
|
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
Verified
Gerth: Governor's race may let Democrats act like real party | Opinion
Unless I’m completely misreading the tea leaves, Kentucky Democrats are about to see what it’s like to be a real political party.
Gerth: The Bardstown Road fix is more entertainment options | Opinion
There will likely be some sort of agreement that will get the neighbors in the Highlands to drop their petitions to limit alcohol sales along Bardstown Road but it’s not going to solve the problem.
Gerth: Specifics on Mitch McConnell's health don't matter | Opinion
July 8, 2026, 9:43 a.m. ET Forget baseball, antiquing and stamp collecting, the most popular pastime among Democrats these days seems to be trying to figure out what’s going on with Senator Mitch McConnell and his health. I don’t care. I don’t mean that in a mean way. Obviously, he is, or was, in bad shape.
Gerth: KY legislature must stop playing games with education | Opinion
No one in their right mind would argue things at JCPS are hunky-dory. The problem is the legislature doesn’t have the expertise to fix it and doesn’t seem interested in trying to get it. July 6, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET The Kentucky state auditor’s scathing report on Jefferson County’s schools wasn’t at all surprising.
Gerth: City must do more to ensure disabled can leave homes | Opinion
Mary Gatton is a prisoner in her own home. The 82-year-old Highlands resident used to walk about seven miles a day in her neighborhood but that stopped about two years ago when she was diagnosed with a neurological disease that took her ability to walk.
Gerth: Interstate 65 closure shows it may be time to 8664 | Opinion
Three weeks into the summer-long shutdown of Interstate 65 and I’m starting to rethink my opposition to the 8664 movement of days gone by. Opposition really isn’t the right word.
Gerth: If we're lucky, Bevin will stay on the run in Maine | Opinion
Matt Bevin is on the lam. He’s not the first Kentucky governor who left office and became a fugitive from justice. We'll get to that in a second. Who knows where Bevin is? Maybe holing up under the rock that allegedly fell on his house in Maine.
Gerth: LMPD officer showed shocking disregard for human life | Opinion
From the moment Louisville Metro Police officer Nathan Stotts rolled up on the scene, it seemed like he was looking for a confrontation.
Gerth: N.J. congressional candidate isn't saving KY coal | Opinion
Something seemed amiss when a friend in Washington, D.C. sent me an email about a candidate in New Jersey who seemed to be taking an oversized interest in what happens in Eastern Kentucky.
Gerth: City should require training for gun-toting workers | Opinion
In Kentucky, cities are so limited by the Kentucky General Assembly’s love of guns that they can’t even say that city workers aren’t allowed to carry weapons while on the job. June 3, 2026, 5:06 a.m. ET Jon Pilbean, who heads Louisville Metro’s homelessness office, wears a bulletproof vest and carries a gun with him when he’s supposed to be helping the homeless. There’s not a dang thing the city can do to stop him.
Gerth: Readers comment on Churchill Downs' hometown image | Opinion
I posed a question to you a week or so ago, asking what Churchill Downs needs to do to fix its relationship with the people of Louisville following a number of moves that made folks feel the racetrack didn’t care about the people here.
Gerth: Churchill needs to reset its image. What can it do? | Opinion
May 26, 2026, 5:03 a.m. ET A lot of folks have been pretty tough on Churchill Downs ever since the racetrack announced it was moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, undermining the restaurants in Louisville that have come to rely on Derby Week crowds.
Gerth: He knocked off Massie, could Trump target Paul next? | Opinion
Paul has not always been all that well liked by establishment Republicans in Kentucky — the guys who are still Mitch McConnell backers at a time when supporting the seven-term senator isn’t in vogue. May 21, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET HEBRON, Ky. — On a night that was bad for a lot of incumbent politicians in Kentucky — not only did U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie lose, but 18 incumbent judge-executives were knocked off — one of the biggest losers may have been someone who wasn’t even on the ballot.
Gerth: Seeing Max Morley take responsibility is refreshing | Opinion
May 18, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET I don’t often give a lot of praise to politicians — especially ones caught on video committing what could be a federal crime — but I need to give props to Max Morley.
Gerth: GOP games may mean no Black vote on JCPS board | Opinion
May 15, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET If you’re wondering when Kentucky Republicans are going to start drawing districts to shut out Black voters, following the Supreme Court ruling a couple of weeks ago that allowed them to do that, they already have.
Gerth: Memorial Auditorium is a jewel the city must save | Opinion
GERTH While the city has long provided money to help cover costs, it hasn’t provided the money that could allow the auditorium to thrive or to be a magnificent and impressive symbol of anything. May 8, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired of government around here turning its back on the places and institutions that have made our community special and honored those who came before us. It seems we just don’t remember our past.
Gerth: I ate at local restaurants Churchill Downs robbed | Opinion
May 6, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET Let me start off by saying I failed. My plan was to support local restaurants by eating out six times over two days of Derby weekend in an effort to help an industry that has been damaged by Churchill Downs’ decision to run its two flagship races later and later.
Gerth: I'm helping restaurants since Churchill Downs won't | Opinion
I’ll try to eat all six of my meals over the two days of Oaks and Derby at locally-owned joints. Your job is to give me suggestions. April 30, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET For only the second time in the last 25 or so years, I have Derby day off. I won’t be putting on fancy duds, preening and strutting around the track like so many popinjays. The closest I’ll come to being dressed up is I’ll put on my cleanest sneakers to wear with my shorts and T-shirt.
Gerth: If you don't trust government, you're gonna hate this | Opinion
GERTH There are 388 boards and commissions that are almost assuredly given protections under this ruling that allows their members to avoid violating the Kentucky Open Records law simply by texting. April 29, 2026, 5:25 a.m. ET I’m still trying to figure out if the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling last week that said some government officials can hide their official activities by communicating via text message is a complete catastrophe or just a partial calamity.
Gerth: Beshear shouldn't fight battle over UK law dean | Opinion
Beshear is normally careful about what he says and does, trying to make it at least at the surface appear that he is above partisan political battles. April 24, 2026, 5:07 a.m. ET I’m not really sure what Andy Beshear’s endgame to his carping about the hiring of U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove as the new dean of the University of Kentucky’s Law School is, but I’m pretty certain it ain’t going to turn out well.
Gerth: A reader asked to talk gas prices. I declined. | Opinion
If we couldn't agree on basic facts about oil prices, how could we have a serious conversation about anything? April 23, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET I opened the email from a fella named Bruce on Saturday morning and was a bit intrigued. He’d written me before, complaining about my columns. Now, he wanted to have lunch to talk about our political differences.
Gerth: Katelyn Hall case needed social worker, cop pairing | Opinion
COLUMNISTS Since around the turn of the century, Louisville police have shot and killed people who had either been diagnosed with mental illness or were at least showing signs that they were struggling. April 20, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET The police shooting death of Katelyn Hall last month shouldn’t have surprised anyone.
Gerth: Stivers rant about judge on final day no surprise | Opinion
Like the great philosopher Roseanne Roseannadanna once said, "If it's not one thing, it's another." April 16, 2026, 3:31 p.m. ET What would a Kentucky legislative session be without Senate President Robert Stivers leaving the dais to join the great unwashed on the floor so he could step up to his microphone and whine.
Gerth: Legislature should let vetoed bill — not teens — die | Opinion
GERTH We should be telling kids they don’t need guns, not passing laws that tell them, 'If you want to be a real man, you’ll shove a Glock in your waistband so you can blow away anyone who crosses you.' April 10, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET I’m not sure why I even hope for the legislature to do better, to be better, than they are — as I’ve been so disappointed virtually every time I have done that in the past.
Gerth: Metro Council Democrats do mindboggling, dumb things | Opinion
The hypocrisy of Brent Ackerson — who opposed the Democratic nominee for council president — bringing charges against a Democrat for not supporting a sitting Democrat is off the charts. April 7, 2026, 5:11 a.m. ET When I was a young(er) reporter, a couple of decades ago, covering the Louisville Metro Council — in the days of council members Denise Bentley and Dan Johnson — I stopped trying to figure out why the Democratic caucus did what they did.
Gerth: Shrine becomes a redemption story for former KY lawmaker | Opinion
Jerry Lundergan, a son of Maysville, brought to the town a Catholic cardinal, a former president and the guy who was the King of Kentucky basketball for 15 seasons, to celebrate with hi April 6, 2026, 5:12 a.m. ET MAYSVILLE, Ky. -- The people in this small Ohio River town were saying the types of things about Jerry Lundergan on April 1 that people normally only say about us when we’re dead – and that’s only if we’re lucky.
Gerth: Chavez Day is gone; KY must kill Robert E. Lee Day | Opinion
Here in Kentucky, nearly 165 years after he resigned his commission in the United States Army to go fight for the right to keep Black people enslaved, we still honor Robert E. Lee. April 2, 2026, 5:05 a.m. ET There are a lot of folks in Kentucky who like to rip on California. Too liberal. High taxes. All those people moving away. Yada, yada, yada. A lot of it is just partisan hatred.
Gerth: Church must protect communities when closing parishes | Opinion
COLUMNISTS When a building like St. Charles Borromeo goes to seed, it can drag down a whole community with it, devastating nearby property values. March 30, 2026, 5:11 a.m. ET As the Archdiocese of Louisville hones its plans to close six more parishes in Jefferson County, Archbishop Sheldon Fabre needs to drive down to 27th and Chestnut to take a look at the old St. Charles Borromeo Church.
I know why Republicans tried axing Dolly Parton's free books | Opinion
“We won the evangelicals, we won with young, we won with old, we won with highly educated, we won with poorly educated,” Trump said as he broke down the demographics of his coalition of supporters in the Silver State. What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library? Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! In some states, the Republicans have complained and said some of the books are not age appropriate.
I know why Republicans tried axing Dolly Parton's free books | Opinion Original
March 28, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET It was February 2016 and Donald Trump stood on the stage in a ballroom at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, soaking in his victory in the Nevada caucuses – his third straight primary season triumph – and he riffed on the win. “We won the evangelicals, we won with young, we won with old, we won with highly educated, we won with poorly educated,” Trump said as he broke down the demographics of his coalition of supporters in the Silver State.
Gerth: Matt Bevin should have released his taxes years ago | Opinion
This is 100 percent the Matt Bevin we came to know and love when he treated people so badly that he lost reelection to a Democrat in a state that has become insanely Republican in recent years. March 26, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET It’s amazing how things come full circle. During his first race for governor in 2015, Matt Bevin stubbornly refused to release his tax returns like previous candidates for governor had done, saying releasing his taxes at that time was premature. “When I’m governor, sure.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Joseph
Contact Joseph, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack