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Maggie Menderski on Muck Rack

Maggie Menderski

Verified
Louisville
As seen in: The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY), MSN, Yahoo Entertainment, Yahoo Life, Niners Wire, USA Today, Yahoo News, Yahoo News Malaysia, Aol, Yahoo Finance, SFGate and
Storyteller, columnist and reporter for @CourierJournal✍️ . I tweet about Louisville, journalism, cooking & our 😻😽. St. Louis native. Mizzou alum.

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Maggie Menderski’s Biography

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Today I work for a metro daily, but I began my reporting career in a rural, scrappy newsroom shortly after the Great Recession. I wrote multiple stories a day, took all my own photos, designed pages and even helped stuff ads into newspapers. Juggling all those roles shaped my work ethic and gave me a deep appreciation for every facet of this industry.

After newsroom hopping around the rural Midwest and a three-year stint in Florida, I joined The Courier Journal in Louisville in March 2018. I h…

Articles

Why the most popular Kentucky State Fair event might be the duck slide

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By Maggie Menderski Verified
| The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) Verified
Aug. 24, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET A popular attraction at the Kentucky State Fair features ducklings going down a slide into a pool. The exhibit, sponsored by the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, has been a fair staple for 16 years. The ducklings are motivated by a tray of food at the top of the slide, which they repeat in a loop. Volunteers ensure the days-old ducklings get adequate rest between their 15-20 minute performances.
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Louisville Ballet taps new executive director amid its 75th season

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By Maggie Menderski Verified
| The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) Verified
Felicia Swoope has been named the new executive director of the Louisville Ballet. Swoope brings over two decades of leadership experience in arts administration, production, and education. She will work in partnership with Artistic Director Anthony Krutzkamp to lead the company. Swoope succeeds former CEO Leslie Smart, who departed in April after a period of significant financial growth for the ballet. Louisville Ballet has tapped Felicia Swoope to serve as its new executive director.
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Your guide to the 2026 Kentucky State Fair, from rides to new foods

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By Maggie Menderski Verified, Gege Reed, Marina Johnson Verified, Kirby Adams Verified, Amanda Hancock
| The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) Verified
Maggie Menderski Gege Reed Marina Johnson Kirby Adams Amanda Hancock Louisville Courier Journal Aug. 20, 2026, 5:11 a.m. ET The 122nd Kentucky State Fair runs from Aug.20-30 at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. This year's fair will honor the United States' 250th birthday with a special exhibit. Admission includes access to free concerts, exhibits, and a variety of food vendors. The World's Championship Horse Show will take place in conjunction with the fair.
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Awards

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Illinois Associated Press Media Editors Annual Contest

2014 - Feature Writing, Second Place

Illinois Associated Press Media Editors Annual Contest

2014 - Feature Writing, First Place

Illinois Press Association Awards

2014 - Business/Economic Reporting, First Place

Illinois Press Association Awards

2013 - Best Promotion of Public’s Right to Know, Third Place

Illinois Press Association Awards

2014 - Enterprise/Feature Writing, Second Place

Missouri Press Association Awards

2012 - Best Feature Story, Second Place

Missouri Press Association Awards

2012 - Best News Story, Second Place

Missouri Press Association Awards

2012 - Best Story About History, Third Place

Missouri Press Association Awards

2012 - Best Story About the Outdoors, Honorable Mention

Missouri Press Association Awards

2010 - Best Story About the Outdoors, Honorable Mention

Polly Robinson Feature Writing Contest

2014 - Feature Writing, Third Place

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Polly Robinson Feature Writing Contest

2014 - Feature Writing, First Place

Southern Illinois University Carbondale