Paul Oliva

On Dec. 5, a group of engineers, planners, academics, and consultants gathered to talk about Lexington’s stormwater future. They discussed wetlands, sewer capacity, growth plans, pollution data, and manuals that will quietly shape how the city grows for decades. They also did it without a publicly posted agenda. That absence wasn’t a clerical oversight.…

As Lexington heads toward the 2026 mayoral election, the outlines of a familiar but still-fluid contest are beginning to emerge. At its core, the race is shaping up as a test of whether voters want to double down on experience and continuity—or whether the city’s growth pressures, housing costs, and civic frustrations create an…

If you listened only to the speeches, you’d think Lexington was about to boldly tackle its housing crisis. Six hours of testimony. Dozens of speakers. Councilmembers invoking “affordable housing,” “historic character,” and “the fabric of our community” like they were auditioning for a planning textbook. And then, with an 8–7 vote, they quietly killed…

The recent decision by the Fayette County School Board to move forward with an external audit might look like progress—but it is not the more in-depth forensic audit the community demanded. What it really confirms is that something is wrong, and those responsible seem more interested in covering it up than in letting the…

Truck‑nuts jokes aside, the $900,000 bonded‑for artwork is set to anchor Courthouse Plaza for Lexington’s 250th. LEXINGTON, Ky. — The city’s next “largest‑ever” piece of public art isn’t fully installed yet, but the punchlines have arrived early. On Reddit, locals have called it everything from “truck nuts for downtown” to “a giant tetherball set,”…

As a father who will eventually see three children graduate from Fayette County Public Schools, I’m not opposed to an increase in funding to bolster our schools. Let’s be clear: education is an investment, and Fayette County deserves to be on par with the funding levels of large districts like Jefferson County. If we…