Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson has appointed a new Jefferson County Attorney.The job goes to Michael O'Connell, a former judge who's has served on and off as an assistant county attorney since 1975.O'Connell was appointed to succeed outgoing County Attorney Irv Maze, who resigned to accept a judgeship appointment from the governor.Since Maze's appointment and resignation from office came after Tuesday's candidate filing deadline, O'Connell won't have to stand for election this November.He says he plans to be on the ballot for a full term in two years."If I do a respectable job and don't make too many mistakes--I'm sure I'll make mistakes along the way--but i have every intention of running in 2010 and hope to be running with Mayor Abramson at that time for a full term," O'Connell said.O'Connell says he'll continue to operate his private practice as time allows.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.