The Lousville-based non-profit Dismas Charities announced Monday that it is relinquishing luxury suites it purchased in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and in the new KFC YUM! Center.The organization has been under fire since it was revealed that it purchased the football stadium suite for $45,000 and the basketball suite at the new arena for $92,000. Dismas gets most of its funding from the state and federal governments; officials said the suites were paid for with investment income.State Auditor Crit Luallan announced last week that she would conduct an audit of Dismas, which operates halfway houses in a dozen states for inmates who re-entering society.University of Louisville Athletic Department officials last week agreed to terminate the suite leases and return all funds paid, according to a Dismas news release.Dismas CEO Ray Weis also issued an apology, saying the organization would work in the coming months to help the community better understand its role in Louisville.
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.