Somerset Man Charged With Second-Degree Assault

• {Kentucky}...Cody Evans, 22, of Somerset, was arrested Saturday morning and charged with second-degree assault and fleeing or evading police after allegedly dousing Stephanie Behnase, his girlfriend, with lighter fluid. Somerset police officers and Pulaski County Sheriff's deputies were called to a domestic argument at the Grand Central Apartments at 9:46 A.M. Saturday. Evans fled the scene, and police found him about 15 minutes later in nearby woods. Behnase was treated for minor injuries and chemical burns.

Rupp Arena Task Force To Release Draft

• {Kentucky}...Since April, a 50-member task force looking at the future of Rupp Arena has been working behind the scenes, while holding meetings with University of Kentucky Athletics and representatives of surrounding neighborhoods. Draft reports will be released September 7th, and several open meetings will be scheduled in the fall. The key question for the task force is whether Rupp Arena should be renovated and expanded or replaced. Task force chairman Brent Rice says discussions with neighborhood representatives have focused on two questions, what they want and what they don't want to see at the home to the UK men's basketball team.

Bluegrass Poll Shows Beshear With Commanding Lead

• {Kentucky}...According to the latest Bluegrass Poll conducted by SurveyUSA, Governor Steve Beshear holds a commanding 24-point lead over his challenger, Senate President David Williams, in Kentucky's governor's race. The poll found that Beshear leads Williams 52 percent to 28 percent and that the incumbent governor is ahead in all but three demographic areas. Independent Gatewood Galbraith is a distant third with 9 percent of the vote. The poll is based on computerized and live telephone interviews carried out from July 22nd - to 27th. It includes the responses of 512 likely voters in the November 8th governor's race and has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

Valvoline Plans Lexington Expansion

• {Kentucky}...Beginning in late August, Ashland's Lexington-based Valvoline subsidiary will construct a 5,000-square-foot building at its headquarters and plans to hire 40 additional employees during the next decade. Fran Lockwood, senior vice president of research and development, says Valvoline's been experiencing growth in market share and a very high rate of international growth. Thursday, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved $930,000 in state tax incentives for the estimated $1.55 million expansion. As part of the incentive agreement, the jobs are expected to pay $50 hourly, including benefits. The company also must maintain a base of the roughly 700 workers  currently on site. Construction completion is targeted for April.

Former Mine Permits Director Sues State

• {Kentucky}...Kentucky's former mine permits director, Ron Mills, is suing the state for wrongful termination, claiming he was fired because he opposed illegal mining practices. But, Energy and Environment Secretary Len Peters says Mills was fired over job performance. Alliance Coal Manager Rusty Ashcraft sent an email on November 13, 2009, to others in the coal industry announcing that Mills was being fired that morning. Ashcraft said in a deposition that he got the heads-up from an aide to the governor, but he could not remember which aide. Ashcraft said in the deposition, "It was either Geoff Dunn or Jeff Belcher." In their own depositions, Belcher denied calling Ashcraft about Mills' firing while Dunn said he cannot remember if he called Ashcraft. Mills was unpopular with the industry for blocking a controversial policy called "the 331⁄3 rule," which allows coal companies to mine without showing they hold the legal right to enter all of the land in their mining plans. The Beshear administration overturned Mills and reinstated the policy following industry lobbying.

Beshear To Discuss Unemployment Interest

• {Kentucky}...Business leaders will meet with Governor Steve Beshear Tuesday to discuss how the state can pay a $28.5 million interest payment on a federal government loan used to shore up the state's unemployment benefits. Senate President David Williams is urging Governor Steve Beshear to call a special session so that Kentucky employers won't lose federal tax credits. State officials say business owners could lose more than $600 million in tax credits if the state doesn't make an interest payment on a federal loan that is paying for unemployment benefits. Beshear says his administration has been working "to explore every possible option" to avoid the problem and that he remains open to any suggestions from the General Assembly. If the state defaults on the payments on September 30th, Kentucky businesses and the state could lose more than $571 million in federal tax credits and federal appropriations.

Motion Filed In Iraqi Case

• {Kentucky}...In a motion filed Friday, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Bennett and Bryan Calhoun asked U.S. District Judge Thomas Russell to order defense attorneys for 30 year old Waad Ramadan Alwan and 23 year old Mohanad Shareef Hammadi to share evidence only with experts and other members of the defense team.  Defense attorneys for Alwan and Hammadi, two Iraqi nationals charged in Kentucky with trying to send weapons and money to al-Qaida operatives in their home country, did not object to the order. The two men, both of whom lived in Bowling Green, have pleaded not guilty to an alleged plot to send explosives, guns and missiles to Iraqi insurgents.

Former UK Basketball Player Sentenced

• {Kentucky}...Former University of Kentucky basketball player Rekalin Sims was sentenced Friday in Fayette Circuit Court for trafficking marijuana. Sims entered an Alford plea after being charged March 4th with trafficking in a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school. Judge Pamela Goodwine, noting that Sims has no previous criminal convictions, sentenced him to 12 months in jail but conditionally discharged the sentence for two years. Sims played forward for UK under Coach Tubby Smith during the 2005-06 season after transferring from Salt Lake Community College. He then transferred to Fresno State for his senior year but was removed from the team in December 2007 after a California judge dismissed felony robbery charges against him. Although the charges were dropped, Sims was kicked off the team for violating the code of conduct.

Flyrock Blasters Suspended

• (Kentucky)  Two blasters indentified as responsible for two flyrock events on Tuesday, July 26 were suspended Wednesday by the Department for Natural Resources. No injuries were reported from the blasts but property was damaged. The first flyrock occurred at around 11 a.m. Tuesday at an ICG Hazard mine in Perry County.  One rock entered a home through the roof, exited through a side wall near the roof and struck a vehicle parked at the home. The second flyrock occurred around 1:20 p.m. at a Beech Fork coal operation in Pike County causing a rock to penetrate the roof of another home. Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement personnel were immediately dispatched to both locations to investigate. Notices of Noncompliance (NNC) and Imminent Danger Cessation Orders (IDCO) were issued to the respective companies and the blasters. DNR ordered a cessation of all blasting related activities on the permit areas.  Blast remediation plans must be submitted to DNR for review before blasting can resume.

KSP Recruits In Cyberspace

Kentucky State Police (KSP) is tapping into Cyberspace through social media sites like YouTube(c), Facebook(c), and Twitter(c) to entice new recruits to join the agency.  KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer announced today that the agency launched its first of several recruiting videos via YouTube.

KSP currently has several social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and a Blog located on Blogger.com. Lt. David Jude is the Commander for the KSP Public Affairs Branch and has implemented these social sites in an effort to broaden the reach the agency has on the community.

"Social Media is not a fad," says Jude.  "It will continue to evolve and it is important for agencies to recognize this in order to stay ahead of the curve."

"With millions of visitors a day, YouTube is a fantastic marketing tool for our Recruitment Branch.  The addition of this page will enhance our current social media formats and drive traffic to our agency webpage."

The 'KSP TV' YouTube channel is located at
http://www.youtube.com/user/kentuckystatepolice  where viewers can watch
the new recruiting video online.

Website-Monitoring.com posted recent YouTube statistics that show the
potential for success when marketing through YouTube.  This site
currently exceeds two billion views a day and averages 24 hours of video
uploads every minute.  The average person spends 15 minutes a day on
YouTube.

Jude says one of the unique things about social media sites is that it
allows the public to see a different side of the agency and explore some
of the unique projects KSP is involved in.

"This first video takes an important process such as recruiting new
troopers and blends in a little humor to make it more appealing."
Other projects KSP has promoted on their social media sites have been
Trooper Island Camp, Unsolved Case Playing Cards, Citizens Police
Academy classes, Missing Persons cases, and a National Conference the
agency hosted.
"We strongly recommend it to other law enforcement agencies," says Jude.
"There is not a faster medium to disperse pertinent information then
cyberspace."

Jude encourages the public to visit KSP social media sites and to share
their thoughts and opinions about what the agency posts.
"One of the reasons we have had success with social media, is that we
allow for an open forum.  If someone disagrees with us or shares a
critique of the agency, that is their opinion - and we respect that."

KSP currently has 33,809 followers on Facebook, 1,947 followers on
Twitter, 2,900 views on Flickr and the Commissioners Blog has had 7,265
views.

If you are interested in checking out the KSP social media sites, you
can click on the following links.

KSP Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kentucky-State-Police/103979825675
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#%21/kystatepolice <http://twitter.com/>
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kentuckystatepolice/
KSP Blog "Did You Know That?"  http://kentuckystatepolice.blogspot.com/
KSP Website: http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/

For more information about Kentucky State Police social media sites
please contact the Public Affairs Branch at (502) 782-1780.

Prison Sentence In Child Pornography Case

•  Attorney General Jack Conway has announced a 10 year prison sentence for a Shelby County man following his guilty plea in a child pornography case. Ronald Craig Hornback, 51, was sentenced on July 26 in U.S. District Court to 121 months in federal prison following his guilty plea to one count of receipt of child pornography. Hornback will also be required to register as a sex offender. Prosecution of this case was handled by Erin Roth in the United States Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. "I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for their successful handling of this case," General Conway said. "I also appreciate the hard work and dedication of the investigators in my Cybercrimes Unit who work every day to make the Internet a safer place for Kentucky kids." Investigators from General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit, with assistance from Kentucky State Police, arrested Hornback on February 26, 2010 after executing a search warrant at Hornback's home. His arrest was the result of a nearly five-month investigation by the Cybercrimes Unit. Hornback was arraigned in U.S. District Court, Eastern District in Lexington on September 25, 2010.

Beshear Expresses Concern For Federal Debt

• {Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear expressed concern Thursday about the effects the federal debt ceiling impasse might have on Kentucky's budget. Beshear said Kentucky, like every other state, is watching anxiously while hoping for a quick resolution that would keep federal funding flowing for programs like education, medical care for the poor and elderly, and transportation services. Beshear says he's particularly worried that economic gains at the national and state levels of the past year could be erased if the impasse continues. Beshear called on everyone involved to put aside partisan bickering he said appears to be the basis of the impasse.

Churchill Downs Delays Instant Racing

• {Kentucky}...Churchill Downs Inc. chairman and CEO Bob Evans says the track has no plans to install Instant Racing machines this year. After announcing Churchill's record second-quarter earnings, Evans said the legal dispute over the games, which simulate electronic slots pari-mutuel wagering on previously run horse races, isn't likely to be resolved before next year. Kentucky Downs in Franklin plans to install machines before its meet opens in September, and Ellis Park is likely to follow suit. But, Evans says Churchill continues to be skeptical about the games' ability to compete in the Louisville market, which has casino gambling nearby. Evans says the political climate in Kentucky is focused on the upcoming governor's race between incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear, a supporter of slots at racetracks, and Republican Senate President David Williams, historically an opponent of expanded gambling, and he doubts if much progress will be made until after the November election.

Kentucky Community And Technical College Awarded Grant

• {Kentucky}...According to Complete College America, only 25 percent of community college students nationwide complete their degrees in three years. Governor Steve Beshear announced Thursday that the Kentucky Community and Technical College System was awarded a $1 million grant to improve retention in the statewide junior college system. The $1 million grant was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Kentucky is one of 10 states to be awarded the grant. The grant from Complete College America is aimed at improving its Learn on Demand online degree program. Learn on Demand, which was launched in 2009, focuses on high-tech and high-demand careers such as nursing and information technology. Students can take the courses online at any time.

Bass Webb Sentenced To 50 Years

• {Kentucky}...Bass Webb was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in prison after a jury found him guilty in May of two counts of attempted murder. Po;ice say Webb attempted to run down Bourbon County pretrial officer Josh Mason and Deputy Sheriff Ryan Barkley in a Geo Tracker while they were standing outside the jail's secure garage, where police unload prisoners. Webb is awaiting two murder trials, one in Harrison County and one in Montgomery County. Police say Webb killed two ex-girlfriends.

Fourteen Miners Die On The Job

• {Kentucky}...Federal regulators say that halfway through 2011, a total of 14 miners have died on the job. Mine Safety and Health Administration chief Joe Main says 14 deaths midway through the year is an all-time low, but even one mining death is too many. He says fatalities can be prevented and are not an inevitable byproduct of mining MSHA said Thursday that as of June 30th, eight miners were killed at coal mines, while six died in metal and nonmetal mines. Three of the coal miners died in machinery accidents, two died in power-haulage accidents and two died in rib falls, or partial collapses of the mine walls. The eighth coal miner died in an 8-foot fall from a steel beam onto a conveyor belt.

Conway Says Hospital Merger Requires State Approval

• {Kentucky}... Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway informed Governor Steve Beshear late Tuesday that he plans to tell the Federal Trade Commission, during a conference call on Friday, that the pending merger of three hospital systems in Kentucky can't go forward without the approval of the state. Conway says the merger of University of Louisville Hospital, Jewish & St. Mary's HealthCare and St. Joseph Health System in Lexington, owned by Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives, would require the approval of Beshear and the state Finance and Administration Cabinet. Under the merger, Catholic Health Initiatives would have a 70 percent ownership of the new company. The proposal has prompted controversy over how reproductive and end-of-life care would be handled.

Cap May Have Led To Former UK Player's Death

• {Kentucky}...Friends of former University of Kentucky basketball player Desmond Allison, who was shot to death in Ohio Monday afternoon, say two women arguing over a baseball cap may have led to the killing. Malcolm Goff, 36, who was wounded during the shooting, and witness Tina Underwood, 31, told The Columbus Dispatch that Allison was talking on his cell phone outside an apartment complex when an ex-girlfriend took a cap off his head. Allison's current girlfriend, who'd given him the hat, saw what had happened and the two women began arguing. Goff and Underwood say Allison exchanged words with one of the women before he and Goff walked away. Later, three men approached Allison, and one of them, a relative of one of the women, argued with Allison, and another man began shooting. Columbus Police Det. Michael Higgins says police think the argument over the hat and the shooting are connected.

Kentucky Depositing Millions Into Rainy Day Fund

• {Kentucky}...After more than three years of budget deficits, Governor Steve Beshear says the state will deposit $121 million in its budget reserve trust fund, commonly called the "rainy day" fund. It is the largest one-time deposit into the Rainy Day fund as a result of an end-of-year surplus in state history. The state finished the last fiscal year, which ended June 30th, with a surplus of $156.8 million. About $35 million went to pay for emergencies such as storm cleanup in Western Kentucky and other necessary expenses that were not included in the two-year budget. The remaining money, about $121.8 million, will be deposited into the Rainy Day fund. Lawmakers have tapped out the fund during the past three years as the state's revenues plummeted and demand for services jumped.

Beshear Received Cold Shoulder

• {Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear was accused of snubbing President Barack Obama when the president visited Fort Campbell earlier this year to meet the Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden. But, now it appears Beshear was the one who received a cold shoulder when he wasn't invited. One of Beshear's closest advisers, Katie Dailinger, had quizzed the governor's secretary, Sally Flynn, in an email on May 6th, the day of the visit, asking if she had received an invitation for the governor from the White House. Flynn responded, "No,I didn't." Flynn then sent a follow up, asking if some other Beshear staffer had received such an invitation, but they replied, "Not that any of us can tell." A White House official confirmed that Beshear wasn't invited.

FEMA Expenditure In Kentucky

Since being designated for federal disaster assistance May 19th, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Commonwealth of Kentucky have approved $21,033,185 in assistance to Kentuckians affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 12th to May 20th. FEMA has approved more than $8.4 million in Individual Assistance (IA) and $865,816 in Other Needs Assistance (ONA) as part of the ongoing recovery efforts for residents of 22 Commonwealth counties. The IA funds help residents repair their damaged homes and find temporary housing following the disaster. The ONA funds assist with expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and moving and storage fees.

Postal Service Considering Closures

• {Kentucky}...The Postal Service is considering closing more than 1 in 10 of its retail outlets, about 130 in Kentucky. Postal officials announced Tuesday that it will study 3,653 local offices, branches and stations for possible closing. But many of those may be replaced by Village Post Offices in which postal services are offered in local stores, libraries or government offices. Postal vice president Dean Granholm says most of the offices that face review are in rural areas and have low volumes of business. As many as 3,000 post offices have only two hours of business a day even though they are open longer.

University of Louisville President Asked To Explain Merger

• {Kentucky}...University of Louisville President James Ramsey has been asked to appear before a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Health and Welfare in Frankfort on August 17th to explain how a pending merger of University Hospital and a Catholic health care provider will affect patients. The merger would create the state's largest health care system by bringing together University with Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare and Lexington-based St. Joseph Health System, which is owned by Catholic Health Initiatives. It could be finalized in a year if approved by regulators.

Federal Government Joins Medicare Lawsuit

• {Kentucky}...The federal government has joined a lawsuit filed by Alisia Robinson-Hill and David Price, two former employees who sued Lexington-based Nurses' Registry and Home Health Corporation in 2008, saying the company exaggerated the medical conditions and needs of patients in order to increase Medicare claims over nearly a decade. The government's intervention, unsealed Tuesday along with the initial complaint brought by two former employees allows the government to collect part of any judgment against the company should damages be awarded or a settlement reached. The government is seeking to have Nurses' Registry pay between $5,500 and $10,000 for each alleged overbilling. Should damages be awarded or a settlement reached, Robinson-Hill and Price could collect between 25 percent and 30 percent of any funds. They are also seeking undisclosed damages.

Former Group Home Worker Surenders

{Kentucky}...Twenty-one year old Tyler Brock has turned himself in after being charged in the June 12th death of 35 year old Shawn Akridge, who was beaten and kicked at a group home for intellectually disabled adults near Paint Lick in Garrard County. Brock, who is charged with murder and knowingly abusing an adult, is being held in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $500,000 bond. The home, operated by Brentwood, Tenn.-based Community Ties of America, housed three residents but has since closed. Police said Brock initially told them another resident in the home choked Akridge. The other resident was charged, but the charge was dropped after an autopsy revealed Akridge died of internal bleeding and not strangulation.

Louisville Toddler's Body Found

{Kentucky}...Hardin County Coroner Dr. Bill Lee says preliminary results of an autopsy on the body of  2 year old Christina Norris were consistent with drowning. She was found between 200-300 yards from the mouth of the Salt River by Veterans Park Pavilion in Hardin County, about two miles south of where she disappeared. Witnesses say Norris was with her parents on Dixie Beach Road Monday when she pointed to something in the water. Her parents looked away, and when they turned around, Christina was gone. Crews searched until dark Monday and resumed their search early Tuesday.

KSP Fatality Report

Preliminary statistics* indicate that fourteen people
died in twelve separate crashes on Kentucky roadways from Monday, July
11, through Sunday, July 17, 2011. 

Twelve of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and five of the victims
were not wearing seat belts.  Single-fatality crashes occurred in
Breathitt, Carter, Greenup, Hardin, Henderson, Powell, Shelby and
Woodford counties.   Alcohol was a factor in the Hardin and Henderson
county crashes.

Two double-fatality motor vehicle collisions occurred in Knott and
Pulaski counties.

Two motorcycle involved fatal crashes occurred in Leslie and Oldham
counties and one victim was wearing a helmet.

Through July 17, 2011, preliminary statistics* indicate that 372 people
have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2011.  This is
thirty-five less fatalities than reported for the same time period in
2010.

Former UK Basketball Player Fatally Shot

• {Kentucky}...Police in Ohio say former Kentucky basketball player 30 year old Desmond Allison died Monday after being shot in  in the chest at an apartment complex in Columbus. Allison was a starter as a freshman on the 1998-1999 UK team and played for UK from 1998-2000 until he was kicked off the team by Tubby Smith in March of 2000 after a DUI arrest. Allison was arrested four times in a seven month span on drug charges several years ago. In 2007, he began playing indoor football in South Dakota. Allison was pronounced dead at Grant Medical Center in Columbus at 3:54 P.M.

Road Rage Leads To Shooting

• {Kentucky}...Greenup Police say a case of road rage got out of control when James Orasco of South Shore pulled a semi-automatic handgun inside his car Sunday and fired a single shot at a vehicle with three people inside. A short time later officers and a Greenup County deputy pulled Orasco over and took in into custody. Inside the car officers found a loaded handgun and some controlled substances. Orasco was charged with DUI, operating on a suspended license, drug charges and three felony counts of wanton endangerment.

Attorney General Says Medicaid Overpaid For Drugs

• {Kentucky}...The state Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control filed a lawsuit July 15th in Franklin County Circuit Court alleging that McKesson Corp. and First DataBank Inc., which publishes a list that state Medicaid agencies use for reported prices used in reimbursement, conspired to inflate the published average wholesale prices for more than 1,800 brand name prescription drug products. Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway's office says the lawsuit alleges the state Medicaid program overpaid for drugs by tens of millions of dollars as a result of the alleged activity.

Fayette County Inmate Wrongly Released

{Kentucky}...Officials at the Fayette County Detention Center say inmate 20 year old Hafit Martinez-Hipolito was inadvertently released on Saturday due to human error. His brother, Socrates, was the inmate who was supposed to be relased. Martinez-Hipolito was charged with retaliating against a witness and fourth-degree assault. He is described as a Hispanic male, 20 years of age, 135 lbs, 5'5", black hair and brown eyes.

Request To Delay Insurance Rules Denied

{Kentucky}...The federal Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter to Kentucky Friday saying it had denied a request to delay implementing new rules for insurance companies until 2014. Federal officials say Kentucky must adhere to the rules by 2012. The standards are part of the federal health care overhaul bill. The provision requires that insurance companies spend 80 percent of premiums on paying customers' claims. The state Department of Insurance had asked that it be allowed to gradually increase the medical loss ratio, saying it was concerned insurance companies would move out of Kentucky. But, federal officials think companies would be able to meet the requirement by next year without substantial losses.

Fall Hunting Season To Begin Soon

{Kentucky}...Kentucky’s fall hunting season begins on August 20th with the first of two squirrel seasons. The state’s 66-page hunting and trapping guide should be available this week. The guide details season dates, bag limits, regulations for deer, elk, bear, turkey, small game and fur bearers. It also provides information on regulations for hunting on public lands, licensing, youth hunting, hunter education requirements and quotes.
This year, hunters may apply online for the special hunts. A printable version of the guide will be available online at fw.ky.gov.

NYC Mayor Wants To Get Rid of Coal

(New York City) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to get rid of coal, and is putting up $20 million to do so. Bloomberg's main charitable organiztion announced it would donate the money to the Sierra Club over the next four years to shut down coal-fired plants and move the United States toward cleaner energy. The Sierra Club says the goal is to use the money to close up to a third of the oldest plants by the year 2020. UMWA president Cecil Roberts says if Bloomberg was serious about helping the environment, he would invest the money into clean coal technology research.

Child Injured At Bluegrass Fair

• {Kentucky}...Officials at the Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair are calling an incident Saturday night "strictly an accident." Lexington police Lt. Edward Hart says the Fun Zone, a "jungle gym" type obstacle course at the Bluegrass Fair was operating normally Saturday night when some mechanical part took off the top third of a 3 year old child's pinkie finger. The child, whose name was not released, was taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. Fair spokesman Michael Kaplan says the course was shut down "within minutes" after the incident and the state was notified. The Fun Zone is a "jungle gym" type activity that children crawl through. Kaplan says the state had inspected it before the fair opened.

Corbin Man Indicted In Group Home Murder

• {Kentucky}...Tyler Brock, 21, of Corbin, was indicted Friday on a murder charge in the June 12th death of Shawn Akridge, 35, who was beaten and kicked at a group home near Paint Lick in Garrard County. Kentucky State Police say Brock was an employee at the home operated by Community Ties of America, a company based in Brentwood, Tennessee. Brock initially told police that another resident in the home, Chester Watkins, 32, had choked Akridge in the bathroom of the group home that at the time housed three residents, and Watkins was charged with murder. But, an autopsy revealed Akridge died of internal bleeding, not strangulation, prompting police to question Brock's story. Brock is also charged with knowingly abusing an adult. Brock is scheduled to be arraigned August 18th.

Accident Kills Two Year Old

• {Kentucky}...Arturo Rodriguez, 22, of Louisville, was charged with murder Friday. State police say he had been drinking and was southbound on I-65 when he lost control of his vehicle about five miles south of Elizabethtown, crossed the median and went into the northbound lanes and overturned, ejecting a 2 year old girl, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Rodriguez and another passenger, Silena Smith, also of Louisville, were taken by helicopter to the University of Louisville Hospital. After Rodriguez was released from the hospital, he was taken to the Hardin County Detention Center, where he was being held Saturday on $500,000 cash bond.

Kentucky Downs Prepares For Instant Racing

{Kentucky}...Kentucky Downs will spend more than $3 million and hire 85 people to implement the game in which gamblers bet on past horse races. On Friday, the racetrack held a job fair to fill positions at the new parlor that will feature 200 instant racing terminals which are connected to a server that holds 21,000 historic races. People place bets without knowing which race they are wagering on and a screen shows the last three seconds of the race to reveal the result. Kentucky Downs will be the first track in the state to install the instant racing machines when they open in early September.

State Prison Guard Charged With Sexual Abuse

• {Kentucky}...Kentucky State Police say 52 year old Sgt. James B. Johnson of Louisville, a male guard at the state's women's prison, was charged Friday at state police headquarters in Frankfort with 25 counts of second-degree sexual abuse. An investigation found Johnson was supplying controlled substances to female inmates and then sexually abusing them at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in Pewee Valley near Louisville. Johnson was also charged with 50 counts of official misconduct, one count of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count of first-degree promoting contraband.

Excessive Heat Leads To Teen Death

• {Kentucky}...The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for Kentucky as hot conditions in Louisville contributed to the death of 18 year old Cody Johns of Sellersburg, Indiana, who died at a Louisville hospital Thursday evening. An autopsy performed Friday found the teen died of hyperthermia. Johns was working for a landscaping business when he fell ill, and his temperature reached 110 degrees while in the emergency room.

Couple Accused Of Locking Child In Cage

• {Kentucky}...At an arraignment Friday in Fayette District Court, Judge Joseph Bovier entered not guilty pleas on behalf of a Lexington couple charged with abuse after police say children living with them were strangled, forced to jump off a roof and at least one was locked in a dog cage. Fifty-one year old Cheryl G. Christopher has been charged first-degree criminal abuse, first-degree wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment, while her husband, 69 year old Elisha B. Christopher, is charged with first-degree criminal abuse.

Groups Can Intervene In Clean Water Settlement

• {Kentucky}...Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals ruled that citizen groups can continue their case against the state Energy and Environmental Cabinet, Frasure Creek Mining and ICG. The cabinet attempted to keep the groups from intervening in a settlement agreement between the cabinet and the companies over some 20,000 violations of the Clean Water Act in 2010. Kentucky Riverkeepers, Appalachian Voices, Kentuckians for The Commonwealth and Waterkeeper Alliance have filed a new complaint against Frasure Creek Mining and ICG, alleging that since the settlement agreement there have been 4,000 new instances of violations of the Clean Water Act in the first three months of 2011.

Gatewood Galbraith Enters Governor's Race

• {Kentucky}...Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith officially entered the governor's race Thursday, saying voters fed up with partisan bickering need an independent candidate to end political gridlock. Galbraith filed petitions to run as an independent against Democratic Governor Steve Beshear and Republican challenger David Williams. Galbraith, who lost his last four races for governor, has been courting tea party voters and some see him as a potential spoiler if the race tightens before the November 8th election. Secretary of State Elaine Walker says her office had reviewed Galbraith's petitions, which bear more than 7,000 signatures.

Students To Take End-Of-Course Tests

• {Kentucky}...As authorized under Senate Bill 1, the wide-ranging education reform measure approved by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2009, Kentucky high school students in public schools will be required, beginning this year, to take end-of-course tests for students taking English II, Algebra II, Biology and U.S. History in order to measure what they’ve learned. Scores will be figured into Kentucky’s accountability system, which measures schools progress in moving students toward proficiency. The state Board of Education has also recommended the results be counted as at least 20 percent of the student’s final grades in those courses.

Statement from Energy and Environment Secretary Len Peters regarding EPA

(Kentucky)  "We've been expecting the release of
a final guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding coal
mine permitting in the Appalachian region, and we will be reviewing this
document thoroughly. Our concern, however, is that the EPA will continue
to use 'guidance' rather than a legal administrative 'rule' as a means
to object to permits that are legal and in accordance with existing
Clean Water Act requirements. The EPA has already overstepped its
authority and used its interim guidance to object to legal permits
within Kentucky and other states. I am not optimistic that release of
this final guidance will lead to a different outcome. The only realistic
solution is for the EPA to follow proper administrative protocols,
protocols which allow for legitimate public input and appropriate
judicial review."

Body Recovered From River

(Elkhorn City, Ky) - At just before 6pm Thursday evening, a body was recovered from the Russell Fork river near Elkhorn City. Apparently, a kayaker making his way toward Elkhorn City discovered the body in the water just below a popular swimming area known as Pool Point and notified authorities. Local search crews have been looking for a missing swimmer who was reported missing Monday evening, but police officials are not saying at this point if the body found was that of the young man reported missing. Kentucky State Police is continuing to investigate. Stay tuned to the stations of East Kentucky Broadcasting for more updates on this story as they become available.

Pike County Schools to Offer Free Meals to All Students

(Pikeville, Ky) - Officials with the Pike County school system made an announcement this week that will save families of students hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars this upcoming school year. All students in the 24 schools in the Pike County school system will receive free meals this year, regardless of economic status. Superintendent, Roger Wagner says he is thrilled to be able to make this announcement. Wagner explained that the savings per student throughout the course of one school year is $525.00. So, by not having to buy breakfast and lunch meals at school, a family with four children in school will save $2,100.
Sabrina Thompson, School Food Service Director for the Pike County school system said another benefit to this program is the elimination of students being singled out because of their economic status. No longer will students be looked down apon because they are on "free" or "reduced" meal plans because of their families financial situation. In addition to the announcement of the no cost school meals, officials pointed out that currently, only 30% of students in grades K-12 eat breakfast at school. Breakfast is commonly referred to as the most important meal of the day, and Thompson said they want to increase the number of students eating breakfast. So, the morning bells will be ringing a little earlier this school year so each classroom in the county can be served breakfast for the first 10 minutes of each school day.

Williams Challenges Beshear On Expanded Gambling

{Kentucky}...At a political forum in Louisville Wednesday, Republican David Williams, who is running against Beshear in the November 8th election, has challenged Governor Steve Beshear to come up with a fresh constitutional amendment to place on the ballot so voters can decide the issue of expanded gambling. Beshear, who has been a major proponent for expanding gambling opportunities, made casino-style gambling the centerpiece of his last campaign. Williams called for Beshear to gauge support for gambling in the legislature. If enough lawmakers support it, Williams said the matter should be voted on by the House and Senate. Beshear blamed Williams, president of the state Senate, for blocking previous gambling proposals over the past three years.

Lexington To Release Parts Of Nunn Files

• {Kentucky}...Janet Graham, commissioner of the Lexington law department, says officials are reviewing thousands of pages in the file of former state Representative Steve Nunn. Despite an earlier decision to withhold the records from the public, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government has decided to release investigative files, redacting any personal information that could create risks of identity theft. Graham expects the process to take five to seven days. The city may withhold other portions in the file for up to 60 days, allowing third parties in the case to express any privacy concerns before the records are made available.

Harlan County Pastor Indicted

• {Kentucky}...Jeremy Caraway, the pastor of the Loyall Church of God in Harlan County, has been indicted after being accused of having sex with a female member of his congregation, under the afe of 14. He was charged with rape, sodomy, and sexual abuse after detectives uncovered suggestive Facebook messages in May that police believe pointed to a relationship between Caraway and the girl.

Ashland Deputies Led On Chase

• {Kentucky}...Boyd County Deputies arrested Timothy Neff, 31, of Ashland, early Wednesday morning on Stinson Road  following a short car chase. Deputies say he was caught with several hundred dollars in counterfeit money and illegal bath salts. Neff was taken to the Boyd County Detention Center and charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, fleeing and evading police, and criminal possession of a forged instrument. He is also wanted by U.S. Marshals on an outstanding warrant in Ohio.

Beshear and Williams Speak At Political Forum

• {Kentucky}...At a political forum Wednesday, Democratic Governor Steve Beshear and Republican challenger David Williams were reaching out to Kentucky farm leaders in their first joint appearance of the general election campaign. Beshear told leaders of the Kentucky Farm Bureau that the agricultural economy is "the heart and soul of Kentucky" and he promised to continue his efforts to bolster the industry. Williams said he considers fortifying the state's farming industry "a matter of national security" because it produces food necessary to keep the country running. Beshear is seeking a second term. Williams, the state Senate president, is one of two challengers trying to unseat him. The other, independent candidate Gatewood Galbraith, wasn't invited to the forum.

Kentucky Firefighters Return From Georgia

• {Kentucky}...A crew of 11 firefighters from the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) returned home from Georgia over the weekend after much needed rainfall helped quell wildfires that had started in early June.  The crew was assisting with the Sweat Farm Again Fire located in southeastern Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp when wet weather finally settled in late last week.  More than 2 inches and possibly up to 4 inches of rain fell since Friday on most areas of the fire complex. KDF firefighters from two separate crews spent nearly a month fighting the massive fire that burned more than 19,169 acres.

HUD Grant For Homeless

• {Kentucky}...U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan  announced the Commonwealth of Kentucky state program will receive more than $43.1 million to support community development and produce more affordable housing in Kentucky. Overall the State of Kentucky will receive over $62 million. HUD’s annual funding will also help find homes for individuals and families living on the streets and provide permanent housing for individuals living HIV/AIDS. 

Kentucky Among "Most Toxic Air" States

• {Kentucky}...As Congress debates and adopts proposals to weaken federal Clear Air safeguards, a new review of the latest federal Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data identifies Kentucky as among the 20 states with the most toxic air pollution from electric power plants. The Natural Resources Defense Council and Physicians for Social Responsibility will hold a phone-based news conference at 11 a.m. EDT/10 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 to release the analysis and the ranking of the “Toxic 20” states.

The “Toxic 20’’states to be highlighted are (in alphabetical order): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is wrapping up the public comment period for the Mercury and Air Toxics standards for power plants. Meanwhile, some members of Congress are working to block or delay the clean-up efforts. Two House Committees votes last week to delay these safeguards. Those bills are headed to the House floor in the coming days. 

WHO:           
Dan Lashof, climate center director, Natural Resources Defense Council
Dr. Lynn Ringenberg, a practicing pediatric MD and member of Physicians for Social
Responsibility

WHEN: Wednesday, July 20, 2011

TIME: 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time/10 a.m. Central Daylight Time

CALL-IN INFORMATION: Join the live, phone-based Kentucky news conference (with full,

two-way Q&A) at 11 a.m. EDT/10 a.m. CDT Wednesday, July 20, 2011, by dialing (800)

860-2442. Ask for the “Toxic 20” news event.

CAN’T PARTICIPATE?: A streaming audio replay of the Kentucky news event will be

available on the Web at http://www.nrdc.org/  as of 3 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. CDT on

Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

Marshall County Man Indicted On Pornography Charge

• {Kentucky}...Attorney General Jack Conway today announced the indictment of a Marshall County man on four counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, a Class D felony. A Marshall County grand jury indicted 42-year-old James Todd Hill on July 14 following an investigation by General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit.

As part of an undercover investigation that began on March 21, 2011, an investigator in General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit utilized file sharing in a peer-to-peer network to identify a computer that contained child pornography located in Gilbertsville, Ky. Hill was arrested on March 30, 2011 after a search warrant was executed at his home with the assistance of the Marshall County Sheriff's Department. Prosecution of this case is being handled by the office of Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Blankenship, representing the 42nd Judicial Circuit (Calloway and Marshall counties). Since its creation in June of 2008, General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit has launched more than 230 child pornography investigations and seized more than 280,000 child pornographic images and videos from the Internet. The unit is also a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

A charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Police Investigating Fatal Motorcycle Crash

{Kentucky}...Louisville Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash which occurred on the Watterson Expressway around 7:00 P.M. Saturday night. The driver of the motorcycle, 36 year old David Woosley was killed when a car crashed into the motorcycle while trying to merge. His passenger and the driver of the car were taken to University Hospital with unknown injuries.

Attorney General Investigating Student Loans

{Kentucky}...Nationally, student debt and default rates are rising. Of the 81 Kentucky schools eligible for federal student loan programs, 35 showed a three-year default rate for 2008 that was higher than the national average of 13.8 percent. The state's worst default rates are found at private, for-profit "career colleges" and several campuses of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway is leading an investigation with 17 other attorneys general into possible consumer protection violations by for-profit schools and says lawsuits are likely. Conway says high default rates can be a sign that a school produces unemployable graduates.

Louisville Leaders Want Lawsuit Dropped

{Kentucky}...Leaders in Louisville are asking the River Fields conservation group to end a lawsuit against the Ohio River Bridges Project between Kentucky and Indiana. Humana co-founder David Jones Sr. likens the group's opposition to those who prevented Reynolds Metals Co. from building an office building in eastern Jefferson County in the late 1950s. Reynolds later left for Richmond, Virginia. Leaders in Louisville say the group is delaying progress, but Lee Cory, president of River Fields' board of trustees, says the group's board is unified in its support for the lawsuit,  River Fields is a citizen group exercising its right to hold the government accountable, and River Fields hasn't delayed any part of the project. Cory says the slow-moving venture has languished because of a lack of funding. She says that since there's no injunction in the case, officials have been free to proceed with the project all along. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has asked be allowed to intervene in the lawsuit.

Supreme Court Considering OPEB

{West Virginia}...The state Board of Education has decided to have the legal staff of the state Department of Education prepare a "Friend of the Court" brief in connection with the fight by county school boards over the post employment benefit debt issue which is now before the state Supreme Court. A number of county boards are challenging a ruling from the state that says the local boards must list the debt of future retiree health care costs on their financial books. The state Board of Education says forcing counties to carry the debt on their books will result in large numbers of county boards of education being forced to report deficit balances.

Driver's Licenses Contain Security Features

{West Virginia}...The state is making changes to driver's licenses to comply with federal law. The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 is nudging states toward a nationwide identification system. West Virginia's DMV says its new licensing vendor, Marquis ID Systems of Fort Wayne, Indiana changed the look of the card and added security features. In addition to the information already on the state's licenses and ID cards - name, birth date, address and license number - a new identification number will be printed just under the resident's birth date. Another security feature not visible to the naked eye is the built-in micro-printing on the front of each card. Officials hope the micro-printing will reduce the number of fake IDs. The federal law requires all residents to provide their full, spelled-out names on their licenses or ID cards.

Conway Orders KSP Turn Over Photos

{Kentucky}...Attorney General Jack Conway says Kentucky State Police must turn over photos from the deadly 1977 Beverly Hills Supper Club fire even if they are in possession of a former employee. David Brock, 52, of Florence, who was an 18 year old busboy at the supper club the night of the fire, made the request. Brock wants to see the photos because he says he believes they will show the fire was caused by arson. The photos in the possession of a former KSP trooper are still subject to open records requests. In a ruling Friday, Assistant Attorney General Amye Bensenhaver rejected KSP’s claim that some photos from the fire were not subject to an open records request. KSP spokesman Lt. David Jude says KSP is reviewing the ruling and could consider an appeal.

Fourth Man Charged In Tennessee Murder

{Kentucky}...Twenty-eight year old Ronnie R. McClure, a fourth suspect in a gun battle that killed two Sevierville, Tennessee men, was arrested Thursday night on an indictment charging him with aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping. Twenty year old Brandon Lindsey and 23 year old Brandon Breitweiser, the men killed on February 3rd, were acquaintances of McClure's. Authorities earlier charged three Somerset, Kentucky men with reckless homicide. They are Jacob Sharp, Matthew W. Oakes and Marcus Chaney.

KSP Accepting Cadet Class Applications

{Kentucky}...The Kentucky State Police is accepting applications for its next cadet class. Interested applicants should visit the KSP website at http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org. Click on the link that says "Career Opportunities," then "Recruitment Home" then "How To Become A Kentucky State Trooper." The site includes an outline of the application process and a list of minimum requirements and disqualifications. Those interested in applying can download an application form and a study guide for the written test. The site also includes a list of testing dates, times and locations.

(Kentucky) - Since being designated for Individual Assistance May 19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Commonwealth of Kentucky have approved more than $12 million in assistance to

Kentuckians affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 12 to May 20. 

FEMA has approved $8,230,864 in Individual Assistance as part of the ongoing recovery efforts for residents of 22 Commonwealth counties. The funds help residents repair their damaged homes, replace uninsured personal property and find temporary housing following the disaster. The SBA has

approved loans totaling $3,809, 800 for individuals and businesses.

NASCAR Working With Kentucky Speedway Officials

{Kentucky}...NASCAR president Mike Helton is working with Kentucky Speedway officials to fix the traffic problems at the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. NASCAR and Speedway officials ate attempting to find out why fans were stuck in traffic for hours as they tried to get into the inaugural Sprint Cup race. Many fans were turned away at the gate because the track ran out of parking spaces. Helton says NASCAR “won’t rest” until it figures out what went wrong and how to correct the problems.

Ford Accepts Applications

{Kentucky}...Nearly 17,000 people have submitted applications for jobs at Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant, which is in need of about 1,800 workers when the plant reopens in November. Applicants for the jobs, which pay $15.51 an hour, will undergo further screenings, tests, background checks and interviews to be considered for the job.

Rahall Announces HUD Funding For Veterans

{West Virginia}...Congressman Nick Rahall announced Thursday that programs in Huntington and Raleigh County will receive federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide additional housing assistance to homeless veterans. The Housing Authority of Huntington will use a $56,000 grant to provide rental assistance to 15 veterans, while the Housing Authority of Raleigh County will use a grant of nearly $36,000 to assist 10 veterans.

Instant Racing Approved At Kentucky Downs

{Kentucky}...The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission unanimously approved the first expanded gambling at a state horse track Thursday when it agreed to allow a game known as Instant Racing at Kentucky Downs. Kentucky Downs in south-central Kentucky, which had requested permission to implement the game in which gamblers bet on past horse races using slot-like devices, plans to invest $3 million and hire 85 workers to implement the new betting option. The commission approved the request by a voice vote with no opposition. Corey Johnsen, president of Kentucky Downs, says plans are to have 200 devices offering the new wager prior to September 10th, when the track at Franklin, near the Tennessee border, opens its four-day meet. In Instant Racing, tracks accept pari-mutuel bets on rebroadcasts of old races, stripped of the names of the horses, jockeys and trainers. The Franklin County Circuit Court, in Frankfort, ruled in December that the Instant Racing machines are pari-mutuel in nature and therefore legal under current Kentucky law.

(Frankfort, KY) - The Kentucky State Police will begin accepting applications for its next cadet class on July 15. Interested applicants should visit the KSP website at www.kentuckystate police.org and click

on the Career Opportunities, Recruitment Home and How To Become A Kentucky State Trooper links.

Information at the site includes an outline of the application process, a list of minimum requirements and disqualifications, a downloadable application form with a list of supporting documents required, a

downloadable study guide for the written test and a list of the testing dates, times and locations:

Sept. 9, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, Indiana Wesleyan University, Florence, Ky.

Application deadline: Sept. 2)
Sept. 17, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky.
(Application deadline: Sept. 9)
Sept. 21, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, Eastern Kentucky University, Funderburk
Building, Richmond, Ky. (Application deadline: Sept. 14)
Sept. 22, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, Eastern Kentucky University, Funderburk
Building, Richmond, Ky. (Application deadline: Sept. 14)
Sept. 23, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, Eastern Kentucky University, Funderburk
Building, Richmond, Ky. (Application deadline: Sept. 14)
Sept. 27, 2011: 9:00 a.m. CST, Western Kentucky University, Bowling
Green, Ky. (Application deadline: Sept. 20)
Oct. 15, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky.
(Application deadline: Oct. 7)
Oct. 22, 2011: 9:00 a.m. CST, Murray State University, Murray, Ky.
(Application deadline: Oct. 14)
Oct. 29, 2011: 9:00 a.m. EST, Eastern Kentucky University, Funderburk
Building, Richmond, Ky. (Application deadline: Oct. 21)

If more information is needed after visiting the website, applicants can
call toll-free
1-866-360-3165 during office hours from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (ET) Monday
through Friday or leave a message any other time.

All application materials must be completed and returned to the KSP
Recruitment Branch at 919 Versailles Road, Frankfort, KY 40601 by the
application deadline. The next cadet class is scheduled to begin in May
of 2012.

Financial Aid Tip

Many sources of financial aid are available to help college-bound students pay higher education expenses, including federal and state grants, scholarships and Federal Stafford and PLUS Loans. In addition, merit-based scholarships and need-based grants are often available at the local level.

All of these programs may help ease the burden of paying for college. However, sometimes these sources are not enough to cover all the costs. When that happens, parents and students may take advantage of private student loans, also called alternative loans.

The interest rate on private loans will largely depend on the borrower’s credit rating, so students and parents may have to pay higher interest rates than they would on federal student loans. In addition, many lenders require students to have a cosigner, and some require the college to certify that the student needs the loan.

Students and parents are encouraged to do research before committing to any loan.

Beshear Requests Major Disaster Declaration

{Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear has requested a major disaster declaration from President Barack Obama for parts of eastern Kentucky damaged by flooding, high winds and tornadoes that began June 19th. Bell, Breathitt, Knott, Knox, Lee, Magoffin and Perry counties have requested public assistance, while Bell, Breathitt, Knox, Lee and Perry have also requested individual and household assistance. Evaluation teams estimate public sector damages are more than $5.7 million and more than 350 homes and 65 businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed in the storms. One death was attributed to the storms.A major disaster declaration allows individuals, businesses and governments to seek financial assistance from the federal government for cleanup, repair and replacement of property.

Former Williamsburg Attorney Sentenced

{Kentucky}...U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove has sentenced former Williamsburg attorney 54 year old Ronnie Wayne Reynolds to 27 months for extortion under color of official right. Reynolds will also have to forfeit $199,500 after he admitted conspiring with then-Whitley County Sheriff Lawrence Hodge to extort money from people charged with drug crimes. Reynolds' plea agreement indicates he charged the three people a total of $257,000. The U.S. attorney's office says Reynolds admitted making cash payments of more than $57,000 to Hodge so Hodge would refer three individuals charged with crimes to Reynolds. Hodge pleaded guilty in May to his role in the extortion conspiracy and to a drug and money laundering conspiracy and agreed to a 15 1/2-year sentence. He is to be sentenced later.

Former Kentucky Court Of Appeals Judge Dies

{Kentucky}...Former Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Joseph R. Huddleston died  Monday in Hilton Head, South Carolina after a battle with cancer. He was 74. Huddleston was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1991. After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1962, he practiced in Bowling Green for 25 years with his father and brothers before becoming Warren County Circuit Court Judge. He took senior status with the Court of Appeals in 2003 and continued until 2007. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. CDT July 23rd at Christ Episcopal Church in Bowling Green.

Paul Presses Homeland Security Officials

{Kentucky}...During a hearing Wednesday on how suspected terrorists Waad Ramadan Alwan, 30, and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 23, were arrested in Bowling Green in May, were able to slip through the nation's security net and live in the United States. U.S. Senator Rand Paul pressed Homeland Security officials on his concerns about how, despite fingerprints linking one of them to a roadside bomb, the two Iraqi nationals were able to live for several years in his hometown of Bowling Green. Department of Homeland Security officials acknowledged the Bowling Green case highlighted gaps in the screening process that have since been corrected. The Senate hearing also explored how fingerprint database gaffes and visa fraud have further complicated tracking terrorists who travel and live in the United States.

McConnell Criticizes Obama Plan

{Kentucky}...The United States must raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by August 2nd  or risk default, an event that the Obama administration and many financial analysts warn could trigger a deeper recession and worldwide financial chaos. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell sharply criticized President Barack Obama Tuesday, saying there is no chance of a bipartisan deal on spending and debt with “this president … in the Oval Office.” McConnell’s plan would allow raising the debt ceiling three times between now and the end of next year. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, says raising the nation’s debt ceiling was the president’s problem, but he did not know if McConnell’s proposal could get through the House. A conservative group, For America, immediately accused McConnell of going too far.

Beshear Seeks "Race to the Top" Funding

{Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear signed an executive order in Frankfort Tuesday that created the Early Childhood Advisory Council. The 26-member bipartisan panel of education experts will be part of a team given the task of securing new federal "Race to the Top" grants for early childhood education. Kentucky could win up to $60 million in the nationwide grant competition called "Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge," aimed at boosting education for children from birth to age 5. Kentucky lost the first "Race to the Top" competition in 2010 but was among the finalists. The deadline to apply is October 15th.

Bill Calls For Background Checks

(Kentucky) - In Kentucky, nursing homes and assisted-living homes have to conduct criminal background checks only on employees such as nurses, who provide direct care to residents. Last week, Senator Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, prefiled legislation for the 2012 General Assembly that would require criminal background checks for all long-term care employees. The legislation would prohibit employment by a long-term care center, a nursing facility, or an assisted-living community of anyone convicted of a felony offense related to theft, abuse or sale of illegal drugs, abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult or a sexual crime. Buford says he filed the legislation due to a number of cases in Kentucky in which nursing home employees have taken not only financial advantage of residents but also physical, sexual and emotional advantage of them.

Former Red Cross Director Pleads Guilty

(West Virginia) - Samuel Bunner, the former director of emergency services for the Eastern Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross, pleaded guilty Monday to felony embezzlement, admitting he stole more than $30,000 from the organization. Bunner was authorized to put cash on Red Cross debit cards, but instead of giving the cards to disaster victims prosecutors say he would cash out the money himself. Bunner was sentenced to 1-10 years in prison, but that was suspended and he was given five years probation and ordered to give back all of the money he took. Bunner will go to jail if he misses any monthly restitution payments to the Red Cross.

Marshall University Football Player Dismissed

(West Virginia) - Marshall University football coach Doc Holliday announced Monday that safety Donald Brown was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. Brown was arrested Monday on a domestic battery charge over an incident Sunday involving his wife and 11-month-old daughter. An official with the Cabell County Magistrate Clerk's office says that Huntington police allege Brown repeatedly struck his wife during an altercation while she was holding the baby, and the baby was inadvertently struck.

Hydraulic Fracturing Opponents Rally At State Capitol

(West Virginia) - More than 100 opponents of hydraulic fracturing rallied outside the state Capitol Monday calling on West Virginia officials to halt its use in the state’s Marcellus shale natural gas field. They want a moratorium in the absence of regulations specifically written for Marcellus shale drilling. The West Virginia Legislature failed to pass a Marcellus rules bill during this year’s regular session. A House-Senate committee is now attempting a compromise measure that could be considered in special session.

Busch Wins Quaker State 400 At Kentucky Speedway

(Kentucky) - Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Sprint Cup series Quaker State 400 at the Kentucky Speedway Saturday while mileslong rows of vehicles crept along Ky. 35 and Interstate 71 to see the first Sprint Cup race in Kentucky, which drew traffic beyond what was expected. Many sat in traffic for several hours, and some were turned away at the gate because no more parking was available. Bruton Smith, chairman of the track's ownership group, says as many as 20,000 fans didn't get in because traffic was horrendous. Governor Steve Beshear said Sunday he will work with officials at Kentucky Speedway to address the traffic flow and parking problems that left thousands of fans unable to see the race.

Helicopter Crash Kills Kentucky Man

(Kentucky) - Indiana State Police have confirmed the pilot killed in a helicopter crash in far southeastern Indiana Saturday was Joseph Ohnheiser of Sadieville, Kentucky. Police say Ohnheiser was dead when police reached the crash site at about 4:30 P.M. in a wooded area near the town of Rising Sun, Indiana. Ohnheiser took off early Saturday from Georgetown and disappeared from radar at about 9:30 A.M. The crash site was located from the air with the help of the Air Force at about 3:20 P.M.

Amanda's Law Gains Little Traction

(Kentucky) - One year after Amanda's Law took effect, the global positioning system tracking of domestic violence offenders that would alert victims when offenders get too close has gained little traction. Advocates say lack of funding, lack of access to technology and lack of willpower by elected officials is the problem, along with the final version changing the bill's original intent, limiting its effect. Marcia Roth, director of the Mary Byron Project in Louisville, which works to end domestic violence, says a year without much progress should be a wake-up call. Pike Family Court Judge Larry Thompson says, in Pike County, the cell phone coverage needed to operate a GPS tracking system varies wildly, and the county hasn't been able to find a provider for that uniform coverage, so they haven't been able to set up a system.

Kentucky Education Ranks 33rd Nationwide

(Kentucky) - According to a new study by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky has made substantial strides in education during the past two decades and now ranks 33rd nationwide in an index of education performance indicators. The report says Kentucky's ranking on the Index of Educational Progress has risen by more than almost any other state during the past 20 years. In 1990, Kentucky ranked 48th. State Education Commissioner Terry Holliday says the state hasn't tooted its horn enough about the progress that's been made since the 1990s in Kentucky, and, while the state still has a long way to go to catch up with other states, it has made substantial progress.

Alliance Coal Contributions Big In Primary

(Kentucky) - A published report says Alliance Coal employees were among the biggest donors in Kentucky's primary election campaign. Campaign contributions candidates filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance show 10 employees of Alliance, along with their spouses, donated a total of $60,000 to three candidates... Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes for secretary of state, Republican Todd P'Pool for attorney general and Republican David Williams for governor.