Sypher Appeal Rejected

A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of 52 year old Karen Sypher, the woman who tried to extort millions in cash, cars and a house from University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino in exchange for staying quiet about a tryst in a Louisville restaurant. The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday found that attorneys for Sypher "advanced no arguments of merit on appeal." In 2010, a jury convicted Sypher of extortion, lying to the FBI and retaliation against a witness. Since being convicted, Sypher has put forth a variety of conspiracy theories which have been rejected by a federal judge and law enforcement. Sypher is serving a seven-year sentence at a federal prison in Marianna, Florida.

Beshear Urged To Opt Out Of Medicaid Plan

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover is calling on Governor Steve Beshear to opt out of one of the more expensive provisions of the federal health care reforms, opening the state's Medicaid program to more people. Senate Republicans say doing so could add $500 million in costs to the program that traditionally has served the poor, elderly and disabled. The additional Medicaid costs could jeopardize the state's ability to pay for other government services. Under the health care reforms, the federal government would initially cover the increased Medicaid costs. But in future years, part of that cost would shift back to the state. Hoover says that would leave lawmakers with the decision to cut other state programs or raise taxes.

BOE Chairman Reappointed

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear has reappointed former state senator David Karem of Louisville to the Kentucky Board of Education for a term expiring April 14, 2016. Karem serves as chairman of the board. Also this week, Beshear reappointed Brigitte Ramsey, of Falmouth, to the board. Beshear appointed Leo Calderon, of Edgewood, to the board to replace Billy Harper, of West Paducah, whose term has expired. The appointments of Ramsey and Calderon are also good through April 14, 2016.

Pit Bull Dog Bites Teen

{Lexington, Kentucky}...A 16 year old boy was taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital on the Fourth of July after a pit bull bit him in the groin. Lexington paramedics were called to a fireworks stand behind Thornton's on Woodhill Drive in Lexington where Megan Childers of Lexington, who was operating the fireworks stand, said her 2 year old dog Saint had bitten a boy in the groin. Childers said the dog had been staked to the ground on a leash behind the tent. Animal control cited Childers' fiance, Terry Spencer of Winchester, for having a dog without a license. Childers said they were told to take the dog home and keep it quarantined.

Two Escape From Bell County Forestry Camp

The search continues for 37 year old Timothy Bowling and 28 year old Sammy Chilton, two inmates who escaped around 6:00 P.M. Monday from the Bell County Forestry Camp. Officers say the two were present at the 3:30 P.M. count but they were not present for the 6:00 P.M. count. Officials say a dog followed their scent into the woods next to the camp, but then lost them. Tuesday, Kentucky State Police searched several places in the Wallins area of Harlan County where Bowling is from but still did not find them. Chilton is serving a five year sentence for drug trafficking in Marshall County. Bowling is serving a seven year sentence for theft and drug charges in Harlan County.

Churchill Purses Down Slightly

{Louisville, Kentucky}...Churchill Downs says its average daily purses and horse fields were down slightly during its just-ended spring meet. Officials say the Louisville track's effort to present a strong daily racing product was made more difficult by competition from tracks in other states where purses are padded by casino revenues. Kentucky lawmakers have refused to allow slot machines at the state's tracks. Churchill Downs track President Kevin Flanery says the track continues to compete on a playing field that is far from level, and the impact of that competition becomes more evident with each racing meet. Daily purses for Churchill's racing program during the spring meet averaged $549,759. That's down 1 percent from a year ago when the daily average was $555,242 during the spring meet. The track drew an average of 7.7 horses per race during this year's spring meet, down slightly from a year ago. This year's spring meet was highlighted by record attendance and betting for the Kentucky Derby. All-sources wagering on the Derby was up nearly 19 percent. Wagering from all-sources on the Derby race card was up 13 percent from last year.

Pulaski County Teen Drowns

{Somerset, Kentucky}...Pulaski County Coroner Richard New says 16 year old Jesse Pratt of Mount Victory was swimming with two friends Sunday at Bee Rock when he jumped into the Rockcastle River, went under "once or twice" and then did not resurface. He had been under water for about a half-hour when his body was found. New says the death is consistent with drowning.