Former State Treasurer...Good At Poker

Former Kentucky state treasurer Jonathan Miller finished eighth overall in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, walking away with $69,896 in winnings. Miller, a Lexington lawyer, was one of nine players left in a No-Limit Hold 'em tournament that started with 4,620 players. Miller says he plans to give part of his prize money to his temple and that a good portion of the rest will probably go into his daughters' college funds. The winner, Dominik Nitsche of Germany, received $654,797. Miller wrote Saturday on his Web site that most of the competitors left in the tournament were professionals. But he quipped that "being Kentucky's State Treasurer has equipped me with some pretty good money management skills. And being in state and national politics for two decades has empowered me to cope with tables filled of liars and posers."

No Funding For Aging Bridge

Since President Barack Obama stood in front of the Brent Spence Bridge last year proclaiming the need to replace it, no clear funding source has materialized for the $2.4 billion needed. The nearly half-century-old span that connects northern Kentucky and southern Ohio is considered terrifying by some. Some in Congress and in the local community wonder whether money for beautification projects could fund a sizable portion of the bridge. The money for such projects usually comes from transportation enhancement grants, but federal stimulus funds have also been used. Transportation officials say all the enhancement grants in the country would account for less than half of the Brent Spence Bridge replacement costs.

Man Charged With Kentucky Murder

{Corbin, Kentucky}...Kentucky State Police say 49 year old Howard M. White, of Bagdad, Kentucky was killed when a white panel truck hit him while he had his wrecker pulled to the side of the road alongside Interstate 75 in Laurel County around 4:00 A.M. Saturday morning. His two passengers were unharmed. The truck's driver, 24 year old Austin T. Meredith of Sevierville, Tennessee, was arrested after police decided he was under the influence of alcohol. Meredith has been charged with murder, DUI, wanton endangerment and several commercial vehicle violations.

Karem School Board Chairmanship Rescinded

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear has rescinded his designation of David Karem as chairman of the state school board. Beshear issued an executive order last Monday reappointing Karem to the board. The order also designated the former state senator from Louisville as board chairman. Beshear issued another order Thursday without the chairman reference. He doesn't have the power to name the board's chairman...only the board can do that.

Paul Calls Affordable Care Act Unconstitutional

{Hopkinsville, Kentucky}...Speaking in Hopkinsville Thursday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul said, despite the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, he believes the law doesn't stand up to legal scrutiny. A week earlier, Senator Paul said, "Just because a couple people on the Supreme Court declare something to be 'constitutional' does not make it so. The whole thing remains unconstitutional." The high court voted 5-4 to uphold the sweeping health care law, saying that Congress didn't have the power under the Commerce Clause to force everyone to buy health insurance, but it could penalize or tax people for not doing so. Paul says the Supreme Court's decision lifts the limits on what Congress can tax.

Man Accused Of Car Theft

{Louisville, Kentucky}...Louisville Police have arrested 20 year old Herbert Lee after he was found driving a vehicle that had been reported stolen from a rental car agency. Lee was released late last year after serving one year on manslaughter charges stemming from the deaths of four teenagers in 2008. In that case, Lee was giving the boys a ride home from a youth event in a stolen car when he crashed into a tree.

Louisville Firefighter Faces Drug Charge

{Louisville, Kentucky}...Louisville firefighter 45-year-old Sgt. Willie McBride Jr. has been arrested after police say they found 31 pounds of marijuana, guns, cash and drug paraphernalia in his home. According to an arrest citation, officers found a "large quantity" of marijuana, several guns, including a shotgun and 40-caliber Glock pistol, along with more than $400 in McBride's pocket. He will be arraigned in Jefferson District Court on July 10th.