"Blue Lights Across the Bluegrass"

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...In an effort to raise awareness of traffic safety laws and encourage safe driving habits, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety is partnering with state and local law enforcement on the "Blue Lights Across the Bluegrass" campaign throughout July. Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock says the year started with a reduction in fatalities, but beginning in May, fatalities began a dramatic increase. As of June 27th, there were 356 highway fatalities, 41 more than at the same time last year. Over half of those killed were not wearing seat belts. Twenty-four percent involved a distracted driver, 16 percent involved an impaired driver, and over half of those killed in motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet. 

Muhammad Ali Center, Park West Galleries Settle Dispute

{Louisville, Kentucky}...The Muhammad Ali Center and a Michigan art gallery have settled a dispute over whether and how to display more than 180 pieces chronicling the champion's career. In a joint statement, the Ali Center and Park West Galleries of Southfield, Michigan said Friday that the agreement allows the Louisville-based center to display artwork at its discretion as space becomes available. The two sides also agreed that only works included in an online authentication database or otherwise verified would be displayed by the center or sold by Park West Galleries. The Ali Center sued Park West on Tuesday, saying six pieces donated to the center had autographs that could not be authenticated.

Former Executive Sues The Courier-Journal

{Louisville, Kentucky}...Mike Huot, a former executive at The Courier-Journal, has sued the newspaper, alleging he was terminated because of his age. The suit says Huot was 62 when he was told last September that his job as vice president of circulation, which he had held since 1999, was being "eliminated." The lawsuit says the newspaper brought in a younger employee to replace him. The lawsuit was filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court this week against the newspaper and parent company Gannett. Huot said he received excellent reviews throughout 25 years with Gannett. He made more than $300,000 a year with bonuses and stock incentives.

Danville Psychiatrist Has License Suspended

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...The state Board of Medical Licensure has issued an emergency order of suspension for Dr. Melborne Williams, a Danville psychiatrist. Officials are investigating allegations that at least 12 of his patients in Clay County died of drug overdoses in the past year. Williams allegedly overprescribed Xanax and other prescription medications. The suspension order says Williams prescribed 1.35 million Alprazolam, which is commonly known by the brand name Xanax, tablets on 12,622 separate prescriptions between April 2011 and March 12, 2012, making him the leading prescriber of that medication in Kentucky.

KY To Create Statewide Health Insurance Exchange

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear said Thursday Kentucky is ready to move ahead to create a statewide health insurance exchange after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal health care federal health care overhaul. Beshear said he will issue an executive order "soon" to create the online exchange that's intended to help uninsured Kentuckians find affordable health coverage. Officials say the health care act will add 300,000 Kentuckians who can't afford health insurance to the Medicaid program. In February, Kentucky received a nearly $58 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to prepare for the implementation of the reforms.

Drought Conditions Hit Kentucky

Temperatures topped 100 degrees across Kentucky on Thursday. Kentucky officials say drought conditions exist in three-fourths of the state, and the dry spell has become severe in parts of western Kentucky, where farmers are at risk of low yields or no crops at all. Thursday, the state climatologist's office put 24 western Kentucky counties in the severe drought category. Another 66 counties are in moderate to severe drought. That area stretches from portions of western Kentucky to the state's Appalachian region. Louisville sweltered in 103-degree heat, making it the hottest June day recorded in Kentucky's largest city. In eastern Kentucky, it was the hottest June day on record in Jackson, where it was 100. London set its own heat record for the month at 99 degrees.

Site Chosen For New VA Hospital

{Louisville, Kentucky}...The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced it has chosen the location for a new $883.2 million veterans hospital in Louisville to open in 2018. The site is east of downtown near the Brownsboro Road and Watterson Expressway interchange. U.S. Representative John Yarmuth, a Louisville Democrat, says he has been assured the VA will work to control traffic congestion and other concerns. Political leaders supported the announcement in 2006 that a new hospital would be built, noting complaints that the existing VA medical center is overcrowded and outdated.