Kentucky News Now

GOP 2016-PAUL

McConnell endorses Paul's bid for a 2016 presidential caucus

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is supporting Rand Paul's effort to create a Kentucky presidential caucus in 2016, which would allow Paul to run for president and re-election to his Senate seat simultaneously.

The caucus means Paul would not be on the ballot twice in the same election, which is barred by Kentucky law.

McConnell was initially skeptical about the idea, but changed his mind after Paul told him it would be a one-time event and he would raise money to pay for it, according to a statement from McConnell's Chief of Staff Brian McGuire first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The move only affects the primary election. Paul would likely need a court order for the general election should he win the Republican presidential nomination.

HEALTH OVERHAUL-ENROLLMENT

Beshear to reopen enrollment period for health insurance

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Those who missed the Feb. 15 deadline to apply for discount health insurance have now got another chance.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced Tuesday the start of a special enrollment period from March 2 to April 30. Beshear said the grace period is for Kentuckians who did not realize they would have to pay a tax of at least $325 for not having insurance in 2015.

Those who missed the Feb. 15 deadline and did not qualify for an exemption still have to pay a fee for any months they were not insured. But Beshear said if they sign up by April 30, they could avoid additional fees for the rest of the year.

People can apply online at https://kynect.ky.gov or call (855) 459-6328.

BOOSTER SEATS

Booster seat bill clears House committee

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Children between 40 inches and 57 inches tall and younger than 9 years old would have to ride in a booster seat in Kentucky under a bill that cleared a House committee on Tuesday.

Current state law requires children under 7 years old who are between 40 inches and 50 inches tall to ride in a booster seat. Democratic state Rep. Steve Riggs said studies have shown that seat belts do not fit correctly on children shorter than 57 inches, which can cause serious injury in a collision. Riggs noted that every state that borders Kentucky has updated their laws to 57 inches.

Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said in his annual State of the Commonwealth address the bill was a top priority in his final year as governor. Similar efforts in previous years have failed to pass the legislature.

LANDLINES

Telephone deregulation bill passes Kentucky House

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Telephone companies would be freed from maintaining their landline networks in Kentucky's urban areas under a bill that passed the state House by a wide margin.

Supporters, led by Democratic Rep. Rick Rand of Bedford, said the bill guarantees that landline phone customers in rural areas can keep their service if they wish.

The measure passed the House on a 71-25 vote Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate.

Gov. Steve Beshear hailed the House vote and called on the Senate to pass the bill quickly.

Beshear says the measure strikes a balance between providing consumer protection and creating economic development opportunities spinning off from expanding broadband access.

Rand says the bill will spur more investment in broadband networks across Kentucky.

Opponents say there's no guarantee of added investments.

ALCOHOL DISTRIBUTOR

House bans brewers from owning distributors

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The state House of Representatives has approved a bill that would force Anheuser-Busch to sell two Kentucky companies that distribute alcohol in Jefferson and Daviess counties.

The House voted 67-31 to approve a bill that would not allow brewers to own distributors. The bill was championed by smaller breweries who worried Anheuser-Busch would only market its own products.

Anheuser-Busch has owned a Louisville distributor since 1978. Last year, the company purchased another distributor in Owensboro, which prompted the bill. An effort to exempt the two distributors Anheuser-Busch already owns failed in a close vote.

Anheuser-Busch Director of Sales and Marketing Damon Williams said the vote violated the company's property rights and upended a successful beer distribution system. He vowed to continue to fight the legislation in the state Senate.

ASIAN CARP FISHERY

New Asian carp fishery setting up shop in western Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A new fishery that will seek out Asian carp in western Kentucky will create up to 66 new jobs.

Blue Shore Fishery is investing $1.3 million in the fishery in Graves County. A release from Gov. Steve Beshear says Blue Shore will catch Asian carp throughout western Kentucky and process the carp in a former catfish processing plant off Kentucky 97. The 11,000-square-foot facility will be ready this spring.

The company also plans to add an additional 5,000 square feet of space.

Blue Shore produces food products from Asian carp. The company plans to sell to wholesale and retail markets in the U.S. and China.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $1 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program.

BILL COSBY-LEXINGTON

Bill Cosby's show in Lexington postponed

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Bill Cosby's show at the University of Kentucky next month has been postponed.

Cosby has canceled more than a dozen shows following allegations by women that they were sexually abused by the 77-year-old comedian and television star. Cosby has denied wrongdoing and hasn't been charged with any crime.

The university said the March 15 performance at the Singletary Center for the Arts was postponed by mutual agreement with Cosby and the show's promoter, National Artists Corp. A news release did not give a new date or a reason for the postponement.

The Singletary Center box office will issue refunds beginning March 2.

WILDLIFE REFUGES REOPENING

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area to reopen March 16

GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — Wildlife refuges at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area are reopening in a few weeks.

Land Between The Lakes says it is reopening Rushing Bay, Duncan Bay, Duncan Lake, Smith Bay, Fulton-Honker Bay, Honker Lake Refuge, Long Creek Waterfowl Refuge and portions of Energy Lake on March 16. Hematite Lake will also open for bank fishing only.

Wildlife Program Manager Steve Bloemer says the areas are closed Nov. 1 through March 15, primarily as waterfowl and eagle refuges. He says by early to mid-March, most wintering eagles and waterfowl begin migrating north.

Land Between The Lakes manages more than 170,000 acres in western Kentucky and Tennessee as part of the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture's public lands program.