Kentucky News Now

BUDGET

State officials say Kentucky is on pace to meet budget

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's chief budget officer said the state is more likely to avoid a shortfall after solid growth in tax collections through the first six months of the fiscal year.

State Budget Director Jane Driskell said the state's money from income and sales taxes and fees grew $5 million in December. So far, Kentucky's general fund revenue has increased 3.5 percent from last year through December. The state's $9.8 billion spending plan assumes the state's revenues would grow 3.6 percent by the end of June.

Kentucky ended the 2013-14 fiscal year with a $90 million shortfall.

Driskell said the state's gas tax collections grew by $123.6 million in December. Collectively, the road fund has grown by 1.1 percent through December. But officials expect that number to drop as the gas tax fell 4.3 cents in January.

GOVERNOR

Democrat Conway officially files for governor's race

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democrat Jack Conway has officially filed to run for governor.

The Attorney General filed candidacy papers with the Secretary of State's office Monday morning. Conway officially announced his candidacy in May and has been raising money ever since, raising more than $1.3 million. But Monday's filing officially puts him on the ballot for the May 19 Democratic primary.

Conway is the second person to file for Kentucky's chief executive officer. Former congressional candidate Geoff Young filed in December. It's unclear if other top Democrats will challenge Conway for the nomination. House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins is considering a run but has not made a decision.

Candidates have until 4 p.m. on Jan. 27 to file for the race. At least three Republicans have said they will run, but none has filed yet.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

GOP Lawrence County attorney to run for Attorney General

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Lawrence County Attorney Michael T. Hogan says he will run for state Attorney General as a Republican.

Hogan's announcement sets up a Republican primary against state Sen. Whitney Westerfield, who filed for the office on Friday. Hogan said he was submitting his paperwork Monday with the Secretary of State's office.

The 46-year-old was re-elected in November to a fourth term as Lawrence County attorney. He has a law degree from Northern Kentucky University and is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. He and his wife, Joy, live in Louisa and have three children.

Hogan said he decided to run for office because he was tired of the Attorney General's office being a stepping stone for people who want to be governor. He pledged to be a strong advocate for county attorneys and local prosecutors.

PARK RANGERS

State Police veteran Lisa Rudzinski named head of Ranger Division for Ky. state parks

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A former Kentucky State Police officer has been hired as director of the Ranger Division for Kentucky State Parks.

Lisa Rudzinski's appointment was announced Monday by Parks Commissioner Elaine Walker.

Rudzinski replaces Joe West, who was named director of law enforcement for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Walker says Rudzinski will make a seamless transition into her new job due to her background.

Kentucky State Park rangers provide public safety and law enforcement services at 49 state parks.

Rudzinski, a Bowling Green native, spent more than 21 years with state police before retiring in July.

She began as a trooper and eventually served as post commander at London, Bowling Green and Richmond. She also served as deputy director for the state police administrative division.

KSP-DISTRACTED DRIVING

KSP takes aim at distracted, impaired and aggressive driving

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police have started a new initiative aimed at cracking down on aggressive, impaired and distracted driving.

The effort, known as Operation R.A.I.D., began on Sunday and continues until Jan. 24.

State police officials say the statewide effort is aimed at reducing collisions and loss of life.

Officials say each KSP post will utilize specific data indicating where the majority of crashes occurred, the cause of the crashes and times when the crashed occurred. Based on that data, posts will increase enforcement efforts in those targeted zones for all passenger and commercial vehicles.

FIGHTING HEROIN

Outpatient clinic to help N. Ky. in fight against heroin

EDGEWOOD, Ky. (AP) — A new outpatient clinic to help fight the growing heroin problem is planned for northern Kentucky.

The Kentucky Enquirer (http://cin.ci/1C3RuS5) reports the clinic will be a partnership between St. Elizabeth Healthcare and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

The facility will offer treatments that combine medicine to help addicts stabilize and a 12-step counseling program for recovery.

Chuck Washburn, St. Elizabeth's system director of behavioral health, told the newspaper that the clinic is "a huge milestone."

According to The Enquirer, St. Elizabeth is one of only a few health organizations to partner with Hazelden, which has begun reaching out to help address addiction problems throughout the nation with prescription painkillers and heroin.

MARSHALL JUDGE-EXECUTIVE

Marshall County's new judge-executive sworn in to office

BENTON, Ky. (AP) — Marshall County had sworn in a new judge-executive.

She is Chyrill Miller, the widow of Marshall County's late judge-executive, Mike Miller.

Gov. Steve Beshear on Friday appointed her to fill the vacancy left by her husband's Dec. 15 death. She was sworn in Monday at the county courthouse by District Judge Jack Telle and Circuit Judge Dennis Foust.

Mike Miller, a Democrat, was 70 when he died after collapsing at work. He was judge-executive for 40 years and was re-elected to another term in November.

Chyrill Miller said in a statement she intends to carry on her husband's legacy.

Beshear said in a statement that Miller will not run this fall when Marshall County voters elect a new judge-executive. The filing deadline to run for the office is Jan. 27

FIELD TRIP GRANTS

Field trip grants available in Kentucky, Tennessee

GOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — Public school districts located within 100 miles of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area can apply for a grant for educational field trips during the 2015-2016 school year.

Land Between the Lakes says the grants help pay for transportation, admission fees, program costs and dorm rental.

The amount of the grant is based on school matching funds, number of students, family income levels and programs to be participated in.

The programs are designed to support Kentucky and Tennessee state K-12 curriculum guidelines for science, social studies and arts and humanities.

The deadline to apply is April 30. For more information, visit http://friendsoflbl.org/programs/field-trip-grant-info.php or call (270) 924-2091.

Land Between the Lakes manages more than 170,000 acres in western Kentucky and Tennessee.