Kentucky News Now – August 31st 2015

EDUCATION COMMISSIONER

Education commissioner search narrowed to 2 finalists

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Board of Education has chosen two finalists in its search for a new state education commissioner.

Media reports say the board did not identify the two final candidates in the running to succeed education Commissioner Terry Holliday. He is retiring at the end of the month after nearly six years on the job.

The board narrowed the list of candidates from five to two after conducting a second round of interviews Friday and Saturday.

The board says it will commission in-depth background checks on the two finalists, a process likely to take several weeks.

Board Chairman Roger Marcum says he doesn't expect the board to publicly name the two finalists. He says it's up to those candidates if they choose to identify themselves as finalists.

HOMELESS STUDENTS

Kentucky has more than 30,000 homeless students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A review of federal education data shows more than 30,000 students in Kentucky are homeless.

The Lexington Herald-Leader says its analysis shows Kentucky has the nation's highest rate of student homelessness.

The newspaper says the number of homeless students in Kentucky has nearly doubled in less than six years, reaching a high of more than 35,000 students in the 2011-12 school year. In 2013-14, the number dropped slightly to a little more than 31,000. But that's still far more than the 17,716 homeless students recorded in 2006-07.

Under a definition by the U.S. Department of Education, children are considered homeless if they are living in a shelter, motel or campground, car, outside or with another family member due to loss of housing or economic hardship.

ACADEMY-SEX ABUSE

Academy worker to be sentenced in sex abuse case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former police officer will be sentenced this fall after pleading guilty to violating sex abuse laws with students at a residential, educational program run by the Kentucky National Guard.

The U.S. attorney's office in Louisville says 45-year-old Stephen E. Miller of Grayson County pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with three female students and third-degree sodomy with a fourth at Bluegrass Challenge Academy in 2013. Miller is a former Leitchfield police officer.

Prosecutors say he later worked at Bluegrass Challenge Academy, located at Fort Knox, and had supervisory authority over the students.

Sentencing will be Nov. 2. Miller faces up to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

Miller pleaded guilty July 30, and the plea was accepted in U.S. District Court last week.

CAMPUS SAFETY

New app intended to enhance Murray State campus safety

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) — Murray State University students have a new tool to help enhance campus safety.

The LiveSafe app is free from iTunes and Android stores. The university is encouraging students, parents, faculty and staff to download the app to their phones.

The application is a two-way communication tool for emergencies and non-emergencies. Users can report suspicious or criminal activity to University Police and can remain anonymous.

The app allows users to have a friend or parent follow them through campus, using location services, and see them arrive at their destination. Users can also contact the Racer Patrol at Murray State through the app to request safety escort service.

Online campus resources are also available through the app, and a safety map can help users navigate the campus.

GINSENG FOREST

Ginseng harvest permits available Tuesday in Daniel Boone National Forest

WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — People interested in harvesting ginseng from the Daniel Boone National Forest may obtain a permit this week.

Permits are $20, and holders may collect up to 1 pound of green, non-dried ginseng root between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30.

The forest says its policy is in place to help conserve ginseng on national forest lands. Some believe ginseng is valuable in treating some health conditions, and wild ginseng is dwindling as a result.

Harvesting permits may be purchased at any district office beginning Tuesday. The permits apply only to land in the district that issues the permit.

Collectors are required by law to plant seeds from harvested plants within 50 feet of the harvest location.

State regulations and harvest season are different from rules that apply inside the forest.

FRISCH'S-WHAT'S NEXT?

New boss of Frisch's Big Boy restaurants plans expansion

CINCINNATI (AP) — The new leader of the Frisch's Restaurants chain wants to flex Big Boy's brand muscle.

Atlanta-based NRD Capital took over after shareholder approval last week of its $175 million acquisition that ended family operation of the Cincinnati-based regional business dating to a 1939 drive-thru. Fund founder and interim Frisch's CEO Aziz Hashim (AH'-zeez HAH'-sheem) calls Frisch's a "fantastic" investment opportunity.

He calls it an "iconic American brand" that has been profitable, but has much growth potential.

He expects to add franchised restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and start utilizing its Big Boy trademark rights in Tennessee to expand there.

No worries for Big Boy fans: Hashim loves the double-decker burger sandwich and pledges to keep other longtime menu items while adding appetizers and "shareable" offerings.

RACING-AMERICAN PHARAOH

Pharoah looks good after loss, no decision racing plans

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — American Pharoah looks in good shape the morning after his startling loss in the Travers Stakes, with no decision on whether the Triple Crown winner will race again.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert led the bay colt to fans outside the barn. They petted and fed the horse carrots and took pictures. American Pharoah is spending Sunday at Saratoga before leaving early Monday for California.

American Pharoah dueled with Frosted from the gate to the top of the stretch before being caught by late-running Keen Ice and finishing three-quarters of a length behind.

The loss ended an eight-race winning streak that featured the sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

Baffert says he would like to train American Pharoah up to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland. It would be the colt's final start before retiring to stud.