Kentucky News Now – May 14th 2015

DEMOCRATS-SECRETARY OF STATE

Newcomer vs. Grimes in Kentucky secretary of state primary

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — It has all the makings of a mismatch. Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has name recognition and a hefty amount of campaign cash for her re-election run. Her primary election challenger is a little-known newcomer who hasn't sought donations.

Charles Lovett says his desire for public service led him to challenge one of Kentucky's best-known Democrats in next Tuesday's primary.

Grimes is back on the ballot a few months after her 2014 campaign for U.S. Senate ended in a loss to now-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Now looking to keep her statehouse job, Grimes says she has delivered on promises — guaranteeing ballot-box access for all eligible Kentuckians and creating a business-friendly office.

The Democratic nominee will face Republican Steve Knipper of Independence in the November election.

GOP GOVERNOR-COMER

Comer's wife, women allies campaign after abuse allegations

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican candidate for governor James Comer is turning to several prominent women, including his wife, just days before the primary to push back against allegations that he abused his college girlfriend.

Marilyn Thomas, Comer's college girlfriend, alleged in a letter to the Courier Journal that Comer abused her. Comer has denied the accusations. On Wednesday, the campaign aired a new TV ad featuring Comer's wife TJ. She described Comer as a loving husband, a proud father to the couple's three children and someone who is led by his faith in God.

Also Wednesday, Louisville Metro councilwoman Julie Denton and former U.S. Rep. Anne Northrup held a news conference on the Capitol steps to emphasize their support of Comer's candidacy. They said Comer would not need training wheels in state government given his extensive legislative experience.

UNQUALIFIED CORONERS

Investigation reveals 8 state coroners are not qualified

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A television station in Lexington report several Kentucky coroners have gone years without meeting the training standards set forth by the state's law.

WKYT-TV reports records from the Department of Criminal Justice Training Center show eight coroners are not certified to do post-mortem examinations. The records show coroner Frank Porter from Wolfe County hasn't had his state training since 2005.

Incoming Kentucky Coroner's Association President Mike Wilder says the findings are alarming.

State law requires a coroner to take a 40-hour training course when first elected and then a 16-hour course every year after.

A coroner has to sign up to be in a class. Different class choices are offered in different counties during the year. Coroners can't repeat the same class in a three-year period.

KENTUCKY DERBY-TOURIST SLAIN

3 indicted in post-Derby slaying of Canadian tourist

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A grand jury in Kentucky has indicted three people in connection with the slaying of a Canadian tourist in town for the Kentucky Derby.

Prosecutors say the grand jury on Wednesday indicted Fahed Abu-Diab, Fatima Abu-Diab and Tyrone Thomas.

They are charged in the shooting death 49-year-old Scott Hunter of Toronto. Police say Hunter and a friend were walking back to their Louisville hotel, hours after the Derby, when the suspects picked them out to rob. Police say Hunter was shot during a struggle with the attackers.

All three defendants face murder and robbery charges. Fahed Abu-Diab and his sister, Fatima Abu-Diab, also face drug charges.

An attorney listed for Thomas did not immediately return a call. Court officials say records did not show attorneys for the other two defendants.

HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS

Ky. Homeland Security accepting grant proposals

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's Homeland Security Office is accepting applications for grants that can be used to purchase such things as first-responder equipment.

The grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Kentucky officials say the grants can be used by city and county governments, area development districts and public universities to purchase the equipment and for other eligible projects.

Officials say applications for the State Homeland Security Grant Program are being accepted through July 10.

The state's homeland security office says it will post a webcast at www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov through July 10 to assist agencies preparing grant applications. The 25-minute presentation provides step-by-step information.

FORT KNOX-MEMORIAL DAY

Army post to open gates on Memorial Day to families of those buried on the post

FORT KNOX, Ky. (AP) — Fort Knox and the state Department of Veteran Affairs are hosting a Memorial Day ceremony at the Kentucky Veteran's Cemetery in Radcliff.

The ceremony is open to the public and will feature remarks by the commander of the U.S. Army Cadet Command, Maj. Gen. Peggy Combs.

Fort Knox will also be open to the families and friends of those buried on the post, which has dozens of cemeteries. Some are rural church cemeteries and old family graveyards.

The event will have a ceremonial wreath laying, music from 113th Army Band and a 21-round cannon salute.

WOMEN VETERANS-WWII

Author of book on female veterans in World War II to speak

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An author who wrote about the experiences of female veterans in World War II will be discussing his book at the Kentucky Military History Museum.

Author Jeffrey Suchanek (SOO'-kah-nek) will speak about "Star-Spangled Hearts: American Women Veterans of World War II," on Tuesday. The book is based on interviews with female vets.

Suchanek is head of the Public Policy archives at the University of Kentucky. He lives in Frankfort with his wife, Jeanne Ontko Suchanek, who helped him write the book.

The event is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.