Kentucky News Now

SENATE-KENTUCKY-SCANDALS

McConnell on former aide: 'We're moving on'

SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) — Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell is declining to answer questions about his former campaign manager who resigned amid a federal investigation of a bribery scandal during the 2012 Iowa Republican Caucus.

Making his first comments on the matter since Jesse Benton resigned late last week, McConnell said Tuesday he is moving on and focusing on the future as he battles Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the nation's marquee Senate race.

The Grimes campaign has attempted to focus attention on the issue by questioning whether McConnell knew about the investigation or the details behind it when he hired Benton last year.

Grimes, meanwhile, is sidestepping her own controversy, accusing the McConnell campaign of distracting voters with a statewide TV ad accusing her of accepting illegal campaign contributions from her father.

KENTUCKY HOUSE-GOP

Kentucky GOP House leaders release agenda

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Republicans are promising action to try to repeal the state's Medicaid expansion if they take control of the state House.

In another proposal aimed at the federal health care law known as "Obamacare," House GOP leaders are vowing to push for a constitutional amendment to prohibit any person, employer or health provider from being forced to participate in a health care system.

The proposals are part of an agenda released Tuesday by House Republican leaders.

State Democratic Party chairman Dan Logsdon says the GOP leaders want to take away health coverage for hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians without offering an alternative plan.

Republicans are vying for a power switch in this year's election after nearly a century of Democratic control of the House.

The GOP platform also calls for right-to-work legislation and tax reform.

RIDE SHARING

Kentucky prepares to regulate ride sharing

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State regulators are preparing emergency regulations that will go into effect next month to govern ride sharing companies like Uber and Lyft as they expand their services into Kentucky cities.

The company offers a smartphone application to match customers who need a ride with someone who is willing to give them one. The companies are operating in Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati, which sits on Kentucky's northern border.

Taxi companies have complained the ride sharing services have an unfair advantage because they are not required to have the same safety inspections. Department of Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Rodney Kuhl told lawmakers Tuesday the state would regulate the ride sharing companies the same as taxi companies.

Representatives from Uber and Lyft told lawmakers they have extensive safety inspections for cars and background checks for drivers.

BABY SHOT

2 charged in connection with Louisville baby death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville police say two men have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old girl.

The Courier-Journal reports that police Lt. Todd Kessinger said Tuesday that 20-year-old Trey Anderson and 24-year-old Michael Dunn "had significant involvement" in the death last week of Ne'riah Miller. Kessinger didn't elaborate on the involvement and said additional arrests could be made.

Anderson and Dunn are charged with murder, attempted murder and wanton endangerment and are being held on $500,000 cash bond.

The child and her mother, 21-year-old Cierra Twyman, were shot Wednesday evening on their front porch in western Louisville. The child died soon afterward from a single gunshot wound. The mother survived.

GRANT FOR FORESTS

Grant will help tree health in Cumberland Plateau

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A new initiative seeks to improve forest health across the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.

International Paper and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently announced $743,000 in funding to improve the region's forest health by restoring shortleaf pine forests and treating hemlock trees against an insect pest that is spreading rapidly through the Cumberlands.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports the foundation formed the initiative with International Paper in 2013.

A major part of the effort is restoring short leaf pines, a species that has sharply declined due to modern wildfire control. Grant money will be used to conduct prescribed burns and selective harvesting on the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky and the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in Tennessee.

MEDIAN CABLE BARRIERS

Median cable barrier being installed along I-24

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Work has begun to add more median cable barriers in western Kentucky along Interstate 24.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says the project will cover 24 miles at a cost of $3.1 million.

Beshear says there's been a dramatic drop in crossover crashes during his administration as cable barriers have been added.

He announced the project during a stop in Hopkinsville last week.

A news release from Beshear's office says traffic volume and crash data determine placement of cable barriers.

In Kentucky, more than 240 miles of barrier has been installed or is in the process. Most of it is along interstates and highways in urban areas, but more rural areas have qualified to receive barriers under the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.

PLANT EXPANSION

Budge Industries expanding in Henderson

HENDERSON, Ky. (AP) — A company that makes protective covers for vehicles is expanding its operation in Henderson County.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office says Budge Industries expects to create up to 37 new jobs and invest $650,000 into the project.

The company will expand its 75,000-square-foot facilities and will expand into a new distribution facility.

The state has given preliminary approval for tax incentives up to $200,000 for the project.

Pennsylvania-based Budge Industries makes and distributes protective coverings for cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats and patio furniture.

The company will mark its 75th year in business next year and its 20th in Henderson.

ELK TOURS

Tours being held at 2 state parks to view elk

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Tours to view elk are being held at two eastern Kentucky parks this fall and winter.

Elk were gone from Kentucky for 150 years but were returned in 1997. Now there are around 10,000 of the animals.

The viewing tours are being held at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park at Prestonsburg and Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park at Buckhorn.

Tour dates run from Sept. 20 to March 7 at Jenny Wiley and Sept. 20 to March 29 at Buckhorn Lake. Jenny Wiley is also offering an overnight ATV tour this Saturday and an overnight camping tour on Sept. 13. Costs vary depending on the tour and the park.

For more information or to register, call (800) 325-0142 for Jenny Wiley tours or (800) 325-0058 for Buckhorn Lake.