Kentucky News Now

IMPROVING APPALACHIA

Tourism, agriculture seen as key in Appalachia

SLADE, Ky. (AP) — A new report says state government needs to spend more money promoting eastern Kentucky as a tourism destination to help the region pull itself out of poverty following the loss of thousands of jobs because of the declining coal industry.

That was one of dozens of recommendations from a group tasked with creating new economic opportunities for eastern Kentucky. The group presented its findings on Tuesday to Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers.

Other ideas included offering small loans to out-of-work Kentuckians to help them purchase the equipment and livestock necessary to start farming.

The group plans to meet again in November to discuss which recommendations it should tackle first. The Appalachian Regional Commission has committed up to $750,000 over the next four years to pay for the group's administrative expenses.

KENTUCKY HEMP

Hemp crop from detained seeds harvested in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Some of the imported hemp seeds temporarily detained by U.S. customs officials in the spring turned into 10-foot-tall plants that have been harvested on a research plot in Kentucky.

Marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin has gained a foothold as a potential cash crop in the state.

A sickle bar mower pulled by a tractor made half a dozen swaths to cut the hemp patch at the University of Kentucky research farm Tuesday. Farmers wanting to learn more about the crop were among the curious who posed for pictures while holding leafy stalks.

Hemp's comeback started with the new federal farm bill. It allows state agriculture departments to designate hemp pilot projects for research in states such as Kentucky that allow hemp growing.

But the reintroduction was delayed in the spring when hemp seeds imported from Italy were detained by U.S. customs officials in Louisville. The state's Agriculture Department sued the federal government, and the seeds were released after federal drug officials approved a permit.

TOBACCO FARMING-CHILDREN

Ban sought on children working on tobacco farms

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thirty-five House members are urging the Obama administration to ban children from working on tobacco farms, citing concerns about ill health effects.

The lawmakers, led by Reps. David Cicilline, D-R.I., and Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., made their plea in a letter to Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Associated Press Tuesday.

In 2012, the Labor Department withdrew a proposed rule that would have banned children from several kinds of agriculture work, including tobacco farms. In their letter, the lawmakers urged a narrower ban that would deal solely with children on tobacco farms.

A Human Rights Watch report this year said that nearly three-quarters of the children it interviewed reported vomiting, nausea and headaches while working on tobacco farms.

PRISONS-RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Judge orders Kentucky penitentiary to hold powwow

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the Kentucky State Penitentiary to allow a group of death row inmates to hold an annual powwow with traditional foods after the prison chaplain tried to stop the ceremony.

U.S. District Judge Thomas B. Russell on Tuesday concluded that the inmates would suffer irreparable harm if they weren't allowed to buy special foods for the ritual.

A prison chaplain last month postponed the powwow until October because a Native American volunteer who works with the condemned inmates wouldn't be available on Friday, the ceremony's scheduled date.

The inmates sought to purchase buffalo, corn pemmican and fry bread.

An appeals court reinstated a lawsuit in August saying the inmates should have the opportunity to show they have the right to conduct Native American religious ceremonies.

GUARDS-SEXUAL ASSAULT

Female guards at state prison allege sex assault

SANDY HOOK, Ky. (AP) — Four female guards at a state prison in eastern Kentucky have filed a lawsuit accusing a supervisor of exposing himself and sexually assaulting them.

The guards filed suit Monday in Elliott County Circuit Court.

The women alleged that Sgt. Stephen Harper grabbed and rubbed against women and tried to make them touch him. They also allege that Little Sandy Correctional Complex Warden Joseph Meko didn't properly investigate complaints of harassment and didn't stop the behavior.

The Associated Press couldn't immediately reach Harper for comment. He has not been charged with a crime.

Kentucky Department of Corrections spokeswoman Lisa Lamb said the department takes seriously all allegations of sexual assault, but the department can't comment on pending litigation.

The Associated Press does not typically name possible victims of sexual abuse.

SEVERE WEATHER-KENTUCKY

Beshear asks for disaster declaration

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Steve Beshear has asked for a federal disaster declaration in eastern Kentucky following heavy rains that caused flooding, washed out roads and forced people from their homes.

If the disaster declaration is approved, it would provide federal funding to help with cleanup efforts.

Storms hit the eastern part of the state on Aug. 19-23, with the counties of Floyd, Knott, Johnson and Pike being hit the hardest.

A Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted by the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency found more than $6 million in damages.

The request is the first from Kentucky since tornadoes hit a section of eastern Kentucky in 2012.