Kentucky News Now

HOUSE LEADER

Ky. lawmaker to step down from leadership post

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark says he will not run for the leadership post he has held since 1993.

The Louisville Democrat, who was re-elected for the 18th time last week, also said he is likely to retire at the end of his two-year term. Clark has represented the 46th legislative district for more than 30 years and has been second in command for the Democratic majority for more than two decades.

In a letter to House Speaker Greg Stumbo, Clark said he decided not to seek re-election as speaker pro tem because he thought it was a good time for someone new to learn the job while Democrats still control the House and the governor's office. Democrats maintained their eight-seat majority after last week's elections.

Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear's term ends in January 2016.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH

Community college system moving on next president

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The chancellor of Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the system's board of regents' preferred candidate for the next president.

Jay Box won unanimous support from the board Tuesday.

As chancellor, Box has led the statewide committee to develop the Kentucky Transfer Action Plan, which eliminates barriers for community college students transferring to the state's eight public universities. He has also been involved with revising the dual credit program, online education and a partnership to offer skills and training to lead to high-wage, high-demand careers.

Box will meet with KCTCS college presidents, faculty, staff and students on Nov. 18 in Versailles. The board will meet the next day to consider feedback and a final contract.

The system is seeking a successor to Michael McCall, who is resigning Jan. 15.

CATTLE WHOLESALER FINED

Judge fines Kentucky cattle wholesaler $25,0000

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has fined a London cattle wholesaler $25,000 after federal officials said questions were raised about unsafe antibiotic residue in the beef.

The Lexington Herald-Leader said Williams Cattle Co. agreed in an earlier case to take steps to try to prevent the problem. A federal grand jury last year accused the company of giving false information to food-safety regulators under the agreement. Charges against the company treasurer were dismissed.

The total fine was $75,000, but the company's lawyer, David S. Hoskins, said U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar suspended $50,000 of that for two years. A prosecutor had sought a $100,000 fine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration alleged in 2006 that the company sold cows with unsafe levels of residue from antibiotics in their tissue.

FATAL SHOOTINGS-KENTUCKY

Prosecutor: Man hired in Kentucky family slayings

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A prosecutor says a man charged in the slayings of his parents and sister in western Kentucky was allegedly involved in a murder-for-hire scheme with a fourth victim found in the home.

Commonwealth's Attorney G.L. Ovey says authorities believe Ryan Champion killed the other man involved in the scheme.

Champion, 36, was indicted in Trigg County Wednesday on one count of murder, three counts of complicity to commit murder and complicity to commit kidnapping.

Along with Ryan Champion's family members, the body of 22-year-old Vito Riservato was found at the family's home in Cadiz last month. All four died of gunshot wounds. Ovey says authorities believe Champion enlisted Riservato, then killed him.

Riservato was reported to be the lone perpetrator in the slayings until Champion was arrested Oct. 31.

LUNG CANCER

$7 million grant to reduce burden of lung cancer

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky leads the nation in cases of lung cancer, and those involved in a new effort called Kentucky LEADS Collaborative hope to attack that.

The project's name stands for "Lung Cancer. Education. Awareness. Detection. Survivorship." Representatives from the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and the Lung Cancer Alliance announced the collaborative on Wednesday.

The project is supported by a $7 million grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation's Bridging Cancer Care initiative.

Officials say the collaborative is intended to focus on reducing the impact of lung cancer in Kentucky through provider education, early detection and screening, and patient and caregiver support.

Kentucky has more cases of lung cancer than any other state, with a mortality rate nearly 50 percent higher than the national average.

MOTHER CHARGED

Mother charged with abandoning child

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Police in Lexington say a mother has been charged after leaving her child at a Walmart while being questioned about alleged shoplifting.

WKYT-TV reports police say Samantha Lyons fled from the store after being confronted by a loss prevention officer, leaving her 9-month-old daughter behind.

Lyons is facing a charge of abandoning a minor.

CARP PROCESSOR

Company to process Asian carp in western Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A facility is planned in western Kentucky that will catch, process and sell Asian carp.

According to a statement from Gov. Steve Beshear's office, Riverine Fisheries International LLC has purchased a 75,000-square-foot building in Hickman and plans to invest $18.7 million into the project that will create 100 jobs.

The company formed in 2013 to help rid waterways of the invasive fish, which are seen as a threat to native species.

After the carp are harvested, the company plans to process them into products, such as imitation seafood, fishmeal, fish oil, mince and fillets that will be shipped around the world.

Joe Gillas, president of Riverine Fisheries, says the company will focus on Asian carp that are invading Kentucky Lake, the Mississippi River, the Cumberland River, and the Tennessee River.

CHURCHILL DOWNS-BIG FISH

Churchill Downs buying online game producer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs Inc. says it has agreed to buy online and mobile game producer Big Fish in a deal worth up to $885 million.

Both companies' boards have approved the sale, which is pending regulatory approval. Churchill Downs, the parent company of the Louisville track where the Kentucky Derby is held, said the deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said the acquisition gives the company new products, customers, locations and growth opportunities.

The sale includes a base price of $485 million and up to $350 million based on 2015 earnings and a potential bonus of $50 million to Big Fish CEO Paul Thelen. The purchase price will be paid in cash, except for about $15 million paid in Churchill common stock to Thelen.