Kentucky News Now

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-COMER

Comer takes aim at economic development efforts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Republican James Comer says he wants to eliminate state economic development incentives for companies that fail to pay livable wages.

The GOP candidate for governor said Thursday that Kentucky's Economic Development Cabinet has made "questionable deals" that included awarding tax incentives. Comer didn't define a livable wage but said it's higher than the minimum wage.

He said the Economic Development Cabinet would draw close scrutiny if he becomes governor.

Comer, the state agriculture commissioner, made the remarks to reporters after speaking to the Kentucky Farm Bureau's annual meeting.

Comer said he plans to talk about ways to reduce poverty in Kentucky. He said he wants to attract investment into areas in dire need of more jobs. He said one way to do that is to make Kentucky a right-to-work state.

FEDERAL JUDGE-STIVERS

Stivers wins confirmation to federal bench

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed Bowling Green lawyer Greg Stivers to serve as U.S. District Court judge for the Western District of Kentucky.

Stivers has practiced in Bowling Green since 1985.

He and U.S. Attorney David Hale were nominated to serve on the Western District bench by President Barack Obama in June. Hale was confirmed Wednesday, and Stivers was confirmed Thursday.

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced the confirmations.

KENTUCKY AGRICULTURE

Farm cash receipts projected at record $6B in 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — University of Kentucky agricultural economists are predicting the state's farm sector will produce a record $6 billion in cash receipts in 2014.

But they are forecasting a five percent drop in next year's ag cash receipts due to the end of tobacco buyout payments and lower grain prices.

University of Kentucky agriculture economist Will Snell says Kentucky's diverse farm economy has it positioned better than much of the country. Kentucky's projected total is up five percent over 2013, while U.S. farm cash receipts are expected to drop by one percent in 2014.

Snell says strong increases in beef, poultry, dairy and hog prices are boosting this year's cash receipts.

The forecasts by Snell have become a fixture at the Kentucky Farm Bureau's meeting, which was happening Thursday in Louisville.

PLANT EXPANSION

Northern Ky. plant expansion to add jobs

HEBRON, Ky. (AP) — A northern Kentucky plant is expanding its facility and expects to add up to 42 new jobs.

Bonfiglioli (bon-fee-lee-OH'-lee) USA produces mobile transmission for mobile and self-propelled machines. It has operated an 80,000-square-foot facility in Hebron near the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport since 2007 and currently employs about 90 people there.

The location is also the company's North American headquarters. The parent company is based in Bologna, Italy and has more than 3,000 employees in 17 countries.

Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen, local leaders and company officials cut the ribbon on the expansion on Thursday. The expansion includes a new production line of planetary gearboxes for mobile machinery, which is used to support the construction, mining, agricultural and forestry industries.

The state has given preliminary approval to tax incentives for the company.

MISSING INMATES

1 of 2 escaped inmates found

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — An inmate who escaped from a prison in central Kentucky has been arrested in Ohio.

Police say Joshua Stephenson was taken into custody Wednesday night in Hamilton, Ohio. Jail records show he is charged with kidnapping in Ohio and escape in Kentucky. A police citation says the kidnapping charge stems from Stephenson refusing to allow a female to answer the door of the residence where he was located.

Stephenson and inmate Michael Fleet walked away from Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 29. Both men were serving a 13-year sentence on burglary charges.

Kentucky State Police said on Thursday that Fleet is still at large.

PARKS PROJECTS

Conservation- Fund grants aid Kentucky projects

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Recreational and tourism projects in communities around Kentucky are getting a boost from 17 Land and Water Conservation Fund grants announced totaling almost $700,000.

Gov. Steve Beshear said in a news release from his office Wednesday that the projects will provide safe places for residents to be active, be involved in sports and live healthy lifestyles.

The grant program is for development and maintenance of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities, such as campgrounds, sports and playfields, swimming and fishing areas, boating facilities and trails.

Counties where projects were approved for grants are Barren, Clark, Clay, Fleming, Franklin, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hopkins, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Powell, Robertson, Wayne, Webster and Wolfe. Two projects are in Webster County.

FORT CAMPBELL-TREE

Fort Campbell moves tree program indoors

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — With rain in the forecast for the next few days at Fort Campbell, the post has decided to move its holiday tree-lighting ceremony inside on Friday.

The post says the ceremony will be held at McAuliffe Hall inside the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters. The Army post is located on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.

The 101st Airborne Division Band will perform holiday music, leaders from the post and the division will offer greetings and a special guest may make an appearance.

The festivities are scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST Friday.