Kentucky News Now

KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE

Stivers looks for bipartisanship on anti-heroin bill

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers says he hopes bills to combat heroin abuse and encourage investments by telecommunications companies can win bipartisan support in next year's General Assembly session.

But Stivers says Senate Republicans will also push more contentious proposals to rein in regulations and prohibit mandatory participation in a workplace union. He acknowledged such proposals would face strong resistance in the Democratic-led Kentucky House.

Senate Republican leaders spoke with reporters Thursday during a Senate GOP retreat in Owensboro.

Lawmakers will be in session for 30 days next year, but Stivers says they can take on big issues during the abbreviated session.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer says next year's governor's campaign won't affect Senate action. But he says Senate Republicans will promote an agenda that a GOP governor could embrace.

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Ky. governor makes appeal to Supreme Court

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has joined in an appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to settle the issue of gay marriage.

The Courier-Journal reports Beshear's private attorneys filed the request this week, joining plaintiffs who earlier appealed a lower court ruling that upheld anti-gay marriage laws. The ruling last month by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with states seeking to preserve gay marriage bans since the Supreme Court struck down part of a federal anti-gay marriage law last year.

Despite the ruling in favor of Beshear, the filing says the governor has "consistently taken the position that the citizens of Kentucky deserve to have the highest court of the land determine" whether gay marriage is a constitutional right.

NOAH'S ARK PARK

Noah's Ark builders may fight Kentucky tax break rejection

PETERSBURG, Ky. (AP) — The Christian group building a massive wooden ark in Kentucky is considering a court battle to fight the state's rejection of the project's tax incentives.

Answers in Genesis President Ken Ham says in a release that the loss of the tourism tax rebate will be costly for the Ark Encounter theme park project, but it will proceed. Ham says two public interest law firms, Freedom Guard and the Center for Religious Expression, would represent the group if legal action is taken. He says no decision has been made.

Kentucky's tourism secretary said Wednesday that the ark project is not eligible for the incentives because employees would be screened on the basis of religion.

Answers in Genesis says federal and state laws support its intention to base hiring on an applicant's religious preferences.

HEALTH DEPT-FLU

Flu activity on rise in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Department for Public Health is recommending people take time to get a flu shot as increased influenza activity is reported in the state.

Officials with the department reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week that Kentucky's flu activity level increased from "regional" to "widespread," the highest level of flu activity. Widespread activity indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in the state.

Public Health Commissioner Stephanie Mayfield says upcoming holidays mean more travel and family get-togethers, increasing the risk for exposure to flu.

The agency says the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu vaccination for anyone 6 months of age or older. Those who are at higher risk are especially encouraged to get a shot.

KINDRED EXPANSION

Kindred expansion to add up to 500 jobs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kindred Healthcare is planning an expansion at its Louisville headquarters that would add up to 500 jobs.

The Courier-Journal reports the plans were disclosed in Frankfort on Thursday as the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority met.

Kindred executives had indicated earlier this year that an expansion was needed, but it was unclear whether jobs would be added in Louisville or at another location.

The plans come as officials in Metro Louisville have been trying to boost the number of professional positions in the city and strengthen investment in downtown.

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND-TECH CENTER

ADM plans new IT center in Kentucky

CHICAGO (AP) — Agribusiness company Archer Daniels Midland says it plans to open a new informational technology center next year in Kentucky that will eventually employ about 200 people.

The Chicago-based company said Thursday that the new center will open in the second half of 2015 in Erlanger, Kentucky, with about 100 contractors and ADM employees and eventually expand.

The center will be in the same complex as ADM's WILD Flavors offices in Erlanger. The town is about 15 miles southwest of Cincinnati.

ADM initially planned to build a new IT center as part of a new global headquarters but dropped that idea when it chose to locate in Chicago.

ADM will maintain its existing IT center in Decatur, Illinois.

The company will receive up to $5 million in tax incentives from Kentucky.

MOTHER CHARGED-POISONING

DA: Mom accused of murder lied about other kids

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — New York prosecutors say a woman accused of killing her 5-year-old son with salt falsely claimed in the past that she had two other children and a fiance.

The prosecution is asking permission to use the alleged lies as trial evidence. Lacey Spears of Scottsville, Kentucky, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter in the January death of Garnett-Paul Spears.

A hearing will determine whether the statements are allowed. Defense lawyers would not comment.

The prosecution also wants to use what it says is evidence of a previous episode of high salt levels.

The little boy died at a New York hospital. Prosecutors say his sodium levels rose with no medical explanation. They believe his mother administered sodium through a feeding tube in his stomach.

FATAL SHOOTINGS-KENTUCKY

Man pleads not guilty in family killings

CADIZ, Ky. (AP) — A western Kentucky man accused in the slayings of his parents, sister and an acquaintance has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, complicity to murder and complicity to kidnapping.

Prosecutors say they believe 36-year-old Ryan Champion enlisted help from 22-year-old Vito Riservato in killing his family, and then killed Riservato. All four died of gunshot wounds at the Champion family's home in Cadiz.

Trigg prosecutor G.L. Ovey has said it started out as a murder-for-hire scheme, but "it didn't end up that way."

Along with the arraignment on Wednesday, Ovey filed notice that he intends to seek the death penalty in the case if Ryan Champion is convicted.

Media report Champion's new attorney, Tom Osborne, maintained his client's innocence and asked that a trial date be set as soon as possible.

ALTOONA-GENERAL CABLE

Altoona ignition wire plant cutting 160 jobs

ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — A central Pennsylvania plant plans to cut 160 of 210 jobs next year as it moves its automotive ignition wire manufacturing operation to another plant in Mexico.

The Altoona Mirror reports General Cable will keep its Altoona plant open, but only to make ignition wire assemblies that aren't used in automobiles, and to keep a finished products warehouse open.

The automotive ignition wire operations will be moved to the company's plant in Nogales, Mexico, so the company can remain competitive. Spokeswoman Lisa Lawson says the automotive ignition wire business is dwindling because most cars being built in Detroit now have direct ignition.

General Cable is based in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The Altoona plant is about 85 miles east of Pittsburgh.