Kentucky news Now – August 12th 2015

CONWAY-EPA

Kentucky joins in challenging EPA power plant rules

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has joined several other states in a legal challenge against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its power plant regulations.

Attorney General Jack Conway said Tuesday the legal action takes aim at federal overreach that threatens Kentucky's ability to implement an air quality protection plan that works best for Kentucky.

In May, the EPA told a number of states, including Kentucky, to revise air quality standards regulating emissions during startup, shutdown and malfunction of power plants. Conway says the EPA wants to impose its judgment in regulating air standards.

He warns the likely result would be higher utility bills in Kentucky.

The states have asked a federal appeals court to review the EPA's rule.

Conway is a Democrat running for governor, and EPA regulations of coal-fired power plants have been a major issue in Kentucky.

PAUL AIDES-INDICTED

Judge: Feds can search emails of indicted Rand Paul aide

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge is upholding a warrant allowing investigators to search the email account of an indicted political operative who has worked for Rand Paul, Ron Paul and Mitch McConnell.

Magistrate Judge Helen Adams rejected a request Monday by Jesse Benton to quash a warrant ordering Google Inc. to turn over the contents of his Gmail account.

The decision means the government will get access to thousands of emails that Benton sent and received dating back to 2011.

Benton had argued the warrant was overly broad and violated his privacy. His attorney argued the government was conducting a "fishing expedition."

Benton and two other aides to Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign were indicted last week, accused of conspiring to buy the support of a state senator before that year's Iowa caucuses.

TROOPER KILLED-FUNERAL

Kentucky State Police trooper laid to rest in Rineyville

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Hundreds of friends, family and fellow officers have turned out for the funeral of a Kentucky State Police trooper, who was killed in a car wreck last week.

WDRB-TV in Louisville reports a long funeral procession led mourners of 42-year-old Sgt. David Gibbs of Campbellsville to his final resting place at Rineyville Baptist Cemetery on Tuesday. Police said Gibbs lost control of his cruiser Friday while going around a sharp curve in LaRue County.

As the funeral procession passed, onlookers stopped what they were doing to watch. Trooper Kendra Wilson said officers from Illinois, West Virginia, Iowa and Pennsylvania attended.

Trooper Jeff Gregory says officers want to honor Gibbs and show support for his family.

TREASURER-JUDGE

State treasurer to seek Louisville judge seat

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Outgoing Democratic state Treasurer Todd Hollenbach has filed to run for district court judge in Jefferson County.

Hollenbach filed paperwork with the secretary of state's office on Tuesday. The seat in the 30th judicial district of Jefferson County became vacant when Judge Michele Stengel retired in May. Hollenbach is the 22nd person to file for the office.

The 55-year-old is wrapping up his second term as state treasurer and cannot seek re-election because of term limits. His political options were limited after Jack Conway locked up most of the support for the Democratic nomination for governor while Gov. Steve Beshear's son Andy Beshear did the same thing for the attorney general nomination.

Hollenbach is an attorney who ran for judge in 2004 but came in second to Anne Haynie.

INMATE DEATH

Western Kentucky inmate found unresponsive dies

HARTFORD, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police are investigating the death of an inmate at a western Kentucky jail.

Police say Ohio County jail employees notified them around 5:45 a.m. CDT Saturday and medical workers were contacted, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say 26-year-old Robert Matthew Bradley of Beaver Dam was arrested Friday for driving under the influence. Police said under standard procedure, Bradley was placed in a cell in which no other inmates are held. Deputy jailers found him the next morning unresponsive.

Police are investigating the cause, but no foul play is suspected. Detectives are reviewing video footage from cameras inside the facility.

GIRL FATALLY SHOT

Girl fatally shot by brother in apparent accident

CATTLETSBURG, Ky. (AP) — A coroner says a 12-year-old girl has been killed by her brother in an apparent accidental shooting.

Boyd County Coroner Mark Hammond told The Independent that 12-year-old Halee Marshall, who was a seventh-grade student at Boyd County Middle School, was shot once Monday evening and died at the scene.

He said the family was unloading a pickup truck as they moved into a new home in Catlettsburg when Marshall's brother accidentally fired the gun. Hammond said the girl's brother said he had cleaned the gun and didn't remember reloading it.

The newspaper reports grief counselors were dispatched on Tuesday to Boyd County Middle School.

TENNESSEE WRECK-6 KILLED

Driver charged in deaths of 6 in crash faces new charges

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A truck driver faces new charges in Kentucky after being indicted on six counts of vehicular homicide in connection with a crash that killed six people near Chattanooga.

Multiple media outlets report 39-year-old Benjamin Brewer of London, Kentucky pleaded not guilty Monday to criminal mischief and trafficking of a controlled substance. Police say Brewer was caught with narcotics and kicked a police cruiser during his arrest on Friday in Lexington, Kentucky.

Federal investigators say Brewer had been driving for 15 consecutive hours before crashing into multiple vehicles on June 25 near Chattanooga, killing six and injuring six others.

On Aug. 3, a Hamilton County grand jury indicted Brewer on the vehicular homicide counts and several other counts.

Brewer is being held at Fayette County Detention Center in Kentucky without bond.

ALI-AWARD

Muhammad Ali to be honored in his hometown of Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Boxing great Muhammad Ali will get some special hometown recognition next month from the University of Louisville.

The school said Tuesday that the three-time world heavyweight champion will be the inaugural recipient of the Grawemeyer Spirit Award. It cited Ali's role in inspiring others and working for positive change in the world.

The university says the 73-year-old Ali and his wife, Lonnie, are scheduled to attend the Sept. 17 ceremony.

The Grawemeyer Awards have been given for 30 years to recognize contributions in music composition, education, religion, psychology and improving world order. This is the first time the spirit award is being given.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and has devoted himself to social causes.

His public appearances have diminished in recent years as he battles Parkinson's disease.