Kentucky News Now – August 19th 2015

KENTUCKY-MEDICAID

Study: Kentucky's Medicaid population centered in east

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A new review by a nonprofit health organization shows that the largest share of Kentucky's Medicaid population lives in the impoverished eastern portion of the state.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has embarked on a three-year study of how the federal Affordable Care Act is affecting Kentucky. The group released its first report on Tuesday. About a quarter of the state's population is now on Medicaid after the state decided to expand the program's eligibility requirements.

Eastern Kentucky accounts for 32 percent of the Medicaid recipients while 25 percent live in western Kentucky. Nineteen percent live in Louisville, 16 percent live in Lexington and 8 percent live in northern Kentucky near Cincinnati.

Kentucky's uninsured rate dropped 10.4 percentage points following the expansion, outpacing surrounding states and the national average.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-ADS

New Conway ad attacks Bevin over his taxes

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic nominee for governor Jack Conway has aired his first attack ad of the 2015 election.

The ad began airing Tuesday on Kentucky cable and satellite markets across the state. It shows a clip of Republican nominee Matt Bevin saying he does not have a problem paying his taxes followed by a list of all the tax problems Bevin has had. The list includes failure to pay individual taxes along with taxes associated with the various companies he owns.

The ad ends with the line "you can't trust him."

Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell used some of the same accusations against Bevin during the 2014 Senate primary. Bevin has acknowledged his previous issues with taxes but has said those problems were caused by others and said he paid what he owed once he learned of the debt.

STATE FAIR

State Fair offers new promotions, entertainment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The 2015 Kentucky State Fair is offering new promotions and discounts and a stronger concert lineup after low attendance caused the attraction to lose money last year.

The Courier-Journal reports changes include two $20 carload days and more ways to get cheaper admission, parking and ride tickets in advance.

Also new this year: the introduction of the "Philly Cheesesteak donut burger" and a healthy food tent offering salads and wraps. New entertainment includes an extra day of the horse show and a new Christian music festival.

The 2014 fair saw its lowest attendance in 30 years and a loss of about $460,000.

The fair begins Thursday and runs through Aug. 30.

TRADE-MCCONNELL

McConnell: Tobacco should not be excluded from trade pact

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell touts himself as a free trade advocate, but he's warning that how tobacco is treated in a potential Pacific Rim trade deal could influence his stance on an agreement.

The Kentucky Republican said Tuesday that excluding a commodity from the deal would be a bad idea.

Kentucky is the nation's top burley tobacco producer.

Trade ministers from a dozen Pacific Rim nations are trying to reach a trade agreement covering nearly 40 percent of the global economy.

McConnell pushed for passage of a bill giving President Barack Obama greater authority to negotiate trade deals. The bill gives Congress the right to approve or reject trade agreements but not change them.

McConnell also says climate change should not become an issue in the trade negotiations.

YUM BRANDS-CHINA

Yum Brands names new CEO of China business

NEW YORK (AP) — Kentucky-based Yum Brands is naming a new CEO of its China division as it works to reverse a sales skid in a key market.

The company said Tuesday Micky Pant, 60, is now the CEO of its China division. He replaces longtime leader Sam Su, who is retiring. Yum Brands also named new CEOs of its KFC and Pizza Hut businesses in China.

Yum brands has more than 6,800 locations in China, but the business has been damaged by bad publicity connected to poor food handling by a former supplier a year ago.

Su, 63, became president of the China unit in 1997 and has been chairman and CEO for five years. Su is also the vice chairman of Yum Brands Inc. The company says he will remain on the board.

INMATE ESCAPE

Inmate walks away from Blackburn prison

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Department of Corrections says an inmate has walked away from a minimum-security facility in Lexington.

A statement says 42-year-old Richard Shell was confirmed missing shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday from Blackburn Correctional Complex.

Shell was serving a 16-year sentence after being convicted in Laurel County on charges that include receiving stolen property. He would have been eligible for parole in 2018.

Shell is described as a 6-foot, 200-pound, white male with strawberry blond hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police at 502-227-2221 or 859-258-3600.

TODDLER KILLED

Man gets 25 years in jail after pleading guilty to murder

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 25 years in jail after pleading guilty in June to the murder of his former girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter.

The Times-Tribune reports 37-year-old Mark Shane Hyden was sentenced Monday in Whitley County Circuit Court.

In November 2013, Hyden and his then-girlfriend 38-year-old Trina Michelle White were arrested and charged in the beating death of White's daughter.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird says crews responded to a call on Nov. 20, 2013 about an unresponsive child. The toddler was taken to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Bird says the medical examiner's office determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.

Hyden and White were indicted for murder in December 2013. White is scheduled to appear in court in January.

TANKER CRASH

Homes evacuated, 1 injured in central Kentucky tanker crash

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (AP) — Authorities evacuated about two dozen homes in central Kentucky after a tanker truck hauling gasoline crashed, injuring the driver.

Officials told WKYT-TV that the driver was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital with injuries that didn't appear to be life-threatening.

The station said workers stopped a leak after the wreck around 9 a.m. Tuesday near the Alton community in Anderson County. Crews then focused on containing and monitoring the spill.

Officials said the tanker was hauling thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel when it crashed into a tree off Kentucky 151. Roads in the area were closed for the cleanup.

Law enforcement officials said 20 to 30 homes were evacuated for a time because of the leak. Crews placed booms and other materials around the tanker to help soak up the spilled fuel.

ALI-AWARDS

Belafonte, Davis to receive Ali Humanitarian Awards

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Singer and activist Harry Belafonte and Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis will headline this year's winners of Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards.

The awards are named after the former heavyweight boxing champion, who has focused on humanitarian causes since leaving the ring.

Ali is scheduled to attend the Sept. 19 ceremony in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

Organizers said Tuesday that Belafonte will receive the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to civil rights.

Davis will receive the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award for her efforts to promote gender equality.

Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Janet Evans will emcee the event.

Awards also will go to six people age 30 or younger who have represented core principles promoted by Ali: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality.