Kentucky News Now – December 17th, 2013

LAWMAKERS-COAL REGULATIONS

Ky. lawmakers file brief in case before high court

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's U.S. senators and its five Republican congressmen have inserted themselves into a Supreme Court case, filing a legal brief that challenges environmental regulations on coal-fired power plants.

The "friend of the court" brief filed Monday says the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped its authority in tightening limits on coal powered-plant emissions.

Signing the brief were Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Reps. Hal Rogers, Ed Whitfield, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie and Andy Barr. Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas also joined the brief.

The case is an outgrowth of a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that cleared the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases under its authority to control air pollutants.

McConnell says the EPA misused that ruling and regulations on automobiles to overregulate coal-fired power plants.

Oral arguments in the case are set for Feb. 24.

TAMPER-RESISTANT PAINKILLERS

Conway, AGs seek abuse-resistant generic pills

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Dozens of attorneys general from across the U.S., including Kentucky's Jack Conway, are asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require makers of generic prescription pain relievers to make tamper-resistant versions of their products.

The attorneys general thanked the FDA for its efforts to require abuse-deterrent formulations for branded opioids and urged the agency to make sure generic versions have those properties as well.

Conways says abuse deterrence for generics offers another way to try to battle a problem that affects families all around the state.

Conway and 41 other attorneys general sent the letter Monday.

BUSINESS TRIP

Chambers sending members to visit Charlotte, NC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Members of the Louisville and Lexington chambers of commerce are planning a joint road trip to see how another city handles economic development.

The destination for the Leadership Expedition next June 1-3 is Charlotte, N.C. Charlotte and its region are home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, strong job growth and national recognition as a good place to start a small business.

It will be the second time since 2010 for representatives of Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington Inc. to come together for a joint visit.

Stephen Gault, co-chairman of the expedition, says the timing is right given the collaboration between Kentucky's two largest cities in trying to strengthen the regional economy.

Participants will look at Charlotte's challenges in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship and workforce initiatives.

KENTUCKY CONGRESS

Guthrie files to run for re-election next year

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican Brett Guthrie has filed papers to run for re-election next year as representative from Kentucky's 2nd District.

Guthrie has held the seat since 2009. He is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Education and Workforce Committee.

He said in a statement after filing papers Monday with the secretary of state's office in Frankfort that he is working to reduce the national debt and for policies that help create jobs and opportunity.

Guthrie had been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor in 2015 but announced in July he intended to remain focused on congressional work.

Democrat Ron Leach, a retired Army major and Brandenburg farmer, launched a campaign for Guthrie's seat during the summer.

HIKER RESCUED

Hiker rescued from Red River Gorge

(Information in the following story is from: WKYT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com )

STANTON, Ky. (AP) — A hiker has been rescued from Red River Gorge after surviving a 60-foot fall down a cliff.

WKYT-TV reports rescue crews worked for hours on Saturday to rescue the man, who suffered life-threatening injuries.

Eddie Connor with Wolf County Search and Rescue says the hiker slipped on an icy rock and fell into a deep crevice where he was lodged between two large rocks.

The extent of the man's injuries was unclear, but officials say he's in critical condition mostly because of how long he was exposed to the cold weather. He is recovering at University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington.

UK-HEALTH GRANT

UK wins grant to study obesity, heart disease

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The University of Kentucky has landed an $11.3 million federal grant to support research on two health issues plaguing the state — obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The award from the National Institutes of Health is one of the largest health grants ever made to the state's flagship university.

UK officials announced the grant award on Monday at the Lexington campus.

The research will focus partly on the influence obesity has on heart recovery after a heart attack.

UK researchers say cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death among people who are obese.

Kentucky has some of the nation's highest rates for obesity and cardiovascular deaths.

HUMAN REMAINS RECOVERED

Police recover human remains in Pulaski County

(Information in the following story is from: WYMT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews )

SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) — Police in Pulaski County say that human remains have been recovered from a remote wooded area.

The remains have not been positively identified, but police told WYMT-TV there's evidence that they could be those of 34-year-old John Beach of Somerset.

Beach was reported missing earlier this year after he and his brother ran out of gas while driving along a rural road in the area. The men began walking to try to find help but became separated, and Beach hasn't been seen since then.

The bones are being examined in Frankfort. Investigators say no foul play is suspected.