Kentucky News Now – May 15th 2014

KENTUCKY-HEMP

Ky. ag agency sues for release of hemp seeds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's Agriculture Department has filed a lawsuit seeking the release of imported hemp seeds being held up by federal officials.

Defendants in the suit filed Wednesday in Louisville include the U.S. Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Justice Department did not immediately comment when contacted.

The state Agriculture Department wants to distribute the seeds for use in pilot projects that would be Kentucky's first hemp crop in decades.

Holly Harris VonLuehrte (VON LUR'-dee), chief of staff to state Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, says federal officials wanted the state to apply for a permit.

She says a permit is unnecessary. She points to the federal farm bill, which allows state agriculture departments to designate hemp pilot projects for research in states such as Kentucky that allow the growing of hemp.

KENTUCKY SENATE-BAILOUT

Donations from bailout companies fuel campaigns

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's U.S. Senate candidates have accepted more than $229,000 in campaign contributions from companies that benefited from the government's 2008 Wall Street bailout.

The bailout has been a central part of the Republican primary between Sen. Mitch McConnell and Louisville businessman Matt Bevin. Bevin has criticized McConnell's vote to approve the bailout, while McConnell has nicknamed his Republican challenger "Bailout" Bevin for signing a document in 2008 that called the bailout a positive development.

Donors from companies that benefited from the bailout clearly prefer McConnell. The Senate Republican leader has raised more than $200,000 from bailout companies or their employees. That's slightly more than 2 percent of the $10 million McConnell has raised since 2013.

Bevin accepted more than $6,000 from bailout companies while Democratic front-runner Alison Lundergan Grimes has accepted more than $20,000.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS

Commercial drivers have new rule taking effect

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A new rule takes effect this month for people with commercial driver's licenses.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says drivers with commercial licenses will be required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be examined by medical professionals whom it has certified.

The new rule takes effect next Wednesday. It pertains to health care professionals who perform medical exams for interstate truck and bus drivers. The providers must be trained, tested and certified on the specific physical qualifications that affect a driver's ability to safety operate the vehicle.

State transportation officials say the new rule also creates a national online database of certified providers. The registry is online at https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.

ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPTS

All public high schools online with transcripts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Public high school students in Kentucky may find it easier to have records sent to colleges and universities now that their schools are online with electronic transcripts.

Kentucky education officials say the transcripts can be sent directly to 44 public or private colleges and universities in Kentucky as well as participating schools outside the state.

The Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority worked together on the project. The agencies said in a news release Wednesday that students are able to request transcripts 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at http://www.parchment.com.

Previously, counselors had to physically handle transcript requests, which sometimes were a cost to the student.

The agencies said implementation of the program at private high schools continues.

MCCONNELL-HEROIN TESTIMONY

McConnell: Northern Kentucky is heroin epicenter

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that northern Kentucky is the epicenter for the nation's heroin addiction problem.

The Republican Senate minority leader's comments came during the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control hearing in Washington, D.C. McConnell said Kentucky has the third highest drug overdose mortality rate in the country. Statistics from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce show three northern Kentucky counties had 61 heroin overdose deaths in 2012.

McConnell said the state needs a combination of treatment and incarceration to solve the problem.

A bill in the Kentucky General Assembly would have increased penalties for major heroin dealers and expanded the state's substance abuse treatment programs. But the bill died on the legislature's last day despite having the support of leaders from both parties.

SECRETARY RETIRING

Kentucky public protection secretary to retire

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Public Protection Secretary Bob Vance says he will retire effective May 31.

Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that his chief of staff, Larry Bond, will be the acting secretary until Beshear names a permanent replacement.

The Public Protection Cabinet regulates banks and investment companies, thoroughbred and standardbred horse racing, insurance companies, and alcohol sales and licensing, among other industries.

Vance was among the first appointments Beshear made after winning election in 2007. Vance is a Grant County native and spent most of his career in the banking industry in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

Beshear said in a news release he will miss Vance in Frankfort but is happy he will get to spend more time with his grandchildren. Vance praised the cabinet's employees as conscientious and dedicated.