Kentucky News Now – May 19th 2014

FILSON EXPANSION

Filson Historical Society to undergo expansion

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Filson Historical Society in Louisville, Kentucky, will undergo a nearly $12 million expansion to make room for additional artifacts.

According to The Courier-Journal, the society plans a 20,000-square-foot building that will be connected by elevated glass walkways to its existing 109-year-old Ferguson Mansion headquarters and the society's museum in the mansion's carriage house.

The society, founded in 1884, has grown in recent decades from a small, private history club to the region's pre-eminent outlet for regional history. Assistant director Judy Miller says it has about 3,000 members and sees about 10,000 visitors a year, including about 3,000 who come for research and several thousand schoolchildren.

Officials say the new building will house a large history center to provide easier access to the society's vast Ohio Valley History collection.

The building will also have a conservatory, banquet facilities, museum exhibit space, and room for lectures and educational programs.

NEWPORT AQUARIUM

Popular Newport Aquarium in Kentucky turns 15

NEWPORT, Ky. (AP) — Sharks glide overhead and kids below them gawk beneath a thick protective glass, smiling and scrambling to take pictures of the ocean predators.

They're enjoying the view from inside the Newport Aquarium's underwater tunnels, which were the country's largest when the attraction opened in 1999.

"The idea was to make people feel like they're scuba diving," said Jeff Gibula, the aquarium's zoological operations manager.

The aquarium turned 15 this month. And it has remained a top tourist attraction for Kentucky and the neighboring Cincinnati area over the years, with total attendance approaching 11 million.

Aquariums built since, like Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium, have longer tunnels and more gallons of water, but Newport's has had a huge impact on this small northern Kentucky town, according to numbers provided by aquarium officials.

US-TRANSGENDER YOUTH PROTECTIONS

Schools work to help transgender students fit in

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Public schools across the U.S. are working to accommodate transgender students even if their school districts do not have anti-discrimination policies or laws that cover gender identity.

With children rejecting the gender of their births at younger ages and the transgender rights movement gaining momentum, schools in districts large and small, conservative and liberal, are allowing transitioning youth to use the restrooms and changing areas that match their expressed genders.

The move has prompted complaints from some parents in places like Tucson, Arizona, and Louisville, Kentucky.

But the trend is likely to accelerate with help from the federal government.

Last month, the U.S. Education Department alerted the nation's school districts that it would welcome civil rights complaints from transgender students under a 1972 law that prohibits gender discrimination at schools.

EDUCATION COACHES

Program helps Fayette students find their futures

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Aujia Hines had little interest last year in going to college and only vague ideas about her future career, and she disliked talking in front of other students.

The 15-year-old said a pilot college and career coaching program at Southside Technical Center made her realize that she wanted to be an electrician and go to college.

Through the pilot program from the Northern Kentucky-based company NaviGo, Hines also learned how to coach other students in reaching their career and college goals.

Fayette County is the first school district in Kentucky to test the program, which works somewhat differently at each of the five high schools where it is being piloted: Southside, Bryan Station, the STEAM Academy, Carter G. Woodson Academy, and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

SCHOLAR HOUSE

Scholar House opens in eastern Ky.

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

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Officials in eastern Kentucky are celebrating the opening of the Scholar House of Central Appalachia.

The goal of the facility in downtown Pikeville is to help single parents pursue a college degree by offering a place to live, childcare and guidance on topics such as finances and stress management.

WYMT-TV reports the ribbon-cutting ceremony last week came after months of hard work and planning. Since opening last year, more than half of the 45 apartments have been occupied.

Official say it gives parents and children the tools needed to succeed.