Kentucky News Now – October 22nd 2015

PAUL AIDES-INDICTED-TRIAL

Deliberations continue in trial of 2 ex-aides to Ron Paul

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jurors have told a federal judge they're stuck in deliberations in the trial of two aides to Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign who are accused of making secret payments to a state lawmaker.

The jury deliberated for several hours Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa, in the trial of Jesse Benton and Dimitri Kesari. They will resume deliberations Thursday morning.

Benton faces one count of making false statements. Kesari faces five charges including conspiracy and obstruction. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Jurors told U.S. District Judge John Jarvey in a note that they could not reach a unanimous decision on three counts. Jarvey asked them to continue deliberating.

Prosecutors say the men concealed payments to former Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson for his endorsement of Paul. Defense attorneys have questioned Sorenson's credibility.

MINNESOTA-PITINO

Richard Pitino defends father in Louisville scandal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota coach Richard Pitino is defending his embattled father, Rick Pitino, as allegations swirl around the Louisville program that a former staffer paid escorts to have sex with former recruits and players.

Richard Pitino spoke at Minnesota's media day Wednesday. He says he had no knowledge of the allegations while he was an assistant at Louisville and also says he knows his father had no knowledge, either.

Katina Powell wrote a book that alleges former staffer Andre McGee paid her and several other women to party with recruits and players from 2010-2014.

Richard Pitino was the associate head coach at Louisville for the 2011-12 season. He says the allegations were "very surprising."

Rick Pitino has denied knowledge of the activities that Powell alleges in her book.

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Clerk who opposes gay marriage: 'I am a soldier for Christ'

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky clerk who attracted national attention when she refused to license same-sex marriages described herself in an email to a supporter as a "soldier for Christ."

The Associated Press obtained Davis' emails under the Kentucky open records law. They offer some insight into her state of mind in the weeks leading up to the five nights she spent in jail for defying a federal court order and refusing to issue the licenses.

She described the ordeal as "a firestorm" and "chaotic," and complained that others were trying to "make a whipping post out of me!!"

But she told supporters she had "weighed the cost, and will stay the course."

Davis refused to issue all marriage licenses following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that effectively legalized gay marriage.

BESHEAR-UOFL BOARD

Beshear makes minority appointment to UofL board

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Steve Beshear has filled a vacancy that was created due to the lack of racial minorities on the University of Louisville's Board of Trustees.

Beshear appointed William E. Summers IV to the governing board on Wednesday.

Summers is African-American. The 72-year-old Summers, who is retired, served as deputy mayor and chief administrative officer for Louisville Metro government from 2003 to 2012.

Summers replaces Steve Wilson, who is white. Wilson resigned last month to make way for a minority appointment to the board.

Attorney General Jack Conway's office issued an opinion last month that said Beshear's administration violated state law with his appointments that left racial minorities underrepresented on the UofL board.

The controversy arose this past summer when the school's only African-American board member was replaced.

DISTILLERY DISPUTE

Kentucky Mist distillery says UK disputing trademark

(Information in the following story is from: The Mountain Eagle.)

WHITESBURG, Ky. (AP) — The owners of Kentucky Mist distillery say University of Kentucky attorneys have sent them a letter asserting the school owns the rights to the word "Kentucky."

The Mountain Eagle reports the certified letter from Lexington attorney Michael Hargis asks the distillery to abandon efforts to trademark the Kentucky Mist name and logo design for T-shirts or other clothing.

According to the letter, the University of Kentucky is prepared to oppose the trademark application and "will consider further action as it deems necessary."

Kentucky Mist co-owner Colin Fultz says the distillery's attorney says it is necessary to respond to the letter. But Fultz says Kentucky Mist products and logos look nothing like the University's logos. He says the only possible similarity is a dark blue Koozie drink holder.

BREEDERS' CUP-PRE-ENTRIES

American Pharoah, Beholder among 10 in Breeders' Cup Classic

Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, two-time Breeders' Cup winner Beholder and Travers winner Keen Ice will square off in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic next week, with 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist in the field, too.

They are among a total of 200 horses which were pre-entered Wednesday for the $26 million, 13-race Breeders' Cup world championships being held for the first time at Keeneland on Oct. 30 and 31.

Ten were pre-entered for the 1 1/4-mile Classic, which will be shown live in prime time on NBC.

Trainer Bob Baffert will saddle American Pharoah, who will attempt to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown and the Classic in the same year. The 3-year-old colt is expected to make his final start at the Lexington, Kentucky, track before being retired to stud.