Kentucky News Now – October 28th 2015

LOUISVILLE POLICE-CHEMICAL SPILL

4 taken to hospital after chemical spills at LMPD building

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say four people were taken to a hospital after a chemical spilled in a building housing Louisville Metro Police Department's property room.

Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said about 100 employees were evacuated as a precaution after a strong odor was reported at about 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Mitchell said four people were taken to a hospital, and he says more may have been transported by private vehicle. Their conditions are not considered serious.

According to multiple media reports, Louisville Fire and Rescue spokesman Sal Melendez says the chemical involved was dry ammonia.

NATION'S REPORT CARD-KENTUCKY

Ky. 4th, 8th graders outperform peers nationally in reading

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A national report card shows Kentucky's public school students are outperforming their peers nationally in fourth- and eighth-grade reading and in fourth-grade mathematics. But eighth-grade students in Kentucky scored below the national average in math.

The results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the nation's report card, were released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education.

Kentucky Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt says he's encouraged by the performance in reading, but says efforts to improve results in middle school math will be a future emphasis.

In Kentucky, 75 percent of fourth graders and 78 percent of eighth graders scored at the basic level or above in reading. In math, 84 percent of fourth graders and 68 percent of eighth graders scored at the basic level or higher.

TRAFFIC SCHOOL-LAWSUIT

Man files lawsuit over Louisville traffic school

(Information in the following story is from: WDRB-TV, http://www.fox41.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A lawsuit has been filed over a Louisville traffic school run by the Jefferson County Attorney's office on the heels of a judge ruling that it is unconstitutional.

WDRB-TV reports Matthew Vaughn sued for a refund of the $179 he spent to go through the Drive Safe Louisville program. He is asking for class-action status on behalf of others who went through the online program to get their cases dismissed.

Judge Sean Delahanty ruled last week that the state law allowing the school is "constitutionally flawed" and that the program interferes with the state judiciary.

The suit cited the ruling as the reason participants should be refunded.

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell said in a statement that his office looks forward to defending the program in court.

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY

Study: Raising higher education rates would boost Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A new study has concluded that Kentucky's state coffers could be increased by $900 million a year if the number of people in the state with at least an associate degree were to increase to the national average.

News outlets are reporting that the University of Kentucky's Center for Business and Economic Research estimated that increasing the percentage of working-aged Kentuckians with an associate's degree or higher from 33 percent to 40 percent would generate $500 million a year in state tax revenues and save the state another $400 million spent on health care and anti-poverty programs.

Kentucky currently ranks 44th in the nation.

Council on Postsecondary Education President Robert King says the report underscores the benefits that college degrees have on both an individual's earnings and the state's taxpayers.

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR-BEVIN

Cast as dishonest by critics, Bevin holds fast to his faith

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Republican Matt Bevin says he is guided by his Christian faith while his critics cast him as dishonest in his run for Kentucky governor.

Bevin said his faith held his family together following the 2003 death of his 17-year-old daughter in a car accident. That faith is now the basis for his campaign as he airs TV ads identifying himself as a Christian conservative and defending Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious beliefs.

Democrats say Bevin has a history of not telling the truth, including denying he has property tax problems despite paying penalties for late payments. Bevin said he has paid everything he owes and that Democrats take his comments out of context.

POLICE SHOOTINGS-MANHUNT

Schools closed for 3rd day in rural Kentucky amid manhunt

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A rural Kentucky school district has canceled classes for a third straight day out of fear that a fugitive accused of shooting at law officers in two states might be lurking.

The manhunt enters its fifth day Wednesday. The suspect, Floyd Ray Cook, faces an attempted-murder charge in Tennessee, where he is accused of shooting and injuring an officer. The officer was saved by his bulletproof vest. Cook also is accused of shooting at a Kentucky trooper who tried to stop him. The trooper wasn't hit.

Cumberland County schools Superintendent Kirk Biggerstaff says calling off classes again is a matter of prioritizing student safety.

The last confirmed sighting of Cook was in Cumberland County, which borders Tennessee.

Authorities are trying to determine whether he has a companion and a pickup.

OFFICER SHOT-KENTUCKY

After shooting, all Prestonsburg officers must wear vests

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (AP) — On the heels of a shooting in which an officer was injured, an eastern Kentucky police department is requiring all officers to wear bullet proof vests while on duty.

Prestonsburg Police Officer Adam Dixon was shot in the chest last week while trying to catch a suspect who fled after a traffic stop. He survived and is expected to recover even though he wasn't wearing a bulletproof vest.

Assistant Police Chief Gerald Clark told media that the shooting "was a wake-up call." He said wearing the vests had been optional before but now it is mandatory for officers to wear them.

The suspect accused of shooting Dixon, Robert Powers, pleaded not guilty on Monday to attempted murder of a police officer and flagrant non-support.

LOUISVILLE-ESCORTS

Louisville's Lewis: AD says Pitino 'going to be our coach'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Louisville graduate transfer Trey Lewis says athletic director Tom Jurich has assured players that Hall of Famer Rick Pitino will remain the Cardinals coach amid escort allegations.

Speaking during the Atlantic Coast Conference media day Wednesday, Lewis says Jurich "explained to us that coach Pitino is going to be our coach."

Lewis also says Pitino has told them "that he's going to be here for a long time," so players aren't worried about his future.

Pitino isn't attending the media day on the advice of counsel.

Lewis says he prays for Pitino all the time, but the coach is handling the turmoil well.

Allegations emerged earlier this month that an ex-staffer hired an escort and other dancers to strip and have sex with players and recruits from 2010-14.