Kentucky News Now – September 28th 2015

TRANSGENDER LAWSUIT

Report: Transgender woman sues Louisville nursing college

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A TV station is reporting that a transgender woman has filed a discrimination lawsuit against a nursing college in Louisville.

WHAS-TV reports the lawsuit was filed Friday in Jefferson Circuit Court on behalf of Vanessa Gilliam. The suit accuses Galen College of Nursing of discriminating against Gilliam for being transgender, and for suggesting she not use the women's restroom though she identifies as a female.

Gilliam, who has since left Galen, says she was humiliated, according to the report. It adds she's seeking reimbursement for tuition and books, along with damages for emotional trauma.

Galen says in a statement it couldn't comment because it hasn't seen the lawsuit, but added the college "strives to create and maintain a respectful and safe campus climate for students, faculty, and staff."

KELLEY PAUL-SOUTH CAROLINA

Kelley Paul addressing GOP women's group in South Carolina

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Rand Paul's wife is returning to South Carolina for a campaign swing on her husband's behalf.

The U.S. senator from Kentucky's campaign says Kelley Paul is in the Palmetto State on Monday for two stops.

First, Kelley Paul is giving a keynote address at a luncheon hosted by the Hilton Head Island Women's Club.

Then, she's going to Columbia for a meeting of the Richland County Republican Party at Doc's Barbecue.

On Tuesday, Kelley Paul is scheduled to go to the state Republican Party Headquarters in Columbia, where she will officially file her husband's papers as a candidate in the first-in-the-South primary.

BLUE-WHITE SCRIMMAGE

Blue-White Game tickets go on sale Tuesday morning

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Tickets go on sale Tuesday morning for the Kentucky men's basketball Blue-White Game next month.

Tickets will be available starting at 9 a.m. EDT online through Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. The Rupp Arena Box Office will sell tickets between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., or fans can visit statewide Ticketmaster outlets.

Tickets cost $10 for lower level and $5 for upper level.

Students can claim up to two free tickets while supplies last, in person at the Joe Craft Center ticket office with valid student ID.

The scrimmage in Rupp Arena is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 27.

The team's Big Blue Madness will be Oct. 16 in Rupp Arena.

INTERSTATE ROADBLOCKS

Rolling roadblocks planned on I-65 in southern Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Overnight travelers on Interstate 65 in southern Kentucky to the Tennessee state line may find they need additional travel time this week.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says rolling roadblocks will be used over a 54-mile stretch so that pavement markers can be replaced and repaired.

The rolling roadblocks will start Monday night and continue for about a week, starting at 10 p.m. and lasting until 7 a.m. each day.

The crews will start in the northbound lanes at the Tennessee state line and work north until about mile marker 54. When that section is complete, workers will start southbound and continue back to the state line.

The cabinet says Kentucky State Police will be present during the roadblocks. Officials advise using caution while the work is underway and say the rolling roadblocks could add travel time.

EDUCATION DATA GRANT

Kentucky awarded grant for education, workforce data access

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has been awarded more than $6.7 million in a four-year federal grant to expand access to education and workforce data.

Gov. Steve Beshear's office said in a news release that the state is one of 16 states or territories to receive a grant in the sixth round of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System Grant program.

The grant is from the U.S. Education Department and will be administered through the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics, under the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

The release said the state will use the funds to improve access to its statewide repository of education data from early childhood through postsecondary and into training and employment.

The project will use the system to assess students' college and career readiness and track outcomes.

MONTGOMERY-SON'S DEATH

Spokeswoman: Singer Eddie Montgomery loses 19-year-old son

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A spokeswoman for Eddie Montgomery, one-half of the country duo Montgomery Gentry, says the singer has lost his 19-year-old son.

Spokeswoman Alicia Jones said in a statement that Montgomery's son, Hunter, died Sunday after an accident that had him on life support in a Kentucky hospital. Jones told The Associated Press in an email the details of what happened are being withheld "until the family is ready to release further information."

Montgomery said in the statement that he appreciated the prayers from fans and for "giving us privacy as we grieve and say goodbye."

Montgomery Gentry has had hits including "Something to Be Proud Of," ''My Town" and "Gone." The duo won CMA Vocal Duo of the Year at the Country Music Association's awards in 2000.

OBAMA-FUNDRAISER

Obama: Religious freedom no excuse to deny rights to others

NEW YORK (AP) — President Barack Obama says freedom of religion isn't a reason to deny Americans their constitutional rights.

Obama appeared to be referring to Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Davis said such unions violated her religious beliefs.

She was jailed for several days over her defiance of the Supreme Court ruling that gay couples have a constitutional right to marry.

Obama says it's important to recognize that some parts of the country remain uncomfortable with same-sex marriage. But he says that while Americans cherish the right to freedom of religion, it can't be used to deny a person's constitutional rights.

Obama commented at a Democratic Party fundraiser in New York for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.