Kentucky’s Latest News – 8/9/2013

LORETTA LYNN-MEDAL OF FREEDOM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music legend Loretta Lynn will be among 16 people that President Barack Obama will venerate later this year with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The White House made the announcement this week.

Loretta Lynn was born in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky and chronicled her life in an autobiography and song, both titled "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Oprah Winfrey will also be among those receiving a medal. Winfrey grew up in Nashville and got her start in broadcasting in the city.

President John F. Kennedy created the medal 50 years ago. It's the highest honor the U.S. bestows on civilians.

In the five decades since, more than 500 people have been recognized for contributions to society of all stripes.

INFANT-GARBAGE CAN

Infant body found in department store

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville police are investigating the death of an infant whose body was found inside a department store.

A dispatcher told The Courier-Journal that the body was found in a garbage can in a ladies' restroom at a Kohl's store in southern Jefferson County.

Police were called around 5:45 p.m. EDT Thursday.

No other details were immediately available.

MCCONNELL CAMPAIGN

McConnell aide says 'holding my nose' in job

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's campaign manager says in a telephone conversation taped earlier this year that he is quote "holding my nose" while doing the job, a less-than-flattering remark about a powerful GOP establishment figure struggling to shore up tea party support at home in Kentucky.

In a brief telephone interview Thursday, Jesse Benton didn't dispute the authenticity of the taping, saying he wasn't confirming it was him, but wasn't denying it either.

Separately, in a statement emailed to reporters, he said he believes in McConnell and is 100 percent committed to his re-election.

An audio of the Jan. 9 conversation was posted online by Economic Policy Journal. It said the call was placed to Benton by Dennis Fusaro, a one-time aide in former Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign.

KENTUCKY SENATE

McConnell aide: 'Holding my nose' to work campaign

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's campaign manager has acknowledged the validity of a January recording on which he's heard saying he is "holding my nose" to work for the Kentuckian's re-election campaign.

The recording of comments by Jesse Benton, a tea party insider who managed U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's Kentucky campaign in 2010, was posted Thursday on the Economic Policy Journal's website.

Benton was talking to Dennis Fusaro, who worked for the 2008 presidential campaign of then-Texas congressman Ron Paul, father of Rand Paul.

In a statement Thursday, Benton said he considers it sick that Fusaro is trying to use a private phone conversation to hurt him.

Benton said he believes in McConnell and is 100 percent committed to his re-election. McConnell only backed Rand Paul in 2010 after he became the party's nominee.

SENATE-MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Senate control hinges on fate of Southern Dems

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are counting on some Southern comfort to lift them into the Senate majority next year.

Control of the Senate rests on a handful of races in the South. Whether moderate Democratic incumbents can survive in GOP-trending Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina will go a long way to determining party control.

So will the fate of Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who faces both a primary challenge and a Democratic rival.

Democrats currently hold a 54-46 edge, though Newark Mayor Cory Booker is expected to win the New Jersey Democratic primary next Tuesday and capture the seat in an October special election. That would give Democrats a 10-seat margin. Republicans would need to gain six seats to run the Senate.

SNAKE SALVATION

Tenn., Ky. snake-handling preachers get TV show

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Serpent-handling preachers in Tennessee and Kentucky are getting a television reality show.

The Tennessean reports that National Geographic Channel will carry "Snake Salvation," which debuts Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. CDT.

The preachers are Andrew Hamblin of Tabernacle Church of God in LaFollette (luh-FAH'-lut), Tenn., and Jamie Coots of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name church of Middlesboro, Ky.

Coots said the TV show will feature scenes from worship services where snakes are handled as well as church members' efforts to live out their faith daily.

Executive producer Matthew Testa said 16 episodes are planned.

Coots was caught in February transporting three rattlesnakes and two copperheads through Knoxville. Tennessee wildlife officials confiscated them.