WOMI Daystarter – Crooked IRS Agents, “Career” Center, State Fair Parking

IDENTITY THEFT-IRS WORKER

IRS worker accused of taking taxpayer IDs

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — An Internal Revenue Service worker has been charged in a scheme to use taxpayers' personal information to obtain prepaid debit cards.

The U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of Kentucky says 32-year-old Joy Fox of Independence, Ky., was charged in a sealed indictment returned July 18 and unsealed Thursday. Also charged is 23-year-old Patrick Sharpe of Tallahassee, Fla.

Fox faces eight counts of intentionally exceeding her authorized access to an IRS computer, three counts of mail fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

Prosecutors say Sharpe and Fox allegedly obtained online debit cards, attempting to fund them using taxpayers' Social Security benefits.

They're also charged with conspiracy to file a false tax refund claim.

Fox pleaded not guilty Thursday in Covington, and Sharpe is scheduled to appear Aug. 14. Both are free on bond.

EMPLOYMENT CENTERS

Kentucky broadens scope of unemployment offices

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Steve Beshear has unveiled a new name for the state's 75 unemployment offices.

They've now officially been dubbed Kentucky Career Centers.

Beshear said the new name reflects a new focus on services for both job seekers and job providers.

The re-branding of the unemployment office to the Kentucky Career Center is part of a larger strategy to modernize the workforce development system. Some four years ago, Beshear had directed the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board to develop a way to make the system more globally competitive.

The launch of Kentucky Career Centers comes after three years of planning. The centers will offer a variety of new services, including career coaching, job fairs and resume writing.

STATE FAIR PARKING

New weekend parking locations available for fair

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — People heading to the Kentucky State Fair next month will have some new options for weekend parking, including one free lot.

That location is the Green Lot of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium off Floyd Street. The State Fair Board says shuttles will run continuously to the fair. Fair tickets can be purchased at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium or advance discount tickets can be presented before boarding the shuttle.

Another location is the new Five Dollar Lot on the site of the former Executive Inn Hotel. Shuttles will carry fairgoers to the pedestrian admission gate.

Each location will add several thousand parking spots available first come, first served, weekends only.

Parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center will remain $8 per vehicle. The fair runs from Aug. 15 to 25.

OBAMA-UCONN WOMEN

Obama to host UConn women's basketball team

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has invited the University of Connecticut women's basketball team to the White House next week to honor them for winning their eighth NCAA championship.

The team will be at the White House on Wednesday.

The Huskies defeated Louisville 93-60 in the April NCAA tournament final to claim the championship.

Obama will also honor the team for their public service, a tradition that he has incorporated into his salutes to sports teams.

ENDANGERED FISH

Rare fish in W.Va. to be protected

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A rare fish in West Virginia called the diamond darter will soon be under federal protection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Thursday that the diamond darter's protected status under the Endangered Species Act will become effective in 30 days.

The agency also has proposed protecting more than 120 river miles in West Virginia and Kentucky for the tiny fish's conservation.

The diamond darter is a member of the perch family. It was considered extinct until scientists rediscovered it in West Virginia in 1980.

Fewer that 125 of them have been collected over the past 30 years in the Elk River.

The Center for Biological Diversity says the decision stems from a legal settlement that would speed decisions on Endangered Species Act protections for more than 750 species.

DRUG ABUSE

Gov. cites progress in fighting prescription abuse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says he's been surprised by the progress made in fighting prescription drug abuse in the year since a state law took aim at the problem.

Beshear told reporters Thursday that the law has made some "swift changes" in combating a chronic state problem.

The governor's office backed up his comments with statistics showing that for the first time in a decade, the number of prescription overdose deaths in Kentucky has declined, albeit slightly. It says 20 non-doctor-owned pain management clinics have closed and thousands more prescribers are registered with a prescription electronic tracking system.

Also, statistics show prescribing rates for some commonly abused painkillers have dropped.

Beshear says the law appears to be working, but says the fight against drug abuse is a "never-ending battle."