By Carrie Pond

Paducah, KY – Renovations on Paducah's Julian Carroll Convention Center are set to begin Monday. The Paducah Sun reports Ray Black and Son Construction Company won the bid after submitting an estimate for just under 4 million dollars. A meeting between company officials, subcontractors, architects and engineers took place this morning to coordinate schedules before Monday's work begins. The convention center is scheduled to re-open in time for the April quilt show.

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – Three days into his new job as Kentucky House Speaker, Greg Stumbo finds himself the subject of an unflattering article in one of the state's largest newspapers. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh was on the House floor when Stumbo fired back.

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By Carrie Pond

Hopkinsville, KY – Hopkinsville Mayor Dan Kemp is considering city layoffs to reduce spending. The layoffs would permanently eliminate positions from the city's operations, and could begin within the month. Kemp tells the Kentucky New Era the layoffs would come at all levels in non-public safety positions. Kemp says officials are also considering freezes on salary increases and cost of living raises to combat operation costs. The city has already instituted a hiring freeze for four positions, saving an estimated 200 thousand dollars.

By Angela Hatton

Murray, KY – The 1204 Newscast on January 9, 2009. From WKMS News.

By Kate Lochte

Murray, KY – A datebook of regional events for Jan. 9, 2009. From WKMS.

By Charles Compton

Richmond, KY – GIVEN THEIR AFFECTION FOR THOROUGHBREDS, KENTUCKIANS ARE PRETTY GOOD AT PICKING HORSES. BUT, GIVEN THE CURRENT TROUBLES AT THE BLUEGRASS ARMY DEPOT, IT'S POSSIBLE KENTUCKY BACKED THE WRONG HORSE

THE DEPOT IS VERY MUCH IN A RACE .ACTUALLY, IT'S IN A COUPLE RACES. UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL TREATY, IT HAS JUST FOUR MORE YEARS TO DESTROY ITS CHEMICAL WEAPONS. MORE PRESSING, AS THE AGING WARHEADS AND ROCKETS DETERIORATE, THE RISK OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INCREASES.

By Angela Hatton

Hardin, KY – Officials confirm a light plane has crashed near the Hardin in Marshall County. Kathleen Bergen with the FAA says the Cessna 172 struck power lines and crashed this morning at 6:05 Central Time. Marshall County 911 Director Jeff Daniel says emergency personnel are on the scene. One fatality has been confirmed, but the victim's identity has not been released. Officials have not yet said what might have caused the crash. Bergen says the pilot had not filed a flight plan.

By Angela Hatton

By Angela Hatton

Madisonville, KY – Madisonville Mayor Will Cox has announced a hiring freeze for all city positions. Cox said in a statement yesterday several factors have contributed to the decision, including increasing costs of operations and the general state of the economy. Cox promises no currently employed city workers will lose their jobs and the level of government service will not be affected. The freeze continues through the end of fiscal year 2009.

By Angela Hatton

Frankfort, KY – A new poll released by a coalition of health groups indicates Kentucky voters strongly support a substantial increase in the state cigarette tax. The survey of 500 registered voters shows 69-percent of those polled support a one-dollar increase in the tax. That sounds good to Governor Beshear, who's trying to convince lawmakers to approve a 70-cent increase.

"I certainly think it adds to the momentum I feel is out there for some significant increase in the cigarette tax."