A coalition of western Kentucky businesses and residents has formed in hopes of minimizing the fallout of an electricity rates deal between Big Rivers Electric Co-Op and western Kentucky aluminum smelters.

There have certainly been no shortage of political scandals in Washington, but there has only been one that led to the resignation of a US President. Beginning on this day in 1973, major television networks took turns airing the hearings, starting with ABC. An estimated 85% of Americans tuned in to at least one hearing.

It’s Friday, May 17

There’s a free youth baseball clinic at Brooks Stadium in Paducah on Sunday for kids ages 6-16. Kids can get tips on hitting, throwing, and fielding. The first 100 participants get free T-shirts. Registration begins at noon with the clinic starting at 1.

From NPR: With budgets tight, the court in San Joaquin County, Calif., stopped hearing all small claims cases in September. More than 800 people have since filed claims with no hearing dates in sight. Many other counties nationwide are experiencing similar delays for civil cases as they grapple with spending cuts.

The Louisville Zoo says its oldest polar bear has died. The Zoo says Arki, a female, was 28 years old and died from unknown causes on Wednesday. Arki came to Louisville in 2011 from the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. A news release from the Louisville Zoo says polar bears usually live into their mid-20s. Arki was considered one of the most prolific polar bears with five successful litters. One of the two remaining polar bears at the Louisville Zoo, 3-year-old Siku, is Arki's grandson. The Zoo says a necropsy will be performed on Arki to determine the cause of death.

Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon wants to see all colleges and universities in Illinois feature a link to the federal College Scorecard on their websites. She's encouraging the Illinois House to pass a joint resolution to encourage institutions in Illinois to link to the scorecard. The resolution also urges schools to work together to design and publish an Illinois College Scorecard with data that supplements the federal data.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed into law a measure to tighten enrollment requirements at privately run online schools. The administration legislation allows beginning online schools to start with an enrollment of 1,500 and continue to expand as long as they meet performance requirements. If they fail to do so for three consecutive years, then the state education commissioner can cap enrollment, or direct the local school board to close it.

Todd Anderson and Sam "Snacks" Hawkins of Leadership Paducah (Hawkins is also the Director of Operations for the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club) speak with Tracy Ross on Sounds Good about the OCBGC and the opportunities it offers Paducah area youth. Hawkins also performed some slam poetry. They also talked about  the Big Bang Dueling Pianos Band performing for a benefit for the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club at Harrah's in Metropolis on June 1. The event also features comedian "Kier." Doors open at 6 p.m., individual tickets are $50 each.

For more information, call (270) 556-0682 or email LPclass26@gmail.com. To learn more about the Leadership Paducah program, visit leadershippaducah.org. You can find out more about the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club at ocbgc.org.

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education estimates more than 61,000 students are receiving diplomas from the state's public and independent colleges and universities this academic year.

That's down slightly from last year's historic total, but it is well above the number of degrees conferred a decade ago in the Bluegrass State.

Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher returns to the Calloway County Public Library for a performance tonight (Thursday, May 16) at 6:30 p.m. According to the library's website, The New York based artist made his professional debut at the age of 15. He now tours the country, performing over 100 concerts each year. Tonight's event is free and will be in the Calloway County Public Library meeting room. Try to get there early, space is limited.