Devin Katayama

Confessions Of A Kentucky Derby Gate-Crasher

Devin Katayama — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:51:00 +0000

On Saturday night, 150,000 people will pack Louisville's Churchill Downs to watch the Kentucky Derby. But only a few will celebrate the victory from the winner's circle.

Stephen Johnstone has experienced that celebration many times. He's been in the winner's circle with the winning families, jockeys and governors — but not once was he invited.

Johnstone is a retired gate-crasher. The first time he crashed the Kentucky Derby was in 1963. Johnstone and several college friends slipped underneath a fence at Churchill Downs.

He celebrated throughout the day, made a few bets.

Kentucky Halts Standardized Tests Because of Computer Glitches

Devin Katayama — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:16:24 +0000

Kentucky has become the most recent state to see problems with the company that administers online exams in public schools and officials say the problem is of concern as more states move to online testing.

Since the beginning of this week, 25 Kentucky school districts have experienced slow or dropped connections to the online system, making it impossible to complete the ACT End of Course Exam.

Kentucky Halts Standardized Tests Because of Computer Glitches

Devin Katayama — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:09:54 +0000

Since the beginning of this week, 25 Kentucky school districts have experienced slow or dropped connections to the online system, making it impossible to complete the ACT

Louisville, Cincinnati Boats Face Off In 51st Great Steam Boat Race

Devin Katayama — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:48:50 +0000

This year's 51st annual Great Steamboat Race--part of the Kentucky Derby Festival--will continue using a points system developed in previous years to determine the winner.

Cyclo-Cross Championship Takes U.S. By Storm, Mud And Sand

Devin Katayama — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:36:00 +0000

While many Americans will be tuning into the Super Bowl on Sunday, there's another big sports competition this weekend: the Cyclo-Cross World Championships. This weekend's event, in Louisville, Ky., marks the first time in its 60-year history that the world championships will be held outside of Europe.

Cyclo-cross, a grueling sport requiring riders to traverse mud, sand and other obstacles, is growing rapidly in the U.S. And the fans can be a bit crazy.

Blue Ribbon Tax Commission Finalizing Recommendations

Devin Katayama — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:28:43 +0000

Kentucky’s Blue Ribbon Tax Commission will solidify its final list of recommendations Thursday afternoon, which could include imposing higher income taxes for those making more money.

Gov.

Gatewood Hemp Bill

Devin Katayama — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:03:44 +0000

Kentucky State Senator Perry Clark says his medical marijuana bill may still be far from gaining the General Assembly’s approval, but he plans to introduce it again in the next legislative session.

U.S. Chamber Higher Education Report

Devin Katayama — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:55:51 +0000

A new study shows that Kentucky’s two-year colleges outperform the state’s public universities in several areas.

Fair Housing Workshops for LGBT Community

Devin Katayama — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:07:03 +0000

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is offering education workshops on fair housing to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals across the commonwealth this week.

The commission is working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to present the workshops.

Churchill Downs Changes Qualifications for Kentucky Derby

Devin Katayama — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:24:59 +0000

In an attempt to gain fans, Churchill Downs Incorporated is adopting a new points system for entry into the Kentucky Derby and will cut the number of qualifying stakes races considered for entry from 185 down to 36.

"Our primary driving motive is to create new fans for horse racing," said CDI chair and CEO Bob Evans in a press release.

The new system will make it easier to understand the route thoroughbreds take to win one of the 20 spots in the Kentucky Derby. A poll of more than 300 sports fans nationwide showed 83 percent did not understand how a thoroughbred qualified t