News

Madisonville Sanitation Officials Promote City Recycling

Rob Canning — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:56:04 +0000

Madisonville sanitation officials say nearly 30% of the city's population is using the city's iRecycle program. In October, the city began the program to keeping garbage collection fees low by reducing the number of tons transported to the Hopkins County Regional Landfill. City Sanitation Superintendent Robert Janes said he hopes 70 per cent of the population will sign on by the end of the next fiscal year.

KY Tourism Secretary Announces Retirement

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:52:15 +0000

Kentucky's Tourism Secretary, Marcheta Sparrow will retire at the end of this month. Sparrow was one of Governor Steve Beshear's first cabinet appointments, taking office in 2007.

Fort Campbell Officer Fired after Arrest

Drew Adams — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:48:48 +0000

Fort Campbell leaders have fired an officer in charge of the base's Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention office for allegedly violating a protection order and aggravated stalking.

Coalition Forms to Oppose Electricity Rate Increase in Western Kentucky from Smelter Deal

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:24:59 +0000

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.

Datebook: May 17 - Watergate Hearings Air on TV 40 Years Ago

Matt Markgraf and Kala Dunn — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:02:53 +0000

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.

The Morning Cram [people’s court edition]

John Walker — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:59:36 +0000

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.

Louisville Zoo Polar Bear Dies

John Walker and The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:42:30 +0000

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.

ILL Lt. Gov. Simon Promotes College Scorecard Measure

John Walker and The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:39:21 +0000

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.

TN Governor Signs Virtual Schools Legislation

John Walker and The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:36:41 +0000

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.

Youth Report: Not So Fast, All About LBL's Turtle Derby

Matt Markgraf and Aaron Sikkel — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:35:00 +0000

Earlier this month, over 16 million viewers tuned in to watch the 139th annual Kentucky Derby. To celebrate the event, the Nature Station at Land Between the Lakes held their own, much slower race: the Kentucky Turtle Derby. WKMS Youth Reporter Aaron Sikkel covered the event and sat down with Naturalist Aviva Yasgur to learn about how turtles contribute to the region's ecosystem. This article features the full version of the interview.

Special thanks to Aaron's mom, Claire Fuller, for coordinating the interview and taking photos. If you are interested in getting involved in the WKMS Youth Radio Project, check out our page with more info, here.