The sponsor of legislation before the Illinois State Senate legalizing medical marijuana use said there are sufficient protections for motorists in the bill. Senator William Haine said the proposal requires users to submit to a field sobriety test if they're pulled over by police while driving.

The Tennessee Department of Education has rolled out a new package of incentives to help bring the best teachers to the state's worst schools. The department is offering to pay $7,000 signing bonuses to every new top-rated teacher who agrees to teach for at least two years in the some of the worst-performing schools in the state.

Chris and Randy Janne host Art in the Garden, an art show/sale and garden tour this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at their home at 3223 Buckner Lane in Paducah. Admission is free. Proceeds from art sales go to the J. Darin Loftis Memorial Scholarship Fund. It was established by Calloway County High School Class of '86 to honor their classmate who was killed while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2012. Kate Lochte speaks with Chris Janne on Sounds Good.

See event information on our Events Calendar.

More information is available at artinthegardenmotherstribute.blogspot.com.

On Sound Good, Kate Lochte speaks with Mary Ann Gardener, Executive Assistant to the Provost of Murray State University, who directs on-site organization of this Saturday's Murray State University Commencement Ceremony. Hear about when traffic will be at is peak. Also, hear an interview with Dr. Bob Jackson, Associate VP for Institutional Advancement, Office of Development, about planning for the Commencement's Guest Speaker, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. 

Kate Lochte speaks with Victoria and Michael Terra who are co-directing the 2013 Lower Town Arts & Music Festival, May 17 through 19. It features more juried artists than ever. Two stages featuring a variety of excellent musicians. An expanded Taste of Paducah. Art Cars. And... a new competition "Top Potter Showdown." The festival website is www.lowertownamf.com.

Click here for information about our live broadcast from LowerTown.

Murray State University’s Board of Regents Chairman wants to vote again on President Randy Dunn’s contract on Friday. Board Chairman Constantine Curris released a statement Wednesday asking the board to vote again to reinforce the board’s responsibility to act in an open and transparent manner.

The board first voted against extending Dunn a new contract on March 15th following a social gathering at a regent’s home. The Kentucky Attorney General has since deemed the gathering, where a quorum was present and university business was discussed, an illegal board meeting.

Some Johnson County Illinois residents are asking their county commissioners to consider supporting a 2-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” as oil and gas companies continue to look at southern Illinois land for extraction. 

Johnson County Economic Development Director Ronald Duncan said if fracking begins it could bring some money the county’s way.

“If we take examples of the economic impact that it’s had in other places,” he said.” I’m thinking specifically of southeastern Ohio, the Dakotas. You see this very, very strong impact up front. A lot of people coming to town, a lot of trucks, a lot of lunches sold at the counter. Just the sheer number of people doing that work coming in perhaps could boost the retail trade here in our community significantly.”  

Gov. Steve Beshear said a special session of the Kentucky General Assembly to redraw legislative districts for the House and Senate is likely to happen this fall. He said details are still being worked out.

“I’m talking with legislative leaders in the House and Senate right now and I think everybody, if we can work it out, would probably like to do it in the fall,” Beshear said. “And let everybody have the summer while kids are out of school and they have some vacation time, and then wait until we get back in school before we have the special session.”

A pending federal bankruptcy court decision could affect thousands of Kentucky mine worker benefits.

Patriot Coal Corporation, which operates two mines in Union and Henderson counties, wants to modify their collective bargaining agreements with the United Mine Workers Association. Patriot will replace all health care benefits for retirees with a Voluntary Employee Benefit Association trust. Patriot doesn't plan to replace the health insurance program for current employees.

On May 18th hundreds of volunteers will descend upon Lake Barkley State Resort Park to provide labor for some much needed repairs. The project is called 'Pass It On' and it's spearheaded by Leadership Trigg County. Trigg County Chamber of Commerce President Beth Mann spoke with Chad Lampe about the planned work.

Mann also discusses the impetus for the project and how this program could leverage state financial support for the Park.