The Associated Press

Solar-powered lights have been placed on a western Kentucky bridge while authorities try to find who is responsible for removing wiring from the bridge's navigational lights. Engineers and technicians placed solar-powered lights on the Kentucky 453 Canal Bridge at Grand Rivers, the northern entrance to the Land Between  The Lakes National Recreation Area.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health says a federal grant will help it fight the state's diabetes epidemic. The state was one of eight states to receive funding from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to a statement, $134,380 will be used to target people with pre-diabetes in an effort to prevent them from developing diabetes.

Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is joining the executive committee of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association. The Blountville Republican was named this week during the association's annual leadership meeting in Washington.

The Federal Railroad Administration has chosen Illinois to lead a group of five states hoping to buy high-speed rail locomotives for more than $800 million dollars. Governor Pat Quinn made the announcement Thursday.

Three attorneys have been selected as nominees to fill a vacancy on the Kentucky Supreme Court left by the retirement of Justice Wil Schroder in January.

The sponsor of legislation competing with Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam's proposal to create a school voucher program has withdrawn her bill. Republican Senater Dolores Gresham of Somerville withdrew the measure in the Senate Education Committee yesterday.

Tennessee legislation that would require schools and other organizations with youth athletic programs to adopt concussion policies is set to be heard today on the House floor. The legislation is similar to laws passed in 42 other states and the District of Columbia that have provisions requiring students to be removed from an event if they show concussion symptoms like headaches, dilated eyes or vomiting.

More than 40 Illinois lakes, creeks and ponds are stocked with rainbow trout in anticipation of this season's fishing opener. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said yesterday the 2013 trout fishing season will begin April 6.

A federal appeals court has struck down a significant portion of the $2.5 million in legal fees awarded to attorneys who have represented TennCare patients in a year-long fight with Tennessee.

Two people charged in an ethics probe involving former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer have been placed on leave while the investigation continues.

Farmer's sister, Rhonda Monroe, and deputy Agriculture Commissioner Bruce Harper were among seven people charged along with Farmer on Monday of ethics violations. They each face three counts. Monroe holds the position of assistant executive director in the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.