The Associated Press

A measure that would create a special panel to authorize charter school applications is advancing in the Tennessee state Legislature.  The measure was approved on a voice vote in the House Government Operations Committee on Wednesday, and the Senate Education Committee unanimously passed the companion bill later that evening.

Police in Clarksville are investigating the death of an Army officer from Fort Campbell, Ky., who was found dead at his home over the weekend.  Fort Campbell spokesman Robert Jenkins said the officer was 24-year-old 1st Lt. Chris Rogan, who was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. Jenkins said his family has been notified and he couldn't provide more details while the death was under investigation.

A Kentucky panel that investigates the deaths and near deaths of children in abuse and neglect cases now has the official backing of the General Assembly. Governor Steve Beshear created the panel last year by executive order.

Anglers are on the hunt in western Kentucky for a pesky fish whose exploding population is threatening two of the state's most popular lakes. They're seeking out the fast-breeding Asian carp, which is gobbling up food supplies and starving out other fish species.

The University of Tennessee at Martin will receive a $706,000 state grant for the school's Healthy Families Initiative. U-T-M officials say the state Department of Health grant will fund three years of work to increase the number of healthy pregnancies and births in at-risk communities. The project will target women and at-risk children from Dyer, Lake and Lauderdale counties. The university says the percentage of children living in poverty in each of these counties exceeds the Tennessee average of 26.3 percent.

A proposal to eliminate hotel allowances for some Tennessee lawmakers passed the House today despite concerns that it might hurt those who use the excess to defray other unreimbursed expenses. The measure sponsored by Republican Rick Womick of Murfreesboro was approved 71-15 yesterday. It would eliminate a $107-per-night hotel payment for the 33 legislators who live within 50 miles of the state Capitol. The legislation would continue to provide a $66 daily meals allowance for all lawmakers. Womick said the main purpose is to let taxpayers know their money isn't being wasted.

The Kentucky GOP executive committee has passed a resolution applauding U.S. Senator Rand Paul as a "shining example of Republican leadership" for last week's nearly 13-hour filibuster. Once a political outsider in Kentucky, the resolution suggests that Paul has won support even among establishment Republicans in the state.

Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo says the state's industrial hemp bill is dead, although the measure’s proponents insist it's not too late to revive it in the waning days of the General Assembly session. The proposal would let Kentucky quickly license hemp growers if the federal government lifts its ban on the plant.

Kentucky’s General Fund revenue saw a sharp decline last month. Budget Director Jane Driskell says collections fell 5.2%, costing the state nearly $30 million. Coal severance tax revenue had the largest loss, with 24. 5%. Both individual income tax and cigarette tax revenue dropped about 14%. Driskell says 41% increases in corporate income tax and property tax collections failed to offset the losses.

Kentucky lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene today in a rush to pass some key measures before time runs out. Still pending are bills ensuring soldiers deployed overseas can vote in Kentucky elections and a bill raising the minimum school drop out age to 18.