The Associated Press

Fort Campbell's hospital will be cutting a popular medication service and reducing hours at its pharmacy as it prepares for looming military budget cuts.

The House Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that will require police to take DNA samples when they arrest people on felony charges. If the measure is approved by the full Legislature, Kentucky would join 25 other states that take DNA samples from felony arrestees.

The vote was unanimous and will proceed to the full House for consideration.

Spring forest fire hazard season begins Friday across Kentucky. The Division of Forestry says burning anything within 150 feet of woodlands during daylight hours is illegal between Feb. 15 and April 30. Debris fires may be legally set after 6 p.m., when conditions are less likely to spread flames.

The union representing Illinois correctional workers is demanding a stop to what it says is the transfer of violent maximum-security prison inmates to less-secure lockups.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says in one instance up to 15 inmates were being moved to medium-security prisons. The inmates allegedly beat two guards and a chaplain at Menard prison last week. The union is worried increased violence has ushered a return of "circuit riders," or keeping troublemakers isolated by moving them from prison to prison.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says she won't seek re-election next year but is weighing her options when it comes to seeking another public office. She declined to give details, but she spent much of a news conference yesterday playing up her legal and financial experience.

Political experts say the move points toward exploring a run for attorney general or another statewide office and would allow for Simon to fundraise separately from Gov. Pat Quinn, who has seen his approval rating dip. It would also allow Simon to see who else is running.

Thomas More Society attorneys say they aren’t too unhappy that a Cook County judge ruled against them in a gay marriage case. Chicago-based Thomas More Society attorney Tom Brejcha says he is looking forward to briefings on the motion to dismiss the case. A Cook County judge denied the law firm's request yesterday  to delay the case pending U.S. Supreme Court action on gay marriage.

A Christians-only health care ministry that was forced out of Kentucky last year is one step closer to being allowed back after the state Senate approved legislation Wednesday.

The bill would exempt Medi-Share, a Florida-based cost-sharing ministry, from state insurance regulations. It passed unanimously.

Tennessee’s Senate is expected to vote on two constitutional amendments today. One would prohibit any state or local taxation of payroll or earned personal income, and the other would allow the governor to appoint appellate judges, subject to legislative confirmation.

A Louisville lawmaker is pressing for changes to Kentucky's domestic violence laws to allow them to apply to dating couples.  Democratic Senator Denise Harper Angel says 48 other states already have amended their domestic violence laws to protect victims of dating violence and she says the Commonwealth should follow suit.  

In an effort to prod more attorneys to provide free legal assistance to people who can't afford a lawyer, the Tennessee Supreme Court has announced it will begin giving special recognition to lawyers who spend at least 50 hours doing pro bono work.