The Associated Press

The National Weather Service is issuing flood warnings in Kentucky and Tennessee as the Mississippi River starts to slowly rise from northern floodwaters, but officials say the rising water should not have a significant impact.

NWS Meteorologist Marlene Mickelson in Memphis says the lower part of the Mississippi River will see elevated levels through the next two weeks.

A federal grand jury has indicted former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer on four felony counts of misappropriating state funds and one of solicitation.  The indictment, unsealed today in Lexington, charges Farmer with using his state position to obtain thousands of dollars' worth of gifts, hotel rooms, clothing and computers. It also charges him with hiring friends who did little or no work for the state.  The indictment says that throughout his tenure as agriculture commissioner from 2004 to 2012, Farmer wrongfully used public funds and state resources to obtain goods and services for himself and his family.

Prosecutors released no information Friday about the findings of a federal grand jury looking into whether former UK basketball player-turned politician Richie Farmer violated criminal laws during his eight years as state agriculture commissioner.

It's not clear what the grand jury is investigating, but Farmer was accused last month of 42 ethics violations, including accusations Farmer gave jobs to friends, had state employees build a basketball court on his property and gave state-purchased laptops to his family members. 

Gov. Pat Quinn is touring areas hit hard by the floods and has declared 44 Illinois counties as disaster areas.

The designation means expanded access to emergency resources. Sunday, Quinn visited Marseilles, where more than 200 people have been evacuated along with 60 nursing home residents. An elementary school has also been closed.

After several years of advancing major education initiatives, Tennessee lawmakers this year failed to pass the biggest school bills before them. 

The 108th Tennessee General Assembly, which adjourned Friday, debated a proposal to create a school voucher program and a so-called parent trigger measure that would allow parents to decide the fate of a struggling school.  Both appeared to have momentum but failed by the end of the session.

The Delta Regional Authority is sweetening the pot for cross-state applications for federal grants to strengthen training partnerships between community colleges and employers. 

Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Seth Harris said Friday that $474.5 million is available nationwide under the third round of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grants program. 

Some Kentucky parents of autistic children say they've received little or no insurance coverage for treatment despite a 2010 state law mandating benefits.

Kentucky insurers say the law has required a smoothing-out period to address legal gray areas and other unforeseen challenges. But autism advocates argue insurers have had plenty of time. Meanwhile, parents say they can't sustain the tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket treatment costs. 

Legislation that provides requirements for setting up a distillery in Tennessee is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The measure was given final approval after the Senate voted 23-6 Thursday to concur with changes made by the House. Under the proposal, after July 1, a manufacturer would petition to the local county mayor, and the county commission would have 45 days to vote on the request.

A proposal seeking to ban basing government hiring preferences on race, gender or ethnicity is dead this session.

Members of a special committee formed to work out differences in the House and Senate versions of the proposal failed to do so Thursday.

The House version says preference wouldn't be based "solely" on a candidate's race, sex or ethnicity. State higher education officials said they were more comfortable with that language.