Drew Adams

The Paducah City Commission has approved a three year contract with American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees local 1586. The union represents employees in the city’s engineering, public works and parks departments. If ratified by vote in by City Commissioners, the new contract would take effect July first. Both city and union officials site a cooperative spirit in coming to an agreement quickly.

Paducah City Commissioners discussed a prospective ordinance last night requiring training for anyone who serves alcoholic drinks at restaurants and bars in the city. The training focuses on spotting fake ID’s and recognizing heavily intoxicated patrons. Should the ordinance pass, existing wait staff would have 90 days to complete the training and new servers would have to complete the course within 60 days of their hiring date. Commissioners will vote on the ordinance in their next session.

A bill seeking to lift a cap on contributions from political action committees in Tennessee has been withdrawn in the state House.  The bill sponsored by Republican Representative Glen Casada was taken off notice in the House State and Local Government Committee Tuesday without explanation.  State law limits legislative candidates to accepting no more than $107,200 per primary or general election.

A national education group  is worried Kentucky residents may be purchasing fake GED diplomas online. The Council on Post Secondary Education released a consumer alert today warning Kentuckians of websites offering the diplomas for a fee with no required test. The Council on Post Secondary Education's Sue Patrick says the fake websites take advantage of peoples’ best intentions…

"They turn over their money, they turn over their hope and they don’t get a GED that is recognized as an official test credential."

Kelsey Emme is a freshman from Piedmont, South Dakota. She’s bubbly, outgoing and she’s likely a better shot than you. Emme is an up and coming member of MSU’s Rifle team; and much like another Racer team you may have heard of, she attended this year’s NCAA tournament in her sport, competitive shooting. She narrowly missed the finals, landing only four points short.

But unlike the Murray State basketball team, the rifle team struggles to keep itself funded.

“Oh yeah, rifle is a very expensive sport.”

Amidst the racial and religious fear gripping the country, French citizens find a new sense of solidarity.

NPR reports French citizens of all stripes came together to honor the victims of the self-proclaimed Al Qaeda terrorist. Solidarity is the order of the day while the national debate over immigration continues.

A Marshall County group delivered a petition to the county courthouse yesterday which, when the petition is verified will lead to a referendum on county-wide alcohol sales. The group, named Marshall First, collected 2,400 signatures, well above the required 2,078 required to open a vote. The Paducah Sun reports Judge Executive Mike Miller now has 60 to 90 days to order a referendum once the signatures have been verified. Members of Marshall first claim legalizing alcohol sales would generate additional revenue for the county.

A second victim of Tuesday’s shooting in Graves County has died. Police say 22 year old Jonathon Cagle if Mayfield passed away yesterday morning at Vanderbilt Medical Center. The Paducah sun reports a third victim, 19 year old Whitley More of Fancy Farm is expected to recover from her injuries. Two men have been arrested in connection with the shooting and are being held at the Graves County Jail. Both Kenon Andrews and Jacob Carter may have their current charges amended to murder at an initial hearing on April fourth.

From GoRacers.com

Murray State junior Isaiah Canaan picked up another pair of honors Monday afternoon as The Associated Press named him Second Team All-America, and he was also selected to the John R. Wooden All-American team.

The Dawson Springs Independent School District will be searching for a new superintendent for the upcoming school year. Current Superintendent, Alexis Seymore announced her retirement Monday, effective at the end of the current school year. Seymore served in the post since 2004.