John Walker

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public hearing about the collapse of Eggner’s Ferry Bridge over the Tennessee River after a cargo ship struck it. The board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday morning of next week in Washington, D.C. to discuss the 2012 wreck near Aurora. Late The Delta Mariner caused a 322-foot section of the span to fall into the river.

A prosecutor is objecting to delaying University of Kentucky basketball icon Richie Farmer's federal criminal trial until February. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Taylor filed a court brief Thursday asking that the trial be scheduled for sometime this fall. Farmer faces charges of misappropriating government resources while serving as agriculture commissioner.

Tennessee State Finance Commissioner Mark Emkes says overall April revenues were $160.9 million more than the state budgeted. Emkes says total collections in April marked the ninth consecutive positive growth month this fiscal year. He said corporate franchise and excise taxes and collections from the Hall tax on income contributed substantially to the large over collection last month.

The Illinois Senate is approving tighter rules for disclosure of public officials' economic interests. Park Ridge Democratic Senator Dan Kotowski's plan passed 52-1 yesterday. It's an initiative of Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon. The plan now moves to the House. It would require tens of thousands of public servants who file economic-interest statements annually to list outside sources of income, relationships with lobbyists and loans made or accepted on terms not available to the general public.

From NPR: Tens of thousands of young college graduates about to enter the job force by following their passion. What about those who do not have a passion? One young college grad asks an economist for advice.

A retired Kentucky State Police lieutenant colonel has been named head of rangers for Kentucky State Parks.  Parks Commissioner Elaine Walker announced Joe West’s appointment yesterday. West began his career with the state police in 1978 and served in a variety of roles. He’s also been an instructor at Eastern Kentucky University, Prestonsburg Community College and the Kentucky State Police Academy. As chief ranger, West will be responsible for overseeing security at all of Kentucky's state parks.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives is hosting a workshop to help individuals gather and record information for family history. It’s scheduled for June 1st at 9:30 a.m. in the TSLA auditorium. Author Jim Taulman will oversee the event. He has 35 years of writing and editorial experience and is a member of the Association of Personal Historians. The session is free to the public, but reservations are required due to limited seating in the auditorium.

The sponsor of legislation before the Illinois State Senate legalizing medical marijuana use said there are sufficient protections for motorists in the bill. Senator William Haine said the proposal requires users to submit to a field sobriety test if they're pulled over by police while driving.

The Tennessee Department of Education has rolled out a new package of incentives to help bring the best teachers to the state's worst schools. The department is offering to pay $7,000 signing bonuses to every new top-rated teacher who agrees to teach for at least two years in the some of the worst-performing schools in the state.

From NPR: Jeffrey Selingo, an editor with The Chronicle of Higher Education, argues that American colleges have lost their way. In College (Un)bound, he describes the challenges facing American higher education and takes a close look at what college students are getting in return for their tuition.