Matt Markgraf

By Rebecca Feldhaus

Fancy Farm, KY – After U.S. Senate Candidates Dr. Rand Paul and Attorney General Jack Conway finished their speeches at this year's Fancy Farm picnic, local candidates took to the podium. Leading the way was democratic candidate for the Kentucky First District U.S. Congressional seat, Charles Hatchett. Hatchett, of Marshall County, says he wants to exude qualities of Vice President Alben Barkley.

By Michael Cohen

Murray, KY – Mystery fans recently celebrated the 90th birthday of award-winning novelist P.D. James (August 3). James is most famous for her iconic poet-policeman Adam Dalgliesh. Her most recent book, published in 2009, is a work of literary cricitism, titled Talking about Detective Fiction. Fellow mystery critic Michael Cohen peeks through the pages of this "entertaining" analysis of the genre.

By Jacque Day

Murray, Ky. – Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Jack Conway's campaigning in western Kentucky today in hopes of boosting his poll numbers. According to a SurveyUSA poll released this week conducted exclusively for the Louisville Courier-Journal and WHAS-TV, Republican Rand Paul edges Conway, 51 to 43 percent. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll two months ago, the contest is essentially unchanged. Conway may have made up some ground in Western Kentucky, but lost some ground in the eastern part of the state.

By Angela Hatton

Hopkinsville, KY – A Kentucky state representative from Hopkinsville may seek the Attorney General's seat. Democratic Representative John Tilley says if current Attorney General Jack Conway wins the US Senate election, he will consider running. Tilley tells the Kentucky New Era he's not starting a campaign, but he is preparing. Conway trails Republican opponent Rand Paul in the polls, with the election still over two months away. Tilley thinks he would have Conway's support if he seeks the position.

By Rebecca Feldhaus/KPR

Frankfort, KY – In a close vote, Attorney General Jack Conway defeated Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo in the May primary, to clinch the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Conway meets Republican Rand Paul in November.

After the primary, Paul was immediately endorsed by the man he defeated, Secretary of State Trey Grayson. But on the Democratic side, Mongiardo refused to endorse Conway.

By Tony McVeigh

Fancy Farm, KY – The 130th Fancy Farm picnic is Saturday in rural Graves County, Kentucky. More than 10,000 people are expected to show up, many drawn to the political speaking, where good-natured heckling is allowed. This year's master of ceremonies, House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover of Jamestown, will be doing his best to keep the crowd under control.

By Brian Clardy

Murray, KY – For television fanatics, the summer months can be long, grueling and disorienting. While production companies ready their fall season line-ups, viewers are left with a seemingly endless stream of re-runs. As an antidote for this summer affliction, Commentator Doctor Brian Clardy recommends turning to television shows of the past, and digs out a classic British series about an eccentric barrister named Horace Rumpole.

A scene from Rumpole of the Bailey - "Taming the Bull"

By Richard Nelson

By Michael Cohen

Murray, KY – Last Friday, SyFy welcomed viewers to Haven, a new television series based on the based on the Stephen King novel, The Colorado Kid. The publisher of that book and one of the producers for the series is Charles Ardai, the award-winning writer who penned The Good Neighbor Policy, a poem written in double dactyl form. It might just be the only criminal case in mystery in history written with such complicated commitment. Mystery fan Michael Cohen peeks through the pages.

By Robert Valentine

Murray, KY – If you went to the county fair, or almost any other event last Fourth of July, you probably heard at least one rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. Commentator Robert Valentine says he loves America's anthem as much as anyone here in the Land of the Free, but he does take umbrage when singers needlessly dress it up on the stage.