Todd Hatton

In the conclusion of our 2011 documentary about the Civil War in the Four Rivers, Todd Hatton looks at the little-known Battle of Paducah, where Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest first tasted defeat at the hands of African-American Union soldiers.

In the second installment of our 2011 documentary on the Civil War in the Four Rivers region, Producer Todd Hatton takes us through the Civil War's beginning in our area, and the west's first significant campaign, Forts Henry and Donelson.

In this special WKMS  News presentation that originally aired on July 21, 2011, Producer Todd Hatton takes us back in time to the eve of war in the Jackson Purchase of 1861.  In this first segment, we find out what kind of place western Kentucky was 150 years ago, and look at the people and issues that brought the Commonwealth into the conflict.

The Number 6 seed Murray State Racers celebrated Selection Sunday yesterday by getting ready for their first NCAA tournament opponent, eleven seed Colorado State.  The Racers will play the Rams this Thursday at Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center.  MSU Head Coach Steve Prohm says he’s glad the wait is over, so the OVC champions can concentrate on preparing to play Colorado State.  Tip off is set for 11:15 a.m. Central, on Thursday.
 

Kentucky’s General Assembly session is winding down, but budget negotiations are just beginning for the state Senate.  The House passed their version of budgets for all three branches of state government last week. But Senate Budget Chairman Bob Leeper says that doesn’t mean his side will be able to act quickly on the plan.  Leeper says the Senate will compare three separate budgets: Governor Steve Beshear’s original proposal, the House’s changed plan and the last two-year budget.

The US 68/KY 80 bridge over Lake Barkley at Canton is open again to traffic this morning following a strike by a fourteen barge tow early this morning.  The U.S. Coast Guard reports the Motor Vessel EVT was pushing the empty barges downriver when a gust of wind forced a controlled landing against one of the bridge piers.  The collision was severe enough that the lead barge was taking on water.  Kentucky Transportation spokesman Keith Todd says the Cabinet dispatched an inspector who reported no structural damage to the bridge.

(1.) COLSTON ON THE CAPITOL –- It’s been another busy week in the Kentucky General Assembly. And to summarize what happened and why Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Kenny Colston speaks with Rick Howlett. 

Spend any time in Kentucky, and you'll notice that residents of the Bluegrass love their basketball.  Of the 72 NCAA men's championship games played since 1939, Kentucky teams have won nine of them.  Only California has more championships.  So, the Commonwealth is a basketball state.  But why?  How did that particular tradition begin?  To find out, Todd Hatton spoke with Murray State University history professor Dr. Duane Bolin.  Dr.

A new analysis from the Chicago Tribune finds caseloads for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigators are too high.  The Tribune reports the biggest trouble spots are in southern Illinois, Cook County, and the counties around Chicago.

The Murray State Racers’ Men’s Basketball team won their 15th Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship Saturday night with a 54 to 52 win over Tennessee State at Nashville’s Municipal Arena.  The victory brings MSU’s season record to 30 and 1, as well as a 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the Racers as the OVC’s automatic bid.  Murray State Forward Donte Pool was named the OVC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.