Todd Hatton

On the final installment of WKMS News' candidate forums, Republican Kenny Imes and Democrat Hal Kemp discussed their ideas for growing the Commonwealth's economy while not adding more to middle and lower class economic burdens.  They also spoke with moderator Todd Hatton about the effects of negative campaigning on 5th District voters.

Kentucky's 4th District State House candidates, Republican Lynn Bechler and Democrat Raymond Giannini, joined moderator Todd Hatton on Sounds Good today for the latest WKMS News Candidate Forum.  The two discussed their views on funding infrastructure, reforming taxes and pensions, and their stances on charter schools in the Commonwealth.

The worst U.S. drought in decades is showing little signs of easing as farmers close out their corn harvests and pivot toward growing winter wheat that's also now struggling in the dry conditions.  The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor update released today shows that more than roughly 62 percent of the land in the lower 48 states is experiencing some degree of drought.  

Former Fort Campbell soldier Jonathan Downing says he was provoked into shooting his wife to death in September of 2009.  The Leaf-Chronicle reports Downing told a Clarksville jury Wednesday he was in the garage minding his own business, when Sena Downing struck him. He says he blacked out and then picked up his pistol when he, in his words, "registered the threat." He heard a pop but didn't realize he had killed his wife until later.  Medical examiner Thomas Deering testified Sena Downing had multiple bruises on her body.

Kentucky’s Supreme Court has upheld a state law requiring an Amish sect to post orange safety triangles on their buggies.  However, the ruling is irrelevant because lawmakers changed the law earlier this year.  Today's decision also let stand the convictions of several Graves County Amish men who challenged the law.  

Kentucky 3rd District State House candidates, Republican Jason Crockett and Democrat Gerald Watkins, join moderator Todd Hatton for a discussion on their respective approaches to  making the Commonwealth more "business-friendly," improving regional infrastructure, and tax reform.

Dr. Gerry Mooney is on the Social Sciences faculty of The Open University in the United Kingdom.  This week, he came to Murray State to speak about national identity, devolution, and Scottish independence.   He also stopped by our studios to talk with Todd Hatton about how these three things will become more significant as democracy continues to develop around the world.

A handful of central and northern Illinois Democrats are urging Gov. Pat Quinn to drop plans to close seven correctional facilities because of overcrowded prisons.  Sen. Pat McGuire said yesterday that the youth detention center at Joliet is the only facility for the worst juvenile offenders. The Joliet Democrat says closing it would make the rest of the system more dangerous.  McGuire was one of at least five lawmakers or legislative candidates who planned to speak out against Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's plan.

WKMS News’ regional political coverage continues with two forums originally aired last week.  First, Paducah and McCracken County residents decide next month whether or not to combine their two governments.  It’s a contentious issue, and we’ll sort out the pros and cons with Paducah businessman John Williams, Jr. and McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry on today’s program.

In OVC Football over the weekend, Murray State fell to UT Martin 66 to 59 in this year’s MSU Homecoming game.  Tennessee State beat Southeast Missouri 40 to 28.  Austin Peay lost to Eastern Kentucky 45 to 14.  And Jacksonville State lost to Eastern Illinois 31 to 28.