Whitney Jones

A new free clinic is being prepared to open in Benton by the end of the month. Marshall County Free Clinic will see patients on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Stilley Professional Building. To qualify for free medical care, patients must work at least 15 hours a week, have an income within 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines and not qualify for government assistance or insurance.

Illinois' Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the state generated more than $1.1 billion in revenue through litigation and collection efforts in 2012. That’s the largest annual amount collected in nearly a decade. More than half the money came from collections litigation, including funds from child support, damage to state property, unpaid educational loans, fines and penalties. The rest was split between tobacco litigation and estate tax revenues.

Some Illinois bar owners say they're already profiting big from video gambling games that went live statewide late last year. Players statewide in December lost nearly $7 million. Establishments kept almost two and a half million dollars, the state earned $1.75 million and cities and counties combined made about $350,000.

A state legislative committee is expected to hear from the head of the embattled Tennessee Department of Children's Services this week. Commissioner Kate O'Day is scheduled to address questions from the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on Wednesday.

A Tennessee bill that proposes forcing schools to tell parents if their children have talked to a teacher or counselor about being gay has set the stage for a new fight over social issues in the state legislature. Opponents call the legislation unnecessary and a government intrusion in family matters. State Senator Stacey Campfield’s measure is already drawing attention.

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes stopped in Murray today in an effort to gather public opinion about ways to improve the civic health of the state after finishing the Kentucky Civic Health Index earlier this year. The civic health index identifies strengths and weaknesses in the overall public participation and civic literacy.

Big Rivers Electric customers in western Kentucky can expect a marginal increase in their rates soon but a much larger increase could be coming their way in July. The Kentucky Public Service Commission reaffirmed a 2011 decision that decreased subsidies for two aluminum smelters, fixed a $450,000 mathematical error and added legal costs, which adds 45 cents to the average customer’s bill. 

A chemical and technology company plans to retain 500 full-time jobs with a $15 million investment at its Calvert City plant. Ashland Incorporated provides specialty chemicals and technology for consumer and industrial markets internationally. 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet restricts traffic to one lane on Eggners Ferry Bridge Friday. The lane closure is to allow crews to patch the roadway on the bridge deck.

An explosives manufacturer in southern Hopkins County is building an indoor blasting center after nearby residents have complained the blasts are damaging their homes. Double Arrow Explosives has been hardening rail tracks with explosives since October and is located at the same site as Donovan Commercial Industries.