From NPR: In a $16 billion deal this week, Japanese beverage giant Suntory announced it plans to purchase Beam Inc., the maker of Jim Beam bourbon and the owner of other popular bourbon brands like Maker's Mark. Those and most other bourbons are made in Kentucky, and the deal has some hoping the drink's growth in the global market won't come at the expense of its uniquely Kentucky heritage.
Kentucky: Gov. Steve Beshear says Kentucky's 911 call centers will receive more than $2.9 million as a result of a ruling on litigation. A Davies County man has been charged with picking up three loads of aluminum products from a Virginia company. A bill backed by state Auditor Adam Edelen and a bipartisan group of lawmakers would require state and local government agencies to notify Kentuckians when their personal information is breached. The Kentucky House has passed a bill to allow the formation of benefit corporations. Fifth grade students from around Kentucky are eligible to compete in the National Missing Children's Day Poster contest. A new Fort Campbell Defense Military Pay Office aimed at conserving energy will conduct a grand opening tomorrow.
Illinois: The mayor of Carbondale, Ill., says he's stepping down next month to take a job at Northern Arizona University. Illinois State election officials will consider conflicting recommendations about the future of the Democratic ticket challenging Governor Pat Quinn.
Tennessee: The U.S. Agriculture Department says more than 6,900 Tennessee families used its rural home loan program. A statewide business coalition is showing its support for Tennessee's Common Core standards.