Government

The Hopkinsville City Council approved a new ordinance at a special meeting yesterday which would lift restrictions on liquor sales outside of the downtown district. However, several council members were concerned that the current zoning ordinance wouldn’t prevent bars and liquor stores from opening near schools and churches and decided to postpone lifting the restriction until January 1stof 2014.

A second major rating agency is downgrading Illinois' credit worthiness. Moody's Investors Service lowered the state's $27 billion in outstanding bonded indebtedness yesterday to A3 from A2. The new rating's three levels above junk status. Illinois has the worst credit rating among states. Fitch Ratings downgraded Illinois' credit Monday.

Fort Campbell officials asserted their commitment today to hold soldiers who commit sexual assault and harassment accountable for their actions. This comes in the wake of widespread media attention on several sexual misconduct claims filed by military personnel.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed KY 2206/Springhill Road in Hickman County due to a damaged bridge.

The road was closed this morning at mile point 0.6 after bridge inspectors found damage to pilings on the Cane Fork Creek Bridge. Inspectors believe the bridge was damaged by an overweight load in the last few weeks.

The bridge was restricted to a 15-ton load limit.

Army installations in Kentucky and elsewhere began receiving furlough notices this week. 

Under across-the-board spending cuts in the federal budget, civilian Defense Department employees must be furloughed 11 days between July and September. At Fort Campbell, that affects about 4,000 workers in support roles such as schools and the commissary.