News Archive

A small band of nuclear power plant workers want the McCracken County Fiscal Court's support of a resolution for workers to receive federal compensation for occupation-related illnesses. Gary Vander Boegh, vice president of a company lobbying for the just treatment of power plant claimants, spoke on their behalf. He said those claimants, including some once employed by the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, have not received compensation from the Department of Labor for work-related health problems. He also said they have filed legitimate claims.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials say bidding for building contracts for a new Mayfield Creek KY 1241 Leeder Bottom bridge could begin as soon as April. KYTC Engineers say the project is in the final design phase. Inspectors closed the bridge last April after floods damaged a pier. And the bridge collapsed in June before repair plans could be formulated. Engineers believe if everything stays on schedule and plans are approved as developed, construction on a new bridge could start sometime in June, and it could be opened to traffic raising the likelihood by the end of the year.

A judge says it will be two weeks before a decision is made concerning a motion from Jerry Wayne Walker's attorney to dismiss his case. Walker is charged with manslaughter, arson, assault, and wanton endangerment stemming from a 1998 dormitory fire in Murray State's Hester Hall. If the case is not dismissed, the trial is set to begin July 6 in Calloway Circuit Court. Walker is accused of setting the fire that claimed the life of student Michael Minger. The case originally went to trial in 2001, but ended in a mistrial, as the jury deadlocked 11-1 to acquit Walker.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, released the following statement today on the Eggner Ferry Bridge:

“I understand the impact the closure of the Eggner Ferry Bridge is having on many aspects of the lives of those who use it; ranging from the inconvenience of a longer work commute to a potentially life threatening situation of delayed emergency services or medical care. That is why I am working to ensure all federal agencies with jurisdiction remain on top of this incident.

Kentucky lawmakers are protesting a current trade agreement that they say would hurt tobacco.

The U.S. is currently negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which includes countries like New Zealand, Peru and Vietnam. But the lawmakers say the proposal excludes tobacco protections.

At a news conference in Frankfort today, Democratic and Republican lawmakers urged President Barack Obama to add provisions for tobacco to the agreement.

Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer says including the crop will help Kentucky farmers.

Changes to Kentucky's special elections procedures could be imminent.

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is supporting a bill to reduce the number of polling places for uncontested special elections for legislative seats.

Grimes says the change will save money for her office, county clerks and taxpayers.

"This means that if an uncontested special election is to occur that the voting doesn't have to occur at the numerous precincts through the county but rather at one location or locations designated by the county Board of Elections," Grimes said.