Cause of Northpoint Prison Riot RevealedFrankfort, KY(2009-11-20)Lousy food wasn't why prisoners at Northpoint Training Center rioted in late August. A Critical Incident Review Team says the melee was the result of a lockdown and new restrictions on inmate movements ordered after a prison yard fight.
No Answers Yet for Bankrupt Trust FundFrankfort, KY(2009-11-19)A task force seeking ways to restore solvency to the fund Kentucky uses to pay jobless benefits is struggling to find answers. The panel's final report has been delayed, at least until the group's next meeting in early December, says Chairperson Helen Mountjoy.
Locks and Dams Are Economic EnginesFrankfort, KY(2009-11-18)Kentucky lawmakers now have a better understanding of the economic impact of the eight Ohio River locks and dams on the state's northern border. But the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says five of the aging locks are in need of significant repairs.
Report on Natural Disasters to be ReleasedFrankfort, KY(2009-11-17)A comprehensive report on how electric utilities responded to two recent natural disasters in Kentucky will soon be made public. The staff of the Kentucky Public Service Commission spent almost eight months preparing the report on responses to Hurricane Ike and January's debilitating ice storm.
Rare State Documents Spared Water DamageFrankfort, KY(2009-11-16)A serious water leak occurred over the weekend at the building housing the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, but fortunately there was no damage to rare historical documents stored at the Frankfort facility.
Early Birds Pre-Filing Bills for 2010 SessionFrankfort, KY(2009-11-11)Kentucky lawmakers will soon be back at work under the dome of the State Capitol. The start of the 2010 legislative session is now just eight weeks away. More than 100 bills have already been pre-filed for consideration during the 60-day session.
Kentucky Military History Exhibit Opens in FrankfortFrankfort, KY(2009-11-10)Kentucky military artifacts, and the people and stories behind them, are the focus of a dynamic new exhibit at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort. The exhibit, which opens on Veterans Day, is expected to get a six-month run.
Governor Declares Homelessness Awareness WeekFrankfort, KY(2009-11-09)Advocates for the homeless gathered in Frankfort to hear remarks by First Lady Jane Beshear, who later helped prepare and serve lunch at a nearby homeless shelter. Gov. Steve Beshear is declaring November 15-21 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Kentucky.
Winter Heating Costs Should Be LowerFrankfort, KY(2009-10-30)If you're looking for a ray of sunshine in this gloomy Great Recession economy, how's this? The Kentucky Public Service Commission says it should be cheaper to heat your home this winter. Substantially cheaper!
State Audit Finds "Self-Serving" Culture at KACoFrankfort, KY(2009-10-29)A scathing state audit of finances at the Kentucky Association of Counties found what State Auditor Crit Luallen is characterizing as "extravagant and excessive" discretionary spending by the KACo board, management and staff.
Capitol Rotunda Renovation Work BeginsFrankfort, KY(2009-10-28)Renovation and repair work to the interior dome of Kentucky's historic State Capitol is now underway. One of the first tasks workers undertook was to encase the rotunda's five historic statues in plywood boxes, to protect them from damage during the three-month project.
Governor Finds New Use for Appointment PowersFrankfort, KY(2009-10-27)If you can't beat 'em, appoint 'em! That appears to be Gov. Steve Beshear's new credo as he uses his appointment powers to try to reduce the number of Republicans in the GOP-controlled Senate. It's the governor's latest tactic in his bid to bring casino gambling to the state.
Butch Hamm is Kentucky Teacher of the YearFrankfort, KY(2009-10-23)Durell "Butch" Hamm, an English teacher at Ryle High School in Boone County, is the 2010 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Hamm picked up the award during ceremonies in Frankfort. He says he will spend some of the $10,000 in prize money on his classroom.
Domain Name Case Reaches Supreme CourtFrankfort, KY(2009-10-22)Kentucky's year-long legal battle to seize the domain names of 141 Internet gambling sites is now before the state's highest court. Kentucky Public Radio was there for oral arguments before the Kentucky Supreme Court.
Teen Warns of Dangers of Texting While DrivingFrankfort, KY(2009-10-14)A Louisville teenager who totaled her car as she was texting while driving is helping Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials promote a highway safety campaign on the dangers of distracted driving. Nicole Meredith has also taken her message to Washington.
Kentucky Artists Honored at State Capitol Frankfort, KY(2009-10-06)Some of the commonwealth's finest artists have been honored in ceremonies at the State Capitol. Among the recipients of the 2009 Governor's Awards in the Arts is a 96-year old Louisville songwriter.
Auctions Generate Much Needed Cash for KentuckyFrankfort, KY(2009-09-29)Two auctions of state surplus property have raised more than $1.5 million for the cash-strapped commonwealth, and more auctions are on the way. The latest sale featured heavy equipment, like backhoes, tractors and dump trucks.
Kentucky Supreme Court Hears Baptist College CaseFrankfort, KY(2009-09-24)May taxpayer dollars be used to build a pharmacy school on the campus of a Baptist university? That's the question before the Kentucky Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in a case involving the University of the Cumberlands. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh was in the courtroom.
Steve Nunn - From Governor's Son to Accused MurdererFrankfort, KY(2009-09-16)A member of a prominent southwestern Kentucky family - the son of a governor - former legislator Steve Nunn of Glasgow now sits in a jail cell, charged with the murder of his ex-fiancee.
Tony McVeighFrankfort, KY(2008-10-11)Click name for a bio of Kentucky Public Radio's Capitol bureau chief.
