Amanda's Bill unanimously passes Kentucky HouseFrankfort, KY(2010-02-05)Highly publicized domestic violence legislation has gotten its first hearing in a senate committee. Amanda's Bill, which unanimously passed the house, requires electronic monitoring in some cases of domestic violence. It carries the name of Amanda Ross, a former state employee, who was fatally shot outside her Lexington apartment in September. Former state representative Steve Nunn stands accused of the crime. Kentucky Public Radio's Stu Johnson has more.
New Chicago Jet Service Brings Economic PromisePaducah, KY(2010-02-05)The next time you plan to book a flight, you may want to consider your options. A new jet service to Chicago from Paducah's Barkley Regional Airport starts Thursday. SkyWest-operated United Express will throttle passengers from the Four Rivers area to the windy city and back again twice daily.
Local Dentist receives patent for miniature cooling inventionBenton, KY(2010-02-05)With all the time he spends at his dental practice in Benton, it is surprising that Dr. Brian Doss had time to patent a new invention. Doss recently received the final notice that the patent on his "Polar-Wave spinner" belongs entirely to him. He believes in his miniature cooling device and hopes America will be too. Rebecca Feldhaus has more.
Two Kentucky 'First Ladies' meet for graduate summit at Murray StateMurray, KY(2010-02-05)In 2008 more than 6000 Kentucky students dropped out of high school. Now, Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Education are working with groups across the state to further a "Graduate Kentucky" initiative. In Murray, MSU's office of Regional Stewardship is getting involved with help from MSU first Lady, Dr. Ronda Dunn. The Regional Stewardship office and Dr. Dunn are hosting Jane Beshear and droves of educators and community members for a February 18th summit at Murray State.
Kentucky Arts Hangs On, Despite CutsMadisonville, KY(2010-02-05)In just a few days, arts supporters will be in Kentucky's capitol rallying for the annual Arts Advocacy Day.
Kentucky artists feel the impact of recessionLouisville, KY(2010-02-05)The recession has cost many Americans their jobs - including artists. Even those who are self-employed have taken a hit. WFPL's Elizabeth Kramer talks to several Kentucky artists feeling the recession and looks at how researchers are trying to find new ways of gauging how their wellbeing impacts the overall economy.
Maiden Alley Cinema presents "Precious"Paducah, KY(2010-02-04)The Academy Award-winning film Precious plays this week at Paducah's Maiden Alley Cinema. Precious was made on a shoestring budget, but if features an array of performances, some surprising but all powerful. Todd Hatton talks with Larry Thomas about this story of an abused, overweight teenager who finds the strength to survive, both from without and within.
Grandfather reflects on segregated KentuckyAurora, Ky.(2010-02-04)To commemorate Black History Month, our correspondent Jacque Day brings us one man's personal reflection on growing up in segregated Kentucky.
Kentucky Democrat pushes restored voting rights for ex-offendersFrankfort, KY(2010-02-03)If you're looking for someone deserving of a persistence award, consider Lexington Rep. Jesse Crenshaw. For the fourth time, Crenshaw is trying to get a voting rights bill through the Kentucky General Assembly. But as Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh reports, Crenshaw's goal remains elusive.
How a local gas station owner became an ice storm heroMurray, Ky.(2010-01-29)On a normal day, Gary's Market on South Fourth Street in Murray looks like Any Gas Station USA. But a year ago Thursday, with the electrical grid down and thousands of people without access to fuel and heat, Gary Russell's little store became a lifesaver. On the anniversary of the ice storm Jacque Day paid a visit to Russell, and brings us this story of the power of ordinary people working together.
More delays likely for Kentucky tax reformFrankfort, KY(2010-01-29)The phrase tax reform' is again finding its way into the lexicon of Kentucky's lawmakers. For years, many have called on the Commonwealth to update its tax system, yet, there's been little action, and further delays seem likely. KPR's Stu Johnson looks at the ever-persistent question of "When will it happen?"
Budget cuts threaten closure of local alternative schoolHuntington, TN(2010-01-29)In 1994 after fighting his way through nights of alcohol induced haze, Brian Stafford met his destiny, in Carroll county juvenile court. Soon Stafford found himself among other troubled teenagers at Carroll Academy. Now a college graduate, Stafford is back at the school, as a teacher. With budget cuts of over 640-thousand dollars threatening its livelihood, Stafford is concerned about long term effects, should the school close. Rebecca Feldhaus has the story.
2009 ice storm through the eyes of childrenMurray, KY(2010-01-29)Last summer when most had mostly recovered from the Ice Storm, The Purchase Area Writing Project decided to sponsor a way for folks to remember the Ice Storm through the eyes of Children. The following are three poems from young area writers.
Bela Fleck talks upcoming Africa Tour Concert at Murray StateMurray, KY(2010-01-29)Kate Lochte with the adventurous B la Fleck, whose banjo virtuosity shines in jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical, and now, African settings. Fleck brings his Africa Tour to Murray State University on February 12th. Click the link at the top of the page for more details.
Campus Lights 2010: The Music ManMurray, KY(2010-01-29)Campus Lights is the 73-year-old tradition of a musical production starring and run entirely by Murray State students. This year's show is The Music Man. The cast and crew of Campus Lights have been hard at work since well before Christmas, but grueling rehearsals started just a few days into 2010. Caleb Campbell has the story.
Candidates Surge Murray City Council BallotMurray, KY(2010-01-29)Twenty-six candidates will be on the ballot for Murray City Council in this May's Primary, but there's only twelve seats to fill. Chris Taylor looks into what has spurred so many candidates to seek public office and about the challenges both current and future Council members will face.
Two Legends, One Stage at Playhouse: Postponed to Feb. 6-7Murray, Ky.(2010-01-28)Stacey Smith teaches drama at Marshall County High School, and directs and acts at Playhouse in the Park. Shawn Knight is a professional actor out of Nashville, where he teaches at Belmont University. They're joining forces at Playhouse with their benefit show Two Legends, One Stage. Jacque Day talks with them about how they bring musical titans George Gershwin and Ethel Merman back to life.
US Senate candidate Jack Conway talks about campaign issuesFrankfort, KY(2010-01-25)The official filing deadline to run for Office in Kentucky is Tuesday. One of the most hotly contested seats this go-around is that of retiring U.S. Senator Jim Bunning. So far 10 people are vying for Bunning's seat on both sides of the aisle. In the democratic race the two front runners are Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo. Chad Lampe speaks with Conway about this race, and stance on key issues.
Controversial young adult author reads tonight at Murray StateMurray, KY(2010-01-25)Today, young people connect to the internet and engage with the adult world at a level that didn't exist 10 or 20 years ago. This development is increasingly reflected in young adult fiction, causing authors to reassess the boundaries of what's acceptable. Tonight at 7 pm, Chris Crutcher, a young adult author who's been pushing these boundaries, will give a reading and talk at Murray State's Wrather Auditorium.
How technology is pushing away penmanshipWestern Kentucky(2010-01-22)In an era where second graders have iPhones, and texting is evolving into a sub-form of language, is technology pushing the pencil out the classroom door? National Handwriting Day is Saturday, Jan. 23. Fittingly it's also John Hancock's birthday. Jacque Day looks into cursive writing's place in the future with two area elementary school teachers: one a veteran, and the other fresh out of college.
Hopkins County rallies to fight childhood obesityMadisonville, KY(2010-01-22)Ed Wallace watched his daughters grow into adults and now enjoys watching his grandchildren blossom. However, worries that didn't concern him with his own daughters now loom over his grandkids and many children he sees everyday at the Hopkins County YMCA. Their waistlines are quickly expanding. Rebecca Feldhaus has more on what Wallace and a slew of community members are doing to curb childhood obesity.
Paducah Native Heads for HaitiPaducah, KY(2010-01-22)Twenty four year old Paducah native Paul Mazzone is just one of many people across the world that is traveling to Haiti to help with the disaster relief.
Trigg County Gears Up for Liquor SalesCadiz, KY(2010-01-22)It's been about five months since Trigg County passed an ordinance to end prohibition. Now, many businesses are applying for various licenses to sell alcohol: nine for retail packaged beer, seven for retail packaged liquor, and one restaurant has applied for liquor by the drink. Chris Taylor speaks to one entrepreneur and his plans to open up shop there.
Ice Storm retrospective: what silenced our cell phones?Murray, KY(2010-01-22)The 2009 ice storm caused wide-spread damage that's still evident in some places. It deprived our area of light, heat, water, and, for most, cell phone service. In this installment of our series looking back at the ice storm, we'll find out what silenced almost every cellular phone in western Kentucky and what's being done to keep them from going silent again.
Kentucky secures its notch on America's 'stroke belt' Frankfort, KY(2010-01-22)Kentucky is securely positioned as a member of America's stroke belt.' It means the Commonwealth is among ten other states where the mortality rate from strokes is higher than the national average. Smoking and high blood pressure are two main causes behind the high rate in Kentucky. As Kentucky Public Radio's Stu Johnson reports, there is a move in Frankfort to increase the number of hospitals capable of fully treating stroke patients.
Maiden Alley Cinema presents Nine, starring Daniel Day LewisPaducah, KY(2010-01-22)Nine is the movie adaptation of the 1982 Tony Award-winning musical that starred Raul Julia and featured Antonio Banderas in its 2003 revival. This time, Daniel Day Lewis plays Italian film director Guido Contini, who's looking for inspiration and harmony in his professional and private lives. Helming Nine is director Rob Marshall, who scored an Oscar nomination with Chicago. Larry Thomas and Todd Hatton talk about Nine, playing at Paducah's Maiden Alley Cinema this week.
Air cannons and pyrotechnics blast away pesky pest-birdsMurray, KY(2010-01-22)In Kentucky, so-called "pest-birds" include starlings, cowbirds, and grackles. These birds are commonly known as blackbirds, and winter brings hoards of them to roost in Kentucky. Blackbirds tend to use the same roosts year after year, creating a smelly and possibly unhealthy environment. Some older roosts may develop a fungus called histoplasmosis, which is harmful to humans.
Beshear Proposes Gaming BudgetFrankfort, KY(2010-01-20)Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear wants to use revenue from casino-style gambling at horse tracks to balance the state's next biennial budget.
Civil Rights veteran brings message to Western Ky.Aurora, Ky. (2010-01-15)Colia LaFayette Clark participated in the youth movement of the Civil Rights era and served as a special assistant to Medgar Evers. Her contributions to the freedom movement are noted in more than a dozen books. Ms. Clark will deliver the keynote address Monday, Jan. 18 at Cherokee Historic Resort Park, to commemorate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Jacque Day spoke with the lifelong activist, and brings us this interview.
