Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Kentucky Department of Education has appointed a state manager for the Monticello Independent school district.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Revamped legislation intended to shore up the state's pension system for state and local government retirees in Kentucky has cleared a House committee.

The measure removes a Senate provision that would have created a 401(k)-like plan for new hires.

The House State Government Committee voted 17-1 to send the legislation to the full House for consideration. Ten lawmakers passed during the committee vote.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - More than $55.5 million in relief has gone to hundreds of Kentucky homeowners in the national mortgage foreclosure settlement.
 
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said in a statement that a recent report from the independent settlement monitor also indicates that mortgage servicers were processing more than $2 million in additional claims for Kentucky borrowers, for a total of $57.5 million.
 
The 1,562 borrowers received an average of $35,534. The relief was provided by Ally/GMAC, Bank of America, Citi, Chase and Wells Fargo through Dec. 31.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Public Service Commission says it has closed its review of East Kentucky Power and that the utility is "well positioned for long-term success."

The action was announced Tuesday and comes after the PSC ordered an independent audit of the utility in 2008 when it came close to a second credit default. The independent auditor made several recommendations in 2010 to improve the management at East Kentucky Power and shore up its finances.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The video testimonials are sobering in a state where more people die from drug overdoses than auto wrecks.

A former Miss Kentucky Teen USA recounts how her father, a successful businessman, nearly lost everything because of his addiction to prescription pills. A father mourns his son's death after years of being hooked on painkillers.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel is out for the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his left knee.

Noel tore his ACL on Tuesday night when No. 25 Kentucky lost at Florida. An MRI on Wednesday revealed the injury.

The 6-foot-10 forward will have surgery in the two or three weeks. The projected recovery period is six to eight months.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Firearms that are openly displayed can now be carried into facilities that are owned by municipalities.
 
 The Courier-Journal reports that a revision to state law approved last year by legislators is now subject to enforcement. The change specifies that "local governments can't regulate firearms.''
 
That means people can openly carry weapons into facilities owned by municipalities, such as libraries, parks, the zoo and city halls. Cities can ban concealed weapons under another state law.
 

LEWISTON, Maine - A vodka and rum distillery in Maine owned by the maker of Jim Beam bourbon is closing down and eliminating about 160 jobs.

HAZARD, Ky. - Police say a domestic dispute was the cause of a shooting on a Kentucky college campus that killed two people  and wounded a third.

HENDERSON, Ky. - A western Kentucky boy is recovering after surgeons reattached his nose--which had been bitten off and swallowed by a dog.