Local/Regional News

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – The search for the next head of Kentucky public schools will intensify next week, when the interview process gets underway. We get an update from Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh.

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, Ky – Kentucky's tax receipts last month were $617 million. That's off 2.7% from May 2008, when $634 million was collected.

Through the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, tax receipts are off 1.7%. But the official revenue estimate calls for a 2.1%decline for the entire fiscal year.

To meet the estimate, receipts would have to decline 6%, or $52 million this month, compared to June 2008.

By Alan Lytle

Lexington, KY – At a time when some communities are contemplating scaling back their 4th of July Festivities, Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry says that's not going to happen in Kentucky's second largest city. In fact, Mayor Newberry says this year's celebration will have a few new offerings. For starters, he promises this year's parade will be decidedly more musical.

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – Federal district Judge Danny Reeves says more than 20-years ago he worked for the same law firm as a Louisville lawyer who performed legal services for one of Leonard Lawson's companies. Lawson attorney Guthrie True says Reeves must now decide if the situation requires his recusal from the conspiracy case against Lawson. "I think we're in a position to say, we hope not. Because we'd like to expedite the trial of this case and we would be able to do that, most likely, with Judge Reeves."

By Alan Lytle

Lexington, KY – Angela Martin, Vice President in the Office of Planning, Budget, and Policy Analysis, says while tuition rates have steadily increased, they still aren't high enough to offset a proportional reduction in state support, especially when you consider that enrollment has grown by some 2-thousand students.

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – The 150-page bill would allow video slots at horse tracks in Kentucky, with oversight by the Kentucky Lottery Corporation.

The tracks would each have to pay an initial application fee of 25-thousand dollars, plus additional license fees that Governor Beshear says will generate 360-million dollars for the state's general fund.

By Rick Howlett

Louisville, KY – Kentucky Derby and Preakness winning jockey Calvin Borel (bo-RELL) has joined the

effort to persuade state lawmakers to legalize video gambling machines at the

commonwealth's horse racing tracks. Rick Howlett reports
.

Lexington, KY – Lexington city leaders have announced a new environmental initiative to clean up the dirty water that flows often into McConnell Springs. McConnell Springs, a nationally registered historic site dating back to 1775, is widely considered to be the birthplace of Lexington.Alan Lytle has the story.

Lexington, KY – One Week From Today, Lawmakers Will Return To Frankfort For A Special Session On The Budget, Expanded Gaming, And Other Economic Incentives. Our Political Analyst / Commentator Ken Kurtz Talks With Alan Lytle About The Drama Likely To Unfold. Ken Kurtz Is A Former News Director At WLEX And WKYT Television, And A Member Of The KY Journalism Hall Of Fame.

Capitol News Connection – At a Capitol Hill hearing, energy executive Mike John said his company is exploring the Marcellus Shale. It's a layer of rock under New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and a small portion of Kentucky. John says it holds one of the world's largest natural gas deposits.

"The shale gas revolution has made greater energy independence and significantly cleaner environment attaina! ble goals today."