Governor Andy Beshear - Official Photo
Beshear Highlighting Manufacturing Month
Governor Andy Beshear is sharing several Kentucky economic gains while highlighting Manufacturing Month. Beshear announced during his Team Kentucky update yesterday that QSR Automation’s headquarters relocation and expansion project represents a ten-million-dollar investment into the commonwealth’s economy and will create 30 new jobs. The governor also discussed the Kentucky Small Business tax credit, which is intended to bring over 200 full-time jobs to the state. The credit has brought in more than two-million dollars in investments into the commonwealth and introduced a wage of nearly 28-dollars an hour for some positions.
Bourbon Distillers Face Big Tax Bills, Higher Tariffs After Record Year
Bourbon distillers are having a record year, but big tax bills and higher tariffs are watering down their joy. For the first time ever, there are more than ten-million barrels of bourbon aging across Kentucky as distillers filled a record of almost two and-a-half million barrels in one year. But Kentucky distillers are facing more than 33-million dollars in aging barrel taxes this year, around 300-million in state and local taxes, and one-point-eight- billion dollars in federal excise taxes on alcohol. Meanwhile, tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump have dented bourbon exports as much as 53-percent.
Beshear Reports Drop In COVID-19 Cases At Team Kentucky Update
Governor Andy Beshear says COVID-19 numbers are going down in Kentucky. Beshear noted in his Team Kentucky Update yesterday that hospitalizations are down 17-percent over the past week. The governor said almost all other COVID-19 numbers are continuing to trend downward. He reported that over 15 pediatric patients were hospitalized as of yesterday, with six in ICU and four on ventilators
Rand Paul Working With Dem. Senator On Animal Testing
(Washington, DC) — Senator Rand Paul is reaching across the aisle in an effort to end animal testing mandates. Paul is joining forces with New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker to introduce the FDA Modernization Act. The bill would end mandates that say experimental drugs have to be tested on animals before human trials.
Jan and Kay Dalton Donate $25,000 for Naming of CT Room at the Regional Cancer Center
MURRAY, KY – Jan and Kay Dalton recently made a major gift in contribution to the Enduring Hope Campaign and the building of the new Regional Cancer Center. The CT room at the new facility will be named in their honor.
The Dalton’s have contributed to several additional projects including the purchase of a rescue vehicle used by our ambulance service to do community paramedic home visits and jaws of life transporting. They have also shown their support with endowed funds through the Community Foundation toward the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House and naming of a conference room.
The Enduring Hope campaign continues to raise money for this new $12 million Regional Cancer Center which will bring the oncologists, social workers, pharmacy, and infusion area under one roof. The centerpiece of the new Regional Cancer Center’s equipment will be a state-of-the-art linear accelerator that can deliver stereotactic radiation therapy.
For more information on how you can support the building of a new Regional Cancer Center in Murray, or for naming opportunities please contact Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer at 270.762.1291.
Kentucky State News Brief
Owensboro Researchers Approved For Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
(Owensboro, KY) — A Kentucky research company is approved to receive and administer monoclonal antibody therapy for those patients suffering from COVID-19. Qualmedica Research has been approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as well as the State Department of Health as the only non-hospital provider of these antibodies in Owensboro. Qualmedica expects to treat 25 to 30 patients a week.
Man Charged With Killing Richmond Couple Arraigned
(Richmond, KY) — The man charged with killing a Richmond, Kentucky couple enters a not guilty plea at his arraignment. Thomas Birl is accused of killing Chris and Gracie Hagar in August. The couple was heavily involved and well-known in the Richmond community. Birl was in court in Richmond today and has been indicted on six felony charges including capital murder.
Daviess Co. Hosting Hazardous Chemical Disposal Day
(Owensboro, KY) — Residents of Daviess County can get rid of hazardous household chemicals on the upcoming Tox Away Day. The event is this Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at the Daviess County Operations Center. It’s free for all county residents and it will be a drive-thru format. Lawn chemicals, cleaning products, old gasoline, propane and vehicle batteries are just some of the things that will be accepted but there are also a list of unaccepted items including appliances. More information is available by contacting the Daviess County Solid Waste Department.
Clay Co. 2nd District Swears-In Female Magistrate
(Clay Co., KY) — Clay County swears in its first female Magistrate in the state’s second district. Sonya Gray took the oath of office today to fulfill her father’s term. Price Hoskins had served in the position since 2010 but passed away on September 14th. Sonya Gray was appointed by Governor Beshear yesterday to step into her father’s shoes.
Kentucky Lawmakers Investigating Alleged Mistreatment In Juvenile Detention Centers
(Frankfort, KY) — Kentucky lawmakers are looking for answers about alleged mistreatment of youth in juvenile detention centers. Members of a legislative interim joint committee questioned state officials about reports of excessive force used by staff. Officials were also questioned about back-to-back riots last year at the facility in Paducah and racial slurs used against a Black teen at the Lexington facility. Lawmakers are asking the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for more transparency about activities in the juvenile facilities.
Multiple Central Kentucky Counties Dealing With High Water
(Undated) — Multiple Central Kentucky counties are dealing with high water. Storms hit last night in Madison and Clark counties. At least one water rescue happened in Madison County. Reports also indicate a vehicle was stuck in Clark County after being caught in high water on Muddy Creek Road and Cole Road.
School Systems In Owensboro, Daviess Co. To Start COVID Testing Program
(Owensboro, KY) — School districts in the Owensboro area want to keep kids in classrooms. Officials with Owensboro Catholic Schools, as well as Owensboro and Daviess County public schools, announced more details about the Test to Stay program this week. Starting Monday, October 11th, the three school systems will start the program in partnership with a lab in Newport. It will allow students and staff who would have previously been quarantined over contact tracing to be tested for COVID-19 while remaining in school, provided they don’t test positive. The program is free for students and staff.
Elderly Man Collapses Into Ohio River In Owensboro, Dies
(Owensboro, KY) — A 73-year-old man is dead after police say he collapsed into the Ohio River in Owensboro. The water emergency happened yesterday at English Park boat ramp while the man was trying to pull a boat from the river. The man was taken to the hospital, where he died. Police are looking for any additional information available about the incident.
No One Hurt After Fire At Henderson Landfill
(Henderson, KY) — No one is hurt after a fire at the Henderson landfill. The blaze broke out Wednesday night at the Henderson Waste Transfer Station in the 700-block of Highway 414. Officials say a semi loaded with garbage to take to Owensboro caught fire inside a building. The only item destroyed was the trailer on the semi.
UK Basketball Player Goes Home To Give Away Event Tickets
(Winchester, KY) — A UK basketball player is giving back in his hometown. Brennan Canada returned to Winchester Wednesday night to hand out tickets for Big Blue Madness. Canada said he was excited to give away the tickets as a way to thank fans in the town where he played high school basketball. The sophomore forward came to UK from George Rogers Clark High School.
Tennessee State News Brief
One Dead, One Injured When Flash Flood Sweeps Car Off Road in Van Buren County
(Spencer, TN) — The Tennessee Highway Patrol says one person was killed and another injured when a flash flood swept a car off a road in Van Buren County. The incident occurred Wednesday night when flash flood warnings were issued across Middle Tennessee. Authorities say two people were in a car on Mooneyham Lonewood Road in Spencer when floodwaters swept it away. Schools in Van Buren County will be closed through next Wednesday because of the flooding.
EF-One Tornado Confirmed in Cumberland County
(Crossville, TN) — The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado registered as an EF-One touched down Wednesday night during severe weather that rolled across the state. The tornado left a trail of damage across northern Crossville and the Lake Tansi community. With maximum winds recorded at 90 miles an hour, the twister damaged seven homes, two of them severely.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Fires Employees Who Refused to be Vaccinated
(Chattanooga, TN) — Officials with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee say they’ve fired 19 employees who refused the COVID-19 vaccination shot. The company, which is based in Chattanooga, said it had required vaccinations for its more than 900 employees. The order applied to employees who had in-person contact with customers and business partners. BlueCross BlueShield gave employees six weeks to provide proof of vaccination or request a medical or religious exemption.
State Lawmaker Faces Removal from Office if She Does Not Resign
(Nashville, TN) — State Senator Katrina Robinson could be removed from office if she does not resign following her conviction on felony fraud charges. Robinson has publicly intended she does not plan to resign, which would leave it up to Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally and the Republican-controlled Senate to remove her. A person convicted of a felony cannot serve in the Tennessee Senate. Robinson has maintained she is innocent of charges she used 35-hundred dollars in funds from her business for her personal use.
Memphis City Council Member Smiley Announces Bid for Governor
(Memphis, TN) — A member of the Memphis City Council — Democrat JB Smiley Junior — has announced his bid for Tennessee governor. Smiley was appointed policy advisor to the Shelby County Clerk three years ago and served in that job until his election to the Memphis City Council. He has also been judicial council for the Young Democrats of America.
Consumer Outlook Falls to All-Time Low in Tennessee
(Murfreesboro, TN) — A study by Middle Tennessee State University shows the consumer outlook in Tennessee has fallen to an all-time low because of anxiety over the nation and the economy. Specifically, those residents surveyed expressed concerns for the future because of higher inflation, higher taxes and business closings because of COVID-19. The Tennessee Consumer Outlook Index plummeted last month to negative-106, down from plus-20 in June.
Parents Charged After Baby Becomes Focus of AMBER Alert
(Nashville, TN) — The parents of a child who became the focus of an AMBER Alert this week have been charged with child endangerment in the incident. Metro Police say the parents left their baby alone in their car, which they left running, while they went shopping at the Inglewood Kroger Wednesday night. Surveillance video showed a woman entering the car and driving it away. After an AMBER Alert was issued, the car was recovered about midnight — with the one-year-old baby still inside — asleep and safe. Police are searching for 33-year-old Brandi Rhodes in connection with the carjacking.
One Dead, One Injured When Flash Flood Sweeps Car Off Road in Van Buren County
(Spencer, TN) — Flash floodwaters are blamed for sweeping away a car in Van Buren County, killing one person and injuring another. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says the incident occurred Wednesday night when flash flood warnings were issued across Middle Tennessee. Authorities say two people were in a car on Mooneyham Lonewood Road in Spencer when floodwaters swept it away. Schools in Van Buren County will be closed through next Wednesday because of the flooding.
Construction Begins on Newest East Nashville Development Project
(Nashville, TN) — Construction has begun on an apartment and office tower complex located in East Nashville, behind Topgolf’s backyard ball-catching net. It’s the latest development project for East Nashville, one that Mayor John Cooper says will bring big change to the area. Under the plan, a four-acre riverfront park will separate the new buildings from the Cumberland River. The 260-million-dollar project is part of the larger River North plan, which is anchored by Oracle Corporation’s 65-acre campus that is being built on the other side of the site.
Firestone Building Products Expanding, Adding Jobs at Nashville Headquarters
(Nashville, TN) — Officials with Firestone Building Products have announced they’re expanding their headquarters and adding jobs in Nashville. The 13-million-dollar expansion of the headquarters facility in the Donelson area will add 28 jobs. Holcim Participations Incorporated recently acquired Firestone and decided to keep the headquarters and its 200 employees in Nashville. Firestone manufactures roofing, wall and lining products.
Hermitage Café Closing After 32 Years
(Nashville, TN) — After feeding Nashville for almost 32 years, a popular local restaurant — the Hermitage Café — will serve its final meals Halloween night. The café’s owner — Sherri Callahan — says they did not want to leave but the owner of the property decided to sell it without their knowledge. In an online post, Callahan says small businesses such as the Hermitage are being pushed out because of gentrification as high-rises and apartments are built.
Shelby County Schools Enlists Help of Former Police Department Director Armstrong
(Memphis, TN) — The Shelby County School District has announced it’s hiring former Memphis Police Department Director Toney Armstrong to focus on improving school safety. The action comes a week after a 13-year-old student was critically injured in a school shooting. The teen is expected to make a full recovery and another 13-year-old was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder. Armstrong is currently head of security for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In his new role, he’ll review current district safety practices and assist with training protocols.
Overnight Shootings Leave One Dead, Two Injured
(Memphis, GN) — Memphis police are investigating two separate shootings that left one person dead and two others injured last night. Police say one man was rushed to a hospital after being shot at a gas station, while a second man was killed in the same shooting. Shortly after midnight, a gunfight broke out at the Commas Lounge in Orange Mound. One person was sent to the hospital. Police have not released any names or motive in either incident.
Memphis Police Chief Davis Wants to Cut Crime by Five Percent Next Year
(Memphis, TN) — Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis says she hopes top reduce crime in the city by five percent next year. Davis made her remarks to the Frayser Exchange yesterday. She says she wants to devote resources to educate and to be more visible in order to curtail violent crimes other than homicides, such as gang violence. Another priority Davis says she’s focusing on is hiring and retention of officers. Davis says the city will also bring back retired officers to help with community engagement.
Memphis City Council Member Smiley Announces Bid for Governor
(Memphis, TN) — A member of the Memphis City Council — Democrat JB Smiley Junior — has announced his bid for Tennessee governor. Smiley was appointed policy advisor to the Shelby County Clerk three years ago and served in that job until his election to the Memphis City Council. He has also been judicial council for the Young Democrats of America.
Memphis Athletes Among Former NBA Players Charged in Health Plan Fraud
(Memphis TN) — Several former Memphis athletes — including Grizzlies’ franchise legend Tony Allen — have been charged with defrauding the NBA’s healthcare plan. Federal prosecutors say more than a dozen former NBA players defrauded the league’s health plan by submitting false claims for medical and dental expenses they never incurred. Prosecutors say the claims totaled millions of dollars. In addition to Allen, charges have been field against the Grizzlies’ first-round pick in 2012, Tony Wroten; Darius Miles, who ended his career in Memphis; and Christopher Douglas-Roberts, who played for the Memphis Tiger Final Four team in 2008 and was drafted by the New Jersey Nets.
National/World Headlines
Nobel Peace Prize Awarded To Journalists
(Norway) — A Russian journalist says his Nobel Peace Prize is for six of his reporters who died defending the right to freedom of speech. He runs an independent newspaper and shares the award with another journalist from the Philippines who leads a news website. She said she was speechless when she got the news today. Both were honored for their efforts to hold the powerful accountable in their countries. The two will each get a million dollars.
House To Vote Tues On Raising Debt Limit
(Undated) — The nation is close to avoiding another recession. The Senate agreed to raise the debt limit so the government can cover its expenses. It’s a short-term solution, only averting a default through early December. The House will vote on the bill Tuesday and the White House says President Biden looks forward to signing it, just days before the October 18th deadline. The move will ensure Social Security payments continue.
650 Arrests Made So Far In Capitol Attack
(Washington, DC) — New numbers are out on January’s Capitol attack. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says about 650 arrests have been made so far in nearly every state. At least 190 of those were charged with assault and 60 with using a deadly weapon. The riot injured 140 police officers and caused more than a million dollars worth of damage. The House committee investigating what happened that day just issued more subpoenas this week.
MT Judge Blocks Abortion Laws Until Review
(Billings, MT) — A judge is extending his order blocking three new abortion laws in Montana. He says they can’t begin until he decides whether they violate the constitution. One law bans women from ending their pregnancy after 20 weeks. Another limits the use of medications for abortions, while a third urges providers to offer an ultrasound before the procedure. The judge says the laws could cause irreparable harm while a legal challenge is ongoing.
Gas Prices Rise Again To $3.26 Average
(Heathrow, FL) — Prepare to pay some of the highest gas prices in years. Triple-A shows a gallon of regular is up two-cents from yesterday for a new national average of three-26. That’s a dollar-seven more than this time last year. Only two states top the four-dollar mark – California and Hawaii. Nine others are coming in under three bucks including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.
Chicago Marathon Sunday Will Be In 80s
(Chicago, IL) — More than 35-thousand people are preparing to hit the pavement on Sunday in the Chicago Marathon. They’re coming from every state around the nation and 100 other countries. The 26-point-two-mile race will wind through 29 neighborhoods as temperatures could get as high as 81 degrees. This will be the 43rd running of the Chicago Marathon since last year’s event was canceled because of the pandemic.
CA Cliff Rescue Turns Out To Be Mannequin
(Santa Barbara, CA) — Sometimes a mannequin can look like the real thing. That was the case in California when rescuers thought they were saving a woman dangling from the side of a cliff. Witnesses called in about her stranded 30-feet down so crews went full out, sending fire trucks, ATV’s and a drone. But turns out, no one was in danger. The woman turned out to be a mannequin left behind by a film crew days earlier.
