Kentucky Lawmakers Want To Close DUI Stop Loophole(Frankfort, KY) — Kentucky lawmakers are working to close what they call a loophole used by some during DUI stops. Lawmakers want to amend current DUI law to require a search warrant to obtain a blood sample from a suspect if they refuse to voluntarily supply one. The move comes after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled that suspects are allowed to decline a voluntary blood test in a DUI related case, which cannot be commented on or held against the suspect in court. Law enforcement officials say the situation mostly impacts suspected drugged drivers, because there is no field test similar to a breathalyzer that can be used as evidence.Fentanyl Laced Drugs Leading To Sharp Increased In Kentucky Overdose Deaths(Frankfort, KY) — Health experts are blaming fentanyl-laced drugs for a sharp increase in Kentucky overdose deaths. Officials say the number of overdose deaths in the commonwealth went up 54-percent between April 2020 and April 2021 over the previous period. About 800 more people died from an overdose during the latest period than did from the previous time period. Addiction assistance organizations say people are particularly vulnerable to overdosing during the holidays and that prevention efforts need to be increased.
California Authorities, FBI Join Hunt For Kentucky Man Accused Of Kidnapping(San Clemente, CA) — California and federal authorities are joining the search for a Kentucky man charged with kidnapping his three-year-old son and 16-year-old niece. A warrant out of Beaver Dam has been issued for the arrest of Jacob Clare, who was expected to take his son to Tennessee earlier this month. Pictures of three people believed to be Jacob Clare, his son Noah and 16-year-old Amber Clare were released by the Tennessee Bureau of investigation yesterday. The camera caught the images on November 11th in San Clemente, California.
Gov. Beshear Authorizes COVID-19 Vaccination Boosters for All Kentucky Adults
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 17, 2021) – Yesterday Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order that qualifies every person 18 years old or older and living or working in the commonwealth to get a COVID-19 vaccination booster six months after their second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, or two months after a single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. As of Wed., Nov. 17, more than 437,000 Kentuckians had received a booster.
Almo Man Arrested Following Pursuit
Date: 11/17/2021
On Tuesday night Calloway County Sheriff Deputy J. Hayden attempted to stop a motorcycle on Highway 641 North for a number of traffic violations. Upon Deputy Hayden activating his emergency equipment, the operator of the motorcycle sped up and attempted to flee. After a brief vehicle pursuit, the motorcycle turned onto secondary roads and unsuccessfully attempted to drive through a field. The man then attempted to flee on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, he was taken into custody. At the time of his arrest, the man had methamphetamine and counterfeit money in his possession.
Justin L. Hanks, age 38, of Almo, Kentucky was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Fleeing or Evading Police in Motor Vehicle, 2nd Degree Fleeing or Evading Police on Foot, 1st Degree Wanton Endangerment, 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), 1st Degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, and various traffic related charges. He was lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
Almo Couple Arrested Following Drug Investigation
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021 Calloway County Sheriff Deputy T. Doss began an investigation into drug activity at a residence on Radio Road. Early Wednesday morning, a search warrant was served at the Radio Road residence. During the investigation, methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were located at the residence. Also during the investigation, information was received indicating the drug activity was occurring in the presence of a juvenile.
Dedra L. Trimble, age 45, and Gregory M. Nix, age 42, both of Almo, Kentucky were taken into custody during the search warrant service. Both were charged with 1st Degree Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were both lodged in the Calloway County Jail.
Kentucky State News Brief
UK Fans Asked To Give Blood To Beat Tennessee Fans
(Lexington, KY) — UK fans have another chance to beat Tennessee this season. Kentucky Blood Center’s 34th annual Big Blue Crush blood drive is underway. Kentuckians are being asked to donate blood to beat UT fans and Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville. The Volunteers beat the Wildcats, 45-42, on the football field earlier this month.
Christmas Parade To Roll Through Downtown Owensboro After All
(Owensboro, KY) — Owensboro will have a Christmas parade after all. The Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade was called off earlier this month over financial issues and a lack of volunteers. The new parade is being organized by a private group, including over 50 Owensboro businesses. The Peoples’ Christmas Parade for Owensboro Facebook page has over 16-hundred followers. The December 18th parade will include Santa Claus.
McConnell: Lots Going Wrong In Biden Admin
(Washington, DC) — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell claims a lot of things have gone wrong in the first year of the Biden administration. The Kentucky Republican said inflation is keeping ordinary Americans awake at night. McConnell ripped the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and called it “clumsy.” He also noted surges at the U.S.-Mexican border and labeled it a growing crisis.
Kentucky School District Encouraging Vaccinations During Extended Christmas Break
(Fleming County, KY) — Fleming County Schools is extending its Christmas break in the hope that more younger students will get vaccinated against COVID-19. The district’s Christmas break will begin December 20, with students returning January 10th. The superintendent says the extra week can be used to get five to eleven-year-olds vaccinated before masks become optional for all students.
DCPS Receiving Two-Million Dollar Federal Grant For Tech Improvements
(Owensboro, KY) — Daviess County Public Schools is receiving a two-million dollar federal grant for technology improvements. The funds come from the Emergency Connectivity Fund, which was set up to provide districts with technology students needed to learn remotely during the pandemic. DCPS officials say the money will be used to provide elementary students with Google Chromebooks. The district expects to have the laptops out to third and fourth graders right after Thanksgiving.
LaGrange Getting Visit From HGTV Home Town Renovation Show
(LaGrange, KY) — LaGrange is getting a visit from HGTV’s renovation show Home Town. The city was chosen as one of six small towns across the U.S. to be featured on the show’s spinoff Home Town Kickstart. Hosts Ben and Erin Napier will bring a team to provide the renovation of a local hero’s home, an upgrade to a small business, and invigoration of a public space. PEOPLE Magazine is sponsoring the program and will feature unique stories from the town and its people. The series is set to premiere in 2022.
Book About The Breonna Taylor Raid Available For Order
(Louisville, KY) — A book giving insight about the deadly raid on Breonna Taylor’s home is coming out. The book written by former LMPD Sergeant Johnathan Mattingly is titled 12 Seconds in the Dark: A Police Officer’s Firsthand Account of the Breonna Taylor Raid, and became available for pre-order yesterday. Mattingly was shot by Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker as officers entered the apartment on March 13th of last year. The description of the book says that Taylor’s death was exploited by leftist groups with some telling “outright lies.”
Louisville’s Christmas Tree In Place At Jefferson Square Park
(Louisville, KY) — Louisville’s Christmas tree is in place. The 45-foot tall Norway Spruce was donated by a family in the Murray Hill neighborhood. It was cut down and trucked to Jefferson Square Park yesterday. The tree will be the star of the annual Light Up Louisville celebration, which is set for Friday, November 26th.
Louisville Singers New Christmas Album Features Justin Bieber
(Louisville, KY) — Louisville singer Bryson Tiller is coming out with a new Christmas album. A Different Christmas will drop tomorrow. The seven-song album includes one featuring superstar Justin Bieber. The song is called Lonely Christmas.
Allegiant Airlines Announces New Non-Stop Flight From Kentucky
(Louisville, KY) — A new Allegiant Airlines non-stop flight from Louisville starts today. Travelers can now fly from Louisville to Austin, Texas. The route will run twice-per-week. This comes after Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport announced flights from low-cost carriers Breeze and Spirit Airlines recently as well. Officials say the easing fears over the COVID-19 outbreak is ramping up air travel.
Tennessee State News Brief
Memphis Police, Leaders Call For Calm Following Death Of Rapper
(Memphis, TN) — Police and leaders are calling for calm after the shooting death of a rapper in Memphis. Young Dolph was killed while visiting a bakery yesterday afternoon. Memphis Police Department Chief CJ Davis identified him as Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr. She also asked Memphians to stay home after hundreds of people gathered near the crime scene. A Memphis City Councilman and state Representative London Lamar both called for a citywide curfew last night.
Pictures Of Missing Tennessee Boy In California Released By TBI
(San Clemente, CA) — The TBI is releasing new photos of a Tennessee boy who is the subject of an AMBER Alert. The pictures of three-year-old Noah Clare, his father Jacob Clare and a girl who’s believed to be Noah’s missing 16-year-old cousin were taken in San Clemente, California. The images were caught by a surveillance camera on November 11th. They were reported missing after leaving Kentucky on November 5th or 6th and failing to arrive in Gallatin.
Gov. Lee: Law Enforcement Across The Country Should Join THP
(Nashville, TN) — Governor Bill Lee is appealing to law enforcement professionals to move to Tennessee. In a video posted to YouTube yesterday, Governor Lee called for “cops in New York, all the way out to sheriff’s deputies in LA” to join the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He touted the state’s low cost of living and no income tax. Lee also referenced the state’s pushback against vaccine and mask mandates.
TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases
(Nashville, TN) — There are nearly 17-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over one-million-300-thousand. Nearly 50 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at nearly 17-thousand. There are over 670 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
Tennessee Airports Expecting Huge Increase In Travelers This Thanksgiving
(Undated) — The state’s major airports are urging travelers to be prepared when they show up to fly around the Thanksgiving holiday. Airport officials say they’re expecting as much as an 80-percent surge compared to the same time last year, specifically November 19th, 24th, 25th, 28th and 29th. Among their travel tips is to know your parking options ahead of time and arrive at the airport at least two hours early. Triple-A says about one-million-200-thousand Tennesseans will travel for the holiday this year.
National/World News
FDA Expected To Authorize Pfizer Booster, Possibly Today
(Washington, DC) — The FDA could authorize the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots for all adults today. NBC News and The New York Times are quoting a person familiar with the FDA plans. Pfizer requested emergency use authorization for its booster last week. A number of states including Arkansas, California, Colorado, and New Mexico have already moved to allow the Pfizer and Moderna boosters.
Rittenhouse Jury Deliberations Go Into Third Day
(Kenosha, WI) — The jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial will deliberate for a third day today. After deliberating for over seven hours on Wednesday, the 12-member panel was unable to reach a verdict. Deliberations are expected to resume at 9 a.m. local time in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Rittenhouse is accused of killing two men and injuring a third during protests in Kenosha last year.
Travis McMichael Testifies He Shot Ahmaud Arbery In Self-Defense
(Brunswick, GA) — The man charged with pulling the trigger that killed Ahmaud Arbery says he shot in self-defense. Travis McMichael took the stand in Brunswick, Georgia, yesterday because he said he wanted to give his side of the story. He’s one of three white men all charged with killing Arbery, a Black man, last year. All three have said they thought he was a thief and have pleaded not guilty.
Two Of Three Men Convicted In Malcolm X Assassination Could Be Exonerated
(New York, NY) — Two men convicted of killing Malcolm X could be exonerated decades after his murder. This comes after a review by the Manhattan DA’s office in New York City and a 2020 Netflix documentary, which cast doubt on the guilt of Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam. Mujahid Halim, who was freed on parole in 2010, has admitted to his participation in the murder, but says the other two men were not involved. Islam was paroled in 1987 and died in 2009. Aziz was paroled in 1985 and is still alive.
Travis Scott, Astroworld Organizers Sued For $750M
(Houston, TX) — More than 125 people who were caught up in the deadly Astroworld crush are suing rapper Travis Scott and the show’s organizers for 750-million dollars. The rapper said he wasn’t aware of the tragedy until he came off the stage. Scott last week promised to “provide aid” to every family affected by the chaos of November 5th. The lawsuit also targets festival promoter Live Nation, Apple, which streamed the concert, Scott’s record labels, Houston’s NRG Park, and companies that provided security and medical services.
Mississippi Executes First Death Row Inmate Since 2012
(Jackson, MS) — Mississippi has executed its first death row inmate since 2012. David Neal Cox was pronounced dead a little after 6 p.m. Wednesday. Cox had pleaded guilty to murdering his wife and sexually assaulting her 12-year-old daughter. The Mississippi Department of Corrections said he was given a lethal injection and died peacefully without incident. It was the first execution in about nine years in Mississippi, which is currently facing a federal lawsuit over its execution process.
Toyota Recalling Camrys To Fix Power Brake-Assist Problems
(Undated) — Toyota is recalling more than 227-thousand Camry sedans that can suddenly lose power-assist in the brake system. The recall covers certain Camrys from the 2018 and 2019 model years. In a statement Wednesday, the Japanese carmaker said if the power assist fails, the brakes would still work but the loss of power assist could make the driver more likely to crash. Toyota will notify owners of affected cars by mid-January.
