Governor Beshear Urges Calm As Omicron Variant EmergesGovernor Andy Beshear is urging the public to remain calm as news about a new COVID variant emerges. Beshear released a statement yesterday saying it will be several weeks before more details will be available about the Omicron [ ahm-ih-cron ]] variant, but Kentucky officials will be transparent about any information discovered. The governor says the best defense against any form of COVID is to get vaccinated and follow up with a booster. He also recommends wearing masks indoors.
Calloway County Health Department Announces 1 Death and 57 Cases of COVID19 For the Period of 11/20 to 11/29
As of 11/29/21, the Calloway County Health Department has received notification of one death related to COVID19. The patient was a resident of Calloway County. The Calloway County Health Department wishes to express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family.
In addition, the Calloway County Health Department has received notification of 57 new cases of COVID19 Here is a breakdown of the total cases by age category: 12 cases under age 18, 22 cases age 18 to 39, 12 cases age 40-60, and 11 cases over 60.
State Lawmaker Pre-Files Bill To Legalize Marijuana In KentuckyA state lawmaker is working toward legalizing marijuana in Kentucky. State Representative Nima Kulkarni pre-filed a bill yesterday that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. The bill would allow Kentucky residents 21 and older to possess, use, buy, or sell up to one ounce of marijuana without facing charges. The proposal would also allow residents to own up to five plants for personal use. The General Assembly would control the regulation of how marijuana is grown, taxed, and sold.
Nonprofits Hope For Big Gains On Giving TuesdayGiving Tuesday is today and there are dozens of Kentucky nonprofits hoping to receive donations to help them maintain services year-round. From animal rescue organizations to the arts to community outreach groups like the Kentucky United Way people can donate online with a one-time payment or a monthly donation. People can also donate their time by volunteering. Kentucky nonprofit officials say volunteering is critical for organizations to maintain operations.
AAA: Kentucky Gas Prices Fall; Crude Prices Drop Over the Weekend
The national average price of gasoline today is $3.39, which is a penny less than one week ago and $1.27 more than a year ago. In Western Kentucky the average price is $2.95.
Upon news of the COVID-19 Omicron variant on Friday, crude oil prices fell by $10.24 to settle at $68.15 (West Texas Intermediate). Global prices fell on demand concerns and travel restrictions announced in America and elsewhere. With little known about the new variant, it’s unclear at this point what long-term impact it may have on crude prices.
Before news of the new variant, the Energy Information Administration’s weekly report revealed domestic crude supply increased by 1 million barrels to 434 million barrels.
Murray State University to celebrate holiday season with a pair of special events
MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University will celebrate the holiday season with a pair of special events in December that are free and open to the public.
The Town & Gown Holiday Concert will take place on December 3 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Murray. The Town & Gown Community Band is led by John Fannin, who retired from Murray State in 2020 after serving for 25 years as the director of athletic bands, and Brad Almquist, director of choral activities and professor of music. The group will perform a mixture of traditional and modern holiday songs.
The President’s Office and Town & Gown will host the annual Holidays at Oakhurst event on December 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Murray State community and general public are invited for an evening of holiday cheer, refreshments and musical performances by University students in this historic home. Oakhurst is located at 1510 Main Street in Murray. Those in attendance are asked to follow the Racer Safe and Healthy Guidelines, which includes the wearing of face masks while indoors.
Kentucky State News Brief
Shop Owensboro A Week-Long Event
(Owensboro, KY) — Shop Owensboro is a week-long event. It started on Saturday with Small Business Saturday, but the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is calling for a week-long event for the second consecutive year. Over 70 stores and restaurants are participating. They say the longer event gives shoppers a better chance to take advantage of deals during a busy time of year.
United Way Of The Ohio Valley Partners Raising Money For Nonprofits
(Owensboro, KY) — The United Way of the Ohio Valley is raising money for 70 nonprofit organizations within its six-county region today on Giving Tuesday. The agencies can raise funds online, through crowdfunding/peer-to-peer, and via text-to-give. Anyone who texts “JOIN2021” to 7-1-7-7-7 can donate to any of the 70 partner organizations. The United Way of the Ohio Valley serves Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties.
GRDHD To Update COVID Numbers
(Owensboro, KY) — The Green River District Health Department is expected to update its COVID-19 numbers today for the first time since last Tuesday. Last week, the GRDHD reported 279 new confirmed cases with 169 in Daviess County, 44 in Henderson County, 34 in Ohio County, ten in McLean County, nine in Webster County, seven in Union County and six in Hancock County. There have been over 38-thousand cases in the seven-county districts since the outbreak began. There have been over 600 COVID-related deaths since the start of the outbreak.
Louisville Hospitals Seeing Rise In COVID Cases
(Louisville, KY) — Hospital officials in Louisville say they’re seeing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Norton and UofL hospital officials say they’ve seen as much as a 20-percent increase in COVID hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving break. They say 90 percent of those patients aren’t vaccinated. Jefferson County health officials are making a renewed push for vaccinations over a new COVID-19 variant called omicron, which is considered highly contagious.
Mask Requirement Lifted By Oldham Co. Schools
(Oldham Co., KY) — The mask requirement within Oldham County Schools is over. It was lifted yesterday for the entire district following the Thanksgiving break. It had been lifted for high schools earlier this month. Nearly 60 percent of parents within the district voted in favor of making masks optional.
Death Of Metro Corrections Inmate Under Investigation
(Louisville, KY) — The death of a Louisville jail inmate is being investigated. Metro Government says the 59-year-old inmate was found unresponsive in the Metro Corrections’ housing unit yesterday afternoon. He was taken to University Hospital where he died.
Louisville TV Reporter, Miss Kentucky Crowned Miss USA
(Louisville, KY) — A Louisville television reporter is the new Miss USA. WHAS11’s Elle Smith was crowned Miss USA during the pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma last night. The 2020 Kentucky grad will compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel on December 12th. The Ohio native represented Georgetown and became Miss Kentucky USA while competing in her first pageant in May of this year.
Beloved Fleming County Teacher Dies Unexpectedly
(Flemingsburg, KY) — Fleming County residents are mourning the death of a beloved high school teacher. Fleming County Schools announced yesterday that high school teacher Debra Howard had died unexpectedly. Howard was a culinary arts teacher and led the effort to launch the student-run Panther Bistro. She had also recently announced the upcoming opening of a student-run bakery. Funeral arrangements have not be released.
Police Searching For Missing Richmond Man
(Richmond, KY) — Police are searching for a missing Richmond man. Authorities say 33-year-old Matthew Cox was last seen Saturday evening. Police say Cox’s girlfriend told them he went shopping around that time and hasn’t been heard from since. Officials are concerned because he may be without needed medication.
Five Injured After Daviess County Crash, Car Fire
(Daviess County, KY) — Five people are injured after a car caught fire following a crash in Daviess County. Kentucky State Police say the crash happened Sunday night on Highway 554 near Highway 81. KSP says one vehicle turned in front of another vehicle causing a collision. The second vehicle caught fire while it was occupied by two adults, a teenager, and a baby, and all four were taken to the hospital. The driver of the first vehicle was also taken to the hospital, and all are expected to be okay. The first driver was cited for having no license and no insurance.
Police Investigating Owensboro Shooting
(Owensboro, KY) — Police are investigating a shooting in Owensboro. Authorities say a man was found shot yesterday evening in the seven-hundred block of Elm Street. He was taken to the hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. No suspect information has been released.
Tennessee State News Brief
Officials Warn New South African Strain Of COVID-19 Could Reach Tennessee
(Nashville, TN) — Health officials say a new variant strain of COVID-19 could soon reach Tennessee. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt, said yesterday that the Omicron [[ AHM-ih-cron ]] variant of COVID-19 first seen in South Africa could easily reach the United States. Dr. Schaffner added that the public is suffering from fatigue about COVID-19 and its variants, but we could be dealing with it for the near future. Dr. Schaffner said even with new variants, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent its spread.
Fire Experts Backs District Attorney’s Decision To Vacate Murder Charge Against Claude Garrett
(Nashville, TN) — A dozen fire experts are supporting the District Attorney’s decision to vacate charges against Claude Garrett for the arson death of his fiancé in 1992. Officials said yesterday that 12 fire experts from around the world have concluded the fire that took Lorie Lance’s life at a home she shared with Garrett was not caused by arson. The Innocence Project and the DA have petitioned for Garret’s immediate release, but no hearing date has been set.
Metro Police Arrest Man Who Shot A Woman At A Storage Unit In East Nashville
(Nashville, TN) — Metro Police say they have arrested a man who shot and injured a woman yesterday at a storage unit in East Nashville. According to reports, the shooting happened around 8:45 a.m. at a storage business off McGavock Pike. Police said 65-year-old David Lindsay, who works as a caretaker at the storage facility, shot 55-year-old Tamela Bolerjack-Dardompre and then hid inside a locker until officers found him. Officials say Lindsay was taken into custody, and Bolerjack-Dardompre was transported to the hospital in stable condition with critical injuries.
Kentucky Man Wanted For Killing Spouse Arrested In Putnam County
(Cookeville, TN) — The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says they have arrested a Kentucky man wanted for killing his spouse. Officials said yesterday that 27-year-old Jordan Coffey was taken into custody in Cookeville in connection to the death of 38-year-old Glenn Coffey. Police in Russell Springs said Glenn Coffey was found stabbed to death outside a trailer he shared with his husband, Jordan Coffey, at the Eagles Nest RV Park. Jordan Coffey is currently being held at the Putnam County Jail.
Metro Police And FBI Seeking Public Help To Identify And Catch Bank Robber
(Nashville, TN) — Metro Police and the FBI are asking the public’s help in identifying a bank robbery suspect linked to two bank robberies. Investigators released details about the suspect yesterday, who is described as a white male between 40 and 50 years old with tattoos across the knuckles on both hands and multiple tattoos on his left hand. He is alleged to have robbed the Wells Fargo Bank near the Green Hills Mall and is suspected of attempting to rob the Wells Fargo on Thompson Lane last week. Anyone with information is asked to contact the authorities.
Tennessee Sees HS Graduation Rates Drop
(Nashville, TN) — High school graduation rates are down in Tennessee. New data from the Department of Education shows about 89 percent of seniors graduated on time last school year. That’s a decrease of nearly one percent from the year before. State education leaders are blaming the drop on learning loss caused by COVID-19. Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn says she’s confident graduation rates will rise again.
State Capitol Christmas Tree Lit
(Nashville, TN) — A 30-foot Christmas tree is glowing outside the Tennessee State Capitol. A tree lighting ceremony was held at the Capitol last night in Nashville. The tree was donated by a Murfreesboro couple. The 129th Army Band jazz ensemble and the Belmont University BSA gospel choir performed at the event.
East Tennessee Attraction Gets National Attention
(Pigeon Forge, TN) — A new East Tennessee attraction is being nominated for a national list. SkyFly: Soar America at The Island in Pigeon Forge is part of USA Today’s 10-Best list of the top ten best new attractions across the country. It’s one of 20 nominees fans can vote for to make the final top ten list. SkyFly: Soar America simulates the feeling of flying.
SCHD Issues New Health Order To Clarify School Mask Mandate
(Memphis, TN) — The Shelby County Health Department is clarifying the mask mandate for schools within the county. A new health order requires masks and isolation protocols for all schools covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also makes recommendations for masks at all other schools and vaccinations for eligible children five and older. It goes into effect tomorrow and ends December 31st.
FedEx Expecting Record Number Of Cyber Monday Shipments
(Memphis, TN) — FedEx is projecting a record number of shipments following Cyber Monday. The shipping giant says it expects to see a ten-percent increase over last year. Experts say the increase was anticipated with shopping at traditional brick-and-mortar stores down on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. FedEx says it’s expecting the U.S. domestic market will hit 100-million packages per day next year, with e-commerce accounting for 88 percent of total market growth.
MPD Issues Warning Over Porch Pirates
(Memphis, TN) — The Memphis Police Department is issuing a warning about porch pirates. MPD says shoppers should send packages to a secure location. Police say they should be sent to a place where a trusted person can receive and hold them until they can be picked up. MPD put out a video last week saying “Don’t Let The Grinch Steal Your Christmas,” asking shoppers to “stow it, don’t show it” when it comes to their packages.
State Investigating Orange Mound Funeral Home Over Possible Mix Up
(Memphis, TN) — An Orange Mound funeral home is facing another investigation. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has opened a second investigation of R. Bernard Funeral Services. The investigation is over the possible mix up of the remains of a woman in November 2020. The funeral home allegedly told the woman’s family they picked up her body from the morgue on the original date but the medical examiner’s office said it didn’t release the body until months later.
MNPD Officer Recovering From Being Hit By Car
(Nashville, TN) — A MNPD officer is recovering after being hit by a suspected stolen Cadillac. Officer Jerica Gladston was deploying spikes in a parking lot on Cowan Street yesterday when she was hit. Officer Gladston was taken to the hospital for a possible broken leg. The Murfreesboro man accused of hitting her is charged with attempted homicide, felony evading arrest and driving on a revoked license.
Report: Nashville‘s Police Oversight Board Clearing Complaints
(Nashville, TN) — Nashville’s police oversight board is making progress on clearing complaints. Board officials told the Tennessean the board has nearly finished investigating all complaints from 2020. They say the cooperation they’ve received since Chief John Drake took over in December of last year has helped with the process. There are about 25 complaints from this year that still need to be investigated.
Franklin Special School District Ends Mask Mandate
(Franklin, TN) — Masks are no longer required within the Franklin Special School District. The school board voted unanimously last night to lift the requirement. The policy change is effective immediately. The board said a low number of positive COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines led to its decision.
Green Hill HS Student Killed In Crash
(Mt. Juliet, TN) — Green Hill High School is mourning the death of a student. The Tennessee Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Gavin Cole was killed in a crash on Central Pike, near South Rutland Road on Sunday. The Wilson County School System confirmed the death. Cole was a week away from his 19th birthday.
State Capitol Christmas Tree Lit
(Nashville, TN) — A 30-foot Christmas tree is glowing outside the state Capitol. A tree lighting ceremony was held at the Capitol last night. The tree was donated by a Murfreesboro couple. The 129th Army Band jazz ensemble and the Belmont University BSA gospel choir performed at the event.
National/World Headlines
Powell To Testify On COVID Variant Economy Threats
(Washington, DC) — The new COVID variant is threatening to affect the economy in three big ways. That’s what Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will tell a Senate committee when he testifies this morning. He’ll detail how the Omicron variant could keep prices rising, hurt job growth and make the supply chain crisis even worse. Part of his prepared speech was released yesterday, where he says the new variant increases uncertainty about inflation.
Court To Hear Arguments Over Trump Records Release
(Undated) — A federal appeals is about to hear arguments this morning on whether former President Trump can keep his White House records secret. He’s been refusing to hand them over to a House committee investigating January’s Capitol attack, citing executive privilege. The panel wants to see phone records and other documents between his advisers to understand if he played a role in the violence. They’ve issued 45 subpoenas so far.
Boebert Refuses To Apologize To Omar For Comment
(Washington, DC) — A feud between two congresswomen is boiling over. Ilhan Omar took a call from Lauren Boebert yesterday but hung up when she didn’t get a direct apology. Boebert admits she made an anti-Muslim comment on an elevator, telling an officer it was safe to ride with Omar since she wasn’t wearing a backpack. After the call, Omar said this is bigger than a hateful statement adding “it’s about a party that has mainstreamed bigotry and hatred.”
Prosecutors Ask SCOTUS To Review Bill Cosby Case
(Norristown, PA) — Prosecutors in Pennsylvania are trying to send a man once known as “America’s Dad” back to prison. They’re asking the Supreme Court to reinstate Bill Cosby’s conviction on charges he sexually assaulted a woman in 2004. They say a state court made a mistake by overturning the case in June and letting the disgraced comedian walk. The 84-year-old served three years and has been accused by at least eight other women.
Day Two Of Trial For Actor Accused Of Hate Crime Hoax
(Cook Co., IL) — It’s day two of trial for an actor accused of staging a hate crime attack almost three years ago. Prosecutors will begin calling witnesses against Jussie Smollett. During opening arguments, they said he hired two people to fake the attack at the expense of real victims. But his attorneys claim he was indeed a victim and that a rush to judgment by police ruined his career. The case led to Smollet being written off the Fox TV show “Empire.”
Tiger Woods Talks About Golf Return After Car Crash
(Jupiter, FL) — Golf legend Tiger Woods admits he’ll probably never be as good as he once was. He says everything has changed since his February car crash in California when he crushed his leg. He told Golf Digest he doesn’t have to go up against the best players in the world to have a great life. But he does want to pick and choose a few events to compete in each year. Woods is tied for the most wins on the PGA Tour at 82.
World Celebrates Generosity On This Giving Tuesday
(Undated) — People around the world are being asked to open their hearts and wallets on this Giving Tuesday. The day is celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, meant to encourage generosity. That includes donating to nonprofits and volunteering at local community centers. The American Red Cross is also desperate for blood amid a severe shortage. Last year, nearly two and-a-half billion dollars was donated on this day.
