Beshear Addressing Kentucky Nursing Shortage Through Exec. Order
Governor Andy Beshear is working to address the shortage of nurses in Kentucky. Beshear signed an executive order yesterday that outlines steps to make recruiting nurses easier. The order removes some roadblocks to recruiting and enrolling more nursing students. The order also requires the state board of nursing to approve requests made by schools to increase enrollment, asking them to show they have enough resources to handle the new students. The governor says several incentives for future nurses will be written into his next budget.
Over 27-Hundred New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Kentucky
Over 27-hundred new COVID-19 cases are being reported in Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases yesterday, along with 61 additional deaths. More than eleven-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-related illnesses, with 185 on ventilators. Over 808-thousand Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than eleven-thousand have died since the pandemic began.
Late Muzzleloader Season Opens Tomorrow
Kentucky deer hunters still have a chance to bag a buck. The state’s late muzzleloader season opens tomorrow. The statewide limit is one antlered deer per hunter per year. Anyone who has already harvested an antlered deer this year can’t participate. The late muzzleloader season runs through Sunday, December 19th.
AAA: Kentucky Gas Prices Drop; Prices Down Nationwide as Crude Prices, Demand Decreases
The national average for a gallon of gas dipped 4 cents on the week to $3.35. Pump prices continue to decrease Nationwide as fears of a possible COVID-19 global economic slowdown pushed oil prices into the mid $60s per barrel range, which hasn’t been seen since August.
Also helping to ease oil prices was the decision by OPEC and its oil-producing allies not to cut production. On December 2, OPEC+ announced it would stick to its plan, for now, to raise production by 400,000 b/d in January.
The average price in Western Kentucky is 2.96 per gallon.
Kentucky State News Brief
Lexington-Fayette Animal Care, Control Pressing Charges For Abandoned Animals
(Lexington, KY) — Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control says it is starting to criminally charge people for abandoning animals on the facility’s property. Animal control officers say the practice can put animals in danger of starvation or attack by wildlife. Workers say about four or five pets are have been dumped this week alone, likely because people with reduced incomes due to the pandemic can’t take care of their animals. Animal control officers also believe people don’t want to pay the 40-dollar surrender fee to secure their animals inside.
Three Judges Substituting In Daviess County Family Court
(Owensboro, KY). — Three judges are substituting in Daviess County Family Court while Judge Julie Hawes Gordon is serving a suspension. Judge Gordon agreed to a suspension last week after being accused of obstruction of justice abuse of power, and other violations. Retired brothers Joe and Tom Castlen are continuing to fill in for judges who have been sick, on leave, or suspended. District Court Judge David Payne has also been assisting in Family Court since July because of rising caseloads. The division of cases has been planned out through January.
Ashland Woman Pours Gas On Store Clerk, Tries Lighting Fire
(Ashland, KY) — An Ashland woman is facing charges after police say she poured gas on a convenience store clerk and tried to light a fire. Police say 36-year-old Felicia Helton walked into the store along 22nd Street and Winchester Avenue yesterday morning and doused the clerk and counter with gas, then tried to light it. Officers say customers restrained Helton until police could arrive. She is charged with criminal attempt to commit murder.
Police Investigating After Young Children Possibly Ingest THC Gummies
(Henderson, KY) — Police are investigating after two young children may have ingested THC-laced gummies. Officers responded yesterday to a house in the 13-hundred block of North Elm Street in Henderson after both children showed signs of intoxication. Authorities say the packaging for the gummies field-tested positive for Delta Nine THC. The substance is illegal to possess in Kentucky. The children were place under observation by medical staff for possible complications from ingesting the gummies.
Louisville TV Reporter, Miss Kentucky Seeking Miss Universe Crown
(Eilat, Israel) — Miss Kentucky is set to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel on Sunday. Louisville TV reporter Elle Smith was crowned Miss USA during a pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month. The Ohio native and 2020 University of Kentucky grad represented Georgetown and became Miss Kentucky USA while competing in her first pageant in May of this year.
GRDHD Expected To Update COVID-19 Numbers
(Owensboro, KY) — The Green River District Health Department is expected to update its COVID-19 numbers today. On Tuesday, the GRDHD reported 518 new confirmed cases with 253 in Daviess County, 82 in Henderson County, 61 in Union County, 56 in Ohio County, 28 in McLean County, 20 in Webster County and 18 in Hancock County. There have been nearly 40-thousand cases in the seven-county districts since the outbreak began. There have been close to 650 COVID-related deaths since the start of the outbreak.
Severe Weather Anticipated In Louisville
(Louisville, KY) — Louisvillians are bracing for potentially severe weather. The National Weather Service in Louisville says strong and severe storms are expected late tonight and early tomorrow morning. Forecasters say the storms have the potential to spin up isolated tornadoes. They’re encouraging everyone to be aware of the weather and check for updates.
Mayor Fischer: UofL Will Replace President With Another Top Leader
(Louisville, KY) — Mayor Greg Fischer says he’s not worried about the change in leadership at UofL. Mayor Fischer posted to social media yesterday that he’s “certain that the Board of Trustees will have a top-notch pool of candidates from which to select a dynamic leader to continue growing” the school’s partnership with the city. Earlier in the week, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi [[ Neel-ee Ben-duh-poo-dee ]] told staff she’s leaving the school. She’s expected to take the same position at Penn State.
UofL AD Resigns
(Louisville, KY) — UofL athletics director Vince Tyra is resigning. The school said yesterday it received Tyra’s resignation letter. UofL removed the non-compete clause in his contract on Wednesday and allowed him to terminate his employment agreement without giving 30 days advance notice. It’s not yet known where Tyra will land.
Louisville TV Reporter Competing For Miss Universe Title
(Eilat, Israel) — A Louisville TV reporter will go for the crown of Miss Universe on Sunday. Miss Kentucky, Elle Smith won the Miss USA pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month. The WHAS11 reporter is in Israel for Sunday’s pageant. The Ohio native and Kentucky grad represented Georgetown to become Miss Kentucky USA while competing in her first pageant in May of this year.
Tennessee State News Brief
Most Of Tennessee Bracing For Severe Weather
(Undated) — Much of Tennessee is bracing for potentially severe weather. The National Weather Service says powerful storms are expected today through early tomorrow morning from Memphis through Middle Tennessee. Forecasters say the biggest threat is from the potential for damaging winds and large hail, with isolated tornadoes possible. Knoxville is expected to face similar weather tomorrow.
Report: Memphis Most Dangerous City In America
(Memphis, TN) — One of Tennessee’s biggest cities is getting some negative national attention. The site 24/7 Wall Street ranks Memphis as the most dangerous city in the nation. It used FBI statistics to come up with the ranking. Memphis ranks second in the U.S. in homicide rate with 237 in 2019, and 327 last year.
Tennesseans Can Tour Governor’s Mansion This Christmas Season
(Nashville, TN) — Tennesseans are invited to tour the governor’s mansion this Christmas season. The free, self-guided tours will be held starting today through Sunday, and December 16th through the 19th. Tennessee first lady Maria Lee says she and Governor Bill Lee are excited to open the Tennessee Residence to guests and hope they’ll “be filled with the joy and hope this season brings.” Reservations for the tours are required.
State Officials Hope Lake Sturgeon Are Returning To East Tennessee
(Kingston, TN) — Sturgeon are making a comeback in East Tennessee. About 220-thousand lake sturgeon have been stocked in the Upper Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. The effort to reintroduce the endangered species back into their native waters has been ongoing since 2000 after they disappeared in the late 1940s or early 50s. The effort is a partnership between the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, TVA and the University of Tennessee.
Gallatin FD Offering To Install Free Smoke Detectors In Homes
(Gallatin, TN) — Folks in Gallatin have a chance to get free smoke detectors installed in their homes. The offer is being made by the Gallatin Fire Department. It’s part of the department’s goal to install more smoke detectors in homes next year than they have this year as part of the “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program. So far this year, Gallatin firefighters have installed over 120 smoke alarms in homes throughout the city.
Tennesseans Can Tour Governor’s Mansion This Christmas Season
(Nashville, TN) — Christmas tours of the Tennessee Residence are returning this holiday season. The free, self-guided tours will be held starting today through Sunday, and December 16th through the 19th. Tennessee first lady Maria Lee says she and Governor Bill Lee are excited to open the Tennessee Residence to guests and hope they’ll “be filled with the joy and hope this season brings.” Reservations for the tours are required.
LDS Church Hosting Live, Drive-Thru Nativity Scene
(Brentwood, TN) — Everyone is invited to visit a live drive-through nativity scene ahead of Christmas. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is putting on the event, which includes over 100-thousand lights and live animals while retelling the nativity story in both English and Spanish. The free event at the church on Sunset Road in Brentwood will be held tonight and tomorrow night from 6 o’clock to 8 o’clock. Nashville LDS officials say they hope the unifying story will be a meaningful and spiritual experience of peace and joy for everyone.
Nashville DA To Audit No-Bid Contracts Awarded By Gov. Lee
(Nashville, TN) – Nashville DA Glenn Funk says he’ll audit no-bid contracts awarded by Governor Bill Lee’s administration. Some state and local leaders have question contracts awarded under the governor’s emergency powers. Emergency powers give the governor the ability to suspend financial safeguards when approving contracts. Some say the powers are being abused with companies that have little experience landing contracts.
Controversial Forrest Statue Had Controversial Creator
(Nashville, TN) – Even the artist who created a statue of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest is controversial. The statue recently removed from property along I-65 in Nashville was made by the former property owner’s friend Jack Kershaw. Kershaw was one of the lawyers who represented James Earl Ray, the man convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Southern Poverty Law Center says Kershaw didn’t represent Ray until after he was convicted, but tried to get Ray out of his sentence by sharing a “conspiracy tale” that Dr. King was killed by a mastermind named Raoul.
Mega Sports & Entertainment Complex Coming To Murfreesboro
(Murfreesboro, TN) – A new sports and entertainment complex believed to be one of the largest in North America is coming to Murfreesboro. The Legacy Sports project was announced by Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland yesterday. The over 260-acre project will cost more than 350-million dollars. Murfreesboro officials say the project to be completed in 2024 will create one-thousand jobs.
Former Vanderbilt Star Returning To Nashville With Titans
(Nashville, TN) – A familiar name to Nashville sports fans is being added to the Titans’ roster. The team claimed former Vanderbilt star Zach Cunningham off waivers yesterday. Cunningham was cut by the Houston Texans on Wednesday. He made over 400 tackles for the Texans the last three seasons.
Tis The Season For Christmas Light Displays
(Nashville, TN) – It tis the season to take in Christmas lights displays. NashvilleFunForFamilies.com says Nashville, and Middle Tennessee, have some of the best Christmas light displays. The site says Holiday Lights at Cheekwood, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, and the Franktown Festival of Lights at Williamson County Ag Center in Franklin are among the area’s best. Dates and times for these and other Christmas light displays are listed on the site.
Report: Memphis Most Dangerous City In America
(Memphis, TN) — Memphis is getting some negative national attention. The site 24/7 Wall Street ranks Memphis as the most dangerous city in the nation. It used FBI statistics to come up with the ranking. The Bluff City ranks second in the U.S. in homicide rate with 237 in 2019, and 327 last year.
Billboard Honors Murdered Memphis Rapper Young Dolph
(Memphis, TN) — A new billboard honors Memphis rapper Young Dolph. The billboard is right next to Makeda’s Homemade Butter Cookies on Airway Boulevard where Young Dolph was shot and killed last month. The billboard says “Black Men Deserve to Grow Old” and also features other Black men who died violently. No arrests have been made for the murder.
Book Reading, Signing Scheduled At Memphis Zoo
(Memphis, TN) — The Memphis Zoo is holding an event for a book that was inspired by the Zoo itself. A reading and signing for The Impossible Sleepover is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Author Amy Sharp says her book was inspired by the Zoo’s animals. Sharp will be joined by Memphis Zoo officials during the discussion at 10:30, a reading at 10:45, and a signing from 11 o’clock until Noon.
Consumer Price Index Jumps In November
(Washington, DC) — Americans are coping with the biggest jump in consumer prices in decades. The consumer price index, which measures things like gas and groceries, rose zero-point-eight percent in November. Over the past 12 months, prices have climbed six-point-eight-percent. That’s the highest mark in nearly 40 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says gas, food, and new vehicles contributed to the increase. When food and energy are taken out, the year-over-year increase in the consumer price index is four-point-nine percent.
Memorial Service For Bob Dole Will Be Held At National Cathedral Today
(Washington, DC) — President Biden is set to deliver remarks today as he lead mourners at a memorial service for the late Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole at the Washington National Cathedral. The veteran Kansas lawmaker and one-time Republican presidential nominee died last weekend at the age of 98. Dole was a decorated World War Two veteran and was instrumental in the creation of a war memorial on the National Mall in DC. A second ceremony will be held later this afternoon at the World War Two Memorial, featuring speeches by Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and actor Tom Hanks.
Assange Can Be Extradited To US
(London) — Wikileaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited to the U.S. That’s the word today from a court in London which ruled he can be extradited to face charges for espionage and conspiring to hack government computers. An earlier ruling had blocked any extradition attempt because of his mental health after years of being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Assange still has options to appeal.
South Carolina AG Spotted Out To Lunch With Kyle Rittenhouse
(Columbia, SC) — Kyle Rittenhouse is back in the news after he was spotted yesterday having lunch with South Carolina’s Attorney General. Alan Wilson’s office hasn’t commented on the matter. The 18-year-old Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges in November for two deadly shootings during racial justice protests last year in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Snow, Thunderstorms Take Aim At Central, Southern U.S.
(Undated) — Millions are in the path of a large storm system that could bring snow from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest as we head into the weekend. Severe weather is also possible further south today with the potential for tornadoes. Thunderstorms are expected from Memphis to Little Rock and parts of Lousiana.
Kellogg’s Flooded With Fake Applicants As It Replaces Striking Workers
(Undated) — A strike at four Kellogg’s cereal plants rolls on just before Christmas, with a couple of developments to report. About 14-hundred workers walked out two months ago in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee over pay and overtime issues. They turned down a new contract offer this week and the company is now hiring permanent replacements. However, users on the website Reddit are trying to stop that by flooding Kellogg’s with fake job applications. The idea to support workers has gone viral on Twitter and recommends using sample resumes from Google.
Hillary Clinton Chokes Up On MasterClass
(New York, NY) — Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is sharing the speech she would have made had she won the 2016 election. It’s featured in Clinton’s new talk about the power of resilience on the MasterClass streaming platform. An excerpt of the video was shared on NBC’s Today show this week, and shows Clinton talking about what it would have meant to be the first female President of the United States. At one point, Clinton becomes emotional while talking about her mother, Dorothy Rodham, who died in 2011. The Hillary Clinton MasterClass is available now on masterclass.com.
