Beshear Declares Snow Emergency After Heavy Snowfall
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear is declaring a state of emergency after heavy snowfall in Kentucky. The snow began late yesterday morning, causing hazardous road conditions and numerous crashes and slide-offs. The current worry is black ice build up on roadways. State road crews worked through the night to treat roadways, but many will be treacherous due to single digit temperatures. The State’s snow and ice information website, www.snowky.ky.gov, provides details about priority routes, helpful winter weather tips, fact sheets and videos on salt application and snow removal.
All state office in both Kentucky, and Tennessee are closed today. Employees are asked to work from home if possible. Online services are still available.
Kentucky COVID-19 Cases Hit All-Time High For Third Straight Day
(Frankfort, KY) — New COVID-19 cases in Kentucky are at an all-time high for the third straight day. Governor Andy Beshear announced over 98-hundred new cases of the virus yesterday, along with 35 additional deaths. More than 17-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19 related illnesses, with 227 on ventilators. Almost 905-thousand Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than 12-thousand have died since the pandemic began.
Kentucky Army National Guard infantry battalion ready to deploy to Kosovo
On Wednesday, the Kentucky National Guard said farewell to members of
the 438th Military Police Company, out of Murray, Ky., who will deploy to
Kosovo to provide Military Police Liaison Officer support for
Operation Joint Guardian
Congressman Comer Announces Military Academy Nominee from Calloway County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Comer is proud to announce the nomination of Naomi Krug of Murray to the United States Air Force Academy and United States Naval Academy. Krug attends Calloway County High School.
“In light of her academic success, extracurricular involvement and personal drive, Naomi has all the makings of an outstanding cadet at one of America’s prestigious service academies,” Comer said. “I wish her nothing but the best in the years ahead as she aspires to achieve her dreams and serve her country.
Kentucky State News Brief
State’s Largest School District Closed Over Weather Issues
(Louisville, KY) — The state’s largest school district is closed today. Jefferson County Public Schools says it’s closing due to “inclement weather” and today is a traditional snow day. It won’t use a Not-Traditional Instruction day. The district is allotted ten NTI days.
Cornhole Competition Being Held In Owensboro This Weekend
(Owensboro, KY) — A cornhole competition is being held in Owensboro this weekend. The American Cornhole Organization Major Championships are being held at the Convention Center today and tomorrow. ACO is the official governing body of cornhole. Owensboro was named one of the top ten places in the nation to play cornhole by ACO.
GRDHD 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 nearly 15-hundred new confirmed cases with close to 900 reported in Daviess County alone. There have been nearly 44-thousand cases in the seven-county district since the outbreak began. There have been over 700 COVID-related deaths since the start of the outbreak.
Closed Interstates Back Open After Crashes Cleared
(Frankfort, KY) — Closed areas of I-75 and I-64 are back open after crashes were cleared. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says nine semis jackknifed at virtually the same time at the Fayette/Madison County line on northbound I-75 yesterday. Officials say the semis have been moved to the side and traffic began moving early last night. Several cars crashed on I-64 yesterday and two lanes were reopened early last night.
Kentucky COVID-19 Cases Hit All-Time High For Third Straight Day
(Frankfort, KY) — New COVID-19 cases in Kentucky are at an all-time high for the third straight day. Governor Andy Beshear announced over 98-hundred new cases of the virus yesterday, along with 35 additional deaths. More than 17-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19 related illnesses, with 227 on ventilators. Almost 905-thousand Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than 12-thousand have died since the pandemic began.
University Of Kentucky Closed Today
(Lexington, KY) — The University of Kentucky is closed today because of severe weather. University officials say UK HealthCare hospitals, emergency departments, and clinics are operating normally. Residence hall move-in for returning students will continue as planned. Gatton Student Center, including Champions Kitchen, the pantries at Holmes Hall and The 90, the UK Bookstore, and the COVID-19 testing sites at Gatton Student Center and K-Lair will all remain open.
Owensboro Leaders Addressing the State Of The Community
(Owensboro, KY) — Owensboro and Daviess County officials are addressing the state of their community. The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce hosted its Rooster Booster breakfast yesterday morning, where County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly and Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson discussed the accomplishments and challenges of the past year. Watson also shared information about a new apartment complex, a new police training facility, and the first electric bus all coming to the city this year. Judge Mattingly outlined rural broadband, affordable daycare, expanded countywide transportation, and investment in the jail as priorities for the coming year.
Kentucky Power Line Mechanic Saves Woman From Sinking Car
(Hazard, KY) — A woman is okay after being saved from her sinking car by a Kentucky Power line mechanic. Brian Combs says he was driving to the Hazard Service Center when he spotted the woman’s car in the Kentucky River. The woman had gone over an embankment along the locally know dipsy doodle curve and into the water yesterday. Combs went into the water and pulled the woman and her dog to safety. The woman is calling Combs actions heroic, saying she otherwise would have drowned.
Tennessee State News Brief
Shelby Co. Updates COVID-19 Numbers
(Memphis, TN) — The state’s largest county is updating its COVID-19 numbers. The Shelby County Health Department reported over 26-hundred new cases yesterday. Health department officials say there have been over 27-hundred COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the outbreak. There are close to 24-thousand active cases in Shelby County.
Knox Co. Schools Closed Today
(Knoxville, TN) – East Tennessee’s largest school district is closed again today. Knox County Schools says classes are canceled today due to potential dangerous road conditions left over from yesterday’s wintry weather. KCS was also closed yesterday. Classes are expected to resume on Monday.
Knoxville Planned Parenthood Fire Was Intentionally Set
(Knoxville, TN) – The fire that destroyed Knoxville’s Planned Parenthood is a case of arson. The Knoxville Fire Department and federal authorities made the announcement yesterday. The fire was set early in the morning on December 31st. No one was injured in the fire.
MNPS Closed Due To Inclement Weather
(Nashville, TN) – Students in Metro Nashville Public Schools aren’t returning from Christmas break today as previously planned. MNPS is closed today due to “inclement weather.” All before and after care, as well as after school activities are also canceled. Classes are expected to resume on Monday.
I-40 Near Lebanon Flowing Again
(Lebanon, TN) – The lanes heading east on I-40 near Lebanon are flowing again. Traffic was stopped there yesterday afternoon. The traffic jam was caused by several semi-trucks that couldn’t get up a hill. Some of the trucks rolled back and got stuck causing a backup of four to five miles.
Metro 911 Fields Hundreds Of Calls
(Nashville, TN) – Metro 9-1-1 operators are hoping for an easier day today. During yesterday’s heaviest snowfall they answered nearly 600 calls. At one point they were taking two calls per minute. Weather-related issues accounted for more than half of those calls.
National Weather Service Releases Snowfall Totals For Nashville Area
(Nashville, TN) — The National Weather Service is releasing unofficial snowfall totals from yesterday for several counties in the Nashville region. According to the NWS, Davidson County saw around six-point-three inches of snow while Sumner and Robertson each reported a whopping eight inches to lead the area. Other nearby counties saw significant totals with Wilson, Williamson, and Rutherford at six-inches and Maury and Cheatham both at five-inches.
Minor Injuries Reported In Crash On I-40 Involving A Tennessee Highway Patrol Car
(Carthage, TN) — Officials are reporting minor injuries from an accident yesterday involving a semi and a Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicle. The crash happened Thursday on I-40 East at mile marker 258 during a period of falling snow and ice. The THP said the semi lost control and overturned, hitting the back of a patrol unit. The THP is urging drivers to use extreme caution on the roads during winter weather and only drive when necessary.
Metro Police Locate Missing Elderly Man With Dementia And Other Illnesses
(Nashville, TN) — Metro Police have located a missing elderly man with dementia and other illnesses. Authorities said they found 83-year-old Howard Green safe on Thursday night and unharmed. Authorities had issued a Silver Alert for Green, but it has since been canceled. Green was reported missing hours after he didn’t return home from a Walgreen’s on Gallatin Pike in East Nashville.
Williamson County Coroner Rules Country Hall Of Famer’s Death A Suicide
(Franklin, TN) — The Williamson County Coroner is ruling Country Hall of Fame musician Tom T. Hall’s death a suicide. Officials confirmed this week a report saying the 85-year-old Hall died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Hall was found dead in his Williamson County home last August, but no cause of death was released at that time. One of the biggest country acts of the 1970s, with hits like I Love, and Faster Horses, Hall is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame Rock Band The Eagles To Play Nashville In April
(Nashville, TN) — Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame rock group The Eagles are coming to Nashville to play a concert in April. Bridgestone Arena announced yesterday that the band would play the Music City on April 28th. Formed in 1971, the group have scored number one hits with Best of my Love, One of These Nights, Hotel California, New Kid in Town, and Heartache Tonight. Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 17th at 10 a.m.
World/National Headlines
CDC Issues New COVID Guidelines For Schools
(Washington, DC) — The CDC is again changing guidelines amid the COVID surge. This time, it’s for schools. The new recommendations say children and teachers who test positive or have symptoms must isolate, vaccinated or not. That can end after five days if they’ve improved, but should still wear a mask for another five days. The CDC also advises those under 18 to quarantine for at least five days if they’ve been exposed and don’t yet have a booster shot.
East Coast To Get Hit By Bomb Cyclone Today
(Undated) — Airlines are canceling more flights right now as the East Coast braces for a bomb cyclone. The travel nightmare will extend to the roads as blinding snow, heavy wind and freezing rain make for a dangerous commute. New York is expecting six inches of snow. Same for New Jersey which is also in a state of emergency. Kentucky declared an emergency as well after being blanketed in snow and closed all state office buildings. Massachusetts told some workers not to come in today as the weather forced schools to shut down in Boston and D.C.
Biden To Survey Wildfire Damage In CO Today
(Washington, DC) — President Biden is headed to Colorado in a few hours to tour damage from the state’s most destructive wildfire. Nearly 11-hundred homes were destroyed and about 150 others damaged last week in Boulder County. Add in businesses and officials now estimate the loss to be 513-million dollars. Three communities were forced to evacuate when powerful winds sent embers flying for miles. The President will meet with some the families affected.
Biden Calls Out Trump In Capitol Riot Speech
(Washington, DC) — President Biden is vowing to defend the nation and protect democracy. He spoke yesterday on the one year anniversary of the Capitol attack saying quote – “You can’t love your country only when you win.” He took aim at former President Trump at least 16 times during his speech, blaming him for the riots. He insisted after that his tactic won’t further divide the country, saying the way to heal is to recognize the extent of the wound.
GA Sentencing For Ahmaud Arbery Killers Today
(Brunswick, GA) — The three men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia are being sentenced this morning. They all face life in prison for chasing down the 25-year-old almost two years ago while he was jogging in a neighborhood. They claim they shot him while trying to make a citizen’s arrest, thinking he was a breaking into homes. Both sides are expected to call witnesses. The men still face a federal hate crime charge. That trial starts next month.
Djokovic’s Not Being Held Captive In Australia
(Australia) — The number one tennis player in the world is apparently being told he can leave Australia at any time. Novak Djokovic [[ NO-vack JO-kuh-vitch ]] is in a hotel after being denied entry. He arrived Wednesday for the Australian Open and had a medical exemption to the country’s COVID vaccine mandate but officials said it wasn’t good enough. Djokovic is now waiting for a court challenge on Monday, one week before the tournament begins.
Nicolas Cage And His Wife Are Expecting
(Los Angeles, CA) — Actor Nicolas Cage is turning 58 today and he already got an early birthday present. He’s expecting a baby with his fifth wife. The couple met in Japan while he was filming the movie “Prisoners of the Ghostland” and tied the knot last February. Cage has two sons from previous relationships, ages 16 and 31. No word yet on a due date.
