Over Nine-Million In FEMA Dollars Headed To Kentucky Tornado Victims
(Dawson Springs, KY) — Over nine-million-dollars in federal funding is headed to Kentucky to assist tornado victims. FEMA officials confirmed yesterday that the money has been approved to help western Kentuckians begin to rebuild. Officials say just over 70-percent of the money is going toward housing, repair, and rental assistance. The deadline for Kentuckians to apply for FEMA assistance is February 11th.
Governor Beshear Calls Omicron Surge New Type Of Escalation
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear is calling the surge in omicron [[ahm-ih-kron]] variant cases a new type of escalation in the pandemic. Over five-thousand new COVID-19 cases were reported in the commonwealth yesterday, along with 14 additional deaths. Beshear has authorized the National Guard to mobilize and help in Kentucky hospitals. Nine regions tracked by the commonwealth are experiencing critical levels of hospitalizations, as well as staffing shortages.>
Gov. Lays Out Historic Budget Plan For Education
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear is proposing the largest investment in education in the state’s history. The governor yesterday outlined his budget plan to make a record two-billion-dollar investment in Pre-K and kindergarten education. He’s proposing at least a five-percent raise for school personnel and wants to restore funding for professional development. His proposal also restores money for the library grant program which had been eliminated.
KY Realtors Offering Assistance For Storm Victims
(Bowling Green, KY) — Some additional funding is now available for residents affected by the devastating storms in December. The Kentucky Realtors announced today one-point-five-million-dollars in disaster relief assistance. Assistance is limited to three-thousand-dollars per household. The money can be used towards mortgages or rent. Information about the documentation needed in order to apply for the assistance can be found by emailing KY Realtors at KY realtors-dot-com.
Calloway County Health Department Announces 105 Cases of COVID19
As of yesterday, the Calloway County Health Department has received notification of 105 cases for the last 2 days, there were 72 cases—highest daily case total on January 8th and 33 cases on the 9th.The case count is now at 6,540 with 6,111 recovered, 345 isolated at home, 12 hospitalized, and 72 deaths.
Kentucky State News Brief
Scott County School Board Unanimously Approves Masks In Schools
(Scott County, KY) — The Scott County School Board is moving forward with masks in school. The board met last night and heard from a full house on the issue. Those attending seemed to be split 50/50 on whether masks belong in schools. The board voted unanimously to require masks indoors, citing it as a way to keep kids in school.
Ohio Woman Runs Blanket Drive For Frankfort Homeless Population
(Frankfort, KY) — An Ohio woman is working to help the homeless population in Frankfort. Sherrin Johnson is moving her candle company to the commonwealth and has teamed up with Franklin County Sheriff Chris Quire to run a blanket drive. Sheriff Quire estimates he and his deputies delivered around 200 blankets to a homeless shelter and throughout the city. Johnson previously shipped the blankets from Ohio to Sheriff Quire. More than 500-dollars has been raised through the blanket drive.
Man Sentenced To Ten Years For 2019 Homicide
(Lexington, KY) — A man is facing ten years in prison for a 2019 homicide. A judge sentenced James Ragland yesterday after he pled guilty to second degree manslaughter in the death of Iesha Edwards. Prosecutors say he shot her during an argument outside a night club on Winchester Road. He was originally charged with murder and wanton endangerment.
Jackson Announces Candidacy For Central County Commission Seat
(Daviess County, KY) — Jason Jackson says he is running for Daviess County’s Central Commissioner seat in 2022. Jackson announced his candidacy yesterday. He says he wants to help the county focus on the condition of the parks. Jackson says commissioners need to work on cleanup and upkeep on the trails at Yellow Creek and Panther Creek. He also wants to advocate for youth and seniors in the community.
Over Nine-Million In FEMA Dollars Headed To Kentucky Tornado Victims
(Dawson Springs, KY) — Over nine-million-dollars in federal funding is headed to Kentucky to assist tornado victims. FEMA officials confirmed yesterday that the money has been approved to help western Kentuckians begin to rebuild. Officials say just over 70-percent of the money is going toward housing, repair, and rental assistance. The deadline for Kentuckians to apply for FEMA assistance is February 11th.
Governor Beshear Calls Omicron Surge New Type Of Escalation
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear is calling the surge in omicron [[ahm-ih-kron]] variant cases a new type of escalation in the pandemic. Over five-thousand new COVID-19 cases were reported in the commonwealth yesterday, along with 14 additional deaths. Beshear has authorized the National Guard to mobilize and help in Kentucky hospitals. Nine regions tracked by the commonwealth are experiencing critical levels of hospitalizations, as well as staffing shortages.
Central Kentucky Health Departments Changing Approaches To Contact Tracing
(Lexington, KY) — Health departments in Central Kentucky are changing their approaches to contract tracing. Officials are now asking people who have tested positive to notify others they may have exposed within the 24 to 48 hours before becoming symptomatic or testing positive. Contact tracing is still happening in schools and nursing homes, where COVID infections are widespread. The Kentucky Department of Health says those who have been exposed and not fully vaccinated should quarantine for at least five days, then test negative if they have no symptoms, or for a full ten days if they have symptoms.
Mother, Daughters Die In NKY Quadruple Stabbing
(Walton, KY) — Police are investigating a brutal quadruple stabbing in Northern Kentucky. Brown County Deputies found two children and two adults with multiple stab wounds in the 100 block of Overland Ridge in Walton. Authorities say 31-year-old Monique Pena and her two daughters, 12-year-old Nikki Romero-Pena and three-year-old Katie Farrell-Pena were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say 36-year-old Matthew Farrell was airlifted to the hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, and has been discharged. Farrell told police dispatch that a female inside the apartment stabbed him in his sleep, but the investigation is continuing.
UK Starts Spring Semester Following COVID Protocols
(Lexington, KY) — The spring semester is underway at the University of Kentucky, and COVID protocols are being observed. A university spokesperson says the school is continuing with weekly testing for unvaccinated students and staff, as well as an indoor masking policy. The school is also emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated. The university reports that nearly 91-percent of the campus community is fully vaccinated, and booster shots are also being made available.
OPS Contributing To Tornado Relief Efforts
(Owensboro, KY) — Owensboro Public Schools is contributing to tornado relief efforts in Western Kentucky. OPS has raised just over 16-thousand dollars for the Family Resource Youth Service Centers of districts affected by the storms. The money will help families as the recovery process continues. Officials say Foust Elementary School alone raised four-thousand dollars.
Tennessee State News Brief
New Proposed Congressional Map To Be Revealed Wednesday Would Split Nashville
(Nashville, TN) — State Republicans are presenting a new congressional map that splits Nashville and Davidson County into multiple congressional districts. House Speaker Cameron Sexton officially confirmed plans to split the Fifth Congressional District on Monday. The official proposal will be available to the public after Wednesday’s House committee. The move would pave the way for Republicans to split the Democratic voter base and gain an additional congressional seat.
Former City Council Candidate Wants Deputies Fired After “Abusive” Arrest
(Knoxville, TN) — A Knoxville community organizer is calling on several Knox County Sheriff’s deputies to be fired after his arrest. David Hayes claims he lost consciousness after the arrest at a public meeting last Friday. Hayes, a former City Council candidate, was at the meeting meant for the public to provide comment on Knoxville’s next police chief and the death of Anthony Thompson Junior in police custody. Hayes called his arrest “abusive” adding that he was not resisting despite video that shows deputies repeatedly telling Hayes to stop resisting.
Military Police Unit Of The Tennessee National Guard Deploying To Africa
(Millington, TN) — More than 80 Tennessee National Guard soldiers are heading to the Horn of Africa. The unit deployed on the year-long mission Monday morning after a ceremony at Millington Central Middle High School Sunday. The soldiers are with the 268th Military Police Company. The military police unit is trained in security operations, base defense, movement control, and law and order.
As Ford Plans All-Electric Plant, Local College Prepares Potential Workers
(Cookeville, TN) — Tennessee Tech is preparing potentially thousands of workers to fill positions at the soon-to-be Ford electric vehicle plant. While preparing for the future of automobiles, students at Tennessee Tech also learn the industry’s origins. Meanwhile, Ford is building the state’s largest electric assembly plant near Memphis and will be hiring more than eleven-thousand workers. Still a ways away. Ford says they’re looking to open the plant by 2030.
Texas Roadhouse Hiring 230 Employees For New Powell Restaurant
(Powell, TN) — Texas Roadhouse is opening a new restaurant in Powell and bringing dozens of jobs with it. According to reports, the restaurant will hire 230 employees prior to opening in March. Construction of the eight-thousand square foot building at 7559 Conner Road started last year. Interviews for those positions are currently being conducted at the La Quinta just down the road.
IKEA Planning On New Nashville Pick-up Location
(Nashville, TN) — Swedish furniture giant IKEA is opening its first U.S. pick-up point in Nashville. The location would allow customers to purchase items online and then pick them up at the local warehouse. Back in 2018, IKEA had planned a store in Antioch, but it never came to fruition. More details on the Nashville pick-up location are expected later this year.
National/World News
Reported Missile Launch From North Korea Briefly Grounds West Coast Flights
(Sacramento, CA) — Flights are back on schedule this morning after the FAA ordered a full ground stop at all West Coast airports. The stoppage yesterday evening was brief, only about five to seven minutes. It was ordered around the same time North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. It marks the second missile launch from North Korea in less than a week, after officials there confirmed a hypersonic missile was successfully launched last Wednesday.
President To Pressure Senate In Voting Rights Speech
(Atlanta, GA) — President Biden is set to ramp up pressure on the Senate to take action on voting rights during a speech today. The White House released an excerpt of Biden’s speech taking place in Atlanta where he’ll say the days ahead “will mark a turning point” in the U.S. Biden will say he’s not going to back down and he’ll ask the question of where the Senate will stand. Biden and Senate Democrats are under increasing pressure to alter the chamber’s filibuster rules in an effort to pass voting rights measures. The filibuster requires 60 votes to move bills forward. However, Democrats only have the majority because of Vice President Harris’ ability to be the tiebreaking vote.
U.S. Reports 1-Day Global Record 1.35-Million COVID Cases
(Undated) — The U.S. reported one-point-35-million new coronavirus infections Monday, the most ever in a single day anywhere in the world. The record in new cases came the same day the U.S. set a one-day record of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with more than 136-thousand. That’s over four-thousand more than the previous record set in January of last year. The numbers reflect the surge in the omicron [[ AHM-ih-cron ]] variant, which has led to a seven-day average of more than 700-thousand new infections a day. The rate has tripled in the past two weeks.
Georgia Wins 1st National Football Championship Since 1980 Season
(Indianapolis, IN) — The Georgia Bulldogs are celebrating their first national title in more than 40 years. Georgia beat Alabama, 33-to-18 in the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday night. Both teams traded field goals in the first half, but the Bulldogs dominated in the final 17 minutes of the game.
Details Released On Bob Saget’s Death
(Orlando, FL) — Answers to how famed comedian and actor Bob Saget died might not come for months. A Florida medical examiner who performed an autopsy on the “Full House” star’s body Monday said it might be 12 weeks before an exact cause of death is determined. TMZ reports law enforcement working on the case see signs pointing to a heart attack or stroke. Meanwhile, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office released an incident report that says a hotel security guard found the 65-year-old Saget Sunday afternoon, lying face-up on his bed. The guard called 911 when he found Saget had no pulse and was not breathing.
Small Business Optimism Index For November Rises Slightly
(Washington, DC) — Optimism among America’s small business owners is up slightly. The November small business optimism index, out today, shows a rise after hitting a seven-month low in October. However, expectations for business conditions over the next six months fell to the lowest in nearly a decade, since November of 2012. Spiking inflation and supply chain disruptions are hitting businesses right now and many owners don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Red Cross Declares First Blood Crisis Amid Historic Shortage
(Washington, DC) — The Red Cross is declaring the nation’s first ever blood crisis. A historic shortage is leaving hospitals empty as some blood centers are down to less than a day’s supply. The pandemic has led to blood drives being canceled amid the COVID surge, only being made worse by winter storms and staffing issues. That means donations are at their lowest, dropping 34-percent last year. The Red Cross warns if this continues, some patients may not get the life-saving blood they need.
