State Reports Record COVID Cases, Positivity Rate
Nearly 450 members of the National Guard are helping out at hospitals across Kentucky as COVID cases rise. Governor Andy Beshear announced multiple COVID records in Kentucky on Friday. Governor Beshear reported 16-thousand-130 new cases and a positivity rate over 32 percent. Beshear said hospitals are close to being overrun.
Kentucky State Police Searching for Missing Graves County Woman
Symsonia, KY. (January 23, 2022) – Troopers with Kentucky State Police, Post 1 are searching for a missing adult female out of Graves County. Sarah L. Susan, 38 years old, of Symsonia was last seen at her residence on Thursday, January 13, 2022 and was expected to return to her residence on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 but has not returned. She was last known to be driving a brown 2000 Oldsmobile Van bearing Kentucky registration plate 392WPM. Sarah L. Susan is described as a white female weighing approximately 140 pounds and standing approximately 5’6″ tall. She has brown eyes, brown hair, and a fairy tattoo on her right hip.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Susan are asked to call 911 or contact Kentucky State Police, Post 1 at 270-856-3721. The investigation is ongoing by Trooper Justin Fox.
Kentucky State News Brief
Senator McConnell Slams Dems Over Abortion
(Washington, DC) – Senator Mitch McConnell says America is in “shameful company” when it comes to abortion. On the Senate floor last week, Senator McConnell said the U.S. is just one of seven countries that have abortion on demand even after unborn children can feel pain. Ahead of the 49th March for Life in Washington, DC, McConnell said the “Democratic Party has grown increasingly radical on this issue.” He said other countries that support elective abortion include China and North Korea.
JCPS Returning To In-Person Learning
(Louisville, KY) — Students who attend the state’s largest school district are returning to classrooms today. Jefferson County Public Schools made the announcement yesterday with the district saying it has enough staff to safely return to in-person learning. There are currently over 550 COVID cases among JCPS staff members and over 100 are quarantined. The district has used eight Non-Traditional Instruction days so far this semester with only ten permitted.
Deadly Officer-Involved Shooting Investigated At Fort Knox
(Fort Knox, KY) – A deadly officer-involved shooting is being investigated at Fort Knox. Fort Knox police shot and killed a man early yesterday morning after he breached the main gate with his vehicle and tried to hit police vehicles. Officials say there’s no initial indication of extremism or terrorism. It’s being investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Owensboro Convention Center Hosting Valentine’s Day-Themed Event
(Owensboro, KY) – The Owensboro Convention Center wants to help men avoid blowing Valentine’s Day. It will host a Valentine’s Day-themed Cork and Cruise starting at 6 o’clock on the evening of Saturday, February 12th. Tickets are 75-dollars apiece or two for 130-dollars and Love Notes to run during a slideshow cost an additional 20-dollars. Tickets to the five-course Italian-themed meal can be bought online at OwensboroTickets.com or at the Owensboro Convention Center Box Office.
State Reports Record COVID Cases, Positivity Rate
(Lexington, KY) – Nearly 450 members of the National Guard are helping out at hospitals across Kentucky as COVID cases rise. Governor Andy Beshear announced multiple COVID records in Kentucky on Friday. Governor Beshear reported 16-thousand-130 new cases and a positivity rate over 32 percent. Beshear said hospitals are close to being overrun.
Scott Co. Schools Closed Due To Illness
(Georgetown, KY) – Scott County Schools are closed today. The district says it’s closed today because of staff illnesses. SCS sent an email to families yesterday announcing the decision. It’s not a Non-Traditional Instruction day.
Mayor Of Northern Kentucky City Renamed To Support Cincinnati Bengals
(Dayton, KY) – At least one Kentucky city is celebrating the advancement of the Cincinnati Bengals to the AFC title game of the NFL playoffs. Dayton Mayor Ben Baker renamed the city ‘Who Deyton, Kentucky,’ with an “e” on Saturday for the Bengals’ divisional-round game against the Tennessee Titans. He also proclaimed Saturday to be “Cincinnati Bengals Day in the City of Who Deyton, Kentucky.” The city has long-standing ties to the franchise, which beat the Titans 19-16.
Tennessee State News Brief
TBI Investigating Robertson Co. Sheriff’s Deputy’s Shooting Death
(Springfield, TN) – The TBI is investigating the apparent shooting death of a Robertson County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Deputy Savanna Puckett was found shot inside her burning Springfield home last night by another deputy after Puckett failed to report for her shift. Deputy Puckett was 22-years-old and had been with RCSO for four years. RCSO says “Words cannot express the sadness and grief that Savanna’s family and her Sheriff’s Office family are facing right now.”
TDOT Launching Pothole Repair Plan
(Nashville, TN) – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is expected to begin pothole repairs this week. TDOT says back-to-back winter storms this month have created a lot of potholes along interstates and state highways. Cold-mix asphalt will be used until permanent repairs can be made in the spring and summer. TDOT says it will use all available staff to patch the potholes.
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 14-hundred new cases and 17 new deaths yesterday. The department says there have been over 213-thousand-300 cases and more than two-thousand-860 COVID-related deaths since the outbreak began. There are over 18-thousand-860 active cases in Shelby County.
KCS Students Returning To Classrooms
(Knoxville, TN) – Most students who attend Knox County Schools are returning to classrooms today. The district was closed for four days last week due to staff illnesses. Students were also off last Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. KCS says two of its schools have been approved for virtual learning starting today.
DCPL Seeking Art From Artists Of Color
(Owensboro, KY) – The Daviess County Public Library is asking Black artists to submit their work. DCPL wants to display the artwork of Black artists during its Black History Month Art Show. Local artists of color are asked to submit their pieces from today through February 7th. Art will be displayed on the second floor throughout February.
World/News Update
As market volatility stretches into another week, the tech-heavy Nasdaq is heading for its worst month in over a decade. The S&P 500 isn’t faring any better as it has been down around two-and-a-half percent at times today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down by more than 800 points in early trading.
The world is at a “critical juncture” in the battle against COVID-19. That’s according to the World Health Organization’s director general who said countries need to work together to bring the acute phase of the pandemic to an end as it enters its third year. His remarks came as the WHO said the number of positive cases grew at a slower rate last week globally.
The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci believes the COVID Omicron [[ ahm-ih-cron ]] variant has reached its peak in certain parts of the U.S. He specifically mentioned the Northeast and Chicago as places where it seems the variant has peaked. However, Fauci is concerned about Southern and Western states and where they stand in the battle against Omicron.
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider challenges to affirmative action policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Justices have generally upheld affirmative action in recent years, but the high court now has a 6-3 conservative majority. It’s unlikely the Court will hear this case looking at admission standards that are based on race during the current term.
A two-time Olympic athlete is sounding off about this year’s Winter Games being held in China. Cross country skier Noah Hoffman said the actual sport of athletes is secondary at this year’s Olympics because of the human rights conflict in the host country. Hoffman said the International Olympic Committee has threatened athletes against making any political statement on the field of play or at the podium.
Live Nation is addressing safety concerns ahead of the “When We Were Young” festival set for Las Vegas. Live Nation is the same company behind the Astroworld festival that ended in tragedy last November when ten people died after crowds rushed the stage during a Travis Scott performance. The company assured ticket holders that “the safety of fans, artists and staff is thoroughly planned for by event organizers and in coordination with local authorities.”
