EPA Finds Contamination in All Homes Tested Near Black Leaf Site

by Erica Peterson on May 21, 2012

Soil testing in the yards of fifty homes bordering the former Black Leaf Chemical site in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood has revealed levels of carcinogens in all of them. And nine of those homes had even higher levels of contamination.

The Environmental Protection Agency found toxic contamination at the 29-acre Black Leaf site in 2010, but scientists weren’t sure how far it had spread. Now, testing has revealed levels of heavy metals, pesticides and other toxic substances in 50 individual yards near the site. EPA On-Scene Coordinator Art Smith says all of the yards tested exceeded screening thresholds for at least one chemical.

“On the screening levels, it doesn’t mean that cleanup is necessary or that health risks are imminent. It just highlights potential chemicals that may need further investigation,” he said.

But nine of the homes tested had even higher levels of contamination, and exceeded a higher threshold the agency calls the Removal Management Level. These homes showed high levels of either lead or benzo(a)pyrene. In high levels, lead can cause intellectual development problems in children, and benzo(a)pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and a probable human carcinogen.

Smith says it’s too soon to say if the levels are dangerous for the homeowners or how–or whether–the EPA will remediate the areas. [click to continue…]

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Fairness Campaign Director Says Rutgers Student’s Sentence Is Too Light

by Gabe Bullard May 21, 2012

The head of the Fairness Campaign says the the sentence is too light for a former Rutgers University student convicted of bias intimidation against his gay roommate. Dharun Ravi used a webcam to spy on Tyler Clementi’s romantic encounter with another man. Clementi committed suicide days later, fueling a national debate over the effects of [...]

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Yarmuth Applauds Conway for Joining Brief Against Citizens United Decision

by Phillip M. Bailey May 21, 2012

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., is commending Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway for backing the state of Montana in a case that revisits the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial Citizens United ruling. Two years ago, justices in a 5-to-4 majority rejected spending limits for corporations and labor unions within federal election law. However, the Montana Supreme [...]

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‘Hush’ Author Woodson Headlines Spalding Festival of Writing

by Erin Keane May 21, 2012

Acclaimed children’s book author Jacqueline Woodson will speak this week at Spalding University. Woodson is the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, which have been honored by the Newbery, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King awards. As the Diane M. Raab Distinguished Writer in Residence, Woodson headlines Spalding’s Festival of [...]

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McConnell Camp Sets Forceful Tone in First Web Ad

by Phillip M. Bailey May 21, 2012

The campaign to re-elect Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has released a strong web ad praising the Republican lawmaker for standing up against President Obama for the past four years. The 3 minute video is entitled “Refuse to be Defeated”, and documents McConnell’s opposition to the president’s agenda in a positive light. It begins [...]

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Rand Paul Set To Release Second Book In September

by Kenny Colston May 21, 2012

Kentucky’s junior senator is working on his second book. Rand Paul has already penned one book while in office, called “The Tea Party Goes to Washington.” It was mainly about his 2010 campaign victory. Now, BuzzFeed reports that Paul is working on a book that outlines his opposition to the Transportation Security Administration and the [...]

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Principled Endorsement Gives Candidate Hope in Sixth Congressional District Primary

by Kenny Colston May 21, 2012

An outside Republican group is backing the long shot candidate in tomorrow’s Sixth Congressional District Republican Primary. Patrick Kelly is running against Andy Barr. Barr won the 2010 GOP primary, and is expected to win this year as well. But today, Kelly picked up a last-minute endorsement from the Republican Liberty Caucus, a Texas group [...]

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Political Observers Expect No Surprises in Kentucky’s Presidential Primaries

by Kenny Colston May 21, 2012

Even though the presidential nomination process is effectively over, Kentuckians can still vote for candidates other than Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama in tomorrow’s primary. Republicans can cast ballots for Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, even though they’re no longer in the running. And Democrats will be able to choose ‘uncommitted’ instead [...]

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Indiana Democrats Question Ellspermann’s 2008 Primary Vote

by Phillip M. Bailey May 21, 2012

The Indiana Democratic Party is taking an early swing at state Rep. Sue Ellspermann, R-Ferdinand, who was picked as Congressman Mike Pence’s running mate on Monday. In 2010, Ellspermann’s candidacy for her state House seat was challenged after she incorrectly claimed to have voted in the 2008 GOP primary. Ellspermann later admit she voted in [...]

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Primary Election Guide

by Gabe Bullard May 21, 2012

The Tuesday primary won’t be the most watched in Kentucky history. The presidential nominations have been decided and turnout will likely be low (around 12 percent). There are many races for state and federal positions that are expected to end in landslides, or they’re between candidates who aren’t expected to unseat the other party’s nominee. But [...]

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