News

Figuring out how to finance a plan to shore up Kentucky public employees' pensions will be the General Assembly's greatest task in 2013, two legislative leaders said.

A legislative task force has suggested several ways to brace  state employee pensions, but passing legislation and paying for it will be difficult. Lawmakers' proposals include relying on existing economic growth and raising taxes on Kentuckians with higher earnings.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo said he hasn't settled on a solution.

After ranking fourth in the nation for the number of Mixed Martial Arts or MMA events held statewide in 2011, Kentucky has seen a significant drop in the number of fight cards this past year.

Officials say the drop is likely due to economic factors but some say new regulations enacted by the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority--which has regulated the sport since 2007--are the cause.

Last year, Kentucky’s 81 events ranked only behind California, Ohio and Texas. In 2012, there were only 54 events.

A new book by southern Indiana historian Jane Sarles includes a collection of newspaper clips from southern Indiana over the last century. 

Sarles is chair of the Clarksville Historic Preservation Commission and president of the Clarksville Historical Society. She also writes a column in the News and Tribune called “Looking Back.” 

Louisville's Waterfront Development Corporation has revised its plans for an ice skating rink at Waterfront Park.

The seasonal rink was originally planned to go up last year at a location on the festival plaza, near the Christmas tree vendors. But funding fell through and complications with utilities in the original location nixed the plans.

Louisville looks to have a wet Christmas night -- and maybe snow on Wednesday.

Rain is expected to move into the Louisville area Tuesday evening, and the precipitation would stay until Wednesday evening, said Tom Reaugh, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. The temperature will drop through Wednesday, which means the rain would transition to snowfall as the day goes on.

Thirteen Kentucky organizations will receive grant funding next year under a settlement between the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.

The TVA settlement money is meant to go to environmental mitigation projects in the TVA service area.

The Kentucky House speaker doesn't expect the General Assembly to take drastic action in the 2013 legislative session.

That doesn't mean lawmakers won't have much to discuss when they return to Frankfort on Jan. 8. 

Pension reform and tax reform are up for discussion.

And don't forget that recurring issue of expanded gambling.

But it's an odd-numbered year, when the General Assembly meets for just 30 days.

That short session will limit lawmakers' activity, House Speaker Greg Stumbo said.

PosSoupBility, the meal-based initiative that pairs a soup dinner with presentations from community artists, organizations and activists seeking micro-grants, will celebrate its first anniversary next month.  With three dinner events under its belt in its first year, the Louisville affiliate of Sunday Soup has directed an average of $900 per event to community projects. 

Gov. Steve Beshear is blending a mix of old and new when it comes to his legislative priorities in 2013. 

With the 2013 session’s first days only weeks away, Beshear is ready to push some old initiatives while helping lawmakers solve pressing issues like pensions.

Beshear says he will once again try to find enough votes to pass expanded gambling legislation in 2013. And he wants to pass the so-called dropout bill as well.