WFPL

Trey Grayson Appointed to Presidential Election Commission

Phillip M. Bailey — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:12:54 +0000

Former Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson has been appointed to President Obama's commission to improve U.S. elections, which was first introduced at this year's State of the Union address.

During the 2012 elections, voters across the country complained of long lines and confusion at the polls, and many have called for reforms to the system since the 2000 presidential race.

Bob Stewart Named Kentucky Tourism Secretary

Kenny Colston — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:50:00 +0000

Governor Steve Beshear has named a longtime tourism veteran to oversee the part of his administration that deals with travel and the arts.

Bob Stewart is a familiar face in state government, having worked for 11 years as commissioner of travel from 1992 to 2003.
Mayor Greg Fischer has included funds for a new public art administrator in his proposed city budget. The budget, which Mayor Fischer proposed to Metro Council on Monday, adds an additional $30,000 to hire a public art administrator to the $500,000 allocated to the city’s arts fund, which provides funding to external agencies.

The new position falls under the objective Mayor Fischer’s six-year strategic plan labels “investing in people and neighborhoods.”

'Tornado Emergency': A Rare, Dire Warning Born In Oklahoma

Eyder Peralta — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:06:25 +0000

If you were watching news coverage on Monday, before a monster EF-4 tornado barreled through Moore, Okla., you probably heard the term "tornado emergency."

The warning is used rarely by forecasters to flag the deadliest of situations.

Rick Smith, the warning coordination meteorlogist at the Norman, Okla., office of the National Weather Service, tells us the term was born on the fly in t

Senator Joe Donnelly Proposes Creation of Gulf War Memorial

Phillip M. Bailey — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:05:00 +0000

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, D-In., has introduced a bill to create a monument commemorating the armed service members in the first Gulf War conflict.

The legislation is being co-sponsored by Senator John Boozman, R-Az., and would authorize the government to establish the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial on federal lands within Washington, D.C.

It has been over 20 years since U.S. troops were sent into Iraq to defend the country of Kuwait, and many observers say is long overdue for a landmark.

Pharmaceutical Company Helps Train Kentucky Law Enforcement to Address Pill Abuse

Kenny Colston — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:43:39 +0000

A national pharmaceutical company is helping train Kentucky law enforcement on how to address prescription pill abuse in their communities.

Purdue Pharma helps produce some of the prescriptions often abused in Kentucky, including OxyCotin.

Forecastle Schedule Released

Erin Keane — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:34:29 +0000

Forecastle has released the daily schedules for its upcoming festival, so you can start obsessively arranging your three days on Waterfront Park hour-by-hour. The festival kicks off on Friday, July 12 at 4:45 p.m. with folk-rockers Roadkill Ghost Choir (sounds like: Radiohead channels Gram Parsons) on the Boom Stage and American bass pioneer Salva on the dance-oriented Ocean Stage, then wraps at 11 p.m. Sunday, July 14, with closing headliners The Avett Bros.

Dalai Lama Speaks With Students on Final Day of Louisville Visit

Associated Press and Rick Howlett — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:16:52 +0000

The Dalai Lama called aggression a sign of weakness and compassion a sign of strength as the Buddhist spiritual leader spoke to a group of students in Louisville.

The Nobel Laureate said today that compassion enhances a person's inner strength and self-confidence and reduces fear and distrust.

The Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd at the Kentucky Center for the Arts and fielded questions from a group of Louisville-area students on the third and final day of his Louisville visit.

Comer Hopeful That Federal Farm Bill Will Include Hemp Provision

Kevin Willis | Kentucky Public Radio — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:49:59 +0000

Kentucky's agriculture commissioner says a recent legislative setback shouldn't cause hemp supporters to give up hopes of getting the crop legalized. James Comer says he's not surprised that language legalizing industrial hemp wasn’t added to the first drafts of farm bills in the U.S. House and Senate.

Last week, a group of Kentucky U.S. Senators and House members tried--and failed--to get the provision included in the legislation.

Senator Rand Paul Defends Apple Against Tax Evasion Charges

Phillip M. Bailey — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:45:04 +0000

Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky blasted Democratic lawmakers for calling on Apple Inc.'s chief executive to testify over moving assets offshore to avoid taxes.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was called to testify before a Senate panel on Tuesday over claims the technology company is exploiting loopholes to avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes.

A report compiled by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found Apple is holding around $102 billion of its $145 billion in profits overseas while using technicalities to avoid any levies.