KY Lawmakers, Education Leaders Meet Regarding COVID-19’s Impact On Schools
Kentucky lawmakers and education leaders are talking about COVID-19’s impact on schools. Recent meetings between the two groups focused on funding issues, staff shortages, and keeping in-person learning going. Education officials presented ideas about changes that could be made to address the issues, such as removing constraints on bringing in retired staff to fill positions. Kentucky School Boards Association director of advocacy Eric Kennedy says quarantines leading to staff shortages are the main reason in-person learning is suspended in many districts.
Kentucky Reaches Third Highest Single-Day New COVID-19 Case Count
Kentucky is experiencing its third highest single-day new COVID-19 case count in the pandemic’s history. Governor Andy Beshear announced over 49-hundred new cases of the virus yesterday, along with 12 additional deaths. More than 22-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19-related illnesses, with 410 on ventilators.
Kentucky Participating In Apple’s Digital Driver’s License, State ID Rollout
Kentucky is set to be among the earliest states where residents will soon be able to have their driver’s license or state IDs on their iPhone. The feature will allow folks to use their electronic IDs to go through security at some airports. Apple says Arizona and Georgia will be the first states to take part in the new effort, followed by Kentucky, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. The software will also allow those identification documents to be on Apple Watch. However, there’s no exact timeline as to when the new feature will be rolled out.
12 State Sting Operation Rescues 21 KY Victims
A multi-state human trafficking sting rescues 59 victims and lands dozens in jail. There were 102 arrests, including 17 Kentucky men, made through Operation United Front which involved investigations across 12 states. Governor Andy Beshear today said the operation carried out last week rescued 21 Kentucky victims including two minors.
Kentucky State Police Charge McCracken Co. Man With Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch arrested Robert Garrett Barrett, 18, on charges related to child sexual abuse material.
Barrett was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.
The investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Paducah, KY on August 31, 2021. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.
Barrett is currently charged with three counts of distribution of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance and one count of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance. These charges are Class-D felonies punishable by one to five years in prison. Barrett was lodged in the McCracken County Detention Center.
The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of more than twenty-six local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the United States Department of Justice and administrated by the Kentucky State Police, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.
Afghan Refugees Resettled In Kentucky
Afghan families evacuated from their country are starting to arrive in Kentucky. Officials with Kentucky Refugee Ministries say they’ve resettled two families in the past week. A family that left the capital of Kabul on Wednesday, August 25th was resettled in Lexington over the weekend. Another family was resettled in Louisville early last week.
Kentucky State News Brief
UofL Launching Fast-Track Nursing Program To Combat Shortage Of Nurses
(Louisville, KY) — The University of Louisville wants to tackle Kentucky’s nursing shortage with a fast-track program. The program could graduate 40-to-50 nurses in 15 months. The school says anyone with a bachelor’s degree can apply, regardless of their previous field of study. Applications are being taken now through November 15th with classes expected to start in May of next year.
Free Drive-Thru COVID Vaccine Clinic Set For Today In Owensboro
(Owensboro, KY) — The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic today. The clinic will be held at First Christian Church on J.R. Miller Boulevard from 8:30 in the morning until 1 o’clock in the afternoon. The single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccination, as well as the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will all be available. Those who choose the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines will be contacted by the health department to schedule their second dose.
Masks Required In Indoor Spaces At Kroger Field
(Lexington, KY) — UK is releasing its COVID-19 protocols at Kroger Field ahead of the start of the football season. The school says fans will need to wear masks in the stadium’s indoor spaces, regardless of their vaccination status. The policy also says unvaccinated fans should wear masks at all times. The Wildcats will open their season Saturday at Noon against Louisiana-Monroe at home without capacity limits.
Near Two-Thousand Fayette County Students Quarantined
(Lexington, KY) — Nearly two-thousand Fayette County students are currently quarantined. Fayette County Public Schools leaders announced 45 student COVID cases Tuesday and six in staff members. Almost 400 students were sent home yesterday to quarantine. District officials are recommending that everyone eligible get vaccinated and reminding families about free COVID-19 testing through the school system.
McConnell: Biden Isn’t Going To Be Removed From Office Over Afghanistan
(Pikeville, KY) — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says President Biden will not be impeached for his foreign policy approach to Afghanistan. Speaking at an event in Pikeville, the Kentucky Republican said there’s a “good chance” that Democrats will have a bad midterm election next year because of Biden’s actions. McConnell said he thinks “the way these behaviors get adjusted in this country is through the ballot box.” This comes after South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said last week that Biden should be impeached, and Florida Senator Rick Scott suggested invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows a process to remove a President.
Masks Not Required Outside At Cardinal Stadium This Season
UofL is releasing its COVID-19 protocols at Cardinal Stadium ahead of the start of the football season. The athletic department said yesterday fans won’t be required to wear masks in outdoor areas. However, the school is recommending unvaccinated fans wear masks at all times, except while eating or drinking. UofL previously announced the stadium will be back at full capacity this season.
UofL Launching Fast-Track Nursing Program To Combat Shortage Of Nurses
(Louisville, KY) — The UofL is starting a program to counter the nation’s nursing shortage. The program could graduate 40-to-50 nurses in 15 months. The school says anyone with a bachelor’s degree can apply, regardless of their previous field of study. Applications are being taken now through November 15th with classes expected to start in May of next year.
Paddle Portion Of Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle Event Canceled
(Louisville, KY) — The mayor’s Hike, Bike and Paddle event is being reduced to just a Hike and Bike event. Mayor Greg Fischer said yesterday that the Paddle portion of his annual Labor Day event has been canceled. The U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and others say they’re expecting increased flow on the Ohio River due to rain from what was Hurricane Ida. The hiking and biking portions of the event will set off from the Community Boat House on River Road at 9 o’clock on Monday morning.
Tickets On Sale For 2021 Jack O’Lantern Spectacular
(Louisville, KY) — Tickets for this year’s Jack O’Lantern Spectacular at Iroquois Park are on sale. The theme for this year’s Spectacular is Changing the Channel: A Timeline of Television History. Some pumpkins will pay tribute to well-known shows like I Love Lucy. The event is set for September 30th through October 31st.
LouCity Back On Lynn Family Stadium Pitch
(Louisville, KY) — The city’s football club will try to get back on track tomorrow night. Louisville City FC will face FC Tulsa at Lynn Family Stadium. Last weekend, LouCity had its eight-match unbeaten streak snapped in a, 2-1, loss to the Birmingham Legion. The match with Tulsa is set for 7:30.
Tennessee State News Brief
TDH Updates State Coronavirus Cases
(Nashville, TN) — There are over 94-hundred new coronavirus cases in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health reported the new cases yesterday, bringing the total since the outbreak began to over one-million-61-thousand. Over 30 additional COVID-19-related deaths were also reported, with the total number standing at over 13-thousand-500. There are over 33-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations in Tennessee.
Reward In Summer Wells’ Case Surpasses $38K
(Hawkins Co., TN) — The reward for information in the case of a missing East Tennessee girl is growing. The Church Hill Rescue Squad that manages the fund in the Summer Wells case reported yesterday the reward is up to over 38-thousand dollars. Wells disappeared from outside her Hawkins County home on June 15th. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says the AMBER Alert issued for the five-year-old the next day will remain active until she’s found.
Michelle Obama Among 30th NCRM Freedom Award Honorees
(Memphis, TN) — The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis is announcing honorees for the 30th annual Freedom Awards. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is among those who will be honored. A virtual presentation will be held live from the Orpheum Theater in Memphis on the night of October 14th. The ceremony also marks the 30th anniversary of the NCRM.
The Peabody Memphis Receives National Recognition
(Memphis, TN) — A Memphis hotel is getting some national recognition. The Peabody Memphis has been voted the second Best Historic Hotel on USA Today’s Ten Best Readers’ Choice Awards list for 2021. The Peabody Memphis tweeted on Tuesday thanking USA Today readers for their votes. The hotel said it’s proud of its team and its efforts this past year.
Vols Set To Open Josh Heupel Era Tonight
(Knoxville, TN) — It’s football time in Tennessee. The Volunteers will open the Josh Heupel [[ HI-pul ]] era tonight against Bowling Green State at Neyland Stadium. The Vols are about a four-touchdown favorite over the Falcons. The game is set for 8 o’clock Eastern Time.
All Rutherford Co. Schools To Close On Friday
(Rutherford Co., TN) — All Rutherford County Schools will be closed tomorrow. They’re being closed over staffing issues, especially in the district’s cafeterias and for a lack of bus drivers. The district says more than a dozen bus drivers are out for COVID-19-related reasons. Nearly 60 of the school system’s cafeteria workers are also out.
Festival Organized Following Cancelation Of Bonnaroo
(Manchester, TN) — Another festival will be held to fill the void left by the cancelation of Bonnaroo. The Other Fest will be held from 6 o’clock in the evening to 11 o’clock each night today through Sunday at multiple sites in Manchester. The Other Fest will feature Andy Frasco and Big Something, as well as 25 other performers. Organizers say just two-thousand tickets are being sold.
Infighting At Governor’s Church Revealed
(Franklin, TN) — Fighting among leaders at the megachurch Governor Bill Lee attends is being revealed. During a service at Grace Chapel in Franklin on Sunday, lead pastor Rob Rogers apologized to the congregation for an ongoing conflict with founding pastor Reverend Steve Berger. Berger stepped down as lead pastor in January to start a discipleship program for influencers in Washington, DC. Following prayer, Reverend Berger’s wife Sarah took to the stage telling the congregation Pastor Rogers had not repented “for sinning against” her husband.
Pop Star’s Ex-Husband Arrested At BNA
(Nashville, TN) — A former husband of pop star Britney Spears is in trouble in Nashville again. Jason Alexander was arrested at Nashville International Airport on Sunday evening for an alleged security violation after apparently walking through an exit and down the secure side of the C concourse. Spears and Alexander were married in Las Vegas in 2004, but their marriage was annulled just a couple of days later. Alexander was arrested in Nashville earlier this year on multiple charges, including DUI and drug possession.
Joe Rogan, Dave Chapelle Show At Bridgestone Arena Rescheduled
(Nashville, TN) — A new date is being set for a comedy show at Bridgestone Arena. Joe Rogan and Dave Chapelle had been scheduled to perform tomorrow night. However, Rogan announced yesterday he’s tested positive for COVID-19. The show has been rescheduled for Sunday, October 24th.
Tailgating Limited To Liberty Bowl Property This Football Season
(Memphis, TN) — There will be limited tailgating for football games at the Liberty Bowl this season. Memphis announced yesterday that tailgating won’t be allowed at Tobey Park as it will be used as a paid parking lot. Tailgating also won’t be permitted in any off-site game day parking lots. The city says tailgating will only be allowed in designated areas of the Liberty Bowl property for UofM games, the Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Rhodes College Closing In On 100% Vaccination On Campus
(Memphis, TN) — Rhodes College says 94-percent of its students and 91-percent of the school’s staff is vaccinated against COVID-19. Rhodes College announced a vaccine mandate earlier this summer. All students and staff have until September 30th to get fully vaccinated if they want to be on campus. Some religious and medical exemptions are allowed.
