Beshear To Provide Update On Medium-Term Housing For Storm Survivors
(Frankfort, KY) — Governor Andy Beshear and other state officials are set to provide an update on the Commonwealth Shelter Program. Officials will be speaking about medium-term housing for western Kentucky storm survivors this morning. A funding bill unanimously passed the state House and Senate for the first group of travel trailers to temporarily house those displaced by tornadoes. Governor Beshear immediately signed it into law.
Mayfield Officials Say Volunteers Still Needed For Tornado Recovery
(Mayfield, KY) – Tornado recovery officials in Western Kentucky say they still need volunteers. Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds officials say with everyone going back to work and school following the holidays, they don’t have enough help. Making the situation more desperate, most of the Kentucky National Guard members who have been helping will be pulled next week. There are still people who don’t have tarps on their roofs or power to their homes following the December 10th tornado.
Kentucky State Police Advise Marshall County Woman Enters Guilty Plea for Felony Theft
Benton, KY. (January 26, 2022) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 received a report in June 2020 of missing funds from the Benton Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The investigation revealed that PTA President, Elizabeth Jetton, had used PTA funds for personal purchases.
Kentucky State Police presented evidence to a grand jury and subsequently charged Elizabeth Jetton, 38 year old of Benton, Kentucky, with Theft by Unlawful Taking $500 or more but under $10,000.
On December 14, 2021, Jetton entered a plea of guilty on that charge. The guilty plea included an order to pay restitution to the PTA.
Kentucky State News Brief
House Minority Leader Won’t Seek Reelection
(Frankfort, KY) – Kentucky House Minority Leader Joni Jenkins is withdrawing her candidacy reelection. Jenkins said yesterday she won’t seek reelection due to the new redistricting map. The 44th district that she represents is becoming a district where minorities will be the majority. She said she doesn’t want to stand in the way of a “person of color” representing the district. The Kentucky Democratic Party called Jenkins “a trailblazer who has made Kentucky a better commonwealth through her years of service that should be a model for other leaders.”
Over 12-Thousand New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Kentucky
(Frankfort, KY) — Over 12-thousand-800 new COVID-19 cases are being reporting in Kentucky. Governor Andy Beshear announced the new cases yesterday, along with 31 additional deaths. More than 24-hundred people in the commonwealth are hospitalized for COVID-19 related illnesses, with just over 270 on ventilators. Over one-point-one million Kentuckians have tested positive for the virus and more than 12-thousand-800 have died since the pandemic began.
250 Potential Jurors To Report For Brett Hankison Case Tomorrow
(Louisville, KY) – It’s not yet known if the media will get to watch the questioning of potential jurors in the case of the only officer charged in connection to the deadly Breonna Taylor raid. Former Louisville officer Brett Hankison’s lawyers want the process to be closed, saying the presence of media could influence the way prospective jurors answer individual questions. Tomorrow is the day 250 potential jurors are expected to report with individual questioning in the wanton endangerment trial scheduled to start on Monday.
Order Of Candidates On Daviess County Primary Ballot Determined Today
(Owensboro, KY) – Placement of candidates’ names on this year’s Daviess County primary ballot will be determined today. The Daviess County Clerk’s Office will hold a drawing to determine the order. The drawing will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon at the Daviess County Courthouse.
McConnell Visits FEMA Site, Discusses Tornado Relief Efforts
(Bowling Green, KY) — U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell is spending time in Western Kentucky discussing tornado relief efforts. The Kentucky Republican stopped by a FEMA Recovery Center in Bowling Green yesterday. U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie also made the visit. Both talked about issues constituents are facing while trying to get federal help. McConnell commended the efforts of city and county workers and the effects of the distribution center where survivors can find items they need.
Eastern Kentucky Man In Custody After Sneaking Into Teen Girl’s Bedroom
(Paintsville, KY) — A Paintsville man is in custody after he sneaked into a teen girl’s bedroom. Police say the girl said she thought 45-year-old Adam Conley was her Dad, but quickly realized he wasn’t. Officers say Conley tried to run but was caught. Police say he was arrested and charged with burglary, menacing, fleeing police, resisting arrest, and had an active warrant. The girl and the owner of the house say they do not know who Conley is.
Frankfort Police Helping Search For Vet’s Missing Service Dog
(Frankfort, KY) — Frankfort Police are helping search for a veteran’s missing service dog. The boxer has been missing since Tuesday after getting separated from her owner. Dorkus was last seen wearing a collar with a red leash attached near the Versailles Road and Country Lane intersection. The service dog provides emotional support for her owner, who is a Vietnam War veteran.
Auditor Finds Weaknesses In Daviess County Clerk’s Accounting Process
(Daviess County, KY) — A newly released report by state auditor Mike Harmon shows two weaknesses in the accounting procedures used by Daviess County Clerk Leslie McCarty. Harmon’s report indicates that the clerk’s office did not maintain accurate receipts and disbursements ledgers, though the fourth quarter report was materially accurate. The audit also indicates that the clerk’s office didn’t prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations.
Tennessee State News Brief
Final Redistricting Map Clears Senate
(Nashville, TN) — Redistricting plans are on their way to Governor Bill Lee for approval. The state House map plan passed the Senate in a vote along party lines yesterday. The Senate approved a plan for state Senate and congressional maps earlier this week. The plans were made by the Republican supermajority with Democrats saying they create problems with the state House and Senate, including cutting current House members out of the districts where they live.
TDH Posts Weekly COVID Update
(Nashville, TN) — The Tennessee Department of Health is out with its weekly COVID-19 update. TDH says there were nearly 17-thousand cases per day last week. There were also an average of 65 COVID-related deaths per day between January 16th and the 22nd. There have been over one-million-771-thousand COVID cases in Tennessee since the outbreak began.
State Lawmaker Wants To Send Illegal Immigrants To President Biden’s Hometown
(Nashville, TN) — A Tennessee lawmaker wants to relocate illegal immigrants to President Biden’s hometown. State Representative Bruce Griffey says the bill filed yesterday to relocate those in the U.S. illegally to the hometowns of the President, Vice President Kamala [[ COMMA – la ]] Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was an important part of his 2018 campaign. HB1994 proposes sending illegal immigrants to the hometowns of leaders, it says, are “responsible for our border crisis.” The Paris Republican says the bill would make it more likely that the country’s leaders will “secure the border.”
Murdered Mid-State Deputy Called 911 On Ex-Boyfriend Days Before Killing
(Springfield, TN) — A Middle Tennessee deputy found murdered called 911 on her accused killed days before she died. Robertson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Savanna Puckett suffered multiple gunshot wounds before she was found in her burning Springfield home on Sunday night. Just four days earlier, Deputy Puckett told a 911 dispatcher her ex-boyfriend James Conn was an “unwanted guest” who pulled into her driveway. Conn is charged with arson and first-degree murder.
US/World Headines
The U.S. economy is growing at the strongest pace in nearly four decades. GDP grew by five-point-seven percent last year as the nation began to recover from the coronavirus pandemic that decimated the economy in 2020. That’s the fastest pace since 1984.
The Supreme Court’s second-longest serving justice is just hours from revealing his retirement. Stephen Breyer will make it official during a White House event. The 83-year-old has been serving since 1994 and is a long-time champion of liberal causes.
Millions in the Northeast are preparing for a massive storm to hit tomorrow night. Forecasters say it’ll have the power of a hurricane, unleashing heavy snow and causing blizzard-like conditions. That will make for dangerous driving on Interstate 95 from New York City into the nation’s capital.
The Kremlin is brushing off President Biden’s threat of imposing sanctions on President Vladimir Putin if Russia invades Ukraine. Putin’s spokesman said Wednesday any such sanctions would not be “painful” because Russia’s senior leaders don’t hold overseas bank accounts or assets. The White House has warned that Russia would face “unprecedented” sanctions if it invades Ukraine.
A massive show of support is expected in New York for two fallen officers. Both were ambushed last Friday night responding to a domestic dispute. Jason Rivera died shortly after, while his partner Wilbert Mora was shot in the head and died earlier this week.
McDonald’s is missing expectations in its latest quarterly earnings report. The fast food giant’s revenue came in at just over six-billion dollars while earnings per share was two-23. Meantime, same-store sales jumped by seven-and-a-half percent.
