Murray Resident Mona Kashani Heern, her mother and sister fled Iran in the early 1980's after unexpected news that prison officials had executed her father. Heern's father had be imprisoned for being a member of the Baha'i faith.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. When it opened, on this day in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world spanning 1,595.5 feet. It's considered an icon of New York City, a symbol of optimism, and a technological marvel. I heard it was for sale, too.

It’s Friday, May 24

The Starfish Orphan Ministry 5K/10K Run for the Children & Family Day in the Park is tomorrow morning at Bob Noble Park in Paducah. Race day registration starts at 7, with both races starting at 8. Proceeds benefit the Starfish Orphan Ministry, which helps orphans both locally and internationally. For more information, visit starfishorphanministry.org.

From NPR: Itch can be a useful warning sign, or a maddening symptom with no cure. But the origins of itch have long been a mystery. Scientists think they've come closer to understanding the origins of itch in a molecule that makes mice scratch like mad.

The Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange will begin an advertising campaign in mid-June to promote its work in TV spots that will run statewide. Gov. Steve Beshear ordered the creation of the exchange last year to help arrange insurance coverage for hundreds of thousands uninsured Kentuckians. It's an off-shoot of the federal Affordable Care Act.

The Illinois House is expected to vote on a compromise plan on concealed weapons that has generated the opposition of Governor Pat Quinn. Quinn says the bill is a "massive overreach" because it would curb local firearms regulations. He points to Chicago's ban on assault-style weapons, which would be eliminated by the law. The House Judiciary Committee endorsed Speaker Michael Madigan's plan 13-3.

Queen Elizabeth's youngest son, Prince Edward, is visiting Tennessee to promote one of the British royal family's charities, the Duke of Edinburgh's awards. The prince presided over an awards ceremony at the governor's mansion in Nashville yesterday for the first batch of young Tennesseans to participate in the leadership and character program.

Clarksville city officials are awaiting federal approval for a new natural gas pipeline that is expected to ensure service and lower rates to city residents.

The pipeline will be used in conjunction with the existing line south of the city. Clarksville Gas and Water Director Pat Hickey said the pipeline redundancy will allow for uninterrupted service if the older line fails.

The Kentucky Department of Education says many midnight meetings planned at area school districts are unnecessary, and not placing them at the front of the line for a $10,000 grant.

The incentive for schools to raise their dropout age to 18 becomes law on June 25 and the first 96 schools to approve the measure receive the money. This has led to districts scheduling early morning meetings, but the Kentucky Department of Education’s Nancy

Maiden Alley Cinema is seeking funds for their digital conversion campaign. Mandatory digital conversion is happening across the country, effectively ending the era of 35mm films. For smaller, independent theaters, purchasing new equipment and replacing the projection set-up is costly, and in Maiden Alley's case, is $90,000, half of the annual operating budget. MAC's executive director Landee Bryant speaks with Tracy Ross on Sounds Good about the change, and their Kickstarter campaign to meet the goal.

See more on Maiden Alley Cinema's website.