Stu Johnson (KPR)

Kentucky Health Exchange Will Use 'Kynectors' To Assist Uninsured

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:22:00 +0000

A call is going out for individuals to assist those uninsured Kentuckians looking at the federal health care law for coverage. The state is seeking both for profit and nonprofit entities to serve as ‘kynectors’ for the health benefit exchange. Carrie Banahan, Director of the state Health Benefit Exchange believes these individuals providing assistance will stay busy.

Beshear, Trade Delegation Make Trip to Canada

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 19:33:25 +0000

A delegation from Kentucky is working to expand its business relationship with the state’s number one trading partner. Gov. Steve Beshear, along with representatives from over 20 companies, meets this week with Canadian officials.

Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet Spokesman Daniel Lowry says even a strong trade relationship can grow stronger.

KY Farmers Still Fighting Weather Conditions

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Mon, 27 May 2013 12:21:49 +0000

Unseasonably cool springtime temperatures coupled with lots of rain have created challenges for many Kentucky farmers. University of Kentucky Agricultural Meteorologist Tom Priddy said just over half of the projected corn crop is in the ground. He says close to all of the corn was planted by this time a year ago. Still, Priddy said some gains were made last week.

Eastern Kentucky University Unveils Voluntary Buyouts as Part of Restructuring

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:45:22 +0000

Come July first, the Eastern Kentucky University workforce picture takes on a new look. The Richmond school has been undergoing restructuring as part of work by the Strategic Budget Reallocation Task Force. 127 employees at Eastern are taking a voluntary buy out package. Their last day at E-K-U will be June 28^th. Human Resources Director Gary Barksdale says it’s unclear now how many ‘forced layoffs’ might occur.

Health Care Reform Could Impact Hiring in Kentucky

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:54:59 +0000

Kentucky businesses, both large and small, are running out of time to prepare for new federal health care regulations.

In just over 7 months, the so-called ‘pay or play’ provision kicks in. Starting next year, employers with more than 50 workers are required to provide health insurance coverage or risk penalties.

Kentucky health care lawyer Vickie Yates Brown said such a policy may not result in immediate employee reductions, but she says it could impact future hiring.

More Truckers on Kentucky Roads

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:17:08 +0000

Nicer weather has a few more truckers traveling Kentucky’s interstates. Overall, the trucking industry remains flat, but the head of the Kentucky Motor Transportation Association says recent figures are promising. Jamie Fiepke says trucking tends to decline in November and pick up in March.

“From that point forward, that’s when you really start seeing the industry pick up, especially in a good economy, you’ll see it really take off and you’ll see truck everywhere. And you’re gonna see more and more trucks,” said Fiepke.

Given such demand, he says finding find enough drivers is an ongoing challenge. Fiepke says new safety regulations allow for a better review of drivers by trucking companies and insurance firms before they’re hired.

Kentucky Beekeepers Studying Hive Loss

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:24:16 +0000

Beekeepers from across the Commonwealth are still looking for some way to stop the loss of their hives. The Kentucky State Beekeepers Association stages its spring meeting in Richmond this weekend. The nation’s agriculture industry is coping with a massive die-off of the essential insect. Besides honey production, bees are essential to the pollination of some crops. Currently, association Vice President Jim Coss says they’re scrutinizing farm chemicals.

Kentucky Toyota Plant First in Nation to Produce Lexus

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:26:51 +0000

For the first time, a Lexus vehicle will be produced in the United States and it will be made at the Georgetown Toyota plant. The formal announcement came this morning from officials in New York and Scott County. Governor Beshear says it means 750 new Kentucky jobs at Toyota.

Conway Comments On U.S. Senate Gun Bill

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:39:14 +0000

When conducting a background check on a person buying a gun, Kentucky’s Attorney General said they’re still limited by the information available in the system. And, with many mental health care providers already under a financial strain, Jack Conway said inputting all that data can be a hardship.

“Not only do those agencies have to provide mental health services, they have to interface with the data bases and law enforcement and provide the information and make sure it gets captured, make certain it’s available to people that need to access the information," He said. "So, we’re in the process of looking, making certain that all of our information is getting into the system,” said Conway.

Today Is State Tax Deadline

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:38:11 +0000

It’s tax day and a busy one at the Kentucky Revenue Department. State Division of Individual Income Director Bruce Nix says some 1.3 million state tax returns have already been filed, but another 400,ooo could arrive today. For taxpayers who need more time, Nix says filing for an extension with the IRS is all that’s required in Kentucky.