They weren't the first to reach the top of Mt. Everest, but on this day in 1978, Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler became the first to the summit without supplemental oxygen. Before them, such a feat was thought to be impossible. Messner did it again in 1980.

It’s Wednesday, May 8

Angels Attic Thrift Shop seeks donations of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing; furniture; appliances; household items; and toys. Sale proceeds benefit Angels Community Clinic, which provides health care to the working uninsured in Calloway County. Bring donations to 972 Chestnut Street Monday through Saturday from 8 to 5, or call 762-0505 for pickup.

From NPR: Jeffrey Selingo, an editor with The Chronicle of Higher Education, argues that American colleges have lost their way. In College (Un)bound, he describes the challenges facing American higher education and takes a close look at what college students are getting in return for their tuition.

The Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts says it is not supporting a proposal to partially lift the group's long-standing exclusion of gays. In a statement released yesterday, the Nashville-based council said it will vote to support the current national membership policy at the Boy Scouts of America's National Council meeting during the week of May 20 in Texas.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has signed a measure to change the way the state considers injured workers' claims.  The Republican governor held a ceremonial signing at a foundry in Clarksville yesterday. A major feature of the measure is that it removes workers' compensation cases from the state's trial courts and instead creates special panels appointed by the governor to hear claims and appeals. The legislation passed the Senate 28-2, and the House approved it 68-24.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is moving forward with a plan to require local school districts to pay their share of teacher pensions. Currently the state covers pension payments for teachers in suburban Chicago and downstate Illinois.  Madigan says it's a "free lunch" for those districts. He says the practice has exacerbated Illinois' nearly $100 billion crisis and "should come to an end as soon as possible."

A conference geared toward helping minority students get into the college of their choice is scheduled for June at Eastern Kentucky University. The Council on Postsecondary Education is accepting registrations for the event, which will be held June 28-29. It will be the council's 26th year for the Academically Proficient High School Junior and Senior Diversity Conference.

Federal watchdogs say they're launching an effort to bolster labor-law compliance involving hand-harvested crops in Illinois and Missouri. The U.S. Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division announced the initiative yesterday. The intent is to safeguard agricultural workers against violations of fair labor, visa, migrant, seasonal agriculture worker and sanitation laws.

Some Paducah property owners could soon receive city assistance for roof repairs. Paducah Renaissance Alliance Executive Director Lisa Thompson presented a draft ordinance to the Mayor and City Commission yesterday creating the Roof Stabilization Assistance Program. The program would help Renaissance District property owners repair structures in need of at least $50,000 in roof repairs. According to the draft ordinance, it would reimburse property owners for one-third of the total cost of construction not exceeding $50,000 but at a minimum of $16,666. Thompson said the city needs the program to help save buildings in danger of deterioration.