By Tony McVeigh

Kentucky – Kentucky Educational Television is taking a major hit under Governor Steve Beshear's budget-balancing plan. Education Secretary Helen Mountjoy says KET is a member of the 18-percent club, which means their budget has already been cut 18 percent this calendar year. Now they're facing another four-percent cut.

"They're probably going to have to discontinue the KET ED program, which is a whole series of programs that go directly into classrooms and are used all over the commonwealth."

By Tony McVeigh

Kentucky – Education Secretary Helen Mountjoy says Kentucky Educational Television is a member of the 18-percent club. That means they've already experienced an 18-percent reduction in their budget in the current calendar year. Now, they're facing another four-percent cut. "An additional four-percent cut in KET amounts to over a half-million dollars. And it's going to mean that they're probably going to have to reduce eight more positions."

By Jacque Day

By Kate Lochte

Murray, KY – A datebook of regional events for Dec. 19, 2008. From WKMS.

By Chad Lampe

Murray, KY – Every month, WKMS News Director Chad Lampe discusses the issues and events in and around Murray State University with MSU President Dr. Randy Dunn. Today, they talk about MSU's longer holiday and Dr. Dunn reacts to the news that a former colleague has just been tapped to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

By Todd Hatton

By Tony McVeigh

Murray, KY – Kentucky's eight Presidential Electors have cast their ballots for Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, who carried Kentucky in November. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh was among those witnessing the historic event at the State Capitol.

By Patience Renzulli

Paducah, KY – If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy Christmas present for a loved one, a puppy might not be the best idea. The Humane Society warns "a dog is a precious purchase that will be in someone's life for an average of 15 years, so it should not be an impulse buy." Commentator Patience Renzulli addresses this issue in a story titled "Santa's Sigh."

"Please, Santa, I would like my own puppy for Christmas. I've been very good this year. And I don't want anything else. Love, Julie."

By Michael Cohen

Murray, KY – There's nothing like a warm Christmas corpse to chill your bones in the holiday season. That's what the artisans of the Bruel House in Grammercy Park must deal with in Margaret Maron's novel, Corpus Christmas. Commentator Michael Cohen says this artsy mystery will have you guessing until the end.

By Todd Hatton

Murray, KY – The 806 Newscast on December 19, 2008. From WKMS News.