John Walker

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.

From NPR: Organizing for Action — a group that formed out of President Obama's re-election campaign — has focused its ire on Republicans it calls "climate change deniers." But some environmentalists are frustrated with the president himself on issues like the Keystone pipeline.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says legislation allowing the carrying of concealed guns will get a vote tomorrow . The Chicago Democrat emerged from a private meeting of his caucus late yesterday afternoon saying he believes there are sufficient votes to adopt a plan. Madigan says the measure incorporates most of the items city of Chicago officials wanted in a gun-carry bill.

Illinois lawmakers have overridden Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of legislation that addresses so-called Smart Grid technology.  The Illinois House voted yesterday to again approve the legislation, a day after the Senate approved it for a second time. Quinn vetoed it May 6, saying the proposal weakened oversight and forced automatic rate hikes. ComEd and Ameren pushed the bill to clarify legislation allowing the utilities to raise rates to fund the high-tech system.

Kentucky Housing Corp. is reporting the number of homeless in Kentucky now stands at nearly 2,400, down significantly from past years. The latest count was released yesterday by the state's housing agency. It covered 118 counties. The state's more urban Fayette and Jefferson counties were excluded. The count, conducted on Jan. 30, identified 2,392 homeless men, women and children.

Federal officials have set aside more than $1 million for Tennessee landowners who help conserve wildlife. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said owners of agricultural and forest land can apply by June 10 for funding under the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. Grants are available to help eligible landowners and operators develop or enhance planned upland, wetland, riparian and aquatic habitat areas on their property.

From NPR: Some single baby boomers are moving into group houses, a college-era solution to their modern needs. Housemates share costs, socialize, and cheer each other on through life's thick and thin.