Todd Hatton

A flagpole flying the Confederate battle flag off Interstate 24 near exit 16 will be the centerpiece of a new park honoring Confederate soldiers.  The Sons of Confederate Veterans are funding construction of benches and a circle of bricks to represent southern soldiers who fought to secede  from the United States in the 1860s.  SCV Kentucky Division Commander John Suttles tells The Paducah Sun the land for the park was donated by a man who had Confederate ancestors.  McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry says he's worried about what visitors to Paducah and the county will think upon

An Oklahoma-based company has purchased Dippin Dots, Incorporated.  The Paducah-based Dippin Dots is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings and a court-mandated change in ownership.  The Oklahoma company, which goes by the same name, struck the deal yesterday in U.S. bankruptcy court to purchase Dippin Dots for more than 12.5 million dollars.  Dippin Dots' Paducah factory employs 165 people.

Tennessee parents would grade themselves on how involved they are in a student's school performance under legislation headed for a state House floor vote.  The measure passed the House Finance Committee Tuesday on a voice vote.

A proposal to do away with Tennessee's early graduation program is advancing in the House.  The measure sponsored by Republican Representative Glen Casada was approved Tuesday on a voice vote in the House Education Committee. The companion bill unanimously passed the Senate last week.  Under the so-called Move on When Ready Act, a student who scores 27 on the ACT is only required to obtain 18 hours of specific classes to get a diploma.

A proposal to crack down on the tattooing of minors is headed for a vote on the Tennessee House floor.  The measure sponsored by Democratic Representative Antonio Parkinson was unanimously approved in the House Finance Committee Tuesday. The companion bill is awaiting a vote by the full Senate.  The proposal makes it illegal for anyone without a license to possess tattooing paraphernalia. The measure also encourages underage tattooing incidents be reported to the Health Department.

Kentucky Governor  Steve Beshear is urging lawmakers to finish their work on a transportation budget and six-year road plan on the final day of this year's legislative session.  Beshear says the Kentucky's roads and bridges are the state's economic lifeblood, and not passing legislation to ensure their continued maintenance would do more than threaten public safety.  With time running out, lawmakers haven't yet reached agreement on what road construction projects to fund in the next two-year budget cycle or in an overall six-year plan.  Beshear says he will make State Budget Director Mary L

Kentucky lawmakers still haven't reached an accord on appropriations in the state's transportation budget.  State Representative Sannie Overly says House and Senate lawmakers remain far apart on proposed construction projects to be included in a six-year, $10 billion road plan.  Legislators are scheduled to reconvene Thursday for the final day of this year's legislative session.  This only allows two more days for negotiators to work out differences in the competing proposals offered by the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-led Senate.  Overly is a leading Democratic negotiator

The Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation has approved more than $400,000 in loans to farmers to expand their operations.  The agency partners with lenders to help farmers finance projects that would increase their profits.  The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced the latest round of loans Monday. The largest loan topped $110,000.  The finance corporation also has a beginning farmer loan program that helps people start or expand a farming operation. Those loans can be used to purchase livestock, equipment and land.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam says it will probably be close to the deadline before he decides whether to sign a proposal protecting teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories, such as global warming.  The deadline is today.

Tennessee House Democrats say the Republican majority is moving too quickly through the legislative process.  Toward the end of the House floor session Monday, Democratic Representative Jimmy Naifeh took exception to a Republican move to end debate on overhauling a judicial disciplinary panel.  Naifeh says the measure is a complex change, and lawmakers were unable to receive any details before the vote took place.  Republican Representative Curry Todd made the motion to head straight for a vote.  He says the final vote of 86-7 in favor of the bill showed no debate was necessary.  House Demo