Whitney Jones

Big Rivers Electric’s decision to let Century Aluminum out of its contract in August, may mean significant electric rate increases throughout the region.

Big Rivers spokesperson Marty Littrel said the aluminum smelter will be able to buy electricity elsewhere on the open market. But since the smelter is Big Rivers’ biggest customer, Littrel said the power supplier has to raise rates about 20 percent.

“All we’re trying to do is cover our expenses here,” he said. “We’ll likely have to idle a plant because this is a huge revenue loss for us.”

A Murray city councilman says the group’s decision to allow Sunday alcohol sales at a golf course sends mixed signals to the community even though the issue seems dead.

Councilman Greg Taylor is one of three council members who voted against allowing Sunday sales. He says in a previous reading of the ordinance that allowed sales at the Murray Country Club, the Public Safety Committee suggested Sunday restaurant sales as well. The restaurant language did not make it to a council vote.

Taylor says while the golf course can serve alcohol on Sundays, restaurants won’t anytime soon.

The Graves County Board of Education named Kim Harrison as the new superintendent, effective July 1.

Harrison has served as the Graves County assistant superintendent for the past four years and as elementary instructional supervisor for the past eight years. Before that she was the principal at Wingo Elementary School. Harrison has worked in education in Graves County for 13 years.

From NPR: Jerry Seinfeld talks about how he warmed up to coffee and why it goes perfectly with French toast. His cup of jo even inspired him to start a new little show called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

A trucking company suing Pilot Flying J is accusing Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Haslam of obstructing justice and buying off alleged cheated customers.

In a motion for a restraining order filed Thursday, attorneys for Atlanta Coast Carriers accuse Haslam of asking customers to sign releases giving up their rights to sue.

The trucking company filed a lawsuit against Pilot in Circuit Court last week accusing the company of racketeering violations. They say Pilot, the country's largest diesel retailer, owes the company interest on the lost money, along with damages as punishment. Pilot lawyers have denied any wrongdoing.

The Kentucky Fire Commission and the Kentucky National Guard are celebrating the opening of the new National Responder Preparedness Center.

An open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony is set to take place today at the facility in Greenville. It is located at the Kentucky National Guard's Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center.

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ordered Kentucky child welfare officials to publicly release records of child abuse cases resulting in death or serious injury.

The court released the 3-3 vote Thursday on whether to halt a lower court decision ordering the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to open the cases. The tie vote let the lower court decision stand.

The campaign manager for Republican Aaron Schock says the three-term congressman will seek re-election and forgo a run for Illinois governor.

Steve Shearer says Schock has concluded he can do more on Capitol Hill as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee than as governor. He says Schock could work on comprehensive tax reform and long-term repairs to entitlement programs.

Supporters of a gambling expansion proposal are making changes to the legislation in an attempt to improve its chances with the Illinois Legislature and Gov. Pat Quinn.

Rikeesha Phelon is a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton. She says Cullerton plans to strip language from the bill that would legalize Internet gaming and let lawmakers consider it as a separate measure.

Gov. Pat Quinn isn't saying whether he'd support legislation boosting the speed limit on Illinois interstates and tollways.

The Illinois Senate approved a measure 41-6 Wednesday raising the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph. The bill awaits a House vote. If Quinn signs it, the new speed limit could take effect at the start of next year.