WKMS

Department of Education Says Midnight Meetings for Dropout Grants Unnecessary

John Null — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:19:30 +0000

The Kentucky Department of Education says many midnight meetings planned at area school districts are unnecessary, and not placing them at the front of the line for a $10,000 grant.

The incentive for schools to raise their dropout age to 18 becomes law on June 25and the first 96 schools to approve the measure receive the money. This has led to districts scheduling early morning meetings, but the Kentucky Department of Education’s Nancy

Landee Bryant on Maiden Alley Cinema's Digital Conversion

Tracy Ross — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:53:44 +0000

Maiden Alley Cinema is seeking funds for their digital conversion campaign. Mandatory digital conversion is happening across the country, effectively ending the era of 35mm films. For smaller, independent theaters, purchasing new equipment and replacing the projection set-up is costly, and in Maiden Alley's case, is $90,000, half of the annual operating budget. MAC's executive director Landee Bryant speaks with Tracy Ross on Sounds Good about the change, and their Kickstarter campaign to meet the goal.

See more on Maiden Alley Cinema's website.

LATA Suspends Summer Layoffs for 30 Days

John Null — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:53:16 +0000

LATA Environmental Services of Kentucky is suspending planned layoffs of up to 145 workers for 30 days.

The suspension of layoffs, originally set to begin June 3, comes after the Department of Energy has submitted a reprogramming request to Congress. The request could result in more federal funding for LATA, and a restructuring or reduction of the planned layoffs.

Mayor Teresa Cantrell on New Mayfield City Website

Chad Lampe — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:42:09 +0000

The Mayfield City website is pretty unique among city sites in our area. Some of the new features include videos of Mayor Teresa Cantrell highlighting the city's strengths, a section for kids, and a calendar of summer festivals. Chad Lampe speaks with Mayor Cantrell about the development of the site and gets an update on Mayfield happenings. Click here to see the new website.

From the Garden Gate: Have You Tried Ornamental Grasses?

Kate Lochte and Roy Helton — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:34:09 +0000

Here's the next edition our our weekly gardening series, "From the Garden Gate." Murray resident Roy Helton divides his time between teaching in the English Department at Murray State University and indulging his passion for gardening.

Who among the clan of devout gardeners doesn’t yearn for perennials that are easy to plant, require little or no care, serve multiple purposes, and are virtually indestructible—having almost no pests or diseases? I can just hear my neighbor’s answer to that question: “Oh, yeah, I know; you’re talking about weeds.”

Murray Man Seeks Challenge in Spartan Death Race

Drew Adams — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:18:49 +0000

You may die... Well, at least that’s what organizers say to participants of what they bill as the world's most difficult endurance race. Competitors in the Spartan Death Race can look forward to at least 48 hours of excruciating pain and challenges designed to push them to their limits. Murray insurance agent Ryan Walker is training to be one of the few to complete the endurance challenge next month. Walker now trains for a race in which the obstacles ahead of him are largely unknown.

Internet Sales Tax Bill Could Restore Some State Budget Cuts, Kentucky Group Says

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:03:45 +0000

Your online purchases could alleviate some of Kentucky's budget woes.

The federal legislation that allows states to collect sales taxes from more online retailers would benefit the Kentucky state budget, argues a policy group focused on economic policy.

If such legislation passed, Kentucky could gain $130 million to $200 million in revenue per year, the state's Blue Ribbon Tax Commission has estimated. That sort of money could lead to a restoration to programs that have recently been cut, including the child care subsidy for low-incoming, working families, says Jason Bailey, director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

Hopkinsville Approves Alcohol Sales Amendment

John Null — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:11:24 +0000

The Hopkinsville City Council has unanimously approved the first reading of an amendment to the city’s alcohol beverage ordinance that will loosen restrictions on alcohol sales.

With the changes, alcohol sales will no longer be confined to the downtown area, and a provision has been reworded to allow bars to stay open until 1:30 a.m.

Eastern Kentucky University Unveils Voluntary Buyouts as Part of Restructuring

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:45:22 +0000

Come July first, the Eastern Kentucky University workforce picture takes on a new look. The Richmond school has been undergoing restructuring as part of work by the Strategic Budget Reallocation Task Force. 127 employees at Eastern are taking a voluntary buy out package. Their last day at E-K-U will be June 28^th. Human Resources Director Gary Barksdale says it’s unclear now how many ‘forced layoffs’ might occur.

Youth Report: Conversations with Artists at the LowerTown Arts & Music Festival

Matt Markgraf and Kayla Eicholtz — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:30:00 +0000

WKMS Youth Reporter Kayla Eicholtz gets to know some of the artists at the 2013 LowerTown Arts & Music Festival. In this extended version of her Sounds Good feature, she speaks with artists Marti McGinnis, Bob McGill, and David Barlow at their LowerTown booths on Saturday, May 18th. Click here to see more about the festival and the artists that attended.

See more about the WKMS Youth Radio Project.