Environment

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for the region tonight. A clear sky and lack of wind between 3 and 8 am will bring temperatures near or below freezing. The NWS suggests disconnecting water hoses to reduce the risk of burst pipes and take in or cover plants sensitive to cold. Click here for a complete list of counties effected by the advisory.

Mammoth Cave National Park is offering two free cave tours later this month in recognition of National Park Week.

 Visitors must pick up tickets for the free tours of the Discovery and Mammoth Passage caves, which are being given April 21-29.     Park Superintendent Patrick Reed says outdoor activities benefitnot only physical and mental health, but "it's just plain fun."

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews are expected to finish work preparing the Eggners Ferry Bridge for repair work by early next week. Workers are replacing guard rails and removing concrete debris from the bridge deck ahead of a crew from Hall Contracting of Kentucky. Hall Contracting was hired in March to replace the 322-foot span of bridge which collapsed when the Delta Mariner cargo ship struck the bridge. KYTC spokesperson Keith Todd says the cabinet is hesitant to set dates for the repairs.

Weather thus far for 2012 has not only broke high-temperature records for our region, but for the majority of the US as well.  March highs for the Four Rivers region were nearly 15 to 20 degrees warmer than normal.  The national average for the same period was just over 8 and a half degrees higher.  According to The Paducah Sun, the National Weather Service is reporting the past winter as the third warmest on record for the area.  Paducah meteorologist Robin Smith says the warmer weather is due to an extended La Nina effect, preventing fronts from moving through the region.  McCracken Count

In this week's FLW Fishing Report Scott Ellison says fishing conditions will improve as the water level rises.

A 10-foot albino python discovered in Land Between the Lakes Wednesday is the latest in the growing problem abandoned pets pose to public parks. LBL's Denise Scmittou says abandoned animals are a burden to LBL staff who must capture the animals and find a suitable shelter. Abandonment is also hard on the animals, who often lack the skills to survive in the wild. She says people unable to take care of their animals have plenty of options other than abandonment.