President Barack Obama has declared a disaster area seven counties in eastern Kentucky, releasing federal funding for people affected by last week's tornadoes and severe storms. The White House and Governor Steve Beshear says damage surveys are continuing, and more counties may be designated. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other forms of recovery assistance. Governor Steve Beshear and Lieutenant Jerry Abramson will be traveling again today to visit the stricken locations. Tornadoes last Friday killed 22 people in Kentucky.
Shelly Baskin works in MSU's Office of Regional Outreach and is a graduate student in Occupational Safety and Health. A roustabout from Memphis, Tennessee, Shelly first found his way into WKMS through the newsroom back in 2011 through luck, charm and force of will. Though he left news for another position, he still enjoys working on independent radio projects and volunteering for the station. He’s an avid disc golfer and occasional real golfer and is terrible at both. A lover of all things musical, Shelly is always ready to hear something new and unique.
