Agent defrauded taxpayers of $169,000 through crop-insurance scheme, indictment alleges

by GREG KOCHER, [email protected] –  A crop insurance agent defrauded taxpayers of $169,000 by helping farmers inflate tobacco crop losses and collect insurance money and then helping them sell their burley at market, according to a federal indictment. Debra Muse of Wallingford in Fleming County was indicted Friday on one felony count of conspiracy to defraud…

There are not enough veteran nurses. So Kentucky hospitals are offering big cash bonuses

by Darla Carter and Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal – To combat a nursing shortage, Kentucky hospitals are finding creative ways to woo workers. Rachel Aretakis/Courier-Journal/USA TODAY Network Kentucky hospitals are using cash bonuses and other incentives to fill nursing jobs in an effort to counter a nursing shortage that could grow even worse in the near future. “For a long time…

Improving soft skills in young workers, which are essential to successful employment, is goal of House Floor Leader Jonathan Shell

by Don Weber – GEORGETOWN – Improving the so-called essential work skills of the state’s future workforce was the focus of Monday’s Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting held at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing North American Production Support Center in Georgetown. House Majority Floor Leader, Rep. Jonathan Shell, R-Lancaster, is currently working on legislation similar to House Bill…

Ad campaign in Kentucky promotes going tobacco-free

by The Associated Press – FRANKFORT, KY. — Officials with Kentucky’s Tobacco Quit Line are launching a new advertising campaign that encourages people to stop using tobacco products. The ads are designed to lead people to the state’s free tobacco counseling service, 1-800-784-8669. Bobbye Gray, a registered nurse who administers Kentucky’s Quit Line Program, says the goal…

Former state senator Dick Roeding dies at 86

by Don Weber LAKESIDE PARK – Former Kentucky state senator Richard “Dick” Roeding died on Friday night at the age of 86. Roeding, a Republican, served northern Kentucky’s 11th district from 1991 to 2009 and was Republican Whip from 1995 to 1996 and President Pro Tem from 2000 to 2004. Sen. Mitch McConnell released the following statement on…

Co-chair of House transportation working group prefiles bill that would create annual fees for hybrid, electric vehicles

As state representatives consider ways to shore up Kentucky’s Road Fund, the co-chair of a House working group exploring that issue has prefiled a bill that would establish annual fees for hybrid and electric vehicles. Rep. Sal Santoro, a Florence Republican who co-chairs the House Working Group on Kentucky’s Transportation Infrastructure, has proposed a three-tier…

Lawmakers consider adding ‘victims bill of rights’ to state constitution

 During next year’s legislative session, lawmakers will consider adding a “crime victims’ bill of rights” to Kentucky’s constitution. The measure would create several constitutional guarantees, including a requirement that courts notify victims or their families when an offender is released from custody. Advocates have pushed for “Marsy’s Law” in recent legislative sessions but the efforts…

NKY fight over addiction recovery center continues

COLD SPRING – Whether Brighton Center can open a women’s recovery center under existing Campbell County zoning is being questioned. The Newport-based nonprofit plans a 50-bed residential treatment center outside Cold Spring city limits for women recovering from addiction has been hotly contested and protested by some residents. Brighton Center has an option to buy 50…