EPA taps Alabama business lobbyist to lead Southeast region

ATLANTA (AP) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has named a business lobbyist and ex-environmental regulator as regional administrator for the office that oversees eight Southeastern states. Former Alabama Department of Environmental Management director Trey Glenn will oversee EPA’s work in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Alabama state records…

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Appalachian health falling farther behind

 A new report shows just how far Appalachia has fallen behind the rest of the country on key health measures such as rates of cancer, heart disease and infant mortality. Researchers say the region’s health gap is growing and they hope the data they’ve compiled will spur new approaches to health care. The 400-page report from the Robert…

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Senate Democrats select new minority whip

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WYMT) – In state political news, Senate Democrats have chosen a new minority whip, following the resignation of Senator Julian Carroll. The Lexington Herald Leader reports Sen. Dennis Parrett from Elizabethtown will serve in the position for the next legislative session. Democrats called for Carroll’s resignation last month after a news report that…

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AmeriCorps service grants to state totaling $6.5 million include three Northern Kentucky programs

 Kentucky has received more than $6.5 million in AmeriCorps federal funding for 23 programs with more than 800 total members, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) announced Tuesday.Most of the programs were funded through an annual grant competition by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that engages…

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GOP tax reform will spur wage increases, Sen. McConnell and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin say

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and federal Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday that tax reform envisioned by Republicans will unburden businesses and allow workers to receive wage increases. Mnuchin said that “over 80 percent of business taxes is born by the worker,” so cutting the corporate income tax rate will make companies more competitive…

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