Commonwealth News Center

The Commonwealth News Center (CNC) is your source for the latest news released from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You can browse the most recent releases below or search for additional news by agency or topic. To subscribe for free click here OR if you are already registered with Kentucky.gov, click here to add a News Center Subscription.

• Governor Beshear, Leaders Mark Start of Construction of New Bridge in Downtown Louisville
  Tuesday, June 18, 2013
  Declaring “the road to the region’s future starts here,” Governor Steve Beshear officially signaled the start of construction on the Downtown Crossing of the Ohio River Bridges Project – the first new bridge at the Falls of the Ohio in half a century.
• Raise a Glass (of Milk), Toast Dairy Month
  Tuesday, June 18, 2013
  Governor Steve Beshear recognized the official beverage of Kentucky by proclaiming June 2013 Dairy Month in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Gov. Beshear signed a proclamation in recognition of the importance of Kentucky’s dairy industry to the Commonwealth.
• Erica Kirchner Uses Jeweler’s Saw to Create Animal Sculptures from Copper at Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
  Tuesday, June 18, 2013
  Erica Kirchner will demonstrate use of the jeweler’s saw to create her copper animal sculptures on Saturday, June 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. Kirchner constructs her small animals by hand from flat sheets of copper and copper tubing. The copper is cut with a jeweler’s saw, hammered, manipulated, and when necessary, assembled using solder and brazing techniques and an acetylene torch.
• Urban Outfitters Halts Line of Prescription Products after Plea from Attorneys General
  Tuesday, June 18, 2013
  National retailer Urban Outfitters is halting sales of a line of products that mimic prescription pill bottles and prescription pads following a plea from Attorney General Jack Conway and 23 of his colleagues. In a recent statement to the media, Urban Outfitters announced it would discontinue its "Prescription Line" of products due to its "misinterpretation."
• John James Audubon State Park Offers New ‘Green’ Camp
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  John James Audubon State Park will host its first “Grow Up Green” summer day camp July 16-18 for children ages 8-12.
• Gov. Beshear Announces Gazelle to Establish Operations in Louisville, Creates 438 Jobs
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  Governor Steve Beshear today joined local and company officials to announce Gazelle Inc., the nation’s leading consumer electronics trade-in site, plans to establish a 37,500-square-foot processing center on Global Drive in Louisville’s Jefferson Riverport area. The company plans to create 438 new jobs and invest $22.3 million in the Commonwealth over the next several years.
• Attorney General Conway Announces Indictments in Medicaid Fraud Case
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway today announced the indictments of William Qualls and Linda Smith for allegedly defrauding the Kentucky Medicaid Program. Qualls and Smith, who worked as caregivers for a disabled Medicaid recipient, are each charged with Devising or Engaging in a Scheme to Defraud the Kentucky Medicaid Program and Theft by Unlawful Taking Over $500 but under $10,000.
• McCracken County, Kentucky, Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  A McCracken County, Kentucky man was sentenced today, by Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell, in United States District Court, to 240 months in prison, followed by a life-time term of supervised release for violating child pornography laws, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
• Council on Postsecondary Education sets meetings
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  The Council on Postsecondary Education will meet June 19-20 at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) in Highland Heights, Kentucky.
• Paintsville Doctor Sentenced to 75 Months for Pill Conspiracy
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  A former Paintsville, Ky., doctor, who previously admitted that he unlawfully dispensed approximately 50,000 prescription pills to individuals in Eastern Kentucky, was sentenced today to 75 months in prison, to be followed by three years supervised release.
• Asset Liability Commission and State Property and Buildings Commission to meet June 18
  Monday, June 17, 2013
  The Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission (ALCo) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. in Room 285 of the Capitol Annex, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40601. Immediately following adjournment of the ALCo meeting, the State Property and Buildings Commission (SPBC) will convene at approximately 10:15 a.m. in Room 285 of the Capitol Annex, Frankfort, Kentucky.
• Gov. Beshear and First Lady Open Dawkins Line Rail Trail
  Saturday, June 15, 2013
  Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear, along with trail enthusiasts and local officials, opened the first 18-mile section of the Dawkins Line Rail Trail today. The former railroad line is the newest adventure tourism attraction in Eastern Kentucky for hikers, horseback riders and cyclists.
• Governor Beshear Orders Flags to Half-staff on June 15
  Friday, June 14, 2013
  Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, June 15, 2013, in honor of two Fort Campbell soldiers who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Services Offered As Part of HIV Testing Day
  Friday, June 14, 2013
  In honor of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is promoting routine HIV testing and awareness. The HIV/AIDS Branch in DPH provides mini-grants to community-based organizations and local health departments to host free testing events in order for individuals to learn their status and be linked to services when indicated.
• Gov. Beshear Names New Education and Workforce Secretary
  Friday, June 14, 2013
  Governor Steve Beshear today named Thomas Zawacki of Georgetown as the new secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet effective July 1, 2013.