News

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has unveiled a plan under which the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park would reopen in 2012. It calls for the city to issue 17-and-a-half million dollars in bonds, and would bring in a third-party investor. The bonds would be backed by parking revenues, occupational taxes, and the new partner. Louisville businessman Ed Hart has an agreement with the Kentucky State Fair Board that would allow him to redevelop the park.

The campaign woes continue for Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, who is featured in a Washington Post story for being a drag on the gubernatorial ticket with state Senate President David Williams, R-Burkseville, in the upcoming Republican primary.

The results are in of a statewide job satisfaction survey for teachers and principals. Just over 42,000 Kentucky public school teachers and principals responded to the TELL (Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning) survey, which was administered online in March. State Department of Education spokeswoman Lisa Gross says the questionnaire touched on a variety of topics related to work and teaching conditions.

Louisville Metro Government officials are still tallying the cost of damage and cleanup from severe flooding in recent weeks. If the city can claim $2.4 million or more in damages, Metro Government can request federal assistance. At last count, $600,000 had been spent to keep flood pumps running and officials estimated an additional $100,000 would be necessary to repair and clean streets.

With fuel prices approaching record highs, the delivery of energy saving school buses to Madison County couldn’t come at a better time.  Richmond this week welcomes four hybrid buses to the school fleet. Madison County Schools Community Education Director Erin Stewart  says the buses will be used on especially busy routes.

Commercial and residential growth has traditionally been hotly debated in Lexington. It's not likely to change as government officials work to update the city's comprehensive plan. Planning director Chris King told council members Tuesday he welcomes public input.

146 years after it ended, the Civil War’s effects on race, politics, culture and economics in the south are clear. But there’s one tangible remnant of the old south that’s readily and proudly displayed on cars, clothing and, in some areas, over government buildings. Kentucky Public Radio’s Gabe Bullard has more on a modern-day Kentucky export that once led Confederate soldiers into battle.

A fascinating footnote of Civil War history is the fact that the President of the United States at the time, and the President of the Confederacy, were both born in Kentucky. And as Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh reports, a constant reminder of that fact continues to cause some Kentuckians considerable consternation...(Listen above)

A border state during America's Civil War, Kentucky is said to have joined the Confederacy AFTER the war ended. That legacy had a negative impact on race relations that some say exists to this day.

Kentucky began before the civil war to establish its reputation as a horse breeding state. Woodburn farm in Woodford county was known then as a premiere breeding operation. The story is detailed by Maryjean Wall, a turf writer for more than three decades at the Lexington Herald newspaper. She's also the author of a book detailing the civil war's impact on the horse industry. Wall says the 1860's signified a break in the action and recovery took some time.

Paducah, Kentucky's Lloyd Tilghman House and Museum may not have the cache of Arlington or the Lincoln Birthplace, but it's a must-see if you're looking into the history of the Civil War's western theater. U.S. Grant launched his Fort Donelson campaign from Paducah, William Tecumseh Sherman once commanded Union Soldiers in the city, and Nathan Bedford Forrest raided the river town in 1864. The future author of Ben Hur, Lew Wallace, even got into a fistfight during the war in what is now the museum's main gallery.

Long before Internet search engines and network television shows asking celebrities who do you think you are,' genealogists have been combing through census records, newspapers, and family bibles. Family history researchers come from all types of backgrounds, including that of a retired central Kentucky teacher.

"My name is Bettie Tuttle. I was born here in Lexington, 1926, and I've lived here all of my life."

It's a cold rainy, early spring morning at Lexington's Mary Todd Lincoln House, the restored childhood home of the former First Lady groups of visitors from places as far away as Florida and Wisconsin, crowd into the foyer as Executive Director Gwen Thompson preps them for the tour.

"We're going to start right here with this photograph which is an image of what this hallway looked like before the restoration we want everyone to appreciate that it was in quite a state of disrepair so if you'll just head right in here into the family parlor, Marianne is going to be your guide "

April means horse racing at Lexington’s Keeneland race track.  The historic track is celebrating 75 years of racing this year.  In recognition of the milestone, Keeneland spokeswoman, Julie Balog wants patrons to get involved.

In 1862, deadly battles were fought across Kentucky…at Perryville, Richmond, and Munfordville.  In the 150 years since those battles, Kentuckians have worked to preserve those historic sites.