A day after his Republican opponent charged he lacked the courage to do so, Democratic Governor Steve Beshear has issued a statement calling for the two Iraqi nationals facing terrorism charges to be sent out of Kentucky. On Wednesday, state Senate President David Williams challenged Beshear and House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, to join him and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky,, who initially demanded Waad Ramadan Alwan and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi be sent to the controversial military base to be tried as enemy combatants.

Advocates for protection for gay Kentuckians say a recent incident in Hazard further underscores the need for updated civil rights laws. Two gay men, who are also developmentally challenged, were with the group Mending Hearts at the public pool in the Hazard Pavilion. One man reportedly sat on the other’s knee and put his arm around his partner. They were then told to leave. Mending Hearts representatives say workers told them gay people weren’t allowed to swim in the pool. Others say the two were kicked out for violating the policy against public displays of affection.

Tornadoes have killed at least 530 people in the U.S. this year, the highest death toll since 1950.

But researchers say they are working on new detection and forecasting technologies that could help reduce tornado deaths in the future.

One of those technologies got put to the test on May 24 when a tornado touched down near Chickasha, Okla., and began heading northeast at near freeway speed.

Steve Inskeep has this morning's business news.

Greece seems to be heading for early elections as the country digests the results of the political turmoil of the last three days. Prime Minister George Papandreou looks to be staying in power at least for now. But there is growing opposition to his policy of bowing to pressure from international lenders for more spending and benefit cuts.

Pilots at Denver-based Frontier Airlines are voting whether to reduce their pay and benefits to keep their employer in business. In exchange, they'll get a stake in the airline, which NPR's Jeff Brady says has been losing a lot of money.

Weiner says the distraction he created with the handling of his sexting scandal made it impossible for him to remain in office.

Steve Inskeep has today's Last Word in Business.

Throughout the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia has kept analysts guessing. On Libya for example, the Russians refused to back a UN Security Council resolution and accused NATO of over-stepping its military mandate. But then, Moscow demanded Moammar Gadhafi leave power, and even offered to mediate his exit. NPR's David Greene has more on Russia's diplomacy.

When one man first began writing about the uprising against the regime in Syria, he was terrified. But now he and other Syrians realize there is a certain measure of virtual freedom to be had online. He uses his real name in interviews now, and believes Syrians will not go back to living in fear of the authorities.