Lexington/Richmond

The publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader is retiring. The 63-year-old Timothy Kelly has been with the paper for 22 years, 15 of which as president and publisher. He will step down on June 3rd. On June 6th, Rufus Friday will take over leadership of the paper. Friday is currently publisher of the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Washington. Both the Tri-City Herald and the Herald-Leader are owned by the McClatchy Company.

Calling the decision a foolish game of cat and mouse, the president of the Louisville NAACP says Gov. Steve Beshear is snubbing President Barack Obama, and it could cost him votes in the general election. Mr. Obama is making his first visit as president to the commonwealth Friday to meet with troops at Fort Campbell. He will also have a private meeting with members of the Navy SEAL team that killed al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. But Beshear will miss the president’s visit in order to fulfill his Oak’s Day obligations instead.

Picking a winner from among the 20 horses in the Kentucky Derby is always a tough task.  This year is no different.  Keeneland’s President offered a little insight to Lexington Rotarians on Thursday.  He also talked about surprisingly high attendance figures during the just completed spring meet.

According to the Associated Press, President Barack Obama will meet with members of the Navy SEAL team who killed al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden when he visits Fort Campbell in Kentucky on Friday. However, Governor Steve Beshear will not accompany the president during his first visit to the commonwealth.

For the second consecutive day, the Republican Party of Kentucky is challenging Attorney General Jack Conway to clarify his involvement in a compromised drug investigation involving his younger brother. Earlier this week, Matt Conway resigned from the prosecutor’s office for undisclosed reasons almost a year after it was revealed he lied twice about being tipped off by Louisville police detectives, who told Conway he was the target of a drug investigation.

A central Kentucky woman is helping with the southern storm relief effort as a volunteer for the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross. Sandy Hall worked as a damage assessor in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She went block by block documenting the destruction caused by last week's EF-4 tornado.

In April, over 12 inches of rain fell on parts of central Kentucky.  That runoff, on 22 occasions, flooded the city’s pump stations for 24 hours or more.  And the city says some of that raw sewage backed up into over 20 homes.  Lexington is working on a permanent fix but it could take another decade. Urban County Councilmember Doug Martin says some homeowners can’t wait that long.

Field Of 20 Set For 137th Kentucky Derby

Rick Howlett May 4, 2011

The post positions are set for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

The early favorite, at 4-1, is Dialed In, who drew the number eight post position. Uncle Mo is the second favorite, at 9-2, and will break from the number 18 hole. He’s still questionable for the Derby, however because of a lingering gastrointestinal problem.

President Barack Obama has granted the major disaster declaration requested by Governor Steve Beshear in response to flooding in several parts of the commonwealth, including western Kentucky. According to a statement, Beshear’s requests for public assistance and hazard mitigation were granted Wednesday evening.

General Motors will spend $131 million to upgrade its plant in Bowling Green. GM North America President Mark Reuss says the money will upgrade the plant so it can build the next generation of Corvettes.

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.

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.