Author: Associated Press

Man charged with killing 2 dies after positive COVID-19 test

LEBANON, Ky. (AP) — A jail official says a Kentucky man charged with two counts of murder has died from COVID-19 complications while in custody awaiting trial. Irvin Mann is chief of security for the Marion County Detention Center. He tells news outlets that 56-year-old Craig Pennington died Monday at Norton Healthcare in Louisville. Mann said Pennington was hospitalized on…

A new pup: Zoo in Kentucky celebrates birth of gray seal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Louisville Zoo is celebrating the birth of a gray seal. A statement from the zoo says 6-year-old Rona gave birth Monday morning to her first pup and both are doing well. Staff at the zoo had been monitoring Rona for several days in anticipation of the birth. The sex of the pup isn’t yet known….

Kentucky installing energy-saving lighting along roadways

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has launched a statewide project to replace thousands of roadway lighting fixtures with energy saving LED lights. Kentucky’s Transportation Cabinet said the upgrades will reduce energy consumption of roadway lighting systems by more than 50%. They say the project will save more than $2.8 million a year in utility and maintenance costs. More than 18,000…

AP sources: Human remains found near Nashville explosion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press that authorities have found human remains in the vicinity of the explosion that rocked downtown Nashville early Christmas morning. It is unclear how the remains are related to the Friday explosion or whether they might belong to the person believed to be responsible or a victim. The officials…

Police: Explosion in Nashville believed to be ‘intentional’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An explosion shook the largely deserted streets of downtown Nashville early Christmas morning, shattering windows, damaging buildings and wounding three people. Authorities said they believed the blast was intentional. The FBI is leading the investigation. Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said police responded to a call of shots fired just before 6 a.m. but…

Kentucky lieutenant gov., other leaders get COVID vaccine

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and other state leaders have received injections of the COVID-19 vaccine. State officials say they want to show the public the vaccine is safe and encourage Kentuckians to take the injection. Most of the early doses coming to Kentucky are going to hospitals and nursing homes. State appeals court Chief Judge…

State officials use robotic deer to combat illegal hunting

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky wildlife officials are using robotic deer to catch illegal hunters. The deer look-alike is used to catch “spot lighters,” who try to freeze deer with bright lights. James Malone was arrested Sunday in Taylor County. State Fish and Wildlife officials say in an arrest citation that Malone pointed his vehicle’s headlights “for an extended period…

Louisville community activist pardoned by President Trump

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Louisville community activist has been granted a full federal pardon by President Donald Trump. Christopher 2X runs a nonprofit devoted to guiding youths to lead productive lives. He also often acts as a conduit between Louisville’s African American community and police and city officials during times of tension. He was among 26 people pardoned Wednesday…

Kentucky state audit finds issues with Unemployment Program

LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP) — Kentucky’s Auditor of Public Accounts, Mike Harmon, has announced that the state’s Office of Unemployment Insurance is unable to accurately determine the amount of claims still outstanding while a large backlog of claims remain unresolved. A spokesperson for the Kentucky Labor Cabinet insists that the audit does not include information on how the Office of Unemployment…

Kentucky lawmaker says he’s in ICU with COVID-19

SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky lawmaker is in a hospital intensive care unit with COVID-19. State Rep. Thomas Huff wrote about his hospital stay on social media. The Republican from Bullitt County said Tuesday marked his sixth day in isolation. Huff has been in the state house since 2018. On social media, he has also expressed doubt on the…