Author: Associated Press

Holiday World amusement park plans June 17 reopening

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (AP) — A southern Indiana amusement park plans to begin reopening the popular destination in mid-June with reduced capacity, a virtual queuing system and other safeguards against the coronavirus. Holiday World said it plans to reopen on June 17 with crowds limited to 50% of capacity. The park’s Splashin’ Safari water rides will reopen no later than…

Kentucky to reopen state parks on June 1

Photo Credit: Kentucky State ParksFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear says state parks will start reopening soon in Kentucky. It’s the latest step to ease restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak. Beshear said Friday that the parks will reopen June 1 in an effort to revive tourism revenue in the bluegrass state. He says four state resort parks being used…

Court system faces hiring freeze, travel restrictions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s chief justice says the state’s court system will impose a statewide hiring freeze and suspend out-of-state travel. Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. says the action is needed to reduce expenses as the coronavirus drives down state revenues. Minton said Thursday that the cost cutting is aimed at mitigating possible furloughs and layoffs in coming…

Kentucky lifting restrictions on travel, gathering sooner

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky will lift its restrictions on travel and small gatherings ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Beginning May 22, people can get together in gatherings of 10 or fewer. The governor made the announcement at his daily briefing Thursday. The previous date for resuming such gatherings had been May 25. He says people…

Police: Man shot, wounded after hitting trooper with car

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (AP) — Authorities said a Kentucky man accused of hitting a state trooper with his car during a traffic stop was shot and wounded by the officer. Randy Sullivan faces several charges including attempted murder and drug trafficking. Kentucky State Police said a trooper pulled Sullivan over Tuesday evening and saw drugs in his car. Police said the…

Court system faces hiring freeze, travel restrictions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s chief justice says the state’s court system will impose a statewide hiring freeze and suspend out-of-state travel. Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. says the action is needed to reduce expenses as the coronavirus drives down state revenues. Minton said Thursday that the cost cutting is aimed at mitigating possible furloughs and layoffs in coming…

9 Kentucky projects get Energy Department grants

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Officials say grants from the U.S. Department of Energy have been awarded to nine projects in Kentucky. Gov. Andy Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said Wednesday in a statement that the projects aim to support education, reduce the energy burden in poor communities and improve energy security. Officials say the federal agency…

Beshear appoints new Kentucky corrections commissioner

File PhotoFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A 36-year veteran of Kentucky’s corrections department has been promoted as its next commissioner. Cookie Crews assumes the job at a time when the state is trying to contain a coronavirus outbreak at a prison. Gov. Andy Beshear announced her appointment Wednesday. Crews started her career as a correctional officer in 1984. She served as…

Report: Nearly 70,000 Kentuckians filed for jobless benefits

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Nearly 70,000 Kentucky residents applied for unemployment benefits last week. It shows the coronavirus pandemic continues to inflict economic damage even as the state gradually reboots its economy. The number of laid-off Kentucky workers seeking jobless assistance in the past eight weeks approached 750,000. That’s more than one-third of the state’s civilian workforce. The U.S. Labor…

Kentucky governor makes pitch for more federal virus relief

File PhotoFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear says Kentucky has enough in its unemployment insurance trust fund until summer. The fund has been hit by an unprecedented demand for benefits amid the coronavirus pandemic. But the Democratic governor said Wednesday that states are looking for more federal assistance to help meet the need for jobless benefits. Beshear made the…