Author: Associated Press

Teacher pleads guilty to filming students in school bathroom

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) — A former Kentucky teacher has admitted to filming students in a high school bathroom. The Murray Ledger & Times reported that 54-year-old Mark Allen Boggess pleaded guilty Tuesday in Calloway Circuit Court to eight counts of possessing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor and eight counts of voyeurism. Police arrested Boggess last year after…

US allies see Mideast strategy vacuum that Putin can fill

PARIS (AP) — He was the leader on the world stage, visiting troops stationed in a far-flung war zone for the holidays, shoring up alliances and economic deals in the Mideast, requesting a meeting with the German chancellor in his capital, portraying himself and his country as reliable partners in an increasingly uncertain world. Russian President Vladimir Putin has had…

Trump to address the nation amid showdown with Iran

WASHINGTON, DC DECEMBER 19: U.S. President Donald Trump looks on in the Oval Office of the White House as he meets with U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, who has announced he is switching from the Democratic to Republican Party, on December 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. Van Drew voted against the two articles of impeachment yesterday in…

New Kentucky AG announces group effort to reduce child abuse

File PhotoLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s new attorney general has pledged to work with federal and state prosecutors, children’s advocates, medical experts and others in an effort to reduce the number of child abuse cases in the state. Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced the effort Tuesday during a press conference at the Kentucky Youth Advocates office in Louisville. The Courier…

Coal producer announces pending layoffs of 65 workers in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A coal producer has given notice that it plans to lay off 65 workers in southern West Virginia in March. The Kanawha County Commission says Panther Creek Mining issued the layoff notice for its operations in Eskdale. Panther Creek was part of Lexington, Kentucky-based Blackhawk Mining’s purchase of a substantial amount of bankrupt Patriot Coal’s assets…

Yum! Brands to Acquire The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) and The Habit Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:HABT) (“The Habit Burger Grill”) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Yum! Brands will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of The Habit Burger Grill for $14 per share in cash or a total of approximately $375…

White House proposes guidelines for regulating the use of AI

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has proposed guidelines to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, transportation and other industries. Officials say the rules are intended to promote safe and fair AI applications in the private sector that reflect American values. They’re also meant to block U.S. regulators from holding AI to such a high standard that society…

Russia’s Putin visits Syria to meet Assad, a key Iran ally

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has traveled to Syria to meet with President Bashar Assad, a key Iranian ally. The rare visit Tuesday comes amid soaring tensions between Iran and the United States following the U.S. drone strike last week that killed a top Iranian general who led forces supporting Assad in Syria’s civil war. The general’s…

McConnell: GOP will start impeachment trial, delay witnesses

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he has secured enough Republican votes to start President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial and postpone a decision on witnesses and documents Democrats want. The trial could start as soon as this week if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi releases the articles of impeachment. She is set to meet late Tuesday with her…

Woman, 3 children die when home catches fire

PINEVILLE, Ky. (AP) —Police say a woman and three children died when their residence caught fire in southeastern Kentucky. State police say firefighters and officers responded Tuesday morning to the blaze in Bell County and found the four dead inside the mobile home. Police said the children lived in the home with their grandmother, who had custody of them. The…