Author: Associated Press

Trump spokeswoman says Obama aides left behind mean notes

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Tuesday that Obama administration aides left behind taunting notes for incoming Trump officials when they handed over their offices in 2017. Numerous Obama aides denounced the accusation as fiction. “We came into the White House. I’ll tell you something, every office was filled with Obama books and we had notes…

8 employees sue Kentucky jailer for sexual harassment

STANFORD, Ky. (AP) — Staff members at a Kentucky jail have filed a lawsuit against their boss, accusing him of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination. News outlets report Lincoln County Jailer Robert Wilson is being sued and accused by seven women and one man of creating a hostile environment filled with sexual harassment. The female plaintiffs say Wilson would kiss…

Kentucky bill aims to curb violence toward sports officials

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Three Republican lawmakers in Kentucky say they plan to introduce a bill that would make intimidating sports officials a misdemeanor offense. State Rep. Randy Bridges of Paducah said Tuesday that the measure aims to restore respect for sports officials. The bill would also create a felony offense for physically assaulting officials. Bridges says the goal is…

Gun instructor accidentally shoots self

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina sheriff’s office says a firearms instructor has been injured in an accidental shooting on the job. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement obtained by news outlets Monday that the instructor, a civilian employee, accidentally shot himself in the leg at the Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center on Sunday…

Beshear praises Bevin administration’s help in transition

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov.-elect Andy Beshear says Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration is giving its “best efforts” to assist his transition team as he prepares to become Kentucky’s governor next month. Beshear told reporters on Tuesday that Bevin’s cabinet secretaries and other officials are being “very accommodating.” The governor-elect says his transition team hasn’t hit any roadblocks. Beshear says he…

Nerf gun, Power Rangers claw cited by toy safety watchdog

BOSTON (AP) — A Nerf dart gun, ice cream-scented Nickelodeon slime and a plastic Power Rangers claw are among the toys topping a consumer safety group’s list of worst toys for the holidays. World Against Toys Causing Harm, or WATCH, unveiled its annual list Tuesday at a Boston children’s hospital. A realistic toy machine gun, a “pogo trick board,” a…

Thousands of teachers gather for Indiana Statehouse protest

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Thousands of teachers wearing red have surrounded the Indiana Statehouse for a rally calling for further increasing teacher pay in the biggest such protest in the state amid a wave of educator activism across the country. Teacher unions says about half of Indiana’s nearly 300 school districts are closed while their teachers attend Tuesday’s rally while legislators…

Dad facing charges after toddler accidentally shoots mom

DERRY, Pa. (AP) — A woman was accidentally shot and wounded when she tried to take a loaded gun from her toddler son at the family’s Pennsylvania home. Authorities disclosed details of the shooting when they announced Monday that the woman’s husband would face charges of reckless endangerment and child endangerment. His name has not been released. The shooting in…

Audit reviews Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement Systems

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A report by Kentucky Auditor Mike Harmon shows the pension system for teachers is on more solid ground. Harmon says the financial statement audit of the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement Systems shows that its fiduciary net position increased by some $600 million. The review shows the amount rose to $21.9 billion in the fiscal year that ended…

Bevin sets special election for Kentucky state Senate seat

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has set a special election to fill a state Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of Dan Seum of Louisville. The special election will be Jan. 14 for the 38th District seat, which covers Bullitt County and part of Louisville. The 79-year-old Republican lawmaker announced this month he would retire Saturday….