News

FRANKFORT — In his first year as governor of Kentucky, Democrat Steve Beshear said he was unprepared for the intensity of the job.

A 2-year-old girl police say was raped and assaulted last week died Wednesday at the Kentucky Children's Hospital.

The veterinarian at the center of a notorious horse-racing medication case said on Wednesday that he never gave cobra venom to an active racehorse, let alone one in the care of top trainer Patrick Biancone.

The Empty Bowls project sold out of its 500 bowls in 50 minutes Wednesday at Transylvania University's Morlan Gallery, the school said in a press release.

The Detroit automakers are making their case for federal government loans, which could have wide-reaching effects on Kentucky's network of suppliers. Toyota will cut more than half its 500 temporary employees from its Georgetown plant. One Toyota supplier, AK Steel in Ashland, will furlough almost all 1,100 workers until at least mid-January.

Kentucky

The University of Kentucky would drain most of its reserve funds for classroom improvements and scholarships and freeze hiring for as many as 150 positions if forced to cut its budget by 4 percent.

NICHOLASVILLE — A Wednesday afternoon fire destroyed a warehouse and office complex in a business park off U.S. 27 known locally as "the drag strip."

William Gallion, a disbarred Lexington-area lawyer accused of cheating his clients out of millions in a diet-drug lawsuit settlement, is appealing a federal judge's refusal to reschedule his February trial.

Police in Ohio said Wednesday they probably won't file criminal charges against a Lexington Catholic High School hockey player in connection with a serious injury to another player in a game last weekend.

NICHOLASVILLE — A Jessamine County man faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly tried to fire a handgun at his estranged wife, police said.

David Brannen is thrilled at the forming of the new Anglican Communion in North America.

Versailles police are seeking the public's help in recovering property stolen from the residence of Patricia Last, who has been reported missing since Oct. 1.

State Auditor Crit Luallen's office will examine the finances of Blue Grass Airport after a newspaper story revealed last month that its executive director spent more than $200,000 on travel and other expenses over 27 months.

Many Kentucky school districts probably would have to dip into contingency funds to absorb a projected 4 percent state budget cut, but that might only postpone the pain, public school superintendents say.