BC-KY–Kentucky News Digest, KY

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TOP STORIES:

KENTUCKY SENATE

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Republican Matt Bevin released radio ads Thursday depicting Sen. Mitch McConnell as an out-of-touch Washington insider and characterizing their race as a fight for “the heart and soul” of the political process. Bevin tries to capitalize on his outsider status with the two statewide ads, his first of the new year. His campaign called it a “substantial” ad buy but didn’t provide specifics. By Bruce Schreiner. SENT: 360 words.

CYBERSECURITY

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A bill aimed at blocking hackers and requiring Kentucky’s government agencies to notify people when their personal information is stolen from government computers picked up more momentum on Thursday. The measure won quick endorsement from the House State Government Committee. By Bruce Schreiner. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 400 words by 4 p.m. EST.

EARTHQUAKES-NEW MADRID

LOS ANGELES — The New Madrid fault zone in the nation’s midsection is active and could spawn future large earthquakes, scientists reported Thursday. It’s “not dead yet,” said U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Susan Hough, who was part of the study published online by the journal Science. By Alicia Chang. SENT: 410 words.

ALSO:

BIG RIVERS-POWER PLANTS

OWENSBORO, Ky. — Big Rivers Electric Corp. says it will idle a western Kentucky power plant on Feb. 1, and a second power plant will cease operating by June 1. The actions come in the wake of Big Rivers’ two largest customers leaving after the entities couldn’t come to terms on electric rates. SENT: 360 words.

TVA-POWER USAGE

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking customers to reduce their power usage in an effort to deal with subfreezing temperatures that are causing a high demand for electricity across the southeast. TVA said in a statement that it expects demand to peak Thursday night and again Friday morning. The nation’s largest public utility said it is using all generating resources to meet the demand. SENT: 220 words.

BUS CRASH-LAWSUIT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Court documents show that the owner of a charter bus, which crashed in Louisville and injured 23 students and adults, says he was unaware the vehicle had 11-year-old tires that came from a scrap bin. The Courier-Journal reports Mike Goad made the comment this month while being deposed by an attorney representing a group of plaintiffs who sued after last year’s crash. SENT: 270 words.

IN BRIEF:

JOBLESS RATES — The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training says jobless rates for December fell to 8 percent. SENT: 100 words.

CHEMICAL SPILL-RIVERS — A water pollution control agency for the Ohio River says it will be difficult to tell if or when the chemical spill that contaminated West Virginians’ water reaches the Mississippi River. SENT: 130 words.

FILING DEADLINE — People interested in running for public office have a few more days to file paperwork to be placed on the May 20 primary election ballot in Kentucky. SENT: 130 words.

WKU-SCIENCE BUILDING — Western Kentucky University is planning a reception to celebrate the history of one of its campus buildings that is being closed. SENT: 100 words.

CIVIL RIGHTS PROGRAMS — The Rev. Al Sharpton and U.S. Rep. John Lewis are among the speakers during a series of events at the University of Louisville early this year focusing on the American civil rights movement during the 1960s. SENT: 130 words.

SURVIVOR CONTESTANT — Look for a former Kentucky beauty queen when the next season of “Survivor” begins next month. SENT: 80 words.