KENTUCKY SENATE

Clinton to make 2 appearances with Grimes

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton will make two appearances in Kentucky next week with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Grimes' campaign said last week that Clinton would join her at a rally in eastern Kentucky but didn't announce where.

On Monday, the campaign said he would be at events in Lexington and Hazard on Wednesday.

Clinton, who twice carried Kentucky as a presidential candidate, appeared at a campaign event with Grimes in Louisville in February.

Grimes, who is trying to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is the daughter of longtime Clinton friend Jerry Lundergan. She is in her first term as Kentucky's secretary of state.

Kentucky's Senate race is one of the nation's most closely watched, with the outcome possibly deciding which party controls the Senate after November.

CONGRESSMEN-HOUSE ETHICS

Congressman: Wife didn't lobby on horse bill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Republican congressman from Kentucky says his wife did not improperly spur him to introduce a bill concerning the possible abuse of Tennessee Walking Horses and there's no basis for an ethics complaint against him.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield spoke to reporters Monday on a conference call. Whitfield says he planned to file the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act regardless of his wife's role with the Humane Society.

The U.S. House Ethics Committee notified Whitfield on June 10 that it received a referral from the independent Office of Congressional Ethics.

Tennessee Walking Horses are shown throughout the United States. Soring — using an irritant to cause burning or blistering of the horses' legs in order to accentuate their gaits — occurs only in a few areas like Tennessee and Kentucky.

MINE DEATHS

Mining deaths on rise, 22 in first half of 2014

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Twenty-two miners were killed in accidents during the first half of 2014, compared to 18 for the same period last year and 19 in 2012.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration on Monday released its mid-year summary of fatal accidents. The report shows eight coal miners died in the first half of the year. Fourteen workers in other types of mines — including gypsum, silver and gravel — were killed.

The accidents included miners who were pinned or crushed by heavy equipment. Others fell or were struck by falling objects.

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph A. Main said in a statement that the fatalities are preventable. He said the deaths should serve as a wake-up call to "keep safety at the forefront."

UNIVERSITIES-SPACE

Kentucky schools collaboratingon space project

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky scientists and engineers are collaborating on a project involving research aboard the International Space Station.

The University of Louisville says a NASA grant is making possible the joint project with scientists and engineers from the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University.

The research involves experiments on colloids, mixtures of microscopic particles suspended throughout a substance. U of L mechanical engineering assistant professor Stuart Williams says the space station setting will help scientists explore how particles interact in zero gravity.

U of L says result may include advances in solar energy, advanced manufacturing and other fields.

Williams is the principal scientific investigator. UK's Suzanne Smith is the managing principal investigator. Also involved are U of L's Gerold Willing, Western's Hemali Rathnayake, UK's Janet Lumpp and NASA partner Ronald Sicker.

NATIONAL GUARD MEMORIAL

Wal-Mart employees collect for Guard memorial

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (AP) — Wal-Mart employees and customers have been collecting money for the Kentucky National Guard Memorial and will deliver more than $200,000 to be used for the project.

The ceremony is taking place Monday at the Wal-Mart in Lawrenceburg where employees will present a check to Gov. Steve Beshear and Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky's adjutant general. Wal-Mart Regional General Manager and Vice President David Reitnauer will also be on hand for the celebration.

The memorial is being built at the entrance to the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. It will include names of Guard members who died in the line of duty, as well as a statue of Daniel Boone.

HOLLIDAY AWARD

Kentucky education chief recognized for leadership

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday is being honored by the National Association of State Boards of Education as Policy Leader of the Year.

The award will be presented this fall in Denver at the association's national conference.

The association's executive director, Kristen Amundson, says in a release from the state Education Department that Holliday's achievements and work to improve public education are known around the country. Amundson says work by Holliday along with the state Board of Education have made Kentucky a national leader.

The Policy Leader of the Year Award has gone in the past to Gen. Colin Powell, former North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt and former first lady Barbara Bush.

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY WARNING

Treasurer says suspicious mail making rounds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Treasurer Todd Hollenbach says some people may be receiving mail or other contacts regarding unclaimed property that aren't coming from his office.

Hollenbach says most of the mailings are postcards with a Denver postmark. His office was notified of the mailings recently by the National Unclaimed Property Association.

Hollenbach's office says the cards are usually green, blue, yellow or orange.

Hollenbach says the postcards aren't related to the state treasury or his office's unclaimed property program called Treasure Finders and advises not giving out any information or responding.

For questions or issues involving anyone claiming to be with the treasurer's office or unclaimed property, contact NAUPA at (859) 244-8150 or the treasurer's office at (800) 465-4722.

KENTUCKY-JONES OBIT

Kentucky basketball legend Wah Wah Jones, 88, dies

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Funeral arrangements are pending for former University of Kentucky multi-sport standout Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones, who helped Kentucky win the first two of its eight national titles.

Anderson Laws and Jones funeral home in Harlan, Kentucky, confirmed that it will handle services for Jones, who died Sunday at 88. He was the last survivor of the Wildcats' "Fabulous Five" that won the 1948 national championship. Jones returned with three teammates under Hall of Fame coach Adolph Rupp to repeat as titlists in 1949.

The former All-American and 1948 Olympic gold medal winner with the U.S. team is widely viewed as Kentucky's greatest all-around athlete. Jones played football from 1945-48, including three for legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and earned all-Southeastern Conference honors in 1946 and '48. He also played baseball.

 

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press

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