Kentucky News Now – May 5th 2014

SCHOOL BUS SUBSIDY

Ky. spends millions to bus kids to private schools

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has spent nearly $18 million over the past six years to bus students to private schools, most of which are religious. That's despite the fact that the state constitution prohibits state funds from aiding any "church, sectarian or denominational" school.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports state financial records show that 8,375 private school students were bused last year using a subsidy of $2.9 million. In March, the General Assembly voted to boost the subsidy to $3.5 million.

The subsidy began in its current form in 1998 under Democratic Gov. Paul Patton. It was challenged, but the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled 4-to-3 against the challenge in 1999. The majority opinion found the subsidy was not state aid for religious schools, but rather aid for children attending the schools.

BOY SHOT

4-year-old dies after accidental shooting at home

(Information in the following story is from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A 4-year-old Louisville boy who accidentally shot himself in the face has died of his injuries.

The Courier-Journal reports Kamarion Posey shot himself at his home on April 26. His mother and two other children were in the home at the time.

No charges have been filed, but Louisville Police continue to investigate. They have not said how the boy got the gun.

The child had remained in critical condition at Kosair Children's Hospital since the accident.

Jim Wesley, deputy Jefferson County coroner, said the boy died of his wounds around noon on Friday.

GOATS KILLED

6 goats shot to death in Knott County

(Information in the following story is from: WYMT-TV, http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews)

HINDMAN, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police are investigating after six goats were found shot to death in Knott County.

Farmer Randy Bates told WYMT-TV the family noticed the animals were missing from their farm in the Kite community on Saturday morning. They went searching for the animals and found them at a creek. Bates said all six had been shot in the head.

Bates expressed dismay at the crime and said it must have been about hate.

DISABLED PROTECTION

State agency finds problems at group home for men

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A new report says Adult Protective Services has not properly investigated abuse allegations at a Lexington group home for disabled men.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader the report by Protection and Advocacy suggests one of the reasons for the failure is because officials are concerned that if the Messner Home is closed the men there will have nowhere to go.

The home consists of three buildings, one of which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Courts have found that the remainder of the home is not required to be regulated or licensed by the state.

An investigation two decades ago found "filthy mattresses, insect infestation, soiled rooms and physical plant deterioration."

The report by Protection and Advocacy has found that some of the same problems persist.

KENTUCKY LOTTERY ADS

Kentucky Lottery plans new ad campaign

(Information in the following story is from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com)

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Lottery plans a new advertising campaign this summer that focuses on how ticket purchases support college scholarships.

The move comes after the General assembly voted last month to remove a prohibition on mentioning scholarships in ads.

Kentucky Lottery spokesman Chip Polston told The Kentucky Enquirer that the ads will run statewide and will show how much good the game has done. He said that until now Kentucky was the only lottery state that wasn't allowed to advertise that proceeds fund scholarships.

Democratic state Rep. Arnold Simpson of Covington says he disagrees with the proposal because not all proceeds go to fund scholarships.

About $400 million will go toward scholarships over the next two years, but about $81 million will help a variety of other government functions.