morning cram [evacuate! edition]

Fukushima nuclear plant operators evacuated workers today after gray smoke rose from a reactor unit.

NPR reports the latest developments on stabilizing the radiation-leaking complex.

KENTUCKY~ An elderly Paducah man dies after driving into an underwater ditch. Whether the Heath High shooter can appeal will be decided in August. A Murray woman pleads guilty to enabling an armed home invasion. KY-131 is now back open (after parts were underwater). Caldwell County has a newly named Magistrate. Rep Henley: cutting Medicaid will be a pain for Murray’s Hospital. The special session continues. Emancipation Day pushes the tax deadline back 3 days. US Census: cities grew, rural areas declined.

TENNESSEE~ High gas price$ prompt Henry County officials to cut a deal with their waste pickup servicer.

SPORTS~ (Baseball) MSU < GSU, UTM < UAB, APSU < ISU; (Softball) MSU < EIU, UTM > TSU, APSU < EKU.

morning cram [flamingo edition]

While we normally associate flamingos with tropical lagoons, they’re not always warm weather birds.

As NPR‘s Robert Krulwich discovers in a rare, but repeated instance, flamingos have turned up in Siberia.

KENTUCKY~ Whistleblowers write another letter renewing scrutiny of McCracken County Clerk Jeff Jerrell’s administration. Paducah organizers cancel this summer’s Festival. A longtime Caldwell County official resigns amid an improper conduct investigation. Lawmakers legalize ‘dangerous’ fireworks! Tornado drills tomorrow will sound throughout the Commonwealth. Lawmakers head back to the hill for three more days hoping to agree on a budget.

TENNESSEE~ A judge, a printing company and a photographer team up to support a bereaved western Kentucky Amish family. Lake County cops charge a man with a weekend double murder. Former House Speaker: bill to restrict teacher’s union will die.

OVC TOURNEY~ (Men’s) MSU < TTU, MhSU > APSU. Morehead wins the championship. (Women’s) APSU < TTU, UTM > MhSU & TTU. UT Martin wins the championship.