the morning cram [the wrong, commie… it’s Houston! edition]

“In Russia we only had two TV channels. Channel One was propaganda. Channel Two consisted of a KGB officer telling you: Turn back at once to Channel One.”

NPR reports signs of a media crackdown in Russia as the country nears its presidential elections.

Kentucky~ Murray State trumps Saint Mary’s at Saturday’s  ESPN Bracketbuster game. The death of a 14-year-old Christian County girl has sparks a movement against bullying and suicide.  The closing of Madisonville’s medical examiner’s office is causing an outrage. A little-known 2001 law could have prevented an infant’s death and a teen mother’s arrest. The Delta Mariner resumes its voyage to Cape Canaveral. Educators from 17 states come to learn about the state’s new education standards.

Tennessee~ A new bill may help military spouses facing unemployment.

the morning cram [the shaken, not stirred, edition]

Syrian regime has “License to Kill” after diplomatic impasse

NPR reports at least 15 dead following government bombings this weekend

OVC Scores…

Kentucky~ Thousands of Kentuckians visited the downed Eggners Ferry Bridge.  Emergency management officials say they are better prepared to handle disasters. Two have been arrested in connection to the slaying of a Fort Campbell soldier.  Activists invite lawmakers to a  tea party.

Tennessee~ Six state environmental panels are being reduced to three. A state-wide earthquake drill is set for Tuesday.

the morning cram [I’m gonna come at you like a spider monkey edition]

Quick –  Puff out your chest, it’ll scare him away!

NPR reports Iran stands defiant amidst Israel’s threat of strikes against their nuclear program.

OVC Scores…

Kentucky~ River levels are on the rise.  A McCracken Sheriffs Deputy resigns after visiting his lady friend on the clock.  Mammoth Cave is a moneymaker for the Commonwealth. Smart kids rejoice;  you can get out of high school early. Pill mill legislation is working its way through the legislature.  The state wants to make substantial budget cuts to post-secondary schools. Lawmakers may be through with the redistricting fight.

the morning cram [the millennials edition]

Will first time voters come through for Obama in 2012?

NPR reports President Obama rode into the White House on the support of “Millennial” voters, but their loyalty may be wavering.

We get an extra hour on Sunday (but I’m saving mine for Monday).

Kentucky~  A Graves County teacher is arrested for allegedly sleeping with a student. Barkley bridge work will go on through the weekend. The Breeders Cup begins today. Gov Beshear will begin his final surge. Utilities could go up.

 

the morning cram [supervirus edition]

Stuxnet, the cybersuperweapon, a headache for security experts everywhere.

NPR reports one year after its existence was made public, the Stuxnet supervirus continues to rattle security experts around the world. (Stuxnet…Skynet…am I the only one who is worried.)

Kentucky~ A Driver involved in log truck wreck was arrested. Minds will meet in Louisville to improve education. Williams is reportedly grasping for Hindu straws.

Illinois~ Drought and heat draw disaster declaration. Massac County is fighting the bear. Quinn says play lotto for vets.

Tennessee~ Slips a bit in business friendly rankings.

the morning cram [the redshift edition]

Three U.S. physicists win the 2011 Nobel Prize.

NPR reports the discovery of dark energy and the ever-increasing speed of the expansion of the Universe nets three researchers the coveted prize.

Kentucky~ Work begins on reopening Kentucky Kingdom. Kentucky receives a federal 27 million dollar education grant. David Williams whines to the press about the press.  The Commonwealth insures its own cars. It seems the deer/automobile rivalry is dying down.

Tennessee~ Tennessee DOC and other state agencies team up to address parole issues.  Driver service centers are about to get busier.  The state’s credit rating stays top notch.

the morning cram [pawpaw edition]

The Pawpaw: North America’s forgotten fruit.

NPR reports a long lost tropical-like fruit which grows in our temperate climate is a little known treat found throughout 26 states.

Kentucky~ The Paducah Renaissance Alliance Director quits after two months on the job.   A Caldwell County judge declares a mistrial in the Allison murder case. Rand Paul is making the rounds in the Purchase Region today.  We all need a little help from our friends, says Todd P’Pool.  An accrediting body takes a long, hard look at National College. Senator Paul wants to chat with other Senators about pipeline regulations.

Tennessee~ State Senator Kyle says tweak the lottery, don’t steal from scholarship funds.

morning cram [8.9 edition]

A 30-foot tsunami triggered by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded smashed into Japan’s eastern coast Thursday.

NPR reports the body count continues to climb.

KENTUCKY~ Police and a towboat crew spot then recover a US-60 bridge jumper. Calloway High’s girls basketball team advances in the state championships. State fire investigators still don’t know what caused the Talon Falls (Halloween attraction) blaze. Another Fort Campbell soldier dies in Afghanistan, while hundreds return to base.  Early rainfall makes a local farmer smile. Williams accuses Beshear of calling senators ‘fat’. US Representative Ed Whitfield files a bill to protect Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant workers’ pensions. The state loses another longtime statesman to the private sector.

morning cram [creationism edition]

A survey of high school biology teachers finds only 28% consistently follow National Research Council guidelines that encourage teaching students about evolution.

NPR News’ blog The Two-Way notes creationism is still taught in many American classrooms.

KENTUCKY~ A TV news reporter finds a missing autistic woman in Paducah. A Japanese auto parts maker plans to open up shop in Hopkinsville.  Guess how many meth labs it took to break a record last year. An initiative ending the Commonwealth’s ban on nuclear plants passes the Senate. A hearing on the proposed immigration bill continues today after yesterday’s session.

TENNESSEE~ Heart disease is the state’s top killer. A bill is expected to pass this year making the state’s driver’s license tests English-only.

ILLINOIS~ Metropolis Honeywell officials and union heads had a ‘constructive’ sitdown yesterday, and the union’s numbers are thinning as some move on to other jobs.

morning cram [inquiry edition]

Keeping track of all the investigations into the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico can be confusing.

~Check out NPR‘s guide to oil spill inquiries.

Beware!: Freezing rain is expected to coat the afternoon.

KENTUCKY~ Paducah Commissioners swear to do their job and approve of a public student housing project. Still no charges or official cause in Paducah toddler death. A ruling on whether racetracks can offer wagering on past horse races is expected before the year’s end. A suicide bomb kills 6 Fort Campbell soldiers.

TENNESSEE~ 21/28 arrested in a federal wiretap Clarksville crack-ring bust and police arrested yesterday’s shooting suspect. An official today will recommend how much debt the state should take on.

ILLINOIS~ Gov. Quinn picks up a new Chief of Staff. The state (almost) fails a health preparedness test.