morning cram [bacteria edition]

“There are some encouraging signs from the Gulf of Mexico that bacteria are consuming the underwater oil plume from the broken BP well.”

~NPR hears there is no shortage of surprises from a microbial point of view.

KENTUCKY~ Mayfield denies a proposed mosque citing parking issues to cheers from crowds wearing Christian T-shirts; petitioners have about a month to appeal. Paducah’s Convention Center board wants to sell the naming rights to the Expo Center for $275k. 2 Christian County School employees are credited for thwarting an attempted child abduction. Beshear makes KCHIP (health insurance) premiums a thing of the past. TVA plans to shutdown a McCracken County coal power plant unit and possibly replace it with a biomass operation. An Illinois fishing company wants to build an Asian Carp processing plant in Wickliffe. What went wrong with the Commonwealth’s bid for federal Race to the Top funds!?

TENNESSEE~ 2 Clarksville Police officers’ slander lawsuit is dismissed, but will (probably) be refiled.

ILLINOIS~ After sobbing over not winning Race to the Top money, the state will press on with school reforms.

morning cram [nato slackers edition]

“American soldiers — and even private contractors — are spearheading the effort to build an Afghan army and police force, so American and NATO troops can one day leave. But Pentagon officials and military officers say NATO nations still aren’t doing enough.”

~NPR hears this is beginning to annoy US lawmakers.

KENTUCKY~ Reidland-Farley is finally rid of that confounded fire-rescue boat. WKCTC accepts a gracious half-mil gift from a late Paducah couple. Police arrest three for (allegedly) trafficking meth in Paducah. Constructing a bridge linking Livingston and McCracken counties could begin this month. Christian County blames school bus routing problems for some students getting home hours late and a virus is ravaging a Hopkinsville elementary school. Corn and soybean harvests are predicted to pale compared to last year’s. Judge: lawmakers illegally transferred worker’s comp funds.

TENNESSEE~ It’s now okay again to ship cigarettes to soldiers abroad. Clarksville High’s head football coach resigns after hazing allegations emerge.

morning cram [booking edition]

“On one side are online travel companies claim that cities — because of their miserable budget situation — are attempting a money grab by demanding tax payments to which they’re not entitled.”

~NPR books a stopover on both sides of the issue.

KENTUCKY~ Some Paducah residents are resisting a local bank’s plan to move into their neighborhood. Several area communities nab energy efficiency grant$. Christian County gets eclectic with its language offering at elementary schools. Next week’s Fancy Farm political picnic could open some ‘festering sores’. Legislators consider a new batch of ethics recommendations. Tea Partiers will face off with Beshear next year for governor.

TENNESSEE~ Clarksville’s Mayor gets the city to annex his newly purchased property. Bredesen orders K-12 education expansion.