By AP

Frankfort, KY – Governor Fletcher has signed an agreement between
the state and NASA that calls for Kentucky to have a
larger role in developing research that could help in
getting to Mars and the Moon. As part of the pact,
Kentucky will have an office at the National Aeronautics
and Space Adminstration's Ames Research Center in
California. The Kentucky Science and Technology
corporation will pay its own expenses and operate the
office.

By Dan Modlin

Bowling Green, KY – The Media Empire owned by Italian Prime Minister
Silvio Berlusconi is being sued by Western Kentucky
University and the company that handles the licensing
rights for the mascot known as "Big Red." University
officials say the Italian firm copied Big Red in developing
an Italian media character named Gabbibo.

By AP

Frankfort, KY – Aides to Governor Fletcher say Communications
Director Wes Irvin has stepped down from his job.
Press Secretary Jason Keller says Wes Irvin
returned to his native state of Virginia to spend time
with his family.

Irvin had been singled out for criticism last week
by House Speaker Jody Richards and House Majority
Leader Rocky Adkins. The criticism was for Irvin's
statement that Representative Harry Moberly of
Richmond "should show up for work."

Louisville, Kentucky – They insist they're friends and hold no grudges over past meetings on the basketball floor. That's good, because Joe B. Hall of UK fame and former Louisville Coach Denny Crum have teamed up to do a talk-radio, call-in show.

Jeffersonville, Indiana – Clark County, Indiana jail inmates who helped remodel a building at the former Indiana Army Ammunition Plant have filed a lawsuit. They claim they were exposed to asbestos and other hazardous materials. The 21 inmates who helped convert the building into a training center for the sheriff's department are seeking $100,000 for future medical care, plus punitive damages and attorneys' fees.