By AP/Dan Modlin

Lexington, KY – Democrat Ben Chandler says it feels good to be
on the winning side again. After losing last fall's
gubernatorial race to Republican Ernie Fletcher,
the former Attorney General has won the
Congressional seat previously held by Fletcher.

Chandler handily defeated Alice Forgy Kerr and
Libertarian candidate Mark Gailey. Kentucky's
new Sixth District Congressman won 55 percent
of the vote in the special election.

By Lexington, KY

AP – Thousands of fighters from across the country are
expected to attend the funeral of 40 year old Lexington
firefighter Brenda Cowan. She was shot Friday while
responding to a domestic violence call and became
Lexington's first black female firefighter to die in the
line of duty.

By AP

Bowling Green, KY – Daviess County Circuit Judge Tom Castlen has
been appointed to preside over the murder trials
of Lucas Goodrum and Stephen Soules. They are
the two men charged in connection with the death
of Western Kentucky University student Katie Autry.

By AP

Frankfort, KY – Mary Evans Sias has been selected to be the next
President of Kentucky State University. She replaces
William H. Turner, who had served as interim
President for more than a year. Turner was also
one of four finalists for the position.

Sias has been an administrator at the University of
Texas at Dallas. She has served as Senior Vice President
for Student Affairs and External Relations.

By Dan Modlin

Frankfort, KY – A bill passed by a House committee in Frankfort would
require college students to get parental permission to
apply for credit cards solicited on campus. House bill
63 is sponsored by House Speaker Jody Richards,
a Democrat from Bowling Green.

By Dan Modlin

Frankfort, KY – A Senate Committee has approved a bill that would
ensure that firearms dealers can locate in any area where
other businesses are permitted. Senate Bill 95 says that
lawmakers intend for federally-licensed firearms dealers
or manufacturers to be able to locate anywhere that
other lawful businesses can locate.

By Dan Modlin/AP

Lexington, KY – A Federal judge has denied Tina Conner's request
to withdraw her guilty plea in a mail fraud case.
The former mistress of former Kentucky Governor
Paul Patton was sentenced to two years probation
by U-S District Judge Joseph Hood.

By AP

Frankfort, KY – The head of the Kentucky Commission on Women is
stepping down from her position, in response to a
request from Governor Ernie Fletcher's administration.
Betsy Nowland-Curry has served as the Commission's
Executive Director for more than three years.

She told the Lexington Herald-Leader that she was
asked to step down, effective February 15th. Governor
Fletcher's wife, Glenna, is reportedly interested in taking
a more active role in the Commission.

By Dan Modlin

Frankfort, KY – The House Health and Welfare Committee has
approved a bill that would reduce student access
to soft drinks and other sugary beverages during
the school day. HB 261 would prohibit elementary
schools from selling "soda waters" during the
school day.

By AP

Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher says his
administration has scraped up 23 million
dollars by refinancing some state bonds.
Fletcher says that money will be used for
education.

The Governor made the statement today in
Frankfort. He says he will propose giving the
money for programs that fall outside of basic
school funding. Those programs include
after-school services, teacher training and
school safety.