Dan Modlin

The Kentucky Office of Employment and Training says jobless rates across the Bluegrass State  have declined in the past year in 97 counties. However, the jobless rate increased last month to 8.3 percent. The figures are an indication of the uncertain outlook for employment.

The cost of gasoline is having an impact on the lives of people across the state and nation, but experts say it can be very hard to determine why prices seem to fluctuate so quickly. Dr. Brian Goff is an economist with WKU's Center for Applied Economics.  He says many consumers are unaware of the influence inventories can have on the price at the pump.

State and local officials are announcing a plan to expand the Elizabethtown, Kentucky  facilities of STC Management Group. STC manages Sun Tan City and Planet Fitness businesses.  Kentucky Governor  Steve Beshear says the company is investing $350,000 in the Elizabethtown area to add fifteen professional jobs. The Group has been headquartered in the Hardin County city since 2004.

Last week the state of Kentucky announced that India would purchase large quantities of coal from companies in the Commonwealth in the future. This week, some lawmakers in India are raising questions about the procedure used to sell coal fields in that country. Angry opposition lawmakers have shouted and crowded aisles in India's parliament to demand the prime minister resign.

A fifteen passenger van has been donated to the Kelly Autism Program, which is part of the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex at WKU.  Officals at the University say the vehicle was donated by Chevrolet and the GM Corvette Plant. Director Marty Boman says the vehicle has already been put to use for several special activities and field trips which give participants in the program a chance to experience new activities.