By Associated Press - Sunday, March 16, 2014
Texas Gov. Perry throws support behind McConnell

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry threw his support behind U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell on Saturday, telling 300 fellow Republicans that the minority leader will win re-election.

McConnell finds himself in a GOP primary fight with wealthy businessman Matt Bevin, who attended the event but wasn’t allowed to speak.

“I love the number six,” Perry told the crowd at the Lincoln Reagan Dinner of West Kentucky. “Sam Houston was 6 foot 6 inches tall. And Mitch McConnell is going to be in his sixth term as United States senator.”

Organizers said the dinner was supposed to unite the Kentucky GOP behind one mission: taking control of the Kentucky House of Representatives in November. But speakers talked just as much about taking control of the U.S. Senate so McConnell could become majority leader.

“The future of America is inextricably intertwined with Kentucky and how these elections come out this time,” Perry told the crowd.

But first, McConnell must fend off a challenge from Bevin, who has attracted the backing of tea party groups. The primary is May 20.

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Lawmaker wants task force to examine airport board

HEBRON, Ky. (AP) - A northern Kentucky lawmaker has proposed appointing a task force to review and possibly recommend changes to the structure of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport Board.

The Kentucky Enquirer (https://cin.ci/Pp64Bm) reports Rep. Addia Wuchner says she would like to see a group of state and local officials as well as citizens examine the structure of the board.

The idea comes on the heels of three members of the airport board stepping down, including the chairman and vice chairman.

That action came in February after months of turmoil at the agency including questions about spending that led to an investigation by the Kentucky State Auditor’s office and controversy over personnel.

“It’s time to look at this,” said Wuchner, a Republican from Florence. “All the issues that have come forward have prompted more calls to my office than I’ve ever received on the airport before. Some feel we need to change the structure of the board, so it’s prudent to collectively look at this.”

The turmoil has prompted some leaders in northern Kentucky and Cincinnati to advocate for a change in the board structure.

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Morehead St. planning new performing arts center

MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) - Morehead State University officials are hoping to build a new $50 million music and performance center.

The new Music Academic and Performing Arts Education building would replace the campus’ Laughlin Health Building and the Wetherby Gymnasium.

University President Wayne Andrews told the Daily Independent (https://bit.ly/1kvAyvQ) that the project missed the capital projects deadline for this year’s legislative session. Andrews hopes to put it on the list for 2016.

“Then it would take a year to plan the project, and then two years to build a project of this size, which would take us through 2019 or 2020,” Andrews said.

The new facility would have a 600-seat multi-purpose auditorium, classrooms and administrative offices, and an internal mall that will be used as a lobby and event space.

RossTarrant Architects, a Lexington firm, has met with Andrews and faculty to devise a master plan for construction and renovation.

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Artifacts found at Ohio River bridge project site

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Archaeologists digging at the southern Indiana site of a new Ohio River bridges project have unearthed portions of a limestone foundation on a lot where Indiana Territorial Gov. Thomas Posey once lived.

The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., reports (https://cjky.it/1eBbNd0https://cjky.it/1eBbNd0 ) the Jeffersonville excavation work uncovered two limestone foundations, including one associated with Posey, who also was Kentucky’s third lieutenant governor.

A report prepared by McCullough Archaeological Services says “Posey’s mansion once stood on this lot” and that the foundation may be associated with that structure given its large size and the items found there.

Among the items unearthed next to Kennedy Bridge were fragments of creamware pottery and pottery pieces showing early decorative motifs.

The Indiana Department of Transportation released the archaeology reports following open-records requests from The Courier-Journal.

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