Kentucky News Network

State and federal authorities are accusing a University of Kentucky athletics booster of running a massive pyramid scheme. A lawsuit has been filed against Fortune High-Tech Marketing, a Lexington company owned by Paul Orberson. 

The self-made millionaire has donated more than $1 million to UK athletics. Attorney General Jack Conway says Fortune High-Tech scammed more 100,000 people out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Conway says 96% of people who bought into Fortune High-Tech lost their money.

Mother Nature is causing problems across much of Kentucky and southern Indiana, with freezing rain and sleet causing lots of travel issues.

In Louisville, numerous accidents have been reported on Interstates 65 and 64. South of Louisville, I-65 was shut down at milemarker 56 at the Barren/Hart County line after a bus slid off the road early this morning. Icy conditions are to blame. Access to the interstate has also been restricted in Hardin County from Elizabethtown to LaRue/Hart County because of multiple accidents.

Understanding that veterans have a higher unemployment rate than the population as a whole, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is launching two programs to help veterans find work.  The Homegrown by Heroes initiative will place a label on food items produced by Kentucky veterans. 

It's like the Kentucky Proud symbol, but includes a flag in the background and a veteran saluting.

"We've been getting calls from many other states and this is something I believe will be a nation model as a way to help market farm products by our military veterans," Comer remarked at a news conference Tuesday at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort..

Comer is launching another program called Kentucky Proud Jobs for Vets.  The initiative will maintain a database of farmers and agri-businesses looking for workers.  The database will be shared with military support groups like USA Cares.  Comer says many people like hiring veterans because of their strong work ethic and service to the country.

Jennifer Lawrence continues to bring in the Hollywood honors. The Louisville native has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film "Silver Linings Playbook."

It is the second Oscar nod for the 22-year-old Lawrence. She was nominated for best actress in the 2010 film "Winter's Bone".

The Civil War saga "Lincoln'' leads the Academy Awards with 12 nominations, including best picture, director and actor.

The winners will be announced February 24th.

One of the nation’s top warriors is being remembered by a member of the Kentucky National Guard.  Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Hilbrecht served as a tank platoon commander under General Norman Schwartzkopf during Desert Storm.

“When I had a chance to meet General Swartzkopf, I saw him as a big, barrel-chested man who really had the military bearing and presence that really told you that he was the guy in charge," recalls Hillbrecht.

Hillbrecht, who is the Public Affairs Officer for the Kentucky National Guard, credits Schwartzkopf with being very media savvy, allowing reporters embedded with troops to do live reports.