Lisa Autry

Republican state senator Tom Jensen of London is withdrawing his candidacy for re-election this year.  The lawyer of 34 years will instead run for circuit judge in Knox and Laurel counties.

A new poll shows if the presidential election were held today, Barack Obama would lose Indiana, a state he captured toward winning the White House in 2008.  The same survey shows Indiana’s U.S. Senate race too close to call. 

Courthouse doors are locked in Kentucky for a mandatory furlough day, the first time in decades the court system has shut down to balance its budget.  All court services, from trials to driver’s licensing are suspended statewide.

Summertime is always a challenge, but the American Red Cross says blood donations are at a 15-year low. To help out, a blood drive will be held in Bowling Green Friday from 10:30am to 4:30pm at Holiday Inn University Plaza and Sloan Convention Center.

State officials will be in Somerset Wednesday explaining the federal health care law and how it applies to the average citizen. Representatives from the Kentucky Department of Insurance and Cabinet for Health and Family Services will talk about the health insurance exchange the state is in the process of establishing.