WKU Public Radio | The Public Radio Service of Western Kentucky University

READ: The Justice Department's Summary Of The Mueller Report

By Dana Farrington • 7 hours ago

Leaders of the Justice Department have sent a summary of Robert Mueller's main findings to key members of Congress. The special counsel's office completed its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election on Friday.

Mueller Report Doesn't Find Russian Collusion, But Can't 'Exonerate' On Obstruction

By Philip Ewing • 13 hours ago

Updated at 6:56 p.m. ET

Special counsel Robert Mueller did not find evidence that President Trump's campaign conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 election, according to a summary of findings submitted to Congress by Attorney General William Barr.

"The Special Counsel's investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election," Barr wrote in a letter to leaders of the House and Senate judiciary committees on Sunday afternoon.

Robert Mueller Submits Report On Russia Investigation To Attorney General

By Philip Ewing & Carrie Johnson • Mar 22, 2019

Updated at 7:46 p.m. ET

Attorney General William Barr received a report on Friday by special counsel Robert Mueller about the findings from Mueller's investigation into the Russian attack on the 2016 presidential election.

Daviess County Launches 211 Help Line

By Rhonda Miller • Mar 22, 2019

Daviess County, Kentucky now has a 211 help line that can connect area residents to a wide range of services.

The most important feature of the new 211 help line is that it has a person on duty 24/7. That person helps the caller determine the best agency or organization to meet their needs and assists them in getting connected.

Owensboro Community Development Director Abby Shelton said the resources in the 211 database cover a huge range of topics.

"It can give you information on crisis hotlines, housing assistance, utility assistance, foods and meals, health care, health screening, addiction and substance use, mental health behavior, dental or vision, parenting and child care, on and on and on…,” said Shelton.

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HHS Provides Additional Funding to Expand Addiction Treatment

By Aaron Payne • Mar 22, 2019

The Ohio Valley has received nearly $60 million in additional federal funds to help combat the opioid epidemic.

Kentucky received $16,431,436, Ohio $29,122,692 and West Virginia $14,630,361.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the funds as a supplement to the first-year State Opioid Response, or SOR, grant awards.

Simpson County Manufacturing Plant Announces Closure

By Lisa Autry • Mar 21, 2019

An automotive supplier is leaving Simpson County and eliminating more than 100 jobs. Harman is closing its manufacturing plant that produces amplifiers, speakers and radios for vehicles.

"HARMAN is encountering intense competition and is adapting to the changing dynamics in the automotive industry," the company said in a statement. "While extremely difficult, these actions are necessary and an essential step to ensure the long-term competitiveness of our business."

Judge Says Jury Award Will Stand in Paul, Boucher Civil Case

By Lisa Autry • Mar 21, 2019

A judge has upheld a more than half-a-million dollar award in the civil case between U.S. Senator Rand Paul and the neighbor convicted of assaulting him over a yard dispute.

A ruling issued on Thursday afternoon denies Rene Boucher a new trial.

A jury on Jan. 30 awarded Senator Paul more than $582,000 in damages stemming from the 2017 attack outside his Bowling Green home. Boucher’s attorney Matt Baker appealed the judgment, claiming the award was excessive.

Deadline is April 5 for Farmers to Sign Up to Sell 'Ugly' Produce to 'Farms to Food Banks'

By Rhonda Miller • Mar 21, 2019

Kentucky farmers have until April 5 to sign up with the Farms to Food Banks program if they want to sell produce that’s not considered ‘picture perfect’ enough for grocery stores.

The Farms to Food Banks program is increasing its statewide outreach to farmers as planting season gets underway.

Last year, 349 farmers from 64 counties in Kentucky sold surplus portions of their crops, as well as slightly imperfect produce, often called ‘ugly’ produce, to the Farms to Food Banks program.

'Ugly' produce may vary in size, shape or appearance from what grocery stores prefer, but the imperfect produce purchased for the program is equally fresh and nutritious.

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Kentucky Hospital Unleashes Healing Power of Pet Therapy

By Lisa Autry • Mar 21, 2019

Doctors aren’t the only ones on call at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown. So is man’s best friend.

A part Labrador Retriever named Baron; Pepper the Yorkie; Lola, a Rhodesian Ridgeback; and Lady, a German Short-Haired Pointer, reported for duty at the hospital on a recent Friday afternoon, and fanned out to patient rooms to offer some canine comfort.

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Export Slump Deepens for American Whiskey Producers

By Bruce Schreiner | Associated Press • Mar 21, 2019

For American whiskey producers, their tariff-induced hangover became more painful in late 2018 when a downturn in exports accelerated, especially in the European Union — the industry's biggest overseas market, an industry trade group said Thursday.

Overall exports of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey and rye whiskey fell 11 percent during the second half of 2018 compared to the prior-year six-month period as the impact of tariffs started to be felt, the Distilled Spirits Council said in a new report.

Last month, the council released an annual report that showed American whiskey exports had declined by 8.2 percent between July and November of 2018 compared to the prior-year period. But the report did not include December export figures.