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

Study: Medicaid Work Requirements Will Weaken Hospital Finances

By Lisa Autry • 18 hours ago

If Kentucky implements new Medicaid rules this summer, hospitals could see their revenue drop by 20 percent. That’s according to an analysis of hospital finances in states that have approved or pending Medicaid waiver applications.

According to estimates, about 95,000 Kentuckians over five years could lose health coverage if the state implements Medicaid rules that would require most recipients to work, attend school, or volunteer as a condition of receiving benefits.

Rand Paul: Mueller Investigation ‘Colossal Waste Of Money And Time’

By Ryland Barton • 20 hours ago

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on Monday called the probe into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election a “colossal waste of money and time,” saying that the summary of the investigation released over the weekend vindicated President Donald Trump.

The investigation, summarized by U.S. Attorney General William Barr in a four-page letter on Sunday, concluded that Trump’s campaign did not conspire with Russia to interfere in the election but left unresolved whether the president tried to obstruct justice.

Henderson Tops in Kentucky Soybeans, Christian County Leads Corn Production

By Rhonda Miller • 21 hours ago

The U.S. Department of Agriculture 2018 crop report for Kentucky shows both Henderson and Christian counties among the state’s leaders in production.

Henderson County led the state in soybean production with 5.4 million bushels grown on 102,400 acres.

Christian County was the leader in corn production with 12.8 million bushels grown on 72,500 acres.

But Ohio County came in strong by getting the most yield per acre for both those crops.

Ohio County farmers harvested 59.6 bushels of soybeans per acre last year, compared to Henderson County’s 53 bushels per acre.

Sweet Equity: Ohio Valley Farmers Tapping Into Tradition

By Sydney Boles • Mar 25, 2019

When Seth Long first began experimenting with maple syrup production, he tapped hollow pegs called spiles into individual trees, collected drips of sap in milk jugs, and carried each gallon down the steep mountainside on foot.

Now, Long rides an open-air buggy up muddy switchbacks to a 500-gallon collection tank from which translucent blue tubes branch out like arteries. There, gallons of sap accumulate from Long’s 270 maple trees before they flow through those tubes 900 feet down the mountain to Long’s grant-funded sugar shack. A shared-use reverse osmosis machine removes most of the water before the sap enters the evaporator to boil for hours until it turns into thick, dark maple syrup.

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

By Dana Farrington • Mar 24, 2019

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 • Mar 24, 2019

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.

The 211 service is provided by United Way of Ohio Valley.

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."