Local/Regional News

LEXINGTON, Ky. - With two of its three finalists for the open presidential position bowing out, Georgetown College is set to bring in five new candidates for the post.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- They are reaching middle age, in the midst of raising children and building careers. A quarter century has elapsed since an amusement park outing turned into a terrifying night, when they escaped from an old school bus that burst into flames after a drunken driver slammed into it.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes could be a strong challenger in next year's U.S. Senate race if she runs as a Washington outsider against both Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and President Barack Obama.

University of Kentucky political scientist Ernie Yanarella said if Grimes decides to get into the race she will have to set herself apart from Obama, particularly on the coal industry that has proven so influential in Kentucky politics.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky is implementing new security measures over the next several months in an effort to improve safety for students and workers.

Students received an email from the school this month outlining details of the plan and new policies that will go into effect over the next nine months.

UK Police Chief Joe Monroe told WKYT-TV that the school is spending nearly $5 million on the project.

RICHMOND, Ky. -- First lady Michelle Obama urged Eastern Kentucky University graduates on Saturday night to reach out to people with different political beliefs, saying the country would benefit from the conversations.

"If you're a Democrat, spend some time talking to a Republican," Mrs. Obama told about 600 education, business and technology graduates at the third and final commencement ceremony of the day. "And if you're a Republican, have a chat with a Democrat. Maybe you'll find some common ground, maybe you won't."

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A Franklin County farmhouse that dates back to the 1800s is being considered for a historic designation as an example of how average Kentuckians have lived.

The State Journal reports the two-story home sits on 53 acres and is built around a two-room log saddlebag house.

The consideration comes after the home was spotted by Janie-Rice Brother, a senior architectural historian for the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, while she was surveying historic farms 2011.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Kentucky Humanities Council has named former Congressman Ben Chandler as its new executive director.

The non-profit group is not affiliated with the state, but works closely with state tourism and arts organizations. It is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Chandler will officially start July 1st. Current executive director Virginia G. Carter will retire in August.

At a press conference Friday, Chandler joked that he's looking forward to taking a hiatus from politics.