More than 17,000 food stamp recipients in eight counties throughout the state are no longer eligible to be exempt for the work requirement to receive government assistance. All able-bodied adults between the ages of 18-50 must now show proof that they work at least 20 hours a week, are enrolled in a education program, or doing certain volunteer work in order to receive food stamps.  This rules only applies to the following eight counties: Bullitt, Daviess, Fayette, Hardin, Henderson, McCracken, Warren, and Jefferson counties.

The rule mandating the work requirement has been waived since 2009. The waiver expired at the beginning of the year when the federal government decided not to extend the waiver to certain people, in certain counties.

Photo from CDC

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is on the rise in Kentucky. 87 cases have been reported between August and December of last year.

The disease is caused by a bacteria, Bordetella pertussis, and it is highly contagious. It is only found in humans and it spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or being near an infected person for prolonged periods of time. Infected people are considered infectious for 14 days after coughing begins.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms develop 5 to 10 days after exposure, but it may take as long as 3 weeks before symptoms begin to appear. At the on-set of disease, symptoms include a runny nose, mild fever, a mild cough, and in infants, apnea or a pause in breathing. Symptoms at this stage of illness often resemble a common cold and people do not seek medical attention. After 1-2 weeks of these symptoms, the tell-tale signs of the disease appear. Symptoms include fits of many, rapid coughs that are followed with a “whoop” sound, vomiting, and exhaustion after coughing.  The whooping sound is caused by the extreme, violent coughing that results in all the air from the lungs being exhaled and the patient is forced to inhale. Coughing fits can last up to 10 weeks.

Treatment is antibiotics and the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better. Treatment can also minimize the ability of the patient to transmit the disease. A vaccine, DTaP, is available and is a common vaccine of children. There are boosters available for all ages and it is called Tdap. Vaccines are not 100% effective and people should still be cautious if someone you know is infected. People that have had the vaccine and get infected, the disease is less severe and does not last as long.

If you believe you have been exposed to whooping cough, contact your primary care physician.

New Governor Matt Bevin wrote a letter to the US Department of Health and Human Services that stated his intentions to close the state health insurance exchange, Kynect, and transition to the federal exchange.

Governor Bevin made the promise during his campaign to election and he intends to keep the promise. A spokeswoman for Bevin said the people of Kentucky are paying for a website that only 2% of the state’s population currently uses. No one will be affected during this current enrollment period, but the changes may be noticeable at the end of the year when the new period starts.

Supporters of Kynect believe that the state exchange helps many people get insurance that otherwise would not be able to get it. Some examples include the homeless and those who do not speak English well. The cases are complex, require a lot of extra assistance to the get the insurance. Supporters also believe the switch to the federal exchange will result in increases in premium costs and operating costs at the state level.

Bevin’s office has not yet released the plans on the transition will work, but believes the switch will reduce spending at the state level.

State Senator Dan Seum of Louisville has filed a bill with the Kentucky State Senate that would prohibit state colleges and universities from increasing tuition and fees for the next four years. After the four years, any hikes in tuition or fees would need to be approved by the state legislature.

Seum says officials at many colleges and universities have used state budget cuts as an excuse to raise the cost of college. Since 2008, state funding for post-secondary education has been cut by 16%, which is approximately $173 million. However, during that same time, tuition has been increased at such a rate to generate an extra $588 million that stays with the schools.

Spokeswoman for the Council on Postsecondary Education, Sue Patrick, says that these tuition increases do not provide a complete and accurate picture since the numbers used by Seum do not account of the financial aid offered.  According to her, state funding on a per student basis has decreased by $2,690 since 2008, but the tuition and fees increases during the same time have only generated $2,259 per student, which leaves a $431 deficit per student. Patrick also said she will not comment on the bill until she has to chance to read it.

The Council on Postsecondary Education is a 15-member panel that was appointed by the governor to approve all tuition and fee increases at state colleges and universities. The purpose of the group was to remove state politics from determining what is a reasonable tuition rate. Critics of the group believe the that the council has failed to do their job and that tuition increases are out of control, while supporters of the group believe that the council has done its best to prevent out of control increases saying that schools need to make up the money being cut from somewhere.

Fred Cowgill, Sports Director for WLKY, has been named the 2015-2016 Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriter Association (NSSA).

Cowgill has won “Best of Lousiville” 16 times from the Louisville magazine, “Best of Kentucky” five times from Kentucky Monthly, and “Kentucky Best Sportscaster” twice from The Associated Press.

He will be honored in June at the NSSA awards along with many others, including Mike “Doc” Emrick of NBC Sports and Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.

The royal court for the Kentucky Derby Festival has been announced. Each princess receives $2,000 in scholarships and they must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

The princesses for 2016 are:

• Millicent Ashley Cahoon of Louisville, KY – Millicent is a junior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Psychology.  She is a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society, has been on the Dean’s List for four semesters, is conducting her own Social Psychology Experiment and is pursuing a non-profit certification.  Millicent volunteers with Helping Hands.
• Loandria “Andi” Julia Dahmer of Fisherville, KY – Andi is a Freshman at Western Kentucky University majoring in Economics, International Affairs and Spanish, as well as Asian Religions and Cultures. She is a Cherry Presidential Scholar, Chinese Language Flagship Program participant and Student Government Association Senator.  Andi also volunteers for the Humane Society.
• Stephanie Dooper of Owensboro, KY – Stephanie is a Senior at the University of Louisville majoring in Political Science and Liberal Studies.  She is the Founder of The Roosevelt Institute Campus Chapter, a Cardinal Host and Recipient of the University of Louisville Outstanding Community Engagement Award.  She also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
• Madison Kristine Orman of Prospect, KY – Madison is a Junior at the University of Louisville majoring in Business Finance.  She is a Trustee’s Scholar, has been on the Dean’s List for 5 semesters, is a Cardinal Host and a Pointe & Contemporary Dancer. She also volunteers for Neighborhood House and the American Red Cross.
• Adrienne Georgann Poole of Brandenburg, KY – Adrienne is a Freshman at the University of Kentucky majoring in Marketing.  She is Co President of UK Phi Beta Lambda, Member of Student Government Leadership Development Program and News reporter for Meade County Messenger.  She is also an intern with the Goodwill Industries of Kentucky.

Two alternates have also been chosen in the event one of the young ladies is unable to serve in the position. The alternates are Gabriella Torres of Louisville, KY and Brooke Elizabeth Hasl of Prospect, KY.

Eight art organizations in Kentucky have received a total of $200,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grants were part of more than 1,100 grants awarded throughout the country.

Organizations in Louisville that received grants are Actors Theatre of Louisville, Sarabande Books, Stage One: The Louisville Children’s Theatre, and the Louisville Orchestra. Other organizations throughout the state are Berea College, Central Music Academy of Lexington, Appalshop in Whitesburg, and Danville’s Community Arts center.