From Kevin Willis, Kentucky Public Radio Two Iraqi men living in Bowling Green are facing charges that they tried to send Stinger missles, sniper rifles and money to Al-Qaida in their home country. A 23-count federal indictment was unsealed today against 30 year old Waad Ramadan Alwan and 23 year old Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, who have both lived in Bowling Green since 2009. Authorities say the weapons and money didn't make it to Iraq because of a tightly controlled undercover investigation. "Let me underscore that neither of these defendants has been charged with plotting attacks within the United States. These charges relate to conduct that occurred in Iraq and also conduct in the United States regarding their attempt or conspiracy to aid Al-Qaida in Iraq," said David Hale, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. The pair made their initial appearance in federal court today in Louisville. Both face a June 8 detention hearing in Bowling Green. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.