State of the News 3/9/12

The weekly news round up began today with education news from reporter Devin Katayama discussing the two new temporary locations for over 1,000 Henryville, Indiana students who lost their classrooms in Friday’s tornado storms, along with some logistics regarding transportation and use of facilities.  Kentucky state Rep. Reginald Meeks, D-Louisville, is calling on Jefferson County Democratic Party leaders to file a lawsuit that would disqualify Wendy Caswell, his Tea Party primary challenger from the race; WFPL's political editor Phillip Bailey provided background and explanation.  Devin Katayama discussed the recent agreement signed by the Governors of Indiana and Kentucky to finance their portions of the Ohio River Bridges Project, and what it will mean to drivers using the bridges.  Erica Peterson explained how Louisville Gas and Electric’s proposal to convert the Cane Run power plant from coal to natural gas just cleared an important procedural obstacle.  Finally, arts and humanities reporter Erin Keane summarized her impressions of the Humana Festival of New American Plays at the halfway mark through the run.In segment two, we checked in with Capital Bureau Reporter Kenny Colston for a look back at the significant events in Frankfort this week.  He discussed a handful of bills that passed, proposed plans for drug testing of welfare recipients, and efforts to restore voting rights to convicted non-violent felony offenders, among other stories.  Reporter Joe Sonka from LEO Weekly summarized his investigation and coverage of the Kentucky State Fair Board involving personnel issues and some dramatic salary increases during a time of serious budgetary shortfall.We devoted the last segment to last Friday’s tornadoes and severe weather. Reporter Braden Lammers and photographer Chuck Branham from the News and Tribune in Jeffersonville, along with meteorologists Jay Cardosi and Monty Webb, described how the story unfolded from a weather and news perspective, and discussed the current situation in southern Indiana's affected areas.