Regional

BY MOLLY HAINES and BRIAN RIDDLE

Landmark News Service

Three Perry Park residents were identified as the victims involved in a fiery crash near the 16000 block of Hwy. 355 last week.

The crash happened around 11:40 a.m., Feb. 7.

An effort is underway in the Kentucky legislature to raise the state’s cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

Health experts say raising the tax would prevent 23,000 of the state’s children from ever becoming smokers and reduce the amount of current youth smokers by 4,800.

According to a Center for Disease Control study, at 24.5 percent of all adults, Kentucky has the second highest rate of smoking in America, with West Virginia in first place at 24.8 percent.

By LINDA BLACKFORD

Lexington Herald Leader

Last year, the University of Kentucky’s Division of Regulatory Services analyzed 47,000 soil samples sent in by farmers and homeowners, stopped sales on 206 fertilizer samples because they were harmful to gardens and pets, and monitored the state’s milk and cream-handling system.

The UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tests for mad cow disease, avian flu and hundreds of other diseases that might affect the state’s $45 billion agricultural industry.

By TOM LOFTUS

Courier-Journal

Many retired teachers would pay thousands of dollars per year more for health insurance under Gov. Matt Bevin’s proposed 2018-20 state budget, say advocates for retired teachers.

While Bevin’s proposed budget fully funds pension benefits for teachers for the next two years, it provides no state dollars for retired teacher health insurance.

This budget cut would hit teachers who have retired since July 1, 2010, and are not yet 65 — when teachers qualify for Medicare coverage.