The shrinking supply of child-care workers continues to impact Kentucky, and advocates say helping more people receive a Child Development Associate degree could fill critical gaps in child care and early learning — especially in rural regions. Jennifer Roe is an early-childhood coordinator with Save the Children’s Early Steps Program who’s currently enrolled in a CDA program at Eastern Kentucky University. She said it hasn’t been easy working full time while in school, but says Save the Children’s Career Pathways Program has helped with tuition and other resources, putting her on track on track to graduate next spring. “When I walk across […]

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HAZARD, Ky. — The Perry County commonwealth’s attorney has been arrested after being accused of using his position to obtain sex and drugs from defendants his office was prosecuting. Scott Blair, 51, is charged in federal court with one count of honest services wire fraud. An affidavit filed by the investigating officer alleges Blair would communicate with defendants over Facebook Messenger and would offer to help them in exchange for meth or sexual favors. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Facebook to provide Blair’s message history. During a review of the messages, they identified five victims who Blair allegedly pressured […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man is facing charges in both Pike District Court and federal court, after allegedly threatening an FBI agent. Court records say Gabriel Howell, 45, of Meta, went to the home of FBI agent Randy Copley back in December, saying he wanted to report a crime. Copley, who was on leave at the time, directed him to call the FBI to make his report, and Howell thanked him and left. On the afternoon of March 30, Copley spotted Howell driving by his house, then a couple of hours later noticed his mailbox had been heavily […]

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