Gov. Steve Beshear says he's concerned about the declining revenues form the coal severance tax, echoing concerns raised by House Speaker Greg Stumbo.

Money from the tax on mined coal is used largely for state, county and city infrastructure projects -- specifically in coal mining areas like Eastern Kentucky. 

“I am concerned about the coal severance receipts -- they are down, they’re down significantly. And that's because coal mining is down significantly, the tons of coal mined has dropped,” Beshear said.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced her plans to leave her post after President Obama's inauguration. During her time in the role, she drew fire from the coal industry and manufacturers for her work to increase scrutiny of mountaintop removal coal mining and tighten regulations on coal-fired power plants. But she also won support from environmental groups and occasionally grudging respect from her opponents.

Her successor is unknown, but reports are speculating it could be either Deputy Administrator Robert Perciasepe or Assistant Administrator for Air Gina McCarthy.

Possible revisions to how the decennial census asks questions about race and ethnicity have raised concerns among some groups that any changes could reduce their population count and thus weaken their electoral clout.

The Census Bureau is considering numerous changes to the 2020 survey in an effort to improve the responses of minorities and more accurately classify Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern and multiracial populations.

WASHINGTON — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson says she's stepping down after nearly four years on the job.

Jackson announced her departure in a statement Thursday. She gave no particular reason for leaving but said she was ready for new challenges, time with her family and new opportunities to make a difference.

Jackson's tenure was marked by high-profile brawls with industry and congressional Republicans over such issues a global warming pollution, the Keystone XL oil pipeline and new controls on coal-fired plants.

Some airlines — especially the smaller ones — worry they won't have enough pilots. They're a number of factors in play, but they point to new federal safety rules as a big part of the problem.

In February 2009, a Colgan Air commuter jet crashed, killing 50 people. Investigators cited inadequate pilot training; Congress responded with new legislation. Beginning next summer, those who want to pilot commercial jets will need dramatically more hours of flight training before they can be hired.

Though he is reportedly alert and enjoying a "running banter" with his nurses, former President George H.W. Bush is in the intensive care unit at Houston's Methodist Hospital.

The Houston Chronicle writes that "Jim McGrath, Bush's spokesman in Houston, said the 88-year-old's fever rose on Wednesday, but doctors at Methodist Hospital report he is doing better than the day before. He was admitted to the ICU on Sunday."

In college football, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers fell to Central Michigan 24-21 in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Wednesday night in Detroit.

With less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, WKU passed up an opportunity for a game-tying field goal on fourth down, instead attempting a pass play deep in Central Michigan territory. But the Chippewas broke up the play to secure the victory.

Western Kentucky finishes the season with a 7-6 record. The Hilltoppers were led by interim coach Lance Guidry , who took over when Willie Taggart left for South Florida.

The huge winter storm system that dumped as much as a foot of snow on parts of Indiana is moving eastward and out of the region.

The heaviest snowfall has been recorded in central and western Indiana, but there have been significant accumulations in counties closer to the Ohio River and in far western Kentucky.

Much of Indiana was under a blizzard warning today as the blowing, drifting snow came at a pace of three inches per hour in some places. The winter weather snarled traffic and left hundreds of travelers stranded at the Indianapolis International Airport.

When Will Russell and his partners staged the first party in honor of their favorite movie, The Coen Bros.'  “The Big Lebowski,” they didn’t realize how many people shared their enthusiasm for what was then an overlooked slacker comedy. Ten years later, Lebowski Fest tours internationally with cast member guest appearances and buzz bands, and their two-day flagship event brings fans (code name: Achievers) from all over the country to Louisville every summer for bowling, White Russians, costume contests and what-have-you.

Russell's banking on tapping into a similar community of cult film fans with his new venture, Pee Wee Over Louisville. The day-long celebration of Russell’s second-favorite movie, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,”  is planned for September and will feature a family-friendly themed activities like a bicycle rodeo and a screening of the film.