No facilities are expected to close now that Kentucky youth services agencies Bellewood and Brooklawn have merged, but some staff members may lose jobs.

The new entity, called Uspiritus, will provide  foster care, counseling and psychiatric treatment. The agencies are also partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools and offer alternative education programs.

COLUMBIA, Ky. — Kentucky State Police are investigating an alleged assault on Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Meyer was involved in the altercation over the weekend at a venue near Columbia.

WYMT-TV reports Meyer was injured badly enough that he was treated at a local hospital and released.

Police have released little information in the case. They say they are investigating the alleged assault to see whether charges will be filed.

Kentucky Sixth District Congressman-elect Andy Barr announced his committee assignments Thursday.

Barr will be a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, which is led by fellow Republican Spencer Baucus. The financial services panel is considered a "top-tier," committee that dealt directly with the bank bailouts and crafted the controversial Dodd-Frank Act.

In a news release, Barr says he is honored to receive the appointment, and wants to work on solving  helping the state's community banks.

About 875 University of Louisville students are expected to walk Thursday evening in the school’s winter commencement ceremony -- among them is the school’s first African-American student to earn a master’s degree in bioengineering.

Britt Faulkner says she grew up in a single parent household. When electronics needed to be fixed, she was often the one giving it a try. So, she says bioengineering was a natural fit. But the program was challenging.

“I’ve wanted to change majors a million times probably.”

State and federal officials say new Ohio River bridges cannot be built without tolling as part of the financing plan.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear this week signed a memorandum of understanding with Ohio’s governor to construct a new, $2.5 billion double-deck span to replace the Brent Spence Bridge linking Covington and Cincinnati.

Beshear says there’s no chance the federal government will pick up the whole cost of this project or two new bridges planned for the Louisville area.

There are conflicting reports about whether the satellite launched into space Wednesday from North Korea is safely circling the planet.

Jennifer Lawrence was nominated Thursday morning in the Golden Globe's best actress in a comedy or musical, her second nod for a major acting award in as many days.

The nomination is for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, a comedy about a man (played by Bradley Cooper) who struggles with mental illness after his marriage disintegrates. Lawrence plays his love interest, who is struggling with depression.

Officials will announce the merger Thursday of two leading agencies that have helped at-risk youth in Louisville and around Kentucky for over 160 years.

Bellewood Home for Children and Brooklawn Child and Family Services both offer services that help children, many of whom are wards of the state. The agencies offer combined services that range from psychiatric care and counseling to places to live.

The agencies are also partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools and offer alternative programs on site.

This week on our audio diary series, The Big Break, Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice Samantha Beach gets some sage advice on second careers from the cast members of each of the theater's productions, while Louisville Ballet trainee Claire Horrocks opens her first full-length production of "The Nutcracker." Kentucky Opera studio artist Brad Raymond is on hiatus and traveling until January.