Harvard University divinity professor and feminist scholar Dr. Leila Ahmed is the winner of the 2013 Grawemeyer Award in Religion. Her 2011 book, "A Quiet Revolution: The Veil's Resurgence from the Middle East to America" explains why a growing number of Muslim women in the United States are wearing traditional veils and head coverings. 

Indiana Ninth District Congressman Todd Young is opening his offices in Jeffersonville and Bloomington as drop off locations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign.

From Young's office:

"As someone who served in the Marine Corps, I'm excited to partner with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in their Toys for Tots Program," Young said in a news release. "Especially in tough economic times, this is a great way to ensure that children around the district have a memorable Christmas."

Kentucky should meet its goal of $55 million in revenue from the state's latest round of tax amnesty, the commissioner of the Department of Revenue told lawmakers on Thursday.

People who owe Kentucky taxes have until 9 p.m. Friday to get their application postmarked or delivered to the state. 

Revenue Commissioner Thomas Miller told lawmakers today that his office has recovered tax revenue from people in all 120 counties of the Commonwealth and all 50 states.

The Louisville Orchestra will thank its donors with a special concert on December 5 at the Brown Theatre. The program is free for supporters of the season, but all are welcome to make a donation at the door in lieu of tickets. Led by music director Jorge Mester, the program will feature Gioachino Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville, Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor and Wolfgang Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor. 

Whenever the discussion turns to saving money in Medicare, the idea of raising the eligibility age often comes up.

"I don't think you can look at entitlement reform without adjusting the age for retirement," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on ABC's This Week last Sunday. "Let it float up another year or so over the next 30 years, adjust Medicare from 65 to 67."

Louisville Metro Councilman Jim King, D-10, is favored to serve an unprecedented third consecutive one-year term as council president.

Since city and county governments merged, council presidents have traditionally held the seat for a year before stepping down. King informed his Democratic colleagues—who hold a 17-to-9 majority—and Republicans of his intentions this month, and no other candidates have emerged.

"I think I have earned the trust and I want to keep the trust of both sides of the body—Republicans and Democrats. And I do try to work in a manner that is fair to both sides, and moving forward the legislative agenda of the council," King said.

"I think that the council members see me as someone who can lead them, but I can’t lead them without their support and I certainly value that."

Louisville Gas and Electric has broken ground on nearly a billion dollars worth of new pollution controls at the company’s Mill Creek Power Plant in southwest Louisville. It’s a two-year process that the company estimates could create up to 700 new construction jobs.

The Kentucky Association of Counties supports a recommendation to do away with the office of constable in Kentucky.

KACO President-elect Tommy Turner says his group agrees with a Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice report that calls the office outdated.

"Statistical analysis shows that law enforcement by constable represents only one-fourth of one percent of annual law enforcement work. We support a constitutional amendment to abolish the office,'he said.