While we're on the subject of devastating storms, consider a report published last year by the National Hurricane Center. The title alone makes it worth a look:

THE DEADLIEST, COSTLIEST, AND MOST INTENSE UNITED STATES TROPICAL CYCLONES FROM 1851 TO 2010 (AND OTHER FREQUENTLY REQUESTED HURRICANE FACTS)

The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet has reached out to Louisville businessman Ed Hart's group -- Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company -- to "discuss its proposal for reopening Kentucky Kingdom," according to a press release.

The group, comprised of four local investors, is the only known applicant in the state's request for proposals process.

Alpha Natural Resources will close one of its coal mines in Eastern Kentucky.

The company will close the Still House Branch Mine in Cumberland in Eastern Kentucky. Forty miners will lose their jobs, and another 40 will be reassigned to other coal mines. Alpha spokesman Rick Nida says there are several factors that went into the decision to close the mine.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Steve Beshear says it's "too early to speculate" on whether the departure of Senate President David Williams will improve the chances of getting the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling.

Williams, an opponent of casino gambling, is resigning later this week to become a circuit judge in southern Kentucky.

Beshear told reporters Wednesday that he's hopeful lawmakers may approve a constitutional amendment after the Legislature convenes in January.

Today during Here and Now, we heard the second episode of Andrea Seabrook's project, DecodeDC.

Heading into November, we're all being bombarded by p0litical ads around the clock, and this episode looks into the neuroscience behind party politics.  Give it a listen, below.

The campaign for control of the state House has taken a nasty turn, with radio and TV ads being pulled because of inaccuracies.

Republicans have successfully knocked radio ads attacking their candidates off the air in the Bardstown and Mayfield areas. And they are working on getting TV ads in Lexington pulled down as well.

The areas where the ads were pulled are considered hot spots for state legislative races, where either the GOP or Democrats are hoping to win seats. 

Louisville Gas and Electric has been issued another citation for coal ash violations at its Cane Run Power Station in southwest Louisville.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A forensic pathologist says an autopsy shows a Kentucky judge's death was linked to tainted steroid shots at a Tennessee clinic.

George Nichols II performed the autopsy of Eddie Lovelace's body at the request of the judge's family.

Nichols said Wednesday the seemingly routine shots Lovelace received for neck and back pain contained a fungus. Nichols said the fungus caused a blood vessel infection, which in turn caused a stroke and Lovelace's eventual death.

Even before Hurricane Sandy came roaring up the East Coast, political prognosticators were worried about next week's election being thrown into chaos and confusion.

The reason is that with the race between President Obama and Mitt Romney so close, there's a possibility of something other than a clean outcome.