A national watchdog group has named Congressman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., among the most corrupt lawmakers in the country.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a non-partisan group, released its annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress report Wednesday, which lists 12 members it alleges have engaged in misconduct.

The report calls out Rogers for directing millions of dollars in earmarks to a Kentucky-based company that has contributed to his campaign. Phoenix Products Co. located in Maceo, Ky., has been paid $6.5 million by the U.S. Army for hundreds of leak-proof drip pans for military helicopters.

Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Phoenix Products was paid $17,000 per drip pan, but that competitor businesses said similar products cost only $2,500.

Melanie Sloan is executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. She says Rogers is a frequent offender, and constituents concerned about fiscal responsibility should be alarmed.

"While these may be made in Kentucky this is hurting America. We have a huge deficit. We can’t afford all of our bills. And here it is we’re paying over $14,500 extra for each drip pan. And that’s taxpayer money. So we should all be concerned,” she says.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is calling for sanctions against Libya in reaction to the killing of four American diplomats, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

From Paul's office:
 
"I am heartbroken and outraged by the murder of four U.S. citizens, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, during the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
 
The perpetrators of this senseless attack must be brought to justice. I, therefore, demand that until the Libyan police hand over suspects to U.S officials, any U.S. foreign aid to the government of Libya be contingent on their full support in this matter."

The bidding process for investors wanting to reopen the former Kentucky Kingdom amusement park is being launched this week.

Once the applications are in, the state will narrow the competition to the top three bidders.

The doors to Kentucky Kingdom have been closed since late 2009.  Its previous operator, Six Flags, declared bankruptcy.

After years of lawmakers attempting to find solutions to the state’s underfunded pension problems, a group of Republican legislative candidates are hoping to institute a plan of their own.

At a news conference today at the Capitol, the majority of Republican challengers in House and Senate races endorsed a plan to put new lawmakers into a 401k style pension system.

The challengers say if elected their plan would be the first bill they jointly introduce. And they would include themselves in the new 401k plan.

According to a list released this morning, retail giant Walmart leads U.S. companies in solar power installations. Walmart has 144 solar systems installed in seven states; as the report notes, the combined capacity of Walmart and Costco (number two on the list) is greater than all the solar capacity deployed in the state of Florida.

Speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., condemned the attacks against the U.S. Consulate in Libya that resulted in the murder of four American diplomats, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

The consulate in Benghazi was bombarded by a group of protestors who were furious over an amateur film released via YouTube that mocked Muhammad, Islam's founding prophet. According to reports, Stevens was leaving the building for a safer location when gunmen launched an attack.

From McConnell's office:

"These attacks remind us of the sacrifices made on a daily basis by foreign service officers, diplomatic security personnel, and our Marine Security Guards.

I join my colleagues in strongly condemning the murder of these innocent Americans. And I support employing every available tool at our disposal to ensure the safety of Americans overseas and to hunt down those responsible for these attacks.

University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto has received a mostly positive review after a year on the job but won't receive a performance bonus. That word was made official by UK Board of Trustees Chair Britt Brockman.

"We decided that he deserved a bonus for extraordinary performance. However, based upon the economy and discussions with the president, we both decided, mutually, that we wouldn’t award the bonus. And I think that speaks volumes to his personality and his character as well,"  Brockman said today.

After two decades in Louisville, the National Quartet Convention will move south in two years.

What’s billed as the world’s largest gathering of Southern gospel musicians and fans will relocate to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 2014.

The convention’s executive director says in a release that economic realities are forcing the event to seek a smaller venue and a different setting to adjust to a shift in demographics.