A federal judge's ruling could open the door to the sale of hard liquor and wine in grocery stores.

Currently state law allows grocery stores to only sell beer, while liquor stores and drug stores can sell beer, wine and liquor. After years of unsuccessful lobbying to change the law, grocery associations sued in federal court last year. U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II in Louisville handed down a ruling in their favor today, declaring that the ban is unconstitutional. 

A meeting is set for tomorrow night to hear input about the design of Louisville’s new Veterans Affairs Medical Center to be built starting in 2014.

The public meeting is from 6:00-8:00pm at the Clifton Center. The new 110-bed hospital will replace the VA's current 60-year-old medical center in Louisville and is to be finished in 2018.

The federal government recently paid $12.9 million for property at Brownsboro Road and Interstate 264—known as the Midlands--for the hospital.

Despite rising college enrollment rates, a new study from Louisville’s IQS Research shows many students aren’t prepared for the transition to higher education.

The report released Tuesday shows while nearly every student intends on going to college, only two-thirds enroll within one year of graduating high school.

Of that group, only 42 percent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree within six years.

Kentucky Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson is taking a hit for calling the annual Fancy Farm picnic outdated, but he isn't the first elected official to share his distaste for the raucous event.

As Frankfort Bureau Chief Kenny Colston reported, Republican Agriculture Commissioner James Comer scolded Abramson for his comments and skipping the event. He also scored some political points by highlighting that the lieutenant governor is the former mayor of Louisville.

On his Facebook page, Comer wrote: "The border of (Kentucky) extends far beyond the city limits of Louisville, something the Lt. Gov. will hopefully realize before the end of his term!"

But two years ago, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who is from Bowling Green, criticized Fancy Farm when he told Fox New's Sean Hannity that he worried the onlookers would shower him with beer. And his northern Kentucky predecessor—former Sen. Jim Bunning—threatened to boycott Fancy Farm after complaining about how elected leaders were treated.

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Jefferson County Public Schools officials will keep a close eye on school lunches this year as the district implements new federal standards that will make meals healthier.

The standards approved this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture bring school meals into compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

This means more fruits and vegetables and whole wheat and less sodium and fat  in school food. But students need to participate for JCPS to be reimbursed under the National School Lunch Program.

State officials are remembering Mike Haydon, Governor Steve Beshear's chief of staff, who died suddenly Sunday.

A memorial service for Haydon will be held tomorrow at the state Capitol.

Beshear said in a statement he and his wife are devastated by Haydon’s passing.    The 62 year old Haydon had served in state and local government for over three decades in various capacities and earned the respect of colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

The AFL-CIO has launched a new direct mail campaign aimed at attacking Mitt Romney’s record on coal mine safety.

The ad features union president Richard Trumka, a third generation coal miner from Pennsylvania.

Republican Kentucky state Senator Dan Seum of Louisville expressed some support for the idea of non-violent convicted felons receiving their voting rights back along with legalizing medical marijuana.

Under the state constitution, former felons must petition the governor to regain their right to vote.

Kentucky is one of three states that do not restore the right to vote for ex-convicts automatically, which has left seven percent of residents disenfranchised. A study conducted by The Sentencing Project found the law also leaves one in five African Americans without voting rights.

Seum says it is important to get former felons back into society and he will lobby fellow Republicans in the GOP-controlled Senate while acknowledging the political barriers.

"The fear here is that you would be perceived to be easy on criminals, that’s the political fear," Seum told Pure Politics's Ryan Alessi. "And that's something of course, any opponent would use that against you."

Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg unveiled his first campaign television ad Tuesday that highlights his small town roots.

The 30-second spot features the former state House speaker criticizing political advertisements and instead talks about his longtime friends from his hometown of Sandborn, Indiana.

Gregg tells the story of a friend who caught cancer and moved in with others, adding he wants to keep Indiana "a place where people look out for each other.

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U.S. Senator Rand Paul has endorsed Republican Andy Barr in the Sixth District congressional race.

Paul announced the endorsement Monday after a chamber of commerce luncheon in Winchester. Barr is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep Ben Chandler in the Nov. 6 general election. It is the Lexington attorney's second time running against Chandler. Barr lost to Chandler in a squeaker two years ago.

Paul says he supports Barr because he is willing to cut spending.