War of words as GOP’s Rand Paul calls colleague ‘warmonger’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is calling GOP colleague Lindsey Graham a “warmonger” in a tweet that goes beyond a mere difference in worldviews.

Paul tweeted Monday “you know you are in too many wars in too many places when even warmonger Lindsay Graham can’t keep track anymore.”

Paul misspelled Graham’s first name.

The remark stems from Graham’s comments Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when the South Carolina senator said he didn’t know the U.S. had 1,000 troops in Niger.

Paul repeatedly has insisted Congress have a greater say on military action. He recently complained Congress has effectively allowed the president to commit the nation to “basically unlimited war anywhere, anytime, anyplace upon the globe.”

Graham’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

2 Kentucky middle school teachers, police official charged

DIXON, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say child porn charges against a Kentucky middle school teacher sparked an investigation that led to the arrests of another teacher and an assistant police chief.

The Gleaner reports 48-year-old social studies teacher Lucia C. Jenkins was arrested Oct. 2 after police said child porn was found on her phone. Police had examined her phone after an unidentified young man who lived with her died of a drug overdose.

Officials later charged 36-year-old social studies teacher Jason West with drug trafficking. They said he and Jenkins had exchanged messages about drugs. Providence police Assistant Chief Larry “Alan” King allegedly failed to report what he knew about Jenkins’ criminal activities and faces a misdemeanor.

Both teachers have resigned from Webster County Middle School.

It’s unclear if those arrested have attorneys.

Meijer recalls some packaged produce due to listeria risk

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Midwest retailer Meijer Inc. says it’s recalling some packaged produce items in six states due to potential listeria contamination.

The recall affects certain Meijer-brand produce sold in Meijer stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The items were purchased between Sept. 27 and Oct. 20 and are in plastic containers or foam trays with printed labels.

They include broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, zucchini, squash and peppers. A full list is posted on the Grand Rapids-based company’s website.

Meijer says no illnesses have been reported, but an issue was discovered with a supplier.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. It can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Otherwise heathy adults can experience flu-like symptoms.

Kentucky health officials announce new weekly flu report

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State health officials in Kentucky say there’s a new way to keep track of flu outbreaks.

The state Department for Public Health says an online weekly influenza surveillance report will be used to gauge current flu activity in Kentucky.

The weekly report is compiled by state health officials and will be provided to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of statewide flu surveillance efforts.

The report is located at http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/Influenza.htm and will be updated each Friday before noon.

Health officials say influenza cases are broken down by age groups and counties, the number of deaths resulting from the flu and the current influenza activity level reported in the state.

Kentucky’s current flu activity level is classified as “sporadic,” with 18 confirmed cases of flu being reported.

Kentucky State installs Brown as new president

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State University has formally installed M. Christopher Brown II as its president.

The State Journal reports that Brown explained more of his plans Friday during a ceremony that brought him on board as the university’s 18th president.

Brown said the university could no longer be all things to all people, and instead would reallocate resources based on a new commission’s recommendations.

Brown called for new housing for up to 400 students, a new research collection and the revival of his campus life, which he believes will help with poor graduation rates.

He also praised former interim President Aaron Thompson, who returned to his former job as executive vice president of the Council on Postsecondary Education this summer.

Information from: The State Journal, http://www.state-journal.com

Kentucky robbery suspect hopped in trash can to hide

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Police say they found a Kentucky robbery suspect hiding in a trash can.

Lexington Police say officers found 23-year-old Raymond J. Jones in a city waste bin Friday. He’s charged with first-degree robbery and giving an officer a false name, along with an unrelated theft warrant.

Police say they responded Friday afternoon to an armed robbery at a Metro PCS store. An employee said a masked man with a black backpack pointed a gun at the employee as he approached the counter, demanding cell phones and other items.

Witnesses told police the man fled on a bicycle.

Police say they found Jones in a waste bin on the curb, and his backpack with the stolen goods was in a recycling bin.

Jones was taken to Fayette County Detention Center.

Kentucky prosecutor pleads not guilty to organized crime

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky prosecutor has pleaded not guilty to organized-crime and other charges that could send her to prison for up to 30 years.

According to the Bowling Green Daily News, 64-year-old Gail Guiling pleaded not guilty during a Logan Circuit Court arraignment Friday.

Guiling is the commonwealth’s attorney for Logan and Todd counties. She is charged with engaging in organized crime alongside 10 co-defendants.

The case stems from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the sale of stolen property.

Guiling also faces charges of tampering with physical evidence and second-degree official misconduct.

Allegations against Gail Guiling include not reporting a crime she witnessed. Her ex-husband, James Quinton Guiling, is a co-defendant.

Guiling retains her office and pay but cannot perform her job during the pending criminal case.

Information from: Daily News, http://www.bgdailynews.com