Rand Paul says he suffered 6 broken ribs in bizarre attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky says he ended up with six broken ribs after a bizarre attack by his neighbor last week while he was mowing his lawn.

Paul writes on Twitter Wednesday: “I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion.”

A pleural effusion is excess fluid around the lungs.

It remains uncertain when Paul will return to the Senate. His longtime neighbor, 59-year-old Rene Boucher, was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault.

Both men are doctors and prominent members of their community in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where rumors have swirled that the attack stemmed from a festering neighborhood dispute about lawn debris.

Report: Linder confirms he signed harassment settlement

WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Rep. Brian Linder has confirmed that he is among four Republican lawmakers who signed a settlement with a female House Republican Caucus staffer over sexual harassment allegations.

Linder, of Dry Ridge, told the Grant County News that he wanted to publicly apologize to his family, voters and the state for his actions. He said he has been focused on his family since the confidential settlement became public.

Rep. Jeff Hoover resigned his position as House speaker on Sunday after acknowledging he settled the sexual harassment claim. Hoover denied engaging in harassing behavior but said he did send text messages that were consensual but inappropriate. Hoover said he will remain in the legislature.

Linder indicated he has not decided whether to stay in office.

Multiple media outlets have named the other two lawmakers as Michael Meredith and Jim DeCesare.

4 charged in shooting deaths of 2 teen girls in Kentucky

WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say two 16-year-old girls were shot to death in Kentucky, and four people are in custody.

Winchester police Capt. James Hall told news outlets Kayla Holland was found dead at the scene Tuesday night, and Adrianna Castro was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The local court clerk’s office says 18-year-old Mikaela Buford, 24-year-old Denzel Hill, and 22-year-old Darian Skinner are charged with complicity to murder. A fourth suspect, 18-year-old Ronnie Ellis, was booked into the jail later Wednesday on a charge of complicity to murder.

Hall says the victims were visiting the house, and it’s unknown if they were the intended targets.

It’s unclear if Buford, Hill, Skinner and Ellis have lawyers. Buford’s mother, Rachael Miller, said her daughter was driving a friend’s vehicle and didn’t know it would result in the girls’ fatal shooting.

Animal cruelty charges issued in Kentucky’s largest seizure

HENDERSON, Ky. (AP) — A 73-year-old man is charged with more than 500 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals in connection with the largest animal seizure in Kentucky’s history.

The Gleaner reports the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office charged Doil How Stogner on Tuesday. More than 400 animals — mostly poultry — were seized Oct. 24 from Stogner’s farm, with at least 100 dead animals mixed in with the live population.

Humane Society of Henderson County director Angela Hagedorn told the Henderson County Fiscal Court on Tuesday that the feed, hay and straw for the animals’ upkeep cost approximately $1,000 a week.

Magistrates offered financial support. Judge-Executive Brad Schneider complimented animal control staff, highlighting the difficult conditions on the farm, including several feet of hardened animal waste.

It is unclear if Stogner has a lawyer.

School board meeting erupts over stun gun use, arrests

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A public school board meeting was briefly adjourned when security removed demonstrators who wanted to talk about a recent fight at a Kentucky high school.

The Courier-Journal reports that Tuesday night’s Jefferson County school board meeting was interrupted after audience members protested when board member Chris Kolb’s attempt to add discussion about the fight at Jeffersontown High School to the agenda was denied. An officer was assaulted and a stun gun was used on a student in that fight Nov. 1. Two students were charged.

Protesters said the confrontation between students and Jeffersontown police was indicative of racial discrimination in the school district’s policies and chanted “Black kids matter” as they left the meeting.

During public comment, some community members argued against removing police officers from school campuses.

Distillery helping military members go home for holidays

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (AP) — With the holidays approaching, the Jack Daniel Distillery is working with a military support group to make sure military members and their families can celebrate with relatives.

For the seventh year, the distillery in Tennessee is teaming with the Armed Services YMCA for the “Operation Ride Home” campaign. The effort provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military members and their families to travel home for the holidays.

Jack Daniel’s has donated $100,000 to kick off the campaign. Officials behind the brand say the distillery is urging donations to help more service members spend the holidays at home.

Since “Operation Ride Home” began, a total of 5,767 people have been assisted. Military members have been able to travel to 47 states.

Jack Daniel’s is the flagship brand of Louisville, Kentucky-based Brown-Forman Corp.

Kentucky man arraigned in crash that killed 5

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man charged with five counts of murder in a fatal crash has made his first appearance in court, where he was brought on a hospital gurney.

News outlets report 57-year-old Daniel Greis was arraigned Wednesday in Kenton County.

A prosecutor said on Wednesday that Greis was driving 96 mph (155 kph) at the time of the Oct. 26 wreck, as he tried to pass another vehicle in a 55-mph (88-kph), no-passing zone.

Greis wore a hospital gown to court, where he was escorted by paramedics. He stated his name and date of birth but was silent and kept his eyes closed for the rest of the arraignment. No information was given about a lawyer for Greis.

The crash killed 26-year-old Rodney Pollitt, 27-year-old Samantha Malohn and their three children, 9-year-old Hailieann Pollitt, 8-year-old Brenden Pollitt and 6-year-old Cailie Pollitt.

Judge sets trial date for former university board chairman

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — A judge has set a trial date for former University of Kentucky board chairman Billy Joe Miles, who is charged with rape and sodomy.

The Messenger-Inquirer reports Judge Kelly Mark Easton set a Jan. 16 date despite protests from Miles’ attorneys, who asked for a December trial.

Defense attorney Rob Eggert said at a Monday hearing in Daviess Circuit Court that the charges are damaging Miles’ health and the 77-year-old wants to clear his name as soon as possible.

Kentucky State Police said an investigation involving a witness in the case is pending, but should conclude within three weeks.

Miles was indicted last year on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and bribery of a witness.

He served three terms on the UK board between 1995 and 2013 and was chairman from 1999 to 2002 and chairman pro tem in 2010.