Company adding 290 coal-mining jobs in 3 states

BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — Bluestone Resources says it is hiring 290 more workers for its coal-mining operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.

In West Virginia, the company says new jobs will be created at Keystone Surface Mine and at Bishop Surface Mine, which is reopening. Bluestone says it’s also looking for miners at its operations in Pike County, Kentucky, and in Wise, Virginia.

Jay Justice, who operates the mines for Justice Companies, says workers are being sought to operate all types of machinery. He says the company is looking to hire right away.

The company says a new training program for a small number of inexperienced workers is also being initiated.

New nonstop flights offered between Louisville, Los Angeles

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — American Airlines says it will offer nonstop flights between Louisville, Kentucky, and Los Angeles next year.

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin made the announcement on Thursday at the Louisville International Airport. American Airlines will offer the flights seven days a week. They are scheduled to begin April 2, using a 128-seat Airbus A319.

Bevin said the new flights are possible in part because the Louisville Regional Airlift Development offered to cover some the airline’s potential losses in exchange for offering new nonstop routes. State taxpayers gave the group $1.33 million last year.

FBI to open office in Paducah in W.Ky.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the FBI will open a new office in a western Kentucky community.

The Kentucky Republican says the new FBI office in Paducah will be beneficial in responding to drug-related crimes and any crisis situations in the region. McConnell had contacted FBI Director Christopher Wray to advocate for the office.

The FBI closed its Paducah satellite office in 2007. Since then, McConnell says he has heard from a number of law enforcement officials supporting the bureau’s return to the region.

Paducah police Chief Brandon Barnhill says he’s looking forward to increasing his office’s partnership with the FBI to respond to pressing issues facing the community.

Council on Postsecondary Education hires new president

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky native will lead the state’s Council on Postsecondary Education for the first time.

The council announced Thursday that Aaron Thompson will be its fourth president. Thompson is currently the council’s vice president and chief academic officer. He will begin his new role on Nov. 1.

Thompson is also the first African-American to hold the position in the council’s 21-year history.

Thompson says he is from Clay County, Kentucky, and is the son of an illiterate coal miner and a mother who had only an 8th grade education. He said he was a first-generation high school and college graduate.

Former council president Robert King is retiring after having the job for 10 years. The council will negotiate Thompson’s final contract at its next scheduled meeting on Nov. 15-16.