Judge rules boys discriminated against in Title IX case

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that a Kentucky school district is discriminating against boys by only allowing girls to play basketball at more than one grade level.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell said Friday that Laurel County Schools needs to change or end its “Play Up, Stay Up” policy. An October lawsuit by Laurel Commonwealth’s Attorney and parent Jackie Steele says the policy violates Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in a federally-assisted educational activity.

It says Steele’s son wanted to play for more than one grade level’s basketball team, but the district only allowed girls to do so. Laurel County Schools attorney Larry Bryson said that was because there weren’t enough girl players.

Bryson says the board will discuss the judge’s order this week.

Amazon plans flights, package-sorting operation at airport

WILMINGTON, Ohio (AP) — Amazon says it will open an operation at an Ohio airport that will include daily flights and a package-sorting facility.

Amazon’s statement Monday said the operation to open in 2019 at Wilmington Air Park in southwest Ohio will provide more capacity as the company continues to build out its central air hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

An Amazon spokeswoman says the company leases space at existing airports for its Amazon Air planes and for operations that include loading and unloading customer packages to and from planes and trucks and sorting packages based on destination.

The company isn’t releasing details yet on the number of jobs or flights involved.

JobsOhio President John Minor said in Amazon’s statement that the operation will boost Wilmington Air Park’s value for future job creation.

Ky. regulators want financial assurances for mill

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky regulators are requiring written financial assurances for a proposed aluminum mill in eastern Kentucky.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the requirement is part of regulators’ conditional approval of a $22.4 million Kentucky Power project to build power lines to the site.

The Public Service Commission wants written assurances from Braidy Industries that it has the money to complete the project. Company officials told investors in September they need an additional $400 million to $500 million to complete construction.

PSC spokesman Andrew Melnykovych (mel-nih-KO’-vich) told the newspaper the order should not be construed as an indication the project is in financial trouble. Braidy’s executive vice president, Jaunique Sealey, said the order is part of the ordinary course of business to upgrade power delivery to the site.

The state legislature approved a $15 million investment in Braidy Industries in 2017.

Churchill auction spots for people to run on its track

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs is auctioning 19 spots for people to race on its iconic thoroughbred track.

The racetrack says in a statement that the Nov. 21 race called Heart Race at the Track is being held to raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association in Louisville. The runners will start out at Churchill Downs’ starting gate and run the Kentucky Derby’s 1 ¼-mile distance to the finish line. The winner will receive two tickets to the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

Bidding for spots is open and the highest bidders will be announced on Monday, Nov. 19.

Churchill Downs’ Vice President of Partnerships Kristin Warfield helped organize the Heart Race at the Track and will fill the 20th spot in the race but is not eligible for the winning prize.

Church visited by accused shooter allows armed parishioners

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Some parishioners will now carry weapons into a historically black Kentucky church visited by a white gunman before police said he killed two black people at a grocery store.

The First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown has asked church members with law enforcement or security backgrounds to carry guns to services and Bible studies. So far, seven parishioners have been identified to take on this responsibility.

WKYT-TV reports the Rev. Kevin Nelson tells WDRB-TV the church also has increased security in other ways.

Gregory Bush is charged with first-degree murder in the slayings at a Louisville-area Kroger last month. Police say he was seen on surveillance video trying to enter the church minutes before the attack. Police Chief Sam Rogers told the congregation that he believes the shooting was racially motivated.