A Kentucky coal mine targeted by federal and state safety inspections and under pressure to pay years of overdue fines has closed. [C-J/AKN]

Are these really the worst eyesores in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky? You be the judge. [WKYT]

No Child Left Behind waivers have been granted to more than half of the states in this country. Kentucky happens to be one of them. [HuffPo]

Breathitt County is really good at ruining everything – just like Laurel and Clay Counties. The former administrator of an agricultural program in Breathitt County stole $211,000, a federal grand jury charged on Thursday. [H-L]

Papaw Beshear’s inauguration fund still has more than $280,000 in it. Whatever he and his yes boys at KDRP decide to waste it on is sure to upset most people. [C-J/AKN]

Berea residents can now apply to keep chickens without having to worry that dissenting neighbors can prevent their being granted a permit. [Richmond Register]

The mental lightweight teabaggers in Kentucky screaming about their fake christian health insurance sound just like these whites-only christians in Alabama. Because it’s all about religions freedom because Jesus amen. [Wonkette]

Don’t worry, mouth-breathers, you’re going to get your Casey Anthony fix soon with a new book. [HuffPo]

Jim Gray is following in Greg Fischer’s footsteps by starting all kinds of commissions in Lexington. Maybe his commissions will actually DO something, though. [H-L]

U.S. employers likely quickened the pace of hiring last month but not enough to allay worries that Europe’s debt crisis is shifting the economy into low gear. [Reuters]

Kentucky coal operators told some folks in California not to expect mine safety fine payments anytime soon. [WFPL]

Mitch McConnell continues to pretend that it’s “free speech” to be able to donate as much cash as you want to a political candidate anonymously. [USA Today]