A proposal that would strengthen people’s ability to ignore Kentucky regulations or laws that violate their religious beliefs cleared a House panel Monday. [H-L]

In a case that spotlights the growing use of genetic data by law enforcement agencies, the Supreme Court will consider on Tuesday when a DNA sample may be taken from a suspect. [Reuters]

American Electric Power has agreed to stop burning coal at several coal-fired units in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. The company reached a settlement [yesterday] with a coalition of environmental groups, several states and the Environmental Protection Agency. [WFPL]

For the first time in decades, the United States is making steady gains in the number of high school students earning diplomas, putting it on pace to reach a 90 percent graduation rate by 2020, according to a new analysis released Monday. [ProPublica]

Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave, which is known as the longest cave system in the world, recently added 10 miles to its explored underground length, pushing it past the 400-mile mark, the National Park Service said. [C-J/AKN]

Have you met Ted Cruz yet? He is the new face of crazy for the Republican party, and boy does he have it all — the smug countenance of Paul Ryan! The poise of Joe McCarthy! And the batshit crazy of Rand Paul, or Ron Paul, whatever — either way, he is THAT CRAZY! [Wonkette]

Just in case you needed another reason to put EpiPens in schools? In May, the Madison County Health Department will end the public-health nursing services its has provided for Madison County schools for nearly 22 years. [Richmond Register]

Dozens of prominent Republicans — including top advisers to former President George W. Bush, four former governors and two members of Congress — have signed a legal brief arguing that gay people have a constitutional right to marry, a position that amounts to a direct challenge to Speaker John A. Boehner and reflects the civil war in the party since the November election. [NY Times]

What a supreme waste of time and money. The Kentucky Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposal Monday that would let the state ignore any new federal gun laws. [H-L]

We told you Ashley Judd had met with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. But buttcramps at KDP freaked out, telling us how incorrect we were. And Jonathan Miller is still pretending to be involved, which can only end negatively for Judd. [The Hill]

Lawmakers won’t pursue a 6 percent tax on lottery tickets as a source of revenue to shore up Kentucky’s financially troubled pension system for government retirees. [WKYT]

The top strategist for Mittens Romney’s campaign told CNN that he doesn’t think the media is “in the tank” for President Obama. [HuffPo]