FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Lawyers for a Christian ministry that’s building a Noah’s ark theme park in Kentucky say state officials violated First Amendment religious protections when they denied the project a state tax incentive worth millions.
Answers in Genesis, developer of the 510-foot wooden ark, is suing to get back into the tourism incentive program, which could be worth around $18 million.
The group’s lawyers argued Wednesday in federal court in Frankfort that the Christian group should not face different treatment for the incentive just because its theme park will have religious themes.
Kentucky tourism officials say the giant wooden ark would be an evangelism tool and shouldn’t receive tax dollars. They are asking that the group’s lawsuit be dismissed.
U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove will issue a ruling later.
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A Franklin Circuit judge has heard arguments over whether a slot-machine type of horse racing game can be demonstrated in court.
The Lexington Herald-Leader (https://bit.ly/1IOG8Dohttps://bit.ly/1IOG8Do ) reports that Stan Cave, an attorney for the plaintiffs, the Family Foundation of Kentucky, urged Judge Thomas Wingate on Wednesday to order that a demonstration take place.
The Family Foundation of Kentucky is challenging the legality of Instant Racing, where people bet on the outcome of an old horse race without knowing which contest they are betting on. Kentucky Downs in Franklin and Ellis Park in Henderson each offer the game.
The racetracks and the state opposed Cave’s motion. Attorney William Hoskins says Cave is trying to mislead the court by emphasizing that the machines look like slot machines - a fact that Hoskins says is irrelevant.
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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, https://www.kentucky.comhttps://www.kentucky.com
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Magoffin County judge-executive is seeking reconsideration of a decision that would force him out of office because of corruption accusations.
The Lexington Herald-Leader (https://bit.ly/1HxG8wQhttps://bit.ly/1HxG8wQ ) reports that Charles Hardin filed a motion for reconsideration Tuesday with the state Court of Appeals, disputing a three-judge panel’s June decision that the judge-executive’s election last year was corrupt and the position should be vacated.
Hardin’s motion will allow him to stay in office while the request is being considered.
Hardin, the incumbent, defeated John Montgomery by 28 votes in November. But Montgomery sued, offering evidence of vote buying and bribes. Hardin has denied being involved in vote fraud.
The appeals court found evidence of violations and said a special election should be held for the position.
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CAMPBELLSBURG, Ky. (AP) - Officials say one person has died and three others are injured after an eight-vehicle wreck in Henry County that closed part of Interstate 71 for several hours.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says southbound Interstate 71 was closed for about 5 ½ hours after the wreck Wednesday.
The crash happened near Campbellsburg. Kentucky State Police say the preliminary investigation indicates four commercial vehicles and four passenger cars were involved in the crash.
Diesel fuel spilled into the median, and one lane of northbound traffic was also closed briefly.
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