In the news: What you missed while you were in class

Bridge work will cause ramp closures for three years

Officials have announced that work on the new downtown bridge will begin on July 1. This work will cause the I-64 east ramp to I-65 south to be closed for at least three years. Once the new bridge opens in 2016, it will carry all traffic while the Kennedy receives a new deck. In December of 2016, both bridges and all ramps are expected to be open. The new bridge will carry six lanes of northbound I-65 traffic, while the Kennedy will carry six lanes of southbound I-65 traffic. Spaghetti Junction and the new bridge construction is being constructed by the state of Kentucky through an agreement with Indiana. This comes in addition to the new east end bridge that will connect Prospect, Ky with Utica, Ind that is beinb built by Indiana.

Governor proclaims Louisville Cardinals Championship Week
Governor Steve Beshear placed a friendly wager against Michigan and Conneticut governors for both the men’s and women’s championship games this week. Beshear bet a country ham against Gov Dannell Malloy of Conneticut against a fruit and candy basket for the women’s championship game. For the men’s game, a selection of Bourbon Trail bourbons was put up against ‘the world’s best cherry pie’ with Michigan cherries. In addition to his betting, he proclaimed this past week, ‘Louisville Cardinals Championship Week,’ participated in Ware Red day, and urged all Kentucky citizens to wear red in support of both teams all week.

Michelle Obama to speak at EKU commencement
As part of her Joining Forces initiatives, first lady Michelle Obama will speak at Eastern Kentucky University’s graduation ceremonies this may. EKU ranked first in the nation this year in Military Times’ “Best for Vets” survey. Obama is one of three speakers at the commencement ceremony and will be awarded an honorary doctorate. The White House chose two other schools for Obama to speak at as well. EKU was chosen because of their vast array of services available to promote veterans furthering their education.

Baroness Margaret Thatcher passes away at 87
At 87 years of age,Baroness and former Prime Minister of Britain Margaret Thatcher died of a stroke at a hotel in London. Thatcher had been staying at the hotel because she was having so many health problems she couldn’t use the stairs in her Chester Square home. Her leadership was as controversial as her death has been. While in office, she held the second lowest approval rating and unemployment rates sky-rocketed. Since her death on April 8, the Wizard of Oz song, “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead,” has climbed the radio charts in Great Britain. Thatcher’s extreme monetary policies were based on a belief that the people have come to rely too heavily on the government to fix their problems.

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