Good morning, 270. It’s Monday, October 7th. This is the 270 Daily News, the newsletter that’s as satisfying as slamming your laptop shut on Friday at 5 pm, or at 4 pm… Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us. 😉 

In today’s news:

• KY School’s test scores

• MSU seeks new president

• Amazon Facility coming to Paducah

• Local fall drinks

• And more

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Weather Report

Monday:☀️High- 72 Low- 51

Tuesday: ☀️ High- 73 Low- 48

Wednesday: ☀️ High- 76 Low- 48

News

Kentucky School Test Results Show Gains in Math, Struggles in Science

Kentucky’s latest standardized test results for the 2023-2024 school year reveal mixed outcomes across core subjects. While math scores improved slightly for middle and high school students, proficiency in science dropped significantly across all grade levels.

Reading proficiency remained unchanged, with 47% of elementary and 45% of middle and high school students testing proficient or distinguished. Math proficiency saw small gains in middle (39%) and high schools (35%), while elementary students remained flat at 42%.

However, science scores continue to decline, with just 6% of high schoolers reaching proficiency, down from 10% last year. This was of enough concern to cause Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher to call for a review of science education, emphasizing the need for “actionable steps” to improve student outcomes.

Student absenteeism and teacher shortages remain key challenges. Efforts to address absenteeism include a public awareness campaign and stricter enforcement measures passed by the legislature.

Despite these hurdles, Kentucky’s graduation rate rose to 92%, offering a positive note amid the challenges.

Murray State Launches Search for New President

Murray State University has officially begun the search for its next president following the announcement that the current president Bob Jackson will retire in June 2025. Jackson, who has served since 2018, will transition to an advisory role through October 2025 and will hold the title of president emeritus.

The university’s Board of Regents has hired the firm Academic Search Inc. to lead the search process. The firm will be paid 30% of the incoming president’s first-year salary. A special search committee, made up of board members, staff, and a student, has also been formed to oversee the process.

In his letter to the board, Jackson reflected on his time at the university, calling it the "capstone" of his career and expressing pride in the university’s accomplishments during his tenure. Board members praised Jackson for his leadership, highlighting his role in boosting enrollment and advancing academic programs.

Whoever is hired for the position will be Murray State’s 15th president since the school opened on September 24, 1923.

The Agenda

Amazon Opens Distribution Facility in Paducah, Creating Jobs and Boosting Growth

Greater Paducah Economic Development (GPED) has announced a big win for the region: Amazon is opening a 72,500-square-foot distribution facility in Paducah, KY, located at Industrial Park West. This new facility is set to enhance Amazon’s service across Western Kentucky.

The facility is expected to create a range of jobs. GPED President Bruce Wilcox emphasized the significance of Amazon’s investment, saying, "Amazon’s decision validates Paducah as the regional epicenter, serving over 500,000 people. This is a game-changer for our economy and workforce."

Paducah Mayor George Bray also praised the project, highlighting Paducah’s ideal location for distribution. "This is a big win for our community," Bray said, citing Amazon's investment as a testament to GPED’s relentless efforts to attract top-tier companies to the region.

As Paducah continues to grow, the new Amazon facility will solidify the area’s reputation as a key player in logistics and distribution, bringing not only jobs but also long-term economic growth.

Paducah’s Kentucky Ave Intersections Enter Final Phase of Traffic Study: Four-Way Stop Coming

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 9, the intersection of U.S. 45-Business (Kentucky Avenue) and 6th Street in Paducah will temporarily become a four-way stop as part of an ongoing traffic study. The flashing yellow lights at 6th Street will change to flashing red, while the intersection at 5th Street will keep its current configuration—flashing red for 5th Street and flashing yellow for Kentucky Avenue.

This change is part of a 90-day study by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to assess the impact of removing traffic signals at these intersections. Preliminary observations suggest that reduced traffic on 5th and 6th Streets may allow for the permanent removal of the signals without disrupting safety or flow. KYTC will review the study's findings after 90 days to decide whether to remove the lights permanently. Around 4,100 vehicles travel this section of Kentucky Avenue daily.

Local Links

👮‍♂️ Paducah DEA, KSP, and both Calloway and Marshall County Sherriff offices assisted Hopkinsville police in seizing large amounts of Methamphetamine.

Want to donate to Hurricane Helene victims? Four Rivers K9 Search, Rescue, and Recovery team are taking donations from 9am-3pm today in the parking lot of Walmart on Hinkleville Road. Click here to see the list of items needed most.

Justin O’Connor of Mayfield was airlifted to an out-of-state hospital after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash Friday Afternoon. He is a paramedic with the Mayfield Fire Department.

🏈 Mayfield Cardinals on the Today Show’s Friday Morning Lights

📖 Debut Thriller Novel “Disturbing the Bones” releasing Oct. 22nd is set in Cairo, Illinois.

🔫 Louisville, KY man has been indicted for the murder of an SIU student in 2021.

💻️ KY State Police’s electronic crime branch has arrested a 33-year-old Christian County woman for child sexual exploitation offenses.

270 Life

Food & Drink: Find Your New Favorite Fall Drink

It’s officially the season of pumpkin spice lattes, the drink that has become synonymous with fall leaves, knit sweaters, boots, and Starbucks. Luckily for us here in WKY, Starbucks isn’t the top dog of fall drinks. Check out some local coffee shops’ seasonal offerings and find a new favorite beverage to sip while listening to Monster Mash on repeat. 🎶 

Pipers Tea & Coffee

• Pipers has a great selection of fall drinks, with the Pipers Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Fall Spice, their famous Apple Chaider, a maple vanilla latte, and their Gold Star Latte. There is something here for everybody!

Parcell’s Perk

• Try their Sassy Pumpkin, which is salted caramel and pumpkin spice, or their Classic Pumpkin, if you want straight pumpkin spice. Coffee drinks not your thing? Have their Harvest Time, which is orchard tea with pear & honey.

Future Grounds Coffee 

• Get the Pumpkin Dulce which you can get hot, iced, or frosted which pairs perfectly with their delicious pumpkin muffins or cran-walnut bagels. They also have an iced caramel latte with green apple cold foam.

Cafe Au Latte 

• The Harvest - This Iced Latte comes with caramel sauce, brown sugar cinnamon syrup, AND maple syrup, you can also add salted caramel cold foam, and you should, cause you can never have too much caramel.

Etcetera Coffeehouse

• Head to Etcetera and get a glass of Apple Cider from local farm Huyck Farms, which people say may be the best cider you’ve ever had.

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📆 Things to do

Monday 10/7/24

Paducah

Exploring Careers with 4-H - Ag careers, 9am-3pm at 2025 New Holt Road, Paducah, KY

October School’s Out Day Camps: Location: Shelter #19 in Bob Noble Park from October 7- 11, Cost: $100 per week (tax included) or you can register per day for $25 per day (tax included), more details here.Mixed Doubles Fun League: Tennis at Noble Park, 6-9pm

Cinemark Movies Times: Movies include Joker, The Wild Robot, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Sam and Colby: The Legends of the Paranormal, Transformers One, Speak No Evil, Vindicating Trump, It Ends With Us

Murray

The Back of the Moon: Caroline Burton: Art Exhibit from 8am-4:30 pm, event details here.

"HANDS OF TIME CENTO ANNI" by Fred DiGiovanni: Art Exhibit from 8am-4:30 pm, event details here.

Fall Festival @ Splat!: 10am-2pm every day from Monday Oct. 7-Saturday Oct 12 at Splat Art Play Studio

Adult Acting Workshop Series: 6:00 PM 8:30 PM at 520 Main Street Murray, KY, more details here.

Marshall County

Abnormal Art Class: Turn thrift store art into abnormal art by adding whimsical, eerie, or macabre creatures onto existing scenes! 3:30-4:30 at Marshall County Public Library

A Centered Space: 10am Chair Yoga, 6:30pm Yoga + Nidra, both with Alison, more details here.

Tuesday 10/8/24

Paducah

Bagels & Business: Small business networking opportunity from 7:30am-8:45am at 2961 Lone Oak Rd, Paducah, KY. Details here.

Art Through the Lens 2024: 10am-6pm at the Yeiser Art Center

BRUSH CLEANING Mini Makeup Class: 6-6:30pm at F.A.C.E Makeup Artistry Admission: $25

Murray

Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble: 7:30 PM 9:00 PM at the Lovett Auditorium, 1499 Olive Boulevard Murray, KY, 42071, event details here.

Mayfield

Ada Lovelace Day: Program your own music box, 3:30-4:30 at Graves County Public Library. Details here.

Marshall County

Laser Light Shows at Golden Pond Planetarium & Observatory: 5:30pm PL-Taylor Swift, 7pm PL-Laser Beatles

A Centered Space: 5pm mellow mat yoga, details here.

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Sports

Last weeks Football Scores! 🏈 

High School

Owensboro 21, Marshall County 14

Paducah Tilghman 49, Logan County 14

Crittenden County 27, Murray 37

Apollo 28, Graves County 40

Caldwell County 14, Mayfield 47

Hopkinsville 41, Calloway County 7

Ballard Memorial 24, Russellville 48

Fulton County 12, Caverna 60

College

Louisville 27, SMU 34

Murray State 0, South Dakota 31

Today’s Quote

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