LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s Auditor of Public Accounts, Mike Harmon, said the state’s Office of Unemployment Insurance is unable to accurately determine the amount of claims still outstanding while a large backlog of claims remain unresolved.

In a letter to Kentucky’s Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary on Tuesday, he noted that the removal of some internal controls in order to hasten the processing of unemployment benefit payments increased the risk of fraud and misstatements. He also reported that the audit found that payments were paid to claimants without verifying whether or not they were eligible.

“It is imperative for UI officials to address the problems that led to this issue, so that reliable data can be provided for the current fiscal year and going forward,” Harmon said.

In a statement on the auditor’s report, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Labor Cabinet insisted that the audit report did not include information on how the Office of Unemployment Insurance cooperated with the auditor to provide numbers, and added that the auditor did not accept the information the cabinet offered.

“Kentuckians can expect the Governor’s next budget will include funding to upgrade the unemployment insurance system, to replace the more than 90 employees the General Assembly cut in previous budgets and reopen offices to help Kentucky workers when they need it most,” Kevin Kinnaird said.

CINCINNATI —

Many college students will begin returning to campus and class next week.

The spring semester will be a little different for them. Modified start dates, virtual learning, COVID-19 testing, and in some cases, mandatory flu shots are factors coming into play.

At the University of Cincinnati, 70 percent of coursework will be online for the spring semester.

"We have a required return to campus testing for any student that's a residential student or has an interest in coming to campus for any reason," said Dr. Chris Lewis, vice provost for academic programs at UC.

Students can get tested on campus. Lewis said more than 1,800 have already done so.

"It's very easy for the students and very quick. I'm told that from the time they show up, they can walk out the door in 60 seconds," Lewis said.

Any UC student registered for more than six credit hours is also required to get the flu shot.

At Xavier University, students are not required to get the flu vaccine.

"It's something we're monitoring, but currently, we feel really good about the number of students who have the flu vaccine," said Jean Griffin, dean of students at Xavier University.

Before heading back to Xavier on Jan. 19, students are being asked to take several precautions.

"While they're at home, we're asking them to kind of limit their exposure to other people. Do self quarantine at home. Get a test if you can before you come back to campus, " Griffin said.

Ohio University launched a new testing program for the spring semester. All OU students are required to take an at-home saliva-based COVID-19 test before returning to campus. Students living on campus will be also required to get tested for COVID weekly. Off-campus students will be tested every other week.

Ohio State students will also have to complete an at-home COVID test prior to returning and then a second test once they arrive in Columbus.

OU and OSU do not require flu vaccinations.

Miami University says it will be testing all student for the coronavirus upon arrival back to campus. Miami does not require the flu shot.

TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey is expanding its list of residents who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and the inclusion of one group has led to some pushback – smokers.

In addition to those age 65 years and older, those between 16 and 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Smoking is one of the ten conditions and state health officials say it’s the largest group, with millions of smokers in the state.

“Smoking puts you at significant risk for an adverse result from COVID-19. And there are 2 million smokers in New Jersey that fit into this category,” said the state’s health commissioner, Judith Persichilli at a Wednesday press conference with Gov. Phil Murphy.

The other conditions included are cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Down syndrome, heart conditions (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies), obesity, severe obesity, and sickle cell disease.

“We know individuals in these categories are at greater risk for severe COVID-19 illness and death,” said Persichilli.

The commissioner says 80% of COVID-19 deaths in New Jersey have been among those 65 years and older, and 67% of all COVID-19 deaths in the state had one or more underlying condition reported.

“However, we know this number is likely higher, because not all cases had data reported on whether those comorbidities or chronic conditions existed,” she said.

Persichilli said expanding vaccinations to these groups, “will help protect the most vulnerable amongst us.”

The decision to include smokers has already led to backlash, because they’ll be able to get vaccinated before some front-line workers, like teachers and public transit employees.

The state’s decision does lineup with guidance from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though. Smoking is listed as medical condition that could lead to severe illness from COVID-19.

If you’re a smoker, the CDC says to quit.

“If you used to smoke, don’t start again. If you’ve never smoked, don’t start,” the agency wrote on its website.

Click here for resources that can help you kick the habit.

Somebody has finally won the big Powerball jackpot. So far, we know the winning ticket was sold a store in Maryland. The single ticket is worth more than $731 million.

Maryland does allow its lottery winners to remain anonymous. The state itself has only had three Powerball winners ever, including the latest one.

It's not really considered a "lucky" state if you compare it to places like Indiana, where they've had 39 Powerball winners, or Missouri, where they've had 31.

So, is there such a thing as a lucky state? Experts in math and statistics say no.

“Every lottery ticket has the same odds, no matter where it's bought, no matter when it's bought,” said Dr. Lew Lefton, a Georgia Tech University faculty member who teaches math.

Lefton says it's expected to have clusters of winners, whether its broken down by state, zip code, or even gender.

It would be strange if the winners were evenly distributed by state.

“Random processes always have clusters and empty spaces. If you think about just throwing random points of paint on a canvas, some of them are going to be close together. Some of them are going to be far apart. That's just normal,” said Lefton.

Population density doesn't really have an effect on the chances of winning. Buying more tickets also doesn't really increase your chances of winning. It just increases the jackpot.

“The real odds are increased, but it's incrementally increased. It's so small that it's not substantial unless you start buying literally hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of tickets,” said Lefton.

Lefton says if you're going to play the lottery, you're better off buying just one ticket.

“Don't expect to win, but just enjoy the uncertainty of being wealthy for a moment and the possibility. That's enough entertainment for your $2,” said Lefton.

The jackpot for tomorrow night's Mega Millions drawing is up to nearly $1 billion.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday ordered $390 million across-the-board budget cuts for the rest of the fiscal year, citing the ongoing economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. A new budget year begins July 1.

The Republican governor also announced that — because the cuts aren’t as big as last year — an additional $160 million can be provided to the state Department of Education and $100 million to the Department of Higher Education. This was money that was previously withheld.

“As many schools, colleges and universities return to in-person learning, it’s important that the funding be reinstated,” DeWine said. The governor has set a goal of K-12 students returning to some form of in-person learning by March 1.

In June, DeWine cut $775 million from the budget because of plummeting revenue due to the pandemic. Ohio’s total 2021 budget, including state and federal funds, is about $72 billion. But much of that is tied up in mandatory programs like Medicaid, the joint state-federal health care program for poor children and families.

Also Friday, DeWine extended the state 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, which expires Saturday, until Jan. 30. The pandemic-driven curfew requires people to stay at home during those hours except for work, food purchases, medical appointments and other necessary travel.

This extension is much shorter than the previous order, which ran from Dec. 31 to Jan. 23. On Thursday, DeWine suggested the next step might be to extend the curfew to 11 p.m., but said, “We’re just not there.”

The seven-day rolling average of daily new coronavirus cases in Ohio did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 7,527 new cases per day on Jan. 7 to 6,059 new cases per day on Jan. 21, according to an Associated Press analysis of data provided by The COVID Tracking Project.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats in the Senate said Wednesday that they're reintroducing a bill that would make Washington, D.C. the nation’s 51^st state.

However, even though Democrats now control the Senate, the chances of the legislation passing are not good.

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del. is leading the group of senators and working with House Democrats to grant D.C. statehood.

The bill, which Caper first introduced in 2013, would give D.C. full representation in Congress and also ensure its elected leaders have full authority over local affairs, including safety and security measures.

“Our nation’s capital is home to more than 700,000 Americans who, despite our nation’s founding mantra — ‘no taxation without representation’ — pay their share of taxes without full voting representation in either chamber of Congress,” said Carper in a statement. “In fact, despite paying more in federal taxes per capita than citizens of any of the 50 states, D.C. residents have no say in how those taxes are actually spent.”

Right now, the district only has one representative in the House, Rep. Eleanor Norton, who introduced a companion bill that passed by a vote of 232-180 last year. Statehood would allow D.C. to elect two U.S. senators, which would likely fall to the Democrats.

“This isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue; it’s an American issue because the lack of fair representation for D.C. residents is clearly inconsistent with the values on which this country was founded,” Carper continued. “It is therefore incumbent upon all of us who enjoy the right and the privilege of full voting rights and representation to take up the cause of our fellow citizens in the District of Columbia.”

The legislation, titled, The Washington, D.C. Admission Act, would also designate the areas surrounding the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the National Mall as the seat of the federal government. That area would inherit the name “the Capitol” and remain under control of Congress.

D.C. residents have also voted overwhelmingly to petition the federal government grant them statehood. A November 2016 referendum approved a name, constitution, and boundaries for what would become the new state called Washington, Douglass Commonwealth (D.C.).

President Joe Biden has voiced his support for D.C. statehood, but the chances of the bill passing in the Senate are slim. Democrats would need to overcome the filibuster, meaning they’d need 60 votes. Right now, both parties have 50 senators, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting tiebreaking votes.

It may not be long before the people serving you alcohol at your favorite restaurant get a little younger.

A pre-filed bill making its way to the Kentucky senate floor would lower the age for servers from 20-and-a-day to 18-years-old.

It comes as restaurants all over the state are working to get back to their pre-pandemic staff numbers. Drake's in St. Matthew's is no exception.

Managing partner Bob Cameron said he’s been busy putting up hiring signs inside and outside of the restaurant. As of late, he's been successful at getting applicants, averaging 20-30 a week, but there's just one problem.

"It’s all coming down to the age of the applicant," Cameron said.

Being a venue that serves alcohol, he said they get a lot of people asking for beer and mixed drinks. However, there are limited people who can serve them due to age.

"If you're not 20-and-a-day, I've got still positions available, but it gets to a point where we are starting to fill those positions," Cameron said. "We still have huge vacancies in certain departments that we really need to fill."

He's not alone. Venues all over the state are trying to combat the current age requirement, so much so that state lawmakers are deciding to step in.

On Thursday, Republican State Rep. Richard White addressed the state's Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations with a solution.

"I think we should lower the age to serve alcohol to 18-years-old," White said.

A solution that would help out people like Cameron, but also one that the district manager for Agave & Rye in Louisville, Jason Fryman said, would help out those who get hired.

"I started serving when I was 16, but it was in a place that didn't serve alcohol," Fryman said. "It made a huge difference when I was able to serve alcohol, the amount of money I was making."

Fryman said he's in favor of the move. In his opinion, there's not much of a difference between someone who is 18 or 19-years-old, and someone who is 20-and-a-day-years-old.

"I think as long as you're 18 you're an adult," Fryman said. "As long as proper training is put into a place, you can do it."

A statement some state lawmakers agreed with during the Thursday meeting.

"We're talking about someone who is 18, who is eligible for the draft, can go into service, and is legally an adult," Republican Sen. John Schickel said. "It's not like they would be behind the bar alone at 1:30 a.m. They would be under the supervision of someone who is 21-years-old serving tables."

The bill if passed would also allow cashiers at stores who serve boxed alcohol to be as young as 18-years-old.

ALBANY, N.Y. —

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke Wednesday for the first time since Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation, promising a smooth transition as she prepares to assume the state's highest office.

In a televised address, the 62-year-old Democrat assured viewers that work of building a new administration had "already begun" with a series of meetings with local and federal legislators. Hochul is slated to officially become the state's 57th governor in just under two weeks, an intermediate period set by Cuomo.

While she described her placement into the role as unexpected, she repeatedly cited her preparedness.

"I'm prepared to take office, as any lieutenant governor is from the very first hour you're sworn in," she said. "The promise I make to all New Yorkers, right here and right now — I will fight like hell for you every single day."

When an investigation into the Cuomo administration was referenced by reporters, Hochul made a point to distance herself from the personal actions and culture alleged in the attorney general's report.

"I think it's fairly clear that the governor and I are not close — physically or otherwise," she said, noting her ties to upstate. "No one will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment."

Still, she thanked the current governor for his service to the state, noting that his resignation was "appropriate and in the best interests of the state of New York."

Cuomo made the decision to step aside after a state attorney general's report concluded he sexually harassed at least 11 women, including some among state employees. It also listed alleged an instance of threatened retaliation against a former employee who threatened to speak out against the office.

Hochul's plans for the upcoming weeks include meeting with state cabinet officials and forming a solidified plan for her administration that will then be delivered to the public. Among her noted priorities are pandemic safety, a return to the classroom and employment across the state.

The incoming governor has longstanding ties across the state. Raised in Buffalo, she later graduated from Syracuse University in 1980 before entering public service.

Hochul served as the Erie County, New York, deputy court clerk in the early 2000s. She was appointed by then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer to take over as Erie County court clerk after her predecessor left office. Hochul later ran for the seat and won.

Hochul has been a part of several high-profile controversies over the course of her political career. In 2007, she openly opposed Spitzer’s proposal to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for and receive a New York driver’s license. She said at the time that she’d have any undocumented immigrants who applied for a driver’s license arrested.

In 2018, she changed her position and said she supported a similar driver’s license program.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MERIDIAN, Idaho — Ammon Bundy, the rancher who led an armed occupation of federal land in Oregon in 2016, announced he's running for the governor of Idaho.

Bundy launched his campaign website, which includes a video with his official announcement to join Idaho's 2022 gubernatorial race.

He made his announcement official Saturday at Kleiner Park in Meridian.

Bundy said he's running because he's "sick and tired of all of this political garbage" and "tired of our freedoms being taken from us and I’m tired of the corruption that is rampant in our state government."

In May, he filed documents with the Idaho Secretary of State's office to run as a Republican in the 2022 gubernatorial primary.

Current Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, and four other Republicans — Jeff Cotton, Edward Humphreys, Lisa Marie, and Cody Usabel — have also filed campaign documentation to run for governor.

Bundy, a well-known anti-government activist, is best known for leading an armed standoff in 2016 at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon to protest the federal control of public lands.

The siege lasted 41 days and ended with one person dead after an intense standoff with the police.

He was eventually arrested and later acquitted of all federal charges in that case.

Most recently, Bundy was arrested twice in one day back in April for trespassing on Idaho Capitol grounds.

He was served a no-trespass notice in August 2020 during a special legislative session.

That notice is in effect for one year.

Bundy also currently has two misdemeanor criminal trespassing cases pending against him, and he is representing himself for both.

The cases stem from events during a protest of coronavirus restrictions at the Idaho Statehouse last August.

He has pleaded not guilty in one case and has not yet entered a plea in the second.

Cooper Waytenick at KIVI first reported this story.