Updated: 3:37 PM It was the worst kept secret in Frankfort. Everyone knew Governor Steve Beshear wanted Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson as his running mate when he seeks re-election in two years. Beshear and Abramson confirmed all the speculation on a YouTube video released last night.

Updated: 11:11 AM Financial guru and syndicated columnist Don McNay is our guest tonight on Issues & Answers: The Mountain Edition. McNay was here back in September. At that time he was raising concerns about the 700-billion dollar bailout. In a recent article entitled, “Hank Paulson, Up To His Old Tricks”, McNay says the “American people are being conned.” Tonight we’ll talk bailouts, stimulus packages, healthcare reform and how all of this impacts your wallet.

Posted: 6:11 PM I asked this question on Twitter and Facebook. Here are some final thoughts from our viewers. It is my hope that we will honor our Veterans each and every day. We don’t have to wait for a special holiday to say “Thank You”.

Updated: 6:53 PM Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo is our guest Monday July 6th on Issues & Answers: The Mountain Edition. What would you like to ask the Lieutenant Governor? I’ll use some of your questions when I sit down with the Lieutenant Governor Monday at 7pm.

Posted: 2:00 PM Many of you remember Lieutenant Colonel John Luttrell, the leader of our Mountain Warriors. I remember when I introduced my son to the commander. He was only 9-years old. I told him, “You just met a true American hero.” Here are the Lieutenant Colone's thoughts on Independence Day:

Updated: 1:56 PM I asked this question on Twitter and Facebook. Here are some your answers: For me, the 4th of July is summed up in a line from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." "As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free." I don't have to ask myself if I would die for the cause of freedom, because so many others have already made the ultimate sacrifice.

Updated: 2:27 PM Thanks so much for this article. My Grandfather was a WWII vet, my Father a Vietnam vet and my Brother-in-Law and several friends are Dessert Storm Vets, not too mention the many friends and relatives I have currently overseas serving today. I think we as a society as a whole, take our freedom for granted and it's so fragile.

Updated: 8:17 PM This weekend we will celebrate America’s birthday. When I was growing up we called it “Independence Day”. Today, we simply call it July 4th. Our founding fathers were men of great vision and faith. 233 years later America is still that “shining city on a hill”. This is the greatest country in the world. Some want to call that arrogance … I call it patriotism. Some want to apologize for our history … I plan to celebrate it.

Posted: 2:44 PM WOW! You helped raise nearly $50,000 dollars for East Kentucky flood victims and the donations are still coming in. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are making a difference. You are helping a family rebuild their home and their lives. Someone asked me if I was surprised by the outpouring of money. No, I am always amazed but never surprised by the generosity of Eastern Kentuckians. You always come through when someone needs help. There are no strangers in a time like this. Everyone is family.

Updated: 9:49 PM I can still remember it like it was yesterday, April 4, 1977. I was a senior at Harlan High School. It started like any other rainy Monday, but this was no ordinary day. By nightfall, much of the county was underwater. More than seven inches of rain fell within a 24-hour period. The booming voice of Big Jim Morgan on WHLN radio providing calm in the midst of a storm unlike any we had ever seen.

Posted: 11:41 AM Time is one of our most precious gifts. Yet, it is the one thing we take most for granted. Think about it. What says “I love you” more than when we give our time to someone else. If you knew when you were going to die, how would you spend those final days, weeks or months? I don’t know about you, but I know my priorities would change. The thing is, no one is guaranteed tomorrow. In fact, our tomorrow could be today.

Posted: 9:24 PM I ran across this article in the Harlan Daily Enterprise and I wanted to share it on my blog. It really doesn’t need an introduction. Pat Bryson’s words say it all. But let me share this quote from Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”

Updated: 12:35 AM “All great change begins at the dinner table.” That’s one of my favorite quotes from President Ronald Reagan. The birth of this country did not begin in the halls of government, rather in the minds of common men, born with vision, determination and a commitment to a higher calling. That’s how it is with many of our nation’s greatest accomplishments. Common people, like you and me, working together toward one goal, one vision and one dream. Nearly three weeks have passed since millions of Americans watched Diane Sawyer’s Hidden America: Children of the Mountains. The eyes of the world once again focused on Eastern Kentucky, and once again the images were all too familiar. The special focused on our poverty, drug abuse and tooth decay. Many in our region were offended, even angered. Children of the Mountains sparked controversy and discussion. It is that debate that I want to focus on this week.

Updated: 1:22 PM I promised myself I would keep an open mind. I sat down Saturday morning and watched Hidden America: Children of the Mountains in the privacy of my office. No distractions, no interruptions. Several hours later I watched it again to see if my initial thoughts remained the same. Each time I was overcome with emotion. My feelings have ranged from sadness and compassion, to embarrassment and anger. To be honest, “Hidden America: Children of the Mountains” made me mad as hell! But read on, you may be surprised as to why I am so angry.

Updated: 2:57 PM Today, we swear in our 44th President. Barack Obama grasps the reins of power as America’s first African American President. Regardless of your political affiliation or whether you voted for Barack Obama, John McCain or someone else, you can not overlook the historical significance of this day. And that’s what I want to concentrate on. It’s hard to believe that it was just 54 years ago (December 1, 1955) that Rosa Parks, a seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. At that time, there were white lunch counters and “colored” lunch counters, segregated restrooms and schools. We were a nation united in our division. Most African Americans were not allowed to vote.

Updated: 4:02 AM I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on 2008 and looking ahead to the New Year. 2009 will bring new beginnings, new opportunities and yes, some endings. One of my favorite Bible verses is Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. This Irish Prayer sums up my wish for you in 2009. May God give you... For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer.

Posted: 4:52 PM I don’t know about you but I am tired of this debate over whether to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”. Since when did Christmas become a dirty little word that should not be uttered in public? Surveys show that 95% of Americans celebrate Christmas. Yet, we are giving in to a vocal minority that is determined to remove Christ from Christmas. Some businesses strongly encourage employees to avoid saying “Merry Christmas” and in many public schools across the country, children are not allowed to sing Christmas carols during their holiday music productions.

Updated: 9:45 PM The candidates have had their say. The paid political ads, the promises and the mudslinging are coming to an end. Now, it’s your turn. Like I said last week, your vote is your voice and now it’s time to let your voice be heard. It is a right that is paid for with the blood of our nation’s heroes, our veterans.

Posted: 11:47 AM “What would happen if the U.S. won a war but the media didn’t tell the American public? Apparently, we have to rely on a British newspaper for the news that we’ve defeated the last remnants of al-Qaida in Iraq.”

Updated: 10:32 AM Wall Street is nervous. Main Street is angry and Congress is, what else, busy playing the blame game. The Senate is expected to vote on a new version of the $700 billion bailout tonight (Wednesday). The move comes after the House’s stunning defeat of the Bush administration’s bailout proposal on Monday. That defeat prompted the blame game as members on both sides of the aisle started their political posturing. The bottom line, right now, voters don’t care about the politics. They care about their wallet, their life savings and their family’s future. It’s time Congress paid attention.

Updated: 8:47 PM Two weeks ago WYMT launched Mountain News First at Four. I am happy to report the viewer feedback is positive. Many of you have told me this newscast fits better into your busy lifestyle. That’s one of the reasons we decided on a 4pm newscast. Still, I’ve had a lot of questions regarding the 4pm news. I thought this was a good place to clear up some of those questions.

Updated: 8:05 PM The media's scrutiny of Sarah Palin is drawing fire from Republicans. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, once a rival for the GOP nomination, said the media’s coverage has been “tackier than a costume change at a Madonna concert.” Is the media treating Palin differently because she is a woman? Is there a double standard?

Updated: 7:15 PM Now that Hurricane Gustav has weakened, Republicans made the decision Tuesday morning to go forward with their convention program. This week we will continue our focus on the 2008 Presidential Race. The Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Mike Duncan, is blogging exclusively for WYMT from the convention floor. Mr. Ducan will share his insights and observations throughout the week.

Updated: 12:14 AM The Republican National Convention opens Monday in Minneapolis, but all eyes are on Hurricane Gustav. New Orleans is literally a "ghost town" as tens of thousands flee to safety. No one wants to repeat the mistakes which happened three years ago during Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans undertook the largest evacuation in Louisiana's history. "Let's prepare for the worst, pray for the best", were the words from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Today, John McCainn echoed those words as he cancelled most of Monday's opening day ceremonies. That was the right decision. I'm a political junkie, but this is not the time to talk about Republicans or Democrats. That debate can wait. Tonight, and for the next few days, it's time to pray for the safety of everyone in the path of Gustav.

Updated: 11:53 PM Welcome to my notebook. This is my first endeavor in to the wide world of blogging. We will talk a lot of politics. Remember, it is the "silly" season. We will also talk about the issues facing our region and what our elected officials are doing to address those problems. Plus, we'll try our best to answer your questions regarding WYMT and our news coverage.