 After opening arguments, testimony begins in a bribery case. Good evening. I'm Gary Sloan. Cindy Mae Johnson is on assignment. Late yesterday, opening arguments were held in the federal bribery trial against former state representative W. Keith Hall. During his remarks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Taylor told a jury of eight men and six women that Hall allegedly paid former mine inspector Kelly Shortridge $43,000 to overlook violations at Hall's mines between 2006 and 2012. Taylor said Shortridge inspected Hall's mines numerous times, but only wrote them up for violations when it could not be avoided. Taylor also described a complicated scheme to make the payments through various business accounts. In addition, Hall is accused of co-signing a loan for Shortridge, co-signing a car loan for Shortridge's son and making payments on it and recommending Shortridge for a promotion. In his opening statement, defense attorney Bryce Caldwell said Hall does not dispute the amount of money that changed hands. He said Hall will testify to explain what the payments were for and added that Hall never asked Shortridge not to do his job. Caldwell described the prosecution's case as a jigsaw puzzle with a lot of missing pieces. The trial is expected to last through the week and continued with witness testimony today. A second wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Danville attorney Eric C. Kahn. The lawyer is being sued by the family of a former client who took her own life after receiving a letter from the Social Security Administration that her benefits were being cut off due to suspicions of fraud. According to the complaint filed by John Daniel Jude of Martin County, his wife Melissa became dependent and received the letter making statements that she felt worthless. On June 2nd, Melissa Jude drove to Saul Mill Hollow where she later was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The couple have been married for 23 years. This lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Days before the start of a new fiscal year, the city of Pikeville has a new budget. The spending plan was passed during last night's city commission meeting. EKB news reporter Courtney Levern spoke with officials about the process. With a new fiscal year approaching for the Pikeville City Commission, the task of adopting a new budget is at hand and that was discussed in Monday night's commission meeting. City Attorney Russell Davis presented the reading of the budget in front of the commissioners and they voted to adopt the ordinance. The city manager discussed the budget's purpose. What the commission did tonight is pursuant to the requirements to Kentucky law and the department of local government. A government agency is required to pass a budget prior to going into the next fiscal year. So the commission last month held a work session, a public work session and went over the budget in detail. Once the budget was put together, then you actually do a first reading and then a second reading be prior to the new fiscal year taking place, which is July 1st or fiscal year itself. So the commission passed the budget tonight upon publication of the ordinance in our local newspaper, then the budget will be enacted. So start July 1st, we'll have action operating budget to go off of. Blackburn mentioned that the budget fluctuates as they receive grants and different projects come up. The normal budget has run around 30 to 34 million dollars and a large part of those budgets includes the fact that Pikeville has their own police and fire departments. He also mentioned that they normally forecast very conservatively, so overspending won't be an issue. We're extremely proud of the budget this year and the commission and what they have done every year that I've been here in the fact of fully funding the police and fire departments for emergency services and then ensuring that the quality of life issues or parks departments and those things that really have value to our community are also funded to the level that they need to be. Reporting for EKB Evening News at 6, I'm Courtney Levin. The Prestonsburg City Council last night rejected an ordinance that would have allowed Sunday alcohol sales at Stonecrest Golf Course. The ordinance was up for a second and final reading during last night's meeting, but after a motion from Councilman Harry Adams, the measure died for lack of a second. Under the proposal, alcohol would have been available for sale at the golf course between the hours of one and nine o'clock. City and business leaders gathered in Pikeville yesterday to talk about a continue to the spur of the economic region's development efforts. EKB News reporter Shelby Steele attended a meeting and brings us this report. An economic development meeting was held Monday in Pikeville to gather all city and county leaders in one room to discuss where the county is at this time in regards to economic development. Jacob Colley, president and CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce says this has been a long time coming. This is something that we have been working on well before I came onto the chamber, but it's something that we are now ready to really launch and start marketing and start a recruiting process to bring industry here or help industry expand here. Officials say this is a group effort by the community and local leaders, and the community is finally moving forward and becoming what it needs to be. We have invested, and when I say we, he said very loosely, that's the community, that's the organizations here have worked very hard to get Marion's Branch ready for industry. What does that mean? Well that means getting access capacity of water and sewer and access road, a bridge, getting those things in place that have to be ready to attract and create industry. Well we are about six months from all those things being ready and we'll be able to attract and create those jobs on Marion's Branch and it's going to be a great property for Eastern Kentucky. Officials say right now they are trying to determine what types of jobs the region has to offer and recruiting people from there. We can put together a list of target industries, so we may know that in Martin County it's advanced manufacturing or medical device manufacturing. We know we need to focus on those types of companies to recruit there. Maybe down in Pike County it's food processing or food manufacturing, that sort of thing. You know we've got Kellogg's here which is a globally recognized brand. It's going to be on our website. We're going to be promoting the fact that Kellogg's is in this region in joy and some of the other companies who are globally and nationally recognized because not only does a company that's looking to locate somewhere do they want a good piece of property. They want a good workforce, good roads, got all those. They also want to see evidence that other companies have been successful here. Reporting for EKB Evening News at 6, I'm Shelby Steele. Well coming up in Area Hospital is making a big announcement this evening, we'll tell you what it's all about and Marlowe Tackett's name was added to the Country Music Highway earlier today. We'll be back in two minutes. EKB Evening News at 6 is presented by Pikeville Medical Center. Someone you love has just been traumatically injured, every minute counts. If your loved one is one of the more than 411,000 people in Pikeville Medical Center's trauma coverage area, their treatment options have dramatically improved. The American College of Surgeons recently designated PMC as a trauma center. The minutes that would have been wasted traveling to a hospital hours away are now spent saving the lives of people who matter to you. When the minutes count, count on Pikeville Medical Trauma Center, proud member Mayo Clinic Care Network. Walter Chevrolet, Buick GMC and Cadillac, over 300 new NUs, cars, trucks and SUVs. Whole Country's largest selection of Chevrolet, Buick GMC and Cadillac. Shop with us online today where we have over 250 vehicles for you to view from the comfort of your home. See something you like online or want to browse our lot in person, then come on down to Walter's Chevy. Our friendly staff will help you find the perfect vehicle at the very best price. Visit us online, waltersgm.com or stop by our lot today. Zip, Paddle, Saddle, Pikeville's exciting outdoor adventures just got even better. For a very limited time, zipline, kayak and ride horseback for one super low price. Zip, Paddle and Saddle for only $69 adults and $65 ages 8 to 14, zipline portion only $29 adults and $25 kids. Reserve your spot now at visitpikeville.com, explore the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains like never before. Did you know that cable provides lightning fast internet speeds that are secure and reliable with enough bandwidth to power all your devices? When you say hello to cable internet, you say goodbye to slow and that's a cable fact. Unleash the internet with inter-mountain cables ridiculously fast next-gen broadband, unlike cellular streaming and gaming won't be a problem. Power all your devices and say bye-bye to buffering. Make the connection today, inter-mountain cable. A ceremony was held today to officially add local musician Marlowe Tackett's name to the Country Music Highway. East Kentucky Broadcasting News reporter Shelby Steele went to the event and tells us how Tackett's legacy continues to grow. A ceremony was held today to celebrate Marlowe Tackett's name being added to the Country Music Highway in Pie County. Friends, family, community members and church members joined the District 12 Highway Department in the unveiling of the new sign that will be placed along U.S. 23. Senator Ray Jones spearheaded the resolution in the Kentucky General Assembly to add the late entertainer's name to the small group of country musicians who were honored along U.S. 23. State Representative Leslie Combs introduced the bill to the House. He's a legend of the area, known for his musical talent, but also known for his caring spirit of how he cared about the children at Christmas. He was kind of like Santa Claus. Many of Tackett's family members came to the dedication to honor him. Tackett's son David says he will be missed by many and he is proud of his father. It just means everything in the world. It's been a long time coming. I don't know, words really can't explain it, you know. I mean, Dad would be really happy today. I don't know. I guess I'm just speechless. Purple balloons were released at the end of the ceremony in honor of Marlowe Tackett who passed away from pancreatic cancer. Reporting for EKB Evening News at 6, I'm Shelby Steele. This evening at 6.30, Pikeville Medical Center will hold an event to announce it is now the only hospital in Kentucky to have been verified as a level two trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. As a verified trauma center, the hospital is equipped and staffed to provide comprehensive emergency care to patients suffering traumatic injuries from car wrecks, gunshots, assaults, falls and other incidents from the time before they arrive at the hospital through rehabilitation. Studies show that emergency patients receiving care in a trauma center have fewer complications and higher rates of survival, especially when they receive trauma care within the first 60 minutes. Prior to the designation, area emergency patients often had to be transferred up to two hours away, depriving them of valuable treatment time. State law requires that trauma victims be transported to the closest trauma center. Pikeville Medical Center's trauma center now provides that care to a population for more than 400,000. A three-year partnership between the SOAR Initiative and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System is being designed to train Eastern Kentucky students for the careers of the future. Under the agreement, KCTCS will develop and promote a computer and information technology track to develop students design, develop and maintain computer programs written in current and emerging computer languages. The program will emphasize coding careers. The college system will also work entrepreneurship in the region. The program will take five schools across Eastern Kentucky, including Big Sandy Community and Technical College as well as Hazard, Ashland, Somerset and Southeast Kentucky. Well, coming up, an SEC school is looking to make history in the world of college series and Jamie Johnson will be in to tell us all about it. But first, EKB chief meteorologist Lathan Hopkins will let us know when we might expect a break from this heat. We'll be back in two minutes. Medical trauma experts understand that minutes make the difference in saving lives. Pikeville Medical Center is proud to announce their designation as a trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. This important designation means that more than 411,000 people in PMC's coverage area have the advantage of trauma services from a nearby hospital during the crucial time following a traumatic event. When minutes count, count on Pikeville Medical Trauma Center, proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Once true, all it takes is one. One person. You. One red set, also known as a penny, to walk into one store, Appalachian Wireless. And you can walk away with the one Android smartphone that we don't have to tell you how great it is. Because we know you'll look up the reviews online anyway. Get the HTC One M8 from Appalachian Wireless for just a penny when you sign up for service. Going on now at an Appalachian Wireless near you. Use cars for only $5 this Saturday at the Chevrolet in Pikeville, a price slasher is back. I'm the price slasher and I got a passion for slashin' here at Hutch Chevrolet. Ain't that right miss Slasher? That's right, we're gonna slash him up, baby. Slash. 20 to 50% off at some cars over only $5. Bill Kentucky. Hi folks, I'm Ari Edsel Brannum. Based on over 30 years of doing this job I love, I invite you to click on irebrannum.com where you'll find helpful videos when the need arises. Wreck with a car or big truck, family law, divorce, child custody and support, criminal law matters, DUI on the job injuries, workers' compensation, click on it or dial me up. I want to help. The weather with chief meteorologist Lathan Hopkins is presented by the Ira Brannum Law Office. Well, Lathan, a few rumbles of thunder out there. We've had a few thunderstorms make their way across the region. A few more to deal with before things calm down overnight tonight. The Doppler radar showing who is picking up some of the showers and thunderstorms. At this time we have one cell that has developed there near, let's say Ashcamp or So, near Lookout, another over toward Phelps. And then this is the one that I'll be watching here in northern parts of Pike County producing some thunder. We can hear that here in Pikeville as a matter of fact. And then a few more showers developing from Williamson over to Prestonsburg. The main front is still to our north and you can see that stretching from the northern parts of West Virginia crossing over into Kentucky now near Ashland. See another little band here of showers developing. This front is moving from the north to the south and once it does so, we'll bring down the temperatures very little for tomorrow. I'll show you that here in just a second. Now we do have a severe thunderstorm watch box that is in effect for Mingo and Logan Counties. This goes through 10 o'clock tonight unless things really start to get going here within the next little bit. I'd say we could probably see this canceled much earlier than 10 o'clock. Now let's talk about temperatures. That's going to be the big store here over the next couple of days. Overnight lows tonight, back in the upper 60s, low 70s where we have been over the past several nights, several mornings. This is what we've woken up to. Now as we make our way into the day tomorrow, 80s instead of 90s, still upper 80s, not much of a cool down and then as we make our way into Thursday, the 90s continue to funnel right on up into eastern Kentucky, western West Virginia, southwest Virginia. It is what happens Friday and into the weekend that you will really notice that will last all the way into the early part of next week as a matter of fact. The jet stream is set to take a buckle right across the Great Lakes and Ohio River. This means that it's going to allow some of the cooler Canadian air to make its way here across our region while the heat will be building to the west. What are we talking about for daily high temperatures? Again, this is this upcoming weekend. Notice the 70s, wind spread across the region. So a big cool down compared to the 90s that we've had for days upon days. This is high temperatures in the upper 70s and there you see the heat, triple digits down toward LA and of course in 90s as far north as Oregon and Washington, 80s in the middle part of the country but 70s. We go from well above average to a couple degrees below average for the weekend and early next week. So get ready for a cool down. The Polling Count sponsored by Faith Pharmacy, Adams Plaza in Pikeville, 4.5 on Wednesday, 2.8 on Thursday and down to 2.3 with a better chance of rain moving in on Friday. Friday Saturday that is going to be the key time for those showers and thunderstorms to develop. Some of that rainfall on Friday may be locally heavy at times, possibility of severe weather as well. Now look at the temperatures, 87 tomorrow, 91 on Thursday, 83 Friday and then into the upper 70s and low 80s Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday of next week. I like it. Yes. When you get into late June and you're talking about high temperatures in the 70s, it's tough to complain. That's right. Folks will be out enjoying it. Absolutely. Thanks. Well, as the zip paddle and saddle attraction has made its mark around the Bob Amos Park in Pikeville, a new attraction is coming that appeals to the horse enthusiasts in the region and equestrian ring. Years ago, the city of Pikeville was awarded a grant for an equestrian ring to be placed at Bob Amos and with experienced horse trail worker Betty Tackett at the reins, this will be added on to the horse attraction at the park. We've got adequate room up at Bob Amos. The commission wanted to take that next step with really expanding our equestrian business because when you look at Kentucky, you look at egotourism, one of the things we're well known for is our horse industry, obviously. So any way that we can really put a mark on that and really showcase it in our community is always good, but being able to do so in a way that has an economic advantage for bringing in a few thousand people also makes it nice. So it'll be a nice venue and something else that we're looking forward to of adding to our great community. Monday's action was only the first step in establishing the venue. There is no definitive timeline for when the facility will open. And we'll be back with sports in two minutes. Where you live should not determine if you live. Pikeville Medical Center proudly announces their designation as a trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. More than 411,000 people are within PMC's trauma coverage area. These lives are made safer by this important development. Rather than transferring to a hospital out of state or hours away, trauma patients may now be treated close to home. Pikeville Medical Trauma Center proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. You love custom automotive accessories and so do we at Walters Toyota Nissan. Regardless of where you bought your car, truck or SUV, let Walters Toyota Nissan customize it and accessorize it. Window 10 starting at 119, weather tech starting at 109, lift kits, bed liners, hitches, rain guards, bug shields, custom decals and wheels. All professionally installed so no matter what you drive or where you got it, Walters Toyota Nissan is your custom automotive accessories one stop. For the future, let us protect it. People's Insurance working together, building success. Walters Chevrolet, VUIC GMC and Cadillac, over 300 new and used cars, trucks and SUVs. Colt Country's largest selection of Chevrolet, VUIC GMC and Cadillac. Shop with us online today where we have over 250 vehicles for you to view from the comfort of your home. See something you like online or want to browse our lot in person then come on down to Walters Chevy. Your friendly staff will help you find the perfect vehicle at the very best price. Visit us online, WaltersGM.com or stop by our lot today. Well, Jamie, everybody knows about the World Series, but how about the College World Series? Yeah, the College World Series sometimes flies under the radar when you think of the World Series in a baseball in October, well the College World Series could wrap up as soon as tonight. The Vanderbilt Commodores are one win away from becoming only the seventh school to capture back-to-back College World Series championships. Vandy defeated Virginia last year to claim their first ever World Series title and the 10th overall for the Southeastern Conference. Now last night, Vandy reached one step closer to consecutive championships. Game was scoreless until the sixth inning when Vandy third baseman Will Toffee smacked this double bringing in the doors first two runs of the game. Vanderbilt is trying to finish the NCAA tournament with a perfect 10-0 record on their way to back-to-back titles. Now, Vanderbilt would pick up some insurance in the seventh inning. This RBI single put Vandy up three nothing and the doors would stretch the lead a little further to five nothing as we head to the top of the ninth before Virginia would be able to scratch one out. This pinch hit single by Jant Gersenmeier. It would be enough though. Vanderbilt holds off Virginia five to one. The final score, Vandy can close out the best of three series tonight. Day two of Kentucky Sports Radio's summer tour across the bluegrass landed in Painesville this morning where Matt Jones welcomed class of 2016 Livebacker and hometown boy Cash Daniel to the program. Daniel, who will announce his college choice between Kentucky, South Carolina and Louisville during a ceremony at Painesville High School on the 4th of July, sure sounded like he is ready to dawn the blue and white on today's show. You got the grand campus tour. You know, I had a meeting with the vice president of the university. That's pretty good. I mean, I'm just some kid from Michigan. You're gonna meet me with the vice president of the university. I mean, this is unreal. I mean, and then, you know, the your basic visit, you know, you're gonna get the football facility tour. You know, that's a great know, but it's all about where you're gonna spend your life for four years. You know, you want to see more than just the white room and the practice field and they just show me around the entire campus and show me how good life will be there if I chose to come there. The NBA draft is Thursday and the latest mock trap boards to have four Kentucky Wildcats predicted to land as lottery picks. If Carl Anthony Towns is selected number one overall, it would give Coach John Calipari a record for number one picks, joining John Wall, Anthony Davis and Derrick Rose who played for Coach Calip Memphis. Also on Thursday, it could be historic if Kentucky produces seven total selections, which would set a record for the most selections from the same school in one draft. All size point to Carl Anthony Towns as the number one overall picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Chad Ford of ESPN and also draftexpress.com. Devin Booker is the next on the board at number nine to the Charlotte Hornets, both ESPN and draftexpress believe that Willie Collie Stein will land to Indiana. He could slide down to the 11th pick and also Trey Liles could land out there at Phoenix at number 13 or just outside the lottery window at number 17 with the Milwaukee Bucks. Nikari Johnson looks solid at number 40 with Miami Heat and Andrew Harrison who used to combine and team workouts to improve his status could be a second round pick. Brother Aaron Harrison looks to be the only cat on the outside looking in yet could still be on an NBA roster as an unrestricted free agent and will most likely land in a team camp if he goes undrafted. Finally as the 2015 Guard class comes together, Jamal Murray could make his decision between Oregon and Kentucky. Tomorrow if Kentucky is his choice, most experts believe it would give the Wildcats the country's best point guard, best two guard, three guard combination in the country. If Murray picks Kentucky over Oregon, why wouldn't he? Yeah, why wouldn't he? Why wouldn't he? Thanks, Jamie. We'll be back in two minutes. Pikeville Medical Center is celebrating the results of a national Medicare and Medicaid survey are in. Pikeville Medical Center has received the highest rating possible in patient satisfaction. PMC has been measured against 3,500 hospitals by the toughest judges available, and we have scored in the top 5%. That's one way we are delivering quality regional health care in a Christian environment. Use cars for only $5. This Saturday at a journey in Payfield, the price slasher is back. I'm the price slasher and I got us. Passion for slasher here at Hutch Chevrolet. It's a right to slasher. That's right, we're going to slash him up, baby. Slash. $250% off at some cars over only $5. We got it. Let's go. Yes! Only at Hutch Chevrolet, Payfield, Kentucky. Ray worked on my case relentlessly. Injured people turned to attorney Ray Jones to protect their rights. He was wonderful. You couldn't ask for any better. Injury claims could be complicated. Personal injury, workers' comp, social security disability. We can handle all three. Ray is a very good-hearted, caring person. He did wonders for me. Helping injured people, that's what we do. Give us a call. I don't think I could have picked a better law firm than Ray's. Injured, call Ray Jones. Hello, Big Blue Nation. Dave Baker here for my friends at Walters Mitsubishi. In Kentucky, we know about goals and numbers. We hear the numbers at Walters Mitsubishi. They have 20 new Outlander sports in stock. The goal all must be sold in the month of June. So this four-wheel drive SUV that has a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty has been priced at $19,889. 20 to choose from and they all have to go at $19,889. Check us out at waltersmm.com. Offer good through June 30th. Price before tax, title and license. Price includes owner and loyalty rebate. See dealer for details. Before we leave you tonight, we want to pass along this advisory from Mountain Water District. 93 households in a half-field area will be affected by a scheduled outage tomorrow, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 30 p.m. each day in order to repair water lines. The affected area runs from 5949 North Big Creek Road to 136-seater drive in all-side roads. Afterwards, the entire area will be under a boil water advisory until further notice. Well, Lathan rumbles a thunder continuing outside. Indeed, and especially in Mingo Pike and Floyd Counties, that's where we have the strongest of the storm. Some of these putting down some frequent lightning heavy rain gusty winds. And then once we get past today and tomorrow, that's when the temperatures take a hit into the 70s this weekend and low 80s early next week. OK, thank you. And coming up tonight, Jamie? Well, as the thunder and the rain roll in, enjoy. And that will do it for tonight's EKB Evening News. Remember, you can get more local news anytime by listening to the radio stations of East Kentucky Broadcasting. You can also follow EKB News and EKB TV on Facebook and Twitter. Good night, and thanks for watching.