Passport Radio KY | radioNOVO News KY News Roundup for April 17, 2026

 Kentucky is one of the most affected states by a recent surge in gas prices.  A report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy shows Kentuckians are spending an average of 47-dollars more per month on gas.  That cost is the fourth largest cost in the country, only behind Alabama, Mississippi and Wyoming.  The report states that Kentuckians are being hit harder by gas prices due to the high volume of residents who drive to and from work.  Currently, Triple-A says the average cost per gallon in the state is at three-dollars and 96-cents. The National Transportation Safety Board has scheduled a two-day investigative hearing into last fall's fatal crash involving a UPS plane at Louisville Airport.  The hearing will be held May 19th and 20th as part of its ongoing investigation into the crash of UPS Flight 2976 that crashed moments after takeoff on November fourth last fall.  The crash killed 15 people including the four-member crew.  The hearing next month will be held in Washington, D.C., and will be livestreamed.  The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is adding flights to its schedule ahead of the Kentucky Derby on May second.  Airport officials say they're adding another 24 flights for the Derby, including flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.  An estimated 35-thousand visitors are expected to travel through Louisville for the 152nd annual run for the roses.   A measure passed by Kentucky lawmakers is meant to provide more support for rape survivors in the state.  House Bill 134 establishes a statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator position.  The person in that role will focus on improving training for and increasing availability of nurses who are able to perform sexual assault forensic exams.  There were a little over 500 SANE-certified nurses in the commonwealth as of July of last year, with most of them working in Louisville, Central Kentucky, and Northern Kentucky.The Kentucky General Assembly has approved three-point-two million dollars to help the Louisville Orchestra continue its worldwide tour that began four years ago and is scheduled to wrap up next year.  The tour has brought orchestral music directly to 50 counties and more than 57-thousand Kentuckians.  The tour has featured Kentucky artists throughout its run and next year will include world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.