- "Caving to political pressure, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has apologized for not participating in furlough days ordered by Gov. Steve Beshear and has donated portions of his salary to charity. Earlier this month, Farmer, who is running for lieutenant governor, rejected the plan because he disagreed with unpaid days for state employees. The former Mr. Basketball earns over $100,000 annually in the position, but refused to join other statewide elected officials who wrote personal checks for a day’s pay as part of the cost-cutting measure. In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, however, Farmer reversed his position and said he gave $1,000 to Capitol City Christian Church and another $1,000 to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund that will cover five furlough days. For the sixth unpaid day, Farmer indicated he will make another donation to a charitable organization next month." [WFPL]
- "UPS expects the pace of the economic recovery to moderate because of risks like high oil prices, but remains confident it can increase profits significantly. The world's largest package delivery company on Tuesday raised its full-year earnings forecast after first-quarter net income rose 66 percent. Shipping demand increased and customers paid more to move packages faster in the year's first three months. [Courier-Journal]
- "Humana will start paying quarterly dividends to stockholders, joining other major health insurers who announced similar plans in recent months. That news and a sharply increased profit forecast caused Humana shares to gain nearly 6 percent Tuesday, closing at $76.69." [Courier-Journal]
Photo: Courtesy Kentucky Department of Agriculture