Let the voters decide: A Republican state lawmaker has pre-filed a bill that proposes letting Kentucky voters consider a constitutional amendment to legalize slots. Under Georgetown Sen. Damon Thayer’s proposal, the referendum — if approved — would allocate at least $100 million of slots revenue to the state’s struggling horse industry. At this point, however, it doesn’t look like Democrats want to let the people weigh in, at least not at the polls: “I see no sentiment in our caucus for support of Damon Thayer’s bill,” said Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, a Richmond Democrat.

Slain waitress: A woman’s body was discovered yesterday afternoon in a suitcase behind a Dumpster in the 200 block of East Kentucky Street in Old Louisville. Police says the remains are those of 45-year-old Dorie Eppler, who lived a few blocks away, and also worked at the nearby Ollie’s Trolley restaurant, where she reportedly had been employed as as waitress for more than a decade.

Suicide?: The Associated Press is reporting that investigators looking into the troubling death of Census worker Bill Sparkman near Manchester, Ky., are pursuing the possibility that he might have committed suicide, despite the appearance of foul play. Sparkman, 51, was found tied to a tree on Sept. 12, bound with duct tape with the word “fed” scrawled on his chest. Anonymous law enforcement officials have told the AP that although his hands were bound, they were loose enough to allow him to tie himself to the tree.

Military base massacre: Yesterday’s shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, left 13 dead and 30 wounded. The alleged gunman, Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, was an Army psychiatrist on the verge of his first deployment. The 39-year-old from Arlington, Va., is recovering in a hospital after being shot during the rampage. Hasan’s aunt told The Washington Post her nephew had been harassed about being a Muslim since 9/11: ”I know what that is like,” she said. “Some people can take it, and some cannot. He had listened to all of that, and he wanted out of the military, and they would not let him leave …”

Safety first: The state is using revenue raised from taxing coal companies and charging permit fees to hire an additional 15 mine safety inspectors and 19 more employees to review permits. Gov. Steve Beshear says the new inspectors will help the state actually perform the number of inspections required by law, and “enhance our nationally recognized rescue team capabilities.”

Wanna bet?: Kentuckians looking to gamble now have another nearby option — Ohio. Voters in the buckeye state approved casino gambling at the polls yesterday after two decades of opposition. The measure — which made it through with 53 percent of the vote — is expected to bring thousands of jobs to Ohio. This of course is bad news for Indiana casinos, which will likely lose revenue. Meanwhile, casino proponents in the commonwealth say it’s time to let Kentuckians throw their money away (all in good fun of course) closer to home.

Learning is fun: Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman took 40 days of professional leave during a 13-month period, during which time he traveled to destinations including California, Florida and South Africa. WHAS-11 uncovered the travels, along with credit card bills that reveal Berman has an appetite for fine cuisine, dining at places like Lilly’s and Le Relais on the taxpayers’ dime. Of course the JCPS chief says it was all in the name of education.

Crosstown rivalry: The Cards will take on the Bellarmine Knights tonight at Freedom Hall during the team’s second exhibition game. Coach Pitino says he plans to tinker with the lineup this evening in an effort to fine tune some things before the first real game later this month. Bellarime, by the way, is ranked No.1 in Division II.