Lower learning: A 4 percent budget cut would devastate Kentucky public schools, the state education chief says. Your move, David Williams. 

The (vain)glorious return of the C-J Exclusive: Remember those fancy little red “C-J Exclusive” buttons the paper started running on stories it reported first? It began, it appears, in response to heavy criticism about the paper’s coverage of the Robert Felner scandal. Well, there’s another today: JCPS is looking at cutting 264 jobs in response to our decimated economy. They’re looking at a $40 million shortfall. Oh my. 

Where’s my 911?: The wintry mix made for crappy driving conditions Saturday, and there were numerous accidents. One happened about 20 feet in front of me: I was driving along Newburg Road, approaching the Watterson interchange, when a cab — having just crossed an icy bridge — lost control and flipped. I stopped behind and got out, along with about five other drivers. We approached the car slowly and tried to help the driver out. All of us were calling 911 as we approached; we discussed briefly the need to clear the line, so to speak, and one person called. Then others stopped and called; meanwhile, we helped the cabbie — unhurt — out of the car and to some measure of safety. Never got through on 911. We tried for 15 minutes before a cop drove by and helped us. We asked about 911: “We’re just slammed right now,” the officer explained, acting unsurprised. I know we’re in a budget crisis, but what the hell? This is not Mayberry. I’ll be making some calls to find out what happened. 

GM sucks: They’re advertising the need for a bailout. I guess there’s no more American way to ask than that. 

Flat-out amazing: Esquire’s very fine Blog of Lists has, for your entertainment, The Five Most Surprising American Celebrities in Foreign Commercials. Just wow.