Failing Ky. kids: A report by two leading child advocacy groups gives Kentucky a D when it comes to protecting the rights of abused children. The bluegrass was one of 15 states to earn a D or an F. The failing score is in part due to the fact that attorneys here are not required to be trained in how to represent children in court before taking on such cases.

On the court: U of L Coach Rick Pitino has made the call — Jerry Smith and Terrence Jennings will not miss any games following their recent brush with the law. The pair was arrested last weekend and charged with resisting arrest following a scuffle involving Jeffersonville police. The Rick told ESPN: ”Anytime you defy a police officer, it’s serious. They will be punished and are being punished right now. But no, they will not miss game time.” He went on to defend Smith: ”I think Jerry saw a teammate on the ground and didn’t want to abandon him. I think he saw a teammate taking some pretty good blows and tried to help.”

A banner year: Meanwhile, in Cat Country, UK basketball players are predicting big things on the court this season. In the wake of a 22-14 season under Billy Gillespie, the team has high hopes under John Calipari, with some players looking to score another NCAA banner for Rupp Arena, something the Cats haven’t done in 11 years. Tonight, the Cats will give fans a preview during the school’s Midnight Madness.

The boy in the bubble: Much of the nation was transfixed on the saga of a 6-year-old Colorado boy who floated away in his father’s homemade balloon yesterday. I for one was saddened when it was believed the boy had fallen out of the contraption while it was airborne. Upon hearing the boy was safely at home the entire time, I was relieved. Now, I feel I might have been duped, with rumors swirling that the entire drama might have been a hoax perpetrated by a father hungry for publicity.