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.