Today's Top Stories...

• Richie Farmer is the topic of scrutiny today after it was revealed that he hired his girlfriend at a rate of $60,000 a year for a position in the agriculture department.  Williams says he knew nothing about the fact that Farmer had hired her days before the November 8th election day.  The incoming ag commissioner, James Comer is hinting that she probably won't keep her post, at least that's how I read it.
• The state pension situation in Kentucky is not pretty, even after 2008's reform attempts.
• Former Wildcats Josh Harrellson and DeMarcus Cousins attended a fundraiser for Mitt Romney in Lexington last night where they presented a UK hat for the republican presidential hopeful.  Perhaps Cousins blames Obama for that South Carolina loss a couple of years ago.
• Speaking of Cats, our boys in blue will be taking the court tomorrow but many Kentuckians won't be able (or technologically advanced enough) to see the game.  It is being broadcast on ESPN3, the network's online channel, making it difficult for those without the internets.  Coach Cal and company are in Connecticut to take on Penn State. Since it's schedule for a noon ET tip-off there's no reason to put the kids in bed, except for the fact that we're playing Penn State -- ZING!!
• A Gallup poll tells us that Kentucky is the number 1 on a list of the country's highest smoking states.  29% of Kentuckians light up, with the national average being 21%.  The study shows a direct correlation between a state's smoking laws and the amount their citizens smoke.