FLORENCE, KY (FOX19) - Florence Mayor Diane Whalen was recognized as Outstanding Elected Official for 2012 at the annual awards dinner over the weekend.

Mayor Whalen was given the honor by The Municipal Government League of Northern Kentucky.  The award is given each year to honor a local elected official who has distinguished himself or herself through public service to the Northern Kentucky community. The purpose is to recognize an elected city or county official, presently or formerly holding office in one of the eight Northern Kentucky counties, who has demonstrated commitment to all of Northern Kentucky above and beyond his or her official capacity.

FLORENCE, KY (FOX19) – Governor Steve Beshear is making three highly visible appearances in Northern Kentucky Monday.

The governor first stop is an event with the media and Kentucky Speedway owner Bruton Smith and G. M. Mark Simendinger.

After the parking fiasco at last year’s Spring Cup race, the track and the state have made big effort to improve the situation.  Monday morning the governor will drive the Speedway’s Official Ford Escape Pace Vehicle to the new pedestrian and tram tunnel.  The tunnel has been built to let people who have parked in the new 170-acre parking area across from the Speedway walk to the track without having to dodge traffic on the main road.  Beshear and the media will then tour the Speedway.

INDIANAPOLIS (FOX19) - The Indiana Gaming Commission is seeking input from all businesses that are ready, willing and able to provide goods and services to Indiana’s casinos.  This information is being sought as part of a statistical analysis, also called a disparity study, being undertaken by the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment on behalf of the IGC.

The study will determine if the amount of purchases made from minority business enterprises (MBEs) and women business enterprises (WBEs) is proportionate to the capacity of those companies to provide goods and services to Indiana casinos.  If such a disparity is found, state law requires the IGC to establish MBE and WBE utilization goals.

All potential suppliers are asked to join the study.