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Heavy rain is causing some issues in East Tennessee. Highway workers say the weather contributed to a sinkhole in the westbound lane of Highway 70 in Crossville.More >> Heavy rain is causing some issues in East Tennessee. Highway workers say the weather contributed to a sinkhole in the westbound lane of Highway 70 in Crossville.More >> The Chattanooga market will add hundreds of hotel rooms in the coming year, following four years of booming revenues for its hotel industry.More >> The Chattanooga market will add hundreds of hotel rooms in the coming year, following four years of booming revenues for its hotel industry.More >> A Powerball ticket sold in Tennessee barely missed winning a share of an estimated $590.5 million prize. But the ticket has a nice consolation prize worth $1 million.More >> A Powerball ticket sold in Tennessee barely missed winning a share of an estimated $590.5 million prize. But the ticket has a nice consolation prize worth $1 million.More >> A Knox County man is being charged for the murder of his brother, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.More >> A Knox County man is being charged for the murder of his brother, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> A Maryville man is dead after a fiery wreck on Saturday morning, according to a Tennessee Highway Patrol accident report.More >> Leaders of Nashville's convention center already are mapping out a possible future expansion of a center that spans six downtown blocks and sits on 19 acres.More >> Leaders of Nashville's convention center already are mapping out a possible future expansion of a center that spans six downtown blocks and sits on 19 acres.More >> Witnesses described a frantic scene and close calls after an elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a small Virginia mountain town's parade.More >> An emergency official says authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally.More >> A program to help soldiers get loans to purchase homes has gotten a permanent extension.More >> A program to help soldiers get loans to purchase homes has gotten a permanent extension.More >> First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.More >> First lady Michelle Obama has some advice for some Tennessee high school graduates: strike your own path in college and life and work to overcome inevitable failures with determination and grit.More >> Prior to Saturday's $600 million Powerball jackpot drawing, people in Knoxville were talking about how they would spend that kind of money if they were to win.More >> Prior to Saturday's $600 million Powerball jackpot drawing, people in Knoxville were talking about how they would spend that kind of money if they were to win.More >>
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Health care professionals and government officials from across the state are trying to address the large number of Kentucky babies that die in their first year of life.
The Courier-Journal reports at the Governor's Summit on Infant Mortality last week, officials said nearly 14% of Kentucky babies are born prematurely. And hospitalizations for babies born addicted to drugs rose by 2,400 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Officials said poverty, lack of education and drug abuse contribute to an infant mortality rate that is higher than Cuba, Croatia or Slovakia.
Attempts to combat the problem include a home-visitation program for new and expectant parents and an educational program to prevent elective deliveries before 39 weeks gestation.
Officials said they are also working to get more drug-addicted mothers into treatment.
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