During middle school, many students start to lose interest in math because they find it difficult or boring. Try the following tips to keep your child interested: Cook up calculations. "Get your child to help you measure ingredients while you cook," suggests Lisa Gimbel, a Noe Middle School teacher.

"That's the Edgar Sosa that I know," said Andre McGee, the senior who shares time at point guard with Sosa. "He's a tough, confident player who can make all the plays. Everybody on this team believes in him. He just has to stop being so hard on himself."

The first University of Louisville basketball practice after the puzzling Wednesday-night loss to Nevada-Las Vegas was scheduled for 11 a.m. on New Year's Day. Except for Edgar Sosa.

Kayla Phelps, 18, a University of Kentucky freshman who shares a class with star center Patrick Patterson and other UK athletes, showed up at yesterday's Kentucky-Louisville basketball game wearing a red shirt saying "The Ville."

A man was found shot to death just before 8 a.m. yesterday in a van at Cecil Avenue and Broadway in western Louisville, police said. The victim was Michael C. Preuitt, 46, of the 1700 block of West Ormsby Avenue, said R.D. Jones, a Jefferson County deputy coroner.

A man was found slain early yesterday morning outside the apartment building where he lived, Louisville Metro Police said. The victim was Marcus E. Penny, 34, according to the Jefferson County coroner's office.

New Year's Day was supposed to be the drop-dead date for Democrats getting into the 2010 race for U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's seat. But that date passed, and the potential candidates with the biggest names are keeping their powder as dry as brut champagne.

Two newly elected Louisville Metro Council members and 11 others who won re-election last year will be sworn in during a ceremony in the council chambers at 5 p.m. today.

Travis Stewart thought he'd missed one or two questions on the ACT, but he knew he'd done well. When he saw his score online, a perfect 36, he couldn't believe it.

Parents of students in Jefferson County Public Schools have until Friday to apply for optional and magnet programs at middle and high schools and high school open enrollment for the 2009-10 year.