Many young horse riders are getting their first taste of the big time this week at Kentucky Horse Park. Trailers line the parking lots, colorful golf carts decked out in U.S., Canadian, and Mexican flags speed by, and spectators brave the summer heat for a glimpse at the young talent. It's early afternoon and 17-year-old Talia Hershaft just finished a solo ride in front of the judges. 

The Clark County Fiscal Court approved first readings of three ordinances aimed at curbing drug-related thefts and outlining new guidelines for pawnbrokers and precious metal dealers, motor vehicle recyclers and other recyclers. Now, precious metal dealers would have to place a 10-day hold on items purchased before they could be resold, damaged or recycled, instead of the previously proposed five-day hold.

Starting in late August, all students in grades 5-12 in the Owensboro school system will get laptop computers. The school system purchased 2,200 of the Apple Macbook Air laptops. Each cost about $1,000, according to a published report in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.

Frankfort - Kentucky State Police is tapping into cyberspace through social media sites like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to entice new recruits to join the agency. KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer announced Friday that the agency launched its first of several recruiting videos via YouTube.

FRANKFORT – Blasting at two Eastern Kentucky mines sent rocks through the air that damaged nearby property, including two homes, according to the Department of Natural Resources, which suspended the blasting until those responsible could explain how they intend to prevent it from happening again.

As we reported earlier, President Obama dismissed House Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) plan to raise the debt ceiling. In a news conference, he said the bill "has no chance of becoming law."

Now, multiple news outlets are reporting that Boehner, in an attempt to woo Tea Party Republican votes in the House, added a balanced-budget amendment provision to his budget plan.

Host Michel Martin and NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax check the facts behind the debt debates. Geewax explains how poor people would be both harmed and helped by government spending cuts, and how Americans can safeguard their credit if a U.S. default happens.

Host Michel Martin continues her conversation with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Cleaver explains how a default would be catastrophic for the people he serves. He also comments on a recent Pew report that says the wealth gap between white households and black and Hispanic households is widening.

Host Michel Martin discusses the debt talks with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Cleaver describes the current atmosphere in Congress and notes that some freshmen members believe the current debt situation is not that huge of a crisis.

Several Tea Party-backed congressional Republicans have openly opposed House Speaker Boehner's budget proposal, which aims to raise the U.S. borrowing limit in two steps and requires Congress to confront the debt ceiling again in six months. To learn more about Tea Partiers' thoughts on the debt ceiling and government spending habits, host Michel Martin speaks with Tea Party Patriots Spokeswoman Shelby Blakely.