Jonathan Miller

A former reporter and news anchor will serve as the public information officer for the Finance and Administration Cabinet.

Valeria Cummings, who worked at Lexington-based WKYT-TV from 1984 to 2005, was named to the position by Finance Secretary Jonathan Miller.

"I'm very excited about moving into state government and working for Governor Beshear and his administration," said Cummings in a release today. "Governor Beshear has a lot of things planned for the future and I'm glad I'll be a part of what I see as some positive changes for all of Kentucky."

Cummings is an Ohio native who attended the University of Alabama. Prior to her new position, she served in the communications department with Kentucky American Water.

She began work today, filling the vacancy created after former Finance PIO Jill Midkiff moved up to Governor Steve Beshear's (D-Lexington) office to work as his Director of Communications.

Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze, of Louisville, was named to serve as a Circuit Court Judge for Kentucky's 30th Judicial District, Division 10, by Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) this morning.

A three-term County Attorney, Maze ran for Lt. Gov. on a ticket with former Treasurer Jonathan Miller (D-Lexington) in 2007 before they suspended their bid prior to the Democratic primary and endorsed the eventual winning ticket featuring Beshear and Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard).

Miller also was appointed to a position in the Beshear administration, taking the reins as Secretary of Finance.

Maze was already the only candidate who had filed for the judicial vacancy, which opened up upon the death of Judge Kathleen Voor Montano.