Author

McKenna Horsley

McKenna Horsley

McKenna Horsley covers state politics for the Kentucky Lantern. She previously worked for newspapers in Huntington, West Virginia, and Frankfort, Kentucky. She is from northeastern Kentucky.

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Kentucky Supreme Court must weigh constitutionality of partisan gerrymanders

By: - September 19, 2023

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday about whether Republican-drawn U.S. and Kentucky House districts are gerrymandered and if that matters under the state constitution.? Kentucky Democrats filed the lawsuit after the Republican supermajority in the General Assembly adopted the maps last year. Attorneys for the Democrats and the Commonwealth of Kentucky argued […]

Former Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones dies at 84

By: - September 18, 2023

Former Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones has died.? Jones, a Democrat, served one term as governor from 1991 to 1995. He was also lieutenant governor from 1987 to 1991.? Jones was 84.? Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed his death on social media Monday afternoon. In addition to his political career, Jones and his wife Elizabeth Lloyd “Libby” […]

Cameron now says he would sign rape, incest exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion ban

By: - September 18, 2023

Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron on Monday said he would sign legislation allowing exceptions to Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban in cases of rape and incest — signaling a departure from his past comments on the law.? Cameron, Kentucky’s attorney general, said in an? interview on the Tony & Dwight show on NewsRadio 840 WHAS that […]

Across Kentucky, election workers needed ahead of general election

By: - September 15, 2023

Editor’s note: This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit?usdemocracyday.org. For several years, Gregory and Wynella Bethards have worked at the polls on Election Day in Jefferson […]

Students get off buses at an elementaryschool In Louisville, KY

Kentucky Board of Education appoints Robin Kinney as interim commissioner

By: - September 14, 2023

Robin Kinney will temporarily lead the Kentucky Department of Education after Commissioner Jason Glass leaves the role at the end of the month.? In a special meeting Thursday afternoon, the Kentucky Board of Education named Kinney, who is an associate commissioner of the Office of Finance and Operation within KDE, to serve as interim education […]

Calipari talks resiliency at Appalachian Regional Commission gathering

By: - September 11, 2023

ASHLAND — Reflecting on his Appalachian roots, University of Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari spoke of the resiliency he sees in his upbringing, his players and Kentuckians.? Calipari, who grew up in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and has family ties to West Virginia, spoke in conversation with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on the opening […]

Kentucky projects receive $1.5 million to aid with substance use disorder recovery, re-entry

By: - September 11, 2023

ASHLAND — The Appalachian Regional Commission announced nearly $14 million for projects that help people recovering from substance use disorders to re-enter the workforce.? Across 11 states, 43 projects were selected to receive part of the funding through ARC’s? Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative. Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin offered her congratulations to […]

Kentucky politicians place their bets as in-person sports gambling opens

By: - September 7, 2023

LOUISVILLE — In-person sports betting opened to Kentuckians Thursday morning and some of the state’s top politicians celebrated by placing bets — Gov. Andy Beshear at Churchill Downs and Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer at the Red Mile.? Democrat Beshear bet on the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville football teams and against […]

$386 million to fund broadband projects across Kentucky from public-private investment

By: - September 5, 2023

Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday announced $386 million in public and private investments to expand high-speed internet access to homes and businesses in 46 Kentucky counties. Joined by local officials and business representatives, Beshear said in a news conference that the 56 awards were the largest public sector investment in state history. More than 42,600 […]

Kentucky education board cancels special meeting about interim commissioner

By: - September 1, 2023

The Kentucky Board of Education has canceled a special meeting scheduled for next week.? According to a media advisory from the Kentucky Department of education, the planned Sept. 6 meeting will be rescheduled for a later date. A reason for the cancellation was not given.? The agenda included a closed session for the board to […]

Stumping on home turf, Massie has Cameron’s back despite earlier criticism

By: - August 31, 2023

Update: This story was updated Friday to reflect that Freedom Fest 2023 has been canceled.? GREENUP — In his home district, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie said he’s always backed Kentucky GOP gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron despite accusing his campaign of “political malpractice” two months ago. Massie, a six-term Republican congressman, made stops with the attorney […]

Kentucky education board to talk about an interim education commissioner next week

By: - August 30, 2023

Kentucky Board of Education members will meet next week to begin their discussion of appointing an interim education commissioner to lead the Kentucky Department of Education.? According to an agenda for the Wednesday, Sept. 6, special meeting, the board will go into closed session to discuss candidates “Which Might Lead” to an interim commissioner appointment. […]