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 Education Commissioner Jason Glass to leave post at end of September

By: - July 31, 2023

Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass is stepping down as the state’s top education official to become the associate vice president of teaching and learning at Western Michigan University, the Kentucky Department of Education said Monday.? Glass, who the Kentucky Board of Education appointed as commissioner in 2020, had come under frequent fire from Kentucky Republicans […]

Fourth ‘higher-ground’ homesite for Eastern Kentucky flood victims will be in Knott County

By: - July 28, 2023

Another residential community to house survivors of last summer’s Eastern Kentucky floods will be in Knott County, along Chestnut Ridge Drive, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Friday.? The news, along with the Thursday announcement of a Floyd County site, come on the heels of the one-year anniversary of devastating floods that killed 45 people. Flooding began […]

After flood anniversary, Beshear says $2 million will secure Floyd County rebuilding site

By: - July 27, 2023

The day after the one-year anniversary of devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear announced plans to provide 34 single-family homes to house flood survivors. Beshear said Thursday that $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funds will be given to the county to acquire two vacant lots — a total of 34 acres […]

With Beshear absent, Cameron pitches himself as the rural candidate in farmer forum

By: - July 26, 2023

Values was the word of the day as Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron addressed a crowd of Kentucky Farm Bureau board members and employees in its Measure-the-Candidate forum.? He pitched himself as a politician who embodies rural ideas and criticized the absence of his opponent in the gubernatorial race, incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.? “Of […]

AppHarvest files for bankruptcy, will seek to transfer Berea operations to business partner

By: - July 24, 2023

Kentucky-based agricultural technology company AppHarvest filed for bankruptcy amid doubts about the business’ future.?? The company, which has built some of the world’s largest indoor farms, announced plans Monday morning for “a financial and operational transition” that includes filing for bankruptcy. Recent media reports have highlighted turmoil associated with the company, such as a lease […]

A ‘clean slate’ for Kentuckians convicted of nonviolent or low-level crimes?

By: - July 24, 2023

John Bowman made mistakes, but he wants to move forward with his life, he told Kentucky lawmakers last week. The Louisa man has been in recovery for five years after overcoming an active addiction of 24 years. His drug-related felonies continue to affect him and his family today.? He highlighted some challenges he and other […]

Beshear cries ‘politics’ as auditor launches examination of disaster relief funds

By: - July 20, 2023

FRANKFORT — State Auditor Mike Harmon’s office will conduct a “special examination” of the Beshear administration’s handling of disaster relief funds at the request of a legislative committee. The focus of the audit will be the Public Protection Cabinet’s administration of the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund and the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief […]

Mills joins Cameron’s ticket in Kentucky governor’s race

By: - July 19, 2023

FRANKFORT — Republican Daniel Cameron’s lieutenant governor pick is Sen. Robby Mills.? Mills is a state lawmaker from Henderson in Western Kentucky. His district includes Dawson Springs, ravaged by tornadoes in 2021 and the hometown of incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s father, former Gov. Steve Beshear.? Cameron, who is the Kentucky attorney general, said in […]

Legislative task force starts review of Kentucky school safety laws

By: - July 18, 2023

FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers on Tuesday launched a review of recent laws aimed at making schools safer as a special Task Force on School and Campus Security met for the first time.? In response to a 2018 school shooting at Marshall County High School, in which two students were killed and more than a dozen […]

Coleman formally joins Beshear ticket while Cameron sets running mate announcement for Wednesday

By: - July 18, 2023

FRANKFORT — Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman formally filed to join Gov. Andy Beshear on his reelection ticket Tuesday morning.? Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s attorney general, is set to announce his choice for lieutenant governor in a Wednesday morning news conference.? This year, for the first time, lieutenant governor candidates must file separately […]

Beshear says agriculture technology still has a future in Kentucky despite AppHarvest turmoil

By: - July 14, 2023

SHELBYVILLE — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said “it’s unfortunate” AppHarvest has struggled but agriculture technology will continue to be part of the commonwealth’s future. Earlier this week, the sustainable food company announced a change in leadership.?AppHarvest founder Jonathan Webb will not longer serve as CEO and board chairman but will stay on as chief strategy […]

Cameron to CEOs: End race-based hiring. Beshear to Cameron: Condemn ally’s ‘racist comments.’

By: - July 13, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was updated Friday morning with a statement from Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Kentucky’s Daniel Cameron on Thursday joined a coalition of Republican attorneys general in warning the country’s top executives of “serious legal consequences” if their companies advance “diversity, equity, and inclusion” by discriminating on the basis of race. A letter […]