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.

In an election year, Republicans denounce Beshear for veto of anti-trans bill?

By: - March 24, 2023

Republicans wasted no time jumping on Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill Friday that put LGBTQ rights and public schools in the political spotlight, setting the stage for both issues to play a leading role in this year’s race for governor. Republican gubernatorial candidates Daniel Cameron, Kelly Craft and Ryan Quarles quickly issued […]

Beshear vetoes bill subjecting Kentucky’s top education official to Senate confirmation

By: - March 24, 2023

Editor’s note: This story was updated with a statement from the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 107, Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green. Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill subjecting Kentucky’s top education official to Senate confirmation.? Senate Bill 107 would require Senate confirmation of the Kentucky Board of Education’s pick for education commissioner. In […]

TikTok banned from Kentucky government devices and networks

By: - March 23, 2023

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation Wednesday codifying recent bans on social media website TikTok from state government-owned devices and networks into law.? Senate Bill 20 received bipartisan support in the Senate and House this legislative session.? While presenting the bill in past debates, primary sponsor Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, has cited when presenting the […]

Beshear signs Stivers-backed resolution for postsecondary education study

By: - March 23, 2023

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has signed a resolution sponsored by Republican Senate President Robert Stivers that aims to study the state of Kentucky’s public higher education.? Senate Joint Resolution 98 directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to complete a comprehensive review of postsecondary education by Dec. 1. A House floor amendment added a provision to […]

Irregularities uncovered in Kentucky State University audit will be referred to prosecutors

By: - March 22, 2023

An audit that uncovered millions of dollars in undocumented credit card and federal grant expenditures at Kentucky State University from 2018 to 2021 will be referred to prosecutors? and other federal agencies, State Auditor Mike Harmon said Wednesday.? Interim KSU President Ronald A. Johnson appeared with Harmon at a news conference and said KSU welcomes […]

Ashland to host Appalachian Regional Commission conference?in September

By: - March 21, 2023

Representatives from across Appalachia will convene in Ashland Sept. 11-12? for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s annual conference.? Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced the location, theme and date at the Delta Hotel in Downtown Ashland on Tuesday. He was joined by the commission’s federal co-chair Gayle Manchin. The conference theme is “Appalachia Rises: Resilience, Strength & […]

Republicans push back against education commissioner’s criticism

By: - March 20, 2023

Two Republican office holders on Monday slammed Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass for his criticism of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation enacted by the General Assembly.?? House Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, R-Stanford, said in a statement that Glass “once again makes it abundantly clear that it is not the legislature that is politicizing the state’s classrooms and […]

Kentucky education commissioner says legislature put youth at risk with anti-LGBTQ bill

By: - March 17, 2023

The day after Kentucky lawmakers rapidly changed and passed a bill to include measures banning gender-affirming care for minors, the state’s top education official decried the “sweeping and harmful” legislation. Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason Glass said the latest version of Senate Bill 150 “contains provisions that will put our young people at risk, have the […]

With funding release for State Fair Board project added, House approves postsecondary education study

By: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — House members joined senators in calling for a comprehensive review of Kentucky’s public postsecondary education system, but added provisions from a separate resolution that releases $180 million to the Kentucky State Fair Board for capital construction.? Senate Joint Resolution 98 received support from the House in a 96-0 vote Thursday. The call for […]

Medical cannabis overcomes big obstacle in Kentucky as state Senate votes for legalization

By: - March 16, 2023

FRANKFORT — A bill to legalize medical marijuana for some Kentuckians who suffer from chronic illnesses overcame a major hurdle Thursday evening, winning? a seal of approval from the state Senate.? Legislation similar to Senate Bill 47 has died in the Senate in previous sessions. However, senators voted 26-11 in favor of the measures with […]

Kentucky legislature passes anti-trans bill?

By: , and - March 16, 2023

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.? The Trevor Project, which aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, also has trained counselors available around the clock. Reach them at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/, or by texting START to 678678.? FRANKFORT — […]

Kentucky Education Association cries foul as legislature blocks payroll deductions for its dues

By: - March 15, 2023

FRANKFORT – A bill that would stop automatic payroll deductions for dues of certain public employees who are part of a union or association has been passed by both the House and Senate Representatives voted 66-33 on Senate Bill 7 Wednesday evening. The bill seeks to stop government resources going to political funds. The Kentucky […]