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.

Ballot set for May 16 primary election in Kentucky

By: - January 6, 2023

FRANKFORT — Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams closed the door to the elections office at 4 p.m. Friday, signaling an end for candidates to file for Kentucky’s 2023 elections.? No big surprises emerged in the 12-candidate Republican race for governor, although former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin created some suspense by hinting on Twitter that […]

Bevin leaves media hanging without so much as a ‘pardon me’

By: - January 6, 2023

FRANKFORT — Matt Bevin returned to the Kentucky Capitol, spoke for about 30 minutes and then promptly drove away from the building Friday.? The former Kentucky Republican governor, who narrowly lost to Democrat Andy Beshear in 2019, tweeted hints at a possible 2023 gubernatorial run though he would not answer if he was running for […]

Senate unanimously approves legislative investigation of juvenile detention violence

By: - January 5, 2023

FRANKFORT —?Democrats pushed back against Republican criticism of the Beshear administration as the state Senate on Friday unanimously approved creation of a workgroup to investigate violence and dangerous working conditions in Kentucky’s juvenile detention centers. Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, sponsor of the resolution to create the 12-member workgroup, said the detention system, which […]

As Friday deadline looms, 10 GOP candidates have filed to run for Kentucky governor

By: - January 5, 2023

Ahead of Friday’s deadline to file for office, Kentucky governor hopefuls submitted needed paperwork to appear on ballots.? As of Thursday afternoon, 10 Republican candidates had formally filed with the secretary of state’s office. Among those in the office Thursday were former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and Somerset Mayor Alan […]

Beshear says Kentucky’s future is bright. Republicans disagree about who gets the credit.

By: - January 4, 2023

FRANKFORT — In his fourth State of the Commonwealth Address, Gov. Andy Beshear spoke glowingly of Kentucky’s economy and optimistically of its future, while calling on lawmakers to approve 5% raises for teachers, a proposal that got a cold reception from Republican leaders. Speaking to a joint-session of the General Assembly, the Democratic governor highlighted […]

Kentucky’s Beshear elected co-chair of Appalachian Regional Commission

By: - January 4, 2023

Appalachian governors have elected Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear the new states’ co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. He will serve in the role for 2023. President Joe Biden appointed the federal co-chair, Gayle Manchin, in 2021. She is the wife of Democratic West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin.? The ARC is a federal economic development […]

McConnell honored by Kentucky Senate after becoming the U.S. Senate’s longest-serving party leader?

By: - January 3, 2023

FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers heaped praise Tuesday on Kentuckian Mitch McConnell as he became the U.S. Senate’s longest-serving party leader ever. Minority Leader?McConnell, 80, whose family moved to Louisville in 1956, was first elected to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate in 1984. Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, and others in the Senate spoke for […]

Kentucky House GOP plans to pass income tax cut this week

By: and - January 3, 2023

FRANKFORT — Republican House Speaker David Osborne says his GOP supermajority in the House of Representatives plans to pass a bill this week that would continue to cut the state’s income tax, a big priority that GOP leadership telegraphed well ahead of this year’s legislative session.? Osborne on the first day of the legislative session […]

Walmart, Kentucky reach opioid settlement for more than $53 million

By: - December 21, 2022

  Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron on Wednesday announced an opioid settlement between Walmart and Kentucky for more than $53 million.? “This agreement with Walmart provides the Commonwealth with over $53 million to help Kentuckians who have been harmed by the opioid epidemic,” Cameron said in a news release. “The Commonwealth is among the states […]

Beshear declares a state of emergency ahead of anticipated arctic front across Kentucky

By: - December 21, 2022

Ahead of anticipated extreme freezing temperatures as part of an arctic front across Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and signed an executive order to prevent price gouging.? The governor and other administration officials stressed preparation for the weather in a Wednesday news conference. Beshear urged Kentuckians to stay home Thursday into […]

11 GOP candidates for Kentucky governor as Maddox withdraws, citing disappointing fundraising

By: - December 21, 2022

The Republican field for Kentucky governor is down to 11 contenders as Rep. Savannah Maddox suspended her campaign, citing ?failure to raise enough money to compete. According to the Kentucky Registry of Finance, Maddox’s campaign raised just over $210,000.? Reports filed with KREF show that Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles has raised more than ??$875,000, former […]

Beshear unveils plans for first ‘higher ground’ community near Knott-Perry line

By: - December 20, 2022

HINDMAN — Surrounded by elected officials from around the region, Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday unveiled plans to build a new community on “higher, stable ground” at a former surface coal mine near the Knott-Perry county line in Talcum.? Speaking at the Knott County Courthouse, Beshear said the couple who are giving 75 acres for […]