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.

Controversial new rules for decision-making win final OK from University of Kentucky trustees

By: - June 14, 2024

LEXINGTON —?University of Kentucky trustees gave final approval Friday to a new internal governance structure that faculty say strips them of power over academic decisions.? The Board of Trustees reviewed the new shared governance proposal, backed by President Eli Capilouto, during its Friday meeting, voting 19-1 in favor of the changes.? The lone nay vote […]

UK faculty’s role in decision-making expected to shrink when trustees vote Friday

By: - June 13, 2024

Changes that faculty warn would end their decision-making power in academic matters are set to come before the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees Friday for a final vote. UK President Eli Capilouto, who says the changes are needed to streamline governance processes, has revised his controversial original proposal in response to feedback from students, […]

Kentuckians in Congress react to Hunter Biden conviction

By: - June 11, 2024

Some of Kentucky’s Republican congressional members quickly commented on the conviction of Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, in a federal gun case, though their sentiments about the charges differed.? The first son was convicted Tuesday on three felony charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018. Prosecutors argued that Hunter Biden lied […]

‘Profile in Courage:’ Kentuckian Michael Adams honored for protecting election integrity

By: - June 9, 2024

Accepting the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Sunday night, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams thanked the JFK Library Foundation for incentivizing political courage “because it may be needed now more than ever before.”? Adams, a Republican who was elected to a second term last fall, was selected for his work to increase […]

Kentucky Supreme Court to hear open records case against Fish and Wildlife commission

By: - June 7, 2024

The Kentucky Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments in a case that could clarify how the state’s open records law covers public officials’ text messages.? The court will review a Court of Appeals decision in a lawsuit between Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission and nonprofit Kentucky Open Government Coalition. Last […]

Kentucky AG to US Supreme Court: Hear anti-abortion protester’s case against buffer zones

By: - June 6, 2024

Kentucky Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to a New Jersey city ordinance creating a buffer-zone for protesters around health care facilities.? The 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently backed the city’s rule in the lawsuit, Turco v. City of Englewood. Jeryl Turco is arguing […]

Kentucky Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to lawmaker’s candidacy

By: - June 6, 2024

FRANKFORT —?The Kentucky Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a lawsuit that could potentially lead to a sitting Democratic lawmaker being removed from the ballot.? The day before Kentucky’s May primary election, the state Supreme Court allowed Rep. Nima Kulkarni to stand as a candidate, pending oral arguments.? Before the primary election, the Kentucky […]

Kentucky State University officials brief lawmakers on progress since 2022 bailout

By: - June 5, 2024

Kentucky State University officials told lawmakers that the institution has made improvements two years after the General Assembly increased oversight of the university amid budget shortfalls.? The officials gave updates on the goals outlined by the 2022 legislation to the Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday and the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education on […]

Jesse Stuart Foundation continues writing workshop at Greenbo Lake June 21-22

By: - June 3, 2024

A foundation dedicated to continuing a former Kentucky poet laureate’s legacy is renewing a literary workshop in Northeastern Kentucky.? The Jesse Stuart Foundation will host the Jack Ellis Writers Workshop at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park June 21-22. Several instructors, including George Ella Lyon — another Eastern Kentucky native and poet laureate —?will lead participants […]

With recanvasses behind them, two primary winners look to November

By: - May 30, 2024

LOUISVILLE — About a week after Kentucky’s primary election, two races were recanvassed, but?their outcomes did not change. Though results still need to be certified, Aaron Reed won the Republican primary in the 7th Senate District and William “Woody” Zorn won the Democratic primary in the 36th House District. Secretary of State Michael Adams said […]

Celebrating new UK lab, McConnell calls for building up US industrial base, defense spending

By: - May 29, 2024

LEXINGTON — U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell spoke about the need to “improve the country’s industrial base” during a ribbon-cutting at the University of Kentucky for a new research laboratory that will work with the U.S. Army.? McConnell, who graduated from the university’s law school in 1967, spoke on Wednesday about his support for […]

Attorney general sides with GOP lawmakers on voiding some of Beshear’s line-item vetoes

By: - May 28, 2024

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office ruled Tuesday that some of Gov. Andy Beshear’s recent line-item vetoes are void, upholding the General Assembly’s move to make all of House Bill 8 a law.? At the end of this year’s legislative session, Beshear issued two line-item vetoes on HB 8, a Republican-backed bill with wide-ranging provisions […]