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Louisville judge hears arguments in Jewish women’s challenge of Kentucky’s abortion ban
LOUISVILLE — Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Brian Edwards heard oral arguments Monday in the case of? three Jewish women who argue their religious freedom is violated by Kentucky’s abortion ban.? Much of the arguments focused on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the extent to which it overlaps with the state’s abortion ban. Several lawmakers […]
10 homes dedicated in Mayfield for tornado survivors
Ten families who survived the 2021 tornadoes in Mayfield received keys to new homes on Friday thanks to $1 million from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, Gov. Andy Beshear’s office announced.? The Hope Initiative, a coalition of local pastors and businesses, partnered to build these homes and others — a total of 42 […]
Leitchfield water main washed out in recent Kentucky storms
After Gov. Andy Beshear initially reported a Leitchfield hospital needed to relocate its patients after recent Kentucky storms caused a water main to wash out in a flash flood, the administration says that wasn’t necessary.? Around 7,000 people use the same water main in Leitchfield, Beshear said, including two assisted living facilities and two nursing […]
Anthem Medicaid makes mental health wellness course available to 17 Kentucky schools
This story mentions suicide. ?If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. LOUISVILLE — Anthem Medicaid announced Wednesday it has launched a free digital mental wellness course, which is available to 1,512 students in 17 Kentucky schools.? The announcement comes during Mental […]
Is IVF protected in Kentucky? Depends on whom you ask.
None of the bills to explicitly protect in vitro fertilization in Kentucky got a hearing this legislative session, making them effectively dead on arrival.? With roughly eight months until the next session, some lawmakers and attorneys disagree on what protections exist for IVF under current Kentucky law.? Republican Sen. Whitney Westerfield — who has children […]
University of Kentucky to acquire eastern Kentucky hospital
The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees voted Friday unanimously in favor of acquiring St. Claire Healthcare?in Morehead.?? UK hopes to finalize the deal on July 1, President Eli Capilouto said during a Friday board meeting on campus in Lexington. St. Claire employs 1,300 people, UK said, and has 20 medical specialties. The 139-bed facility […]
University of Kentucky board of trustees votes to change governance model?
LEXINGTON — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees voted Friday in favor of changing how the institution is governed, paving the way for faculty to lose decision-making power over academic decisions. The 19-1 vote in favor of a proposal from President Eli Capilouto means Kentucky’s flagship university will transition its University Senate — a […]
Virtual reality could help treat eating disorders, Louisville researchers say
LOUISVILLE — Kentucky researchers are developing and expanding a virtual reality treatment for eating disorders using a $125,000 grant from the National Eating Disorders Association, the University of Louisville announced Tuesday.? Eating disorders are widespread and can be deadly. The COVID-19 pandemic increased their prevalence in Kentucky.? About 9% of Americans live with eating disorders, […]
Kentucky’s new anti-vaping law ignites constitutional challenge
Four vape shops, the Kentucky Vaping Retailers Association and the Kentucky Hemp Association have filed suit in Franklin Circuit Court seeking to strike down a new state law outlawing the sale of some of their products.? Greg Troutman, a lawyer for the Kentucky Smoke Free Association, which represents vape retailers, said he’s “hoping that we […]
Kentucky Senate avoids vote on abortion exceptions
FRANKFORT — With about five hours left in the 2024 legislative session, a Louisville Democrat tried to force a Senate vote on a stalled bill that would have added exceptions for rape and incest to Kentucky’s strict abortion ban.? Senate Floor Leader Damon Thayer called the move “a political stunt on the last day of […]
Stripped of controversial amendment, ‘Momnibus’ piggybacks on another bill, wins legislature OK
FRANKFORT — The maternal health legislation known as “Momnibus” was approved by the Kentucky legislature after it piggybacked onto another bill on the final day of the 2024 legislative session.?? ‘Momnibus’ bill to help Kentucky maternal health introduced in House Senate Bill 74 became the vehicle for the maternal health bill. It passed the Senate […]
Tobacco control comes up short in state budget, while anti-vaping law could increase smoking
FRANKFORT — In a year when the American Cancer Society asked the Kentucky legislature to increase spending on tobacco prevention, lawmakers cut it and passed an anti-vaping bill that some say could increase cigarette use in the state.? The two-year state budget’s allocation for tobacco prevention — about $8 million shy of advocates’ ask — […]