Briefs
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 […]
Documentary about Ohio River’s history and current challenges to debut on KET
A Louisville filmmaker is debuting a new documentary showcasing the rich history of the Ohio River and the future challenges it faces on Kentucky’s public television broadcaster.? The one-hour documentary called “This Is The Ohio” features the travels of filmmaker Morgan Atkinson and his 981-mile journey along the river from the confluence of the Mississippi […]
Kentucky attorney general leading GOP effort against new Title IX rules over gender
Kentucky Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a new multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over recent rules aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in K-12 schools.? The department released the regulations last week, which include updates to Title IX protections for discrimination “based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, […]
Biden signs $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan into law?
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan emergency spending law Wednesday to provide an additional $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, ending months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering and public pleas for Congress to approve the funding. The package also included a measure requiring the popular app TikTok be sold by its Chinese […]
Millions of salaried workers to become eligible for overtime under new Biden rule
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor Tuesday announced a final rule that means millions of salaried workers who are employed in the executive, administrative or professional industries will become eligible for overtime pay. The rule will affect roughly 4 million workers in the first year of implementation and will be broken into two checkpoints. […]
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 to receive $62 million to expand solar energy access to low-income households
The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding a more than $62 million grant to Kentucky’s state government to help expand residential solar energy to low-income households, one of dozens of awards given across the country as a part of a federal grant competition.? The “Solar for All” competition, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, is allocating […]
George Atkins, former Kentucky auditor and Hopkinsville mayor, dies
George L. Atkins Jr., 82, a Hopkinsville native and former mayor, died Sunday, April 14. Atkins was born July 10, 1941, the son of George L. Atkins Sr. and Frances Shaver Atkins. His family owned and ran Atkins Dairy next door to their Walnut Street residence and across the street from the old Hopkinsville High […]
Seedtime on the Cumberland June 1 in Whitesburg
Appalshop has announced the lineup for Seedtime on the Cumberland June 1 in Whitesburg. The free annual festival will feature live music, jam sessions, food and art, including a quilt exhibit hosted by the Southeast Kentucky African American Museum and Cultural Center. Performers for the 2024 festival include Sunrise Ridge, John Haywood, Jay Skaggs, Randy […]
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 […]