Briefs

Beshear creates antisemitism task force

BY: - December 21, 2023

Citing a rise in antisemitism and threats at synagogues across Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear announced he is establishing a task force in response.? The task force will be under the Governor’s Office of Faith Based & Community Initiatives and will have duties such as reviewing the state of antisemitism in Kentucky, assessing Holocaust education and […]

Lexington Democrat Palumbo not seeking reelection to state House. Son plans to run for her seat.

BY: - December 21, 2023

A longtime Democratic Lexington legislator will not seek reelection to the Kentucky House of Representatives but her son has indicated he’s running to succeed her.? State Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo said in a Thursday statement that she would not run for an 18th term. She thanked her constituents for their trust and her family and […]

Biden: Trump ‘certainly supported an insurrection’ on Jan. 6

BY: - December 20, 2023

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden Wednesday said that there was “no question” former president Donald Trump was responsible for supporting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol more than two years ago. Biden’s comments followed Tuesday’s ruling by Colorado’s Supreme Court that ordered Trump?barred from appearing on the state’s 2024 presidential ballot, on the grounds of […]

A billboard with the words, "OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT FOR SALE" with the logos of the Frankfort Plant Board and Cable 10 below it.

Frankfort commission voices support for city utility as state senator pushes to sell its telecom

BY: - December 20, 2023

The Frankfort city commission unanimously approved a resolution earlier this week offering “unwavering support” to its city utility in light of a Republican state senator’s efforts to force a change in control of its telecommunications business. The Lantern previously reported state Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, has been advocating for Frankfort’s utility, the Frankfort Plant Board […]

House Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts to not seek reelection

BY: - December 20, 2023

Another member of Kentucky House Democratic leadership announced she will not seek reelection Wednesday.? In a statement, House Minority Whip Rachel Roberts, said she will not run for her seat again in 2024 and added that her decision was “the right one for me and my family” after months of deliberation.?? “Serving those who live […]

Republican Jonathan Dixon not seeking reelection to Kentucky House

BY: - December 20, 2023

Republican Rep. Jonathan Dixon, of Corydon, will not seek reelection in the Kentucky House, he announced Wednesday.? Dixon, who was first elected in 2020, plans to finish the remainder of his term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2024. He is the vice chair of the House Transportation Committee “I am incredibly grateful to the people […]

Louisville’s Herron announces run for state Senate

BY: - December 19, 2023

State Rep. Keturah Herron, a Louisville Democrat, filed Tuesday to run for election to the Kentucky Senate in 2024.? Herron will seek the seat of Sen. Denise Harper Angel, another Louisville Democrat who recently announced she will not seek reelection in 2024 after representing Senate District 35 since 2005.? Herron said in a statement about […]

DEA vet will lead Kentucky’s opioid settlement distribution. AG-elect Coleman announces his team.

BY: - December 19, 2023

A veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will lead the Kentucky commission that is overseeing distribution of millions of dollars from opioid settlements, Attorney General-elect Russell Coleman announced Tuesday. Christopher Evans, who started as a street agent and served as the DEA’s acting administrator in 2021, will become the new executive director of the […]

State Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe undergoes emergency surgery after injury by horse.

BY: - December 18, 2023

Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, issued a statement Monday saying that she is recovering from emergency surgery after being kicked in the face by her family’s horse. She said she is hopeful of making a full recovery and “returning to. Frankfort and getting back to work as soon as possible.” “On the afternoon of Dec. […]

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman undergoes double mastectomy, urges Kentuckians to schedule preventative exams

BY: - December 18, 2023

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced Monday that she had undergone a double mastectomy. “Concerns were raised to me during a recent routine physical exam. With a significant family history of cancer, I made the decision to have a double mastectomy. I am happy to report that a successful surgery was performed today, and I […]

Beshear to deliver ‘budget address’ tonight on KET

BY: - December 18, 2023

In 2022, Kentucky House Republicans took Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear by surprise by filing a two-year state budget bill before the governor had delivered a budget proposal or the traditional budget address to the legislature. Beshear is turning the tables on Republicans Monday night by delivering what’s being described as a budget address on KET. […]

Challenge to Kentucky’s abortion ban ends after pregnancy becomes nonviable

BY: - December 18, 2023

Lawyers for a Kentucky woman challenging the state’s abortion ban asked that the case be dismissed on Monday, a week after the fetus lost cardiac activity.? This came a week after the Kentucky woman who sued for the right to abortion announced her pregnancy was no longer viable. At the time she filed her lawsuit, […]