Briefs
Kentucky lawmakers hear update on KERA and school assessment methods
Kentucky lawmakers on Tuesday heard an update on the state of Kentucky education assessments and what policy changes could impact their future.? Lu Young, the chairwoman of the Kentucky Board of Education, told members of the Interim Joint Committee on Education that it’s time to reconsider the backdrop of past accountability and assessment measures as […]
UofL Hospital earns recognition for high standards of burn care
LOUISVILLE — Kentucky has its first verified burn center now that the American Burn Association has awarded? UofL Hospital the designation.? Hospital officials and politicians were on hand to celebrate the announcement on Tuesday. They included Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, who spoke to an audience of scrub clad-people and firefighters.? UofL’s […]
Appalshop releases schedule for free Seedtime on the Cumberland Festival June 16-17
Appalshop, a community media and arts organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of Central Appalachia, will host its 37th annual Seedtime on the Cumberland Festival on June 16–17, the first since the devastating 2022 summer flood. This free festival featuring music, art, dance, film, local crafters, and food will be held […]
University of Louisville researchers get millions in federal funds to study immune system
University of Louisville researchers announced Friday that three federal grants totalling $6.1 million will allow them to further study immune system dysregulation, which they say causes serious illness and death in some patients who have COVID-19.? This funding, from the National Institutes of Health, comes after UofL researchers “discovered that a specific type of immune […]
Toyota’s first electric vehicle factory in the US will be in Kentucky at its Georgetown plant
In what Gov. Andy Beshear called an “enormous” economic development announcement for Kentucky, Toyota plans to establish its first electric car manufacturing facility in the United States at its plant in Scott County.? The Georgetown factory, which has manufactured millions of cars since 1988, plans to retain nearly 9,000 employees to manufacture electric SUVs as […]
Kentucky judge recuses himself from KEA case after Cameron questioned his impartiality
A Kentucky judge has recused himself from a court case after Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron questioned the judge’s impartiality based on ?political contributions supporting the judge’s recent reelection. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd in an order Tuesday directed a lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Education Association be transferred to the other circuit judge […]
Kentucky State University names Koffi Akakpo president
Koffi C. Akakpo, president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, has been named to lead Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Akakpo will become KSU’s 19th president on July 1, according to a news release. Tammi Dukes, the chair of KSU’s Board of Regents, said Akakpo was chosen after a national search. “Today is […]
Beshear names two new state school board members after Republican criticism
Gov. Andy Beshear has named two new members to the Kentucky Board of Education after Republicans criticized the Democrat for not making the appointments and blamed his inaction on partisan motives. Beshear appointed Julia “Julie” Pile of Florence and Diana Woods of Lexington to the 15-member board which develops regulations for Kentucky’s 171 school districts, […]
Grant provides scholarship funding for special education master’s degree
The University of Kentucky College of Education has funding available for individuals interested in earning a?Master of Science (M.S.) in special education (moderate and severe disabilities), according to a news release from UK.? Funds for the program are from the Training InterdisciPLinary Educators to Support High-Needs Populations (TRIPLETS) grant, awarded to UK by the U.S. […]
Officer Wilt, wounded by mass shooter in Louisville, making ‘remarkable progress,’ family says
A Louisville police officer who was injured while trying to stop a mass shooter in early April is making “remarkable progress,” his family said Thursday.? Officer Nickolas Wilt took a gunshot to the head on April 10 while responding to a shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.? He was one of nine people […]
Beshear says he will interview candidate for state school board as Republicans criticize delay?
Facing criticism from Republicans, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said he anticipates making an appointment to the Kentucky Board of Education “in the short term.” The remarks come after a Tuesday Courier-Journal report that showed the terms of two state school board members expired more than a year ago. The Republican Party of Kentucky is calling […]
The late Bill Gatton’s latest gift to his alma mater is the largest in University of Kentucky history
LEXINGTON — The University of Kentucky on Thursday announced a $100 million gift, the largest in UK’s history, to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The gift is from the Bill Gatton Foundation, endowed by the late Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, a businessman, investor and UK alum who gave generously to his alma mater. […]