Briefs
Kentucky Senate convicts former prosecutor in first impeachment trial in more than a century
FRANKFORT — In the first Kentucky Senate impeachment trial in more than a century, senators on Thursday unanimously convicted a former prosecutor who asked a defendant for nude images in exchange for prosecutorial favors.? The Kentucky Supreme Court suspended Ronnie Goldy — the former commonwealth’s attorney for the 21st Judicial Circuit serving Rowan, Menifee, Bath […]
Kentucky Senate Judiciary chairman will not seek reelection in 2024
A Republican state senator from Western Kentucky has announced that he will not seek reelection.? Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, released a statement about his decision on social media Thursday morning, the last day of the current legislative session. He said he was “eager to spend more time with my family” after his term ends […]
Nine military service members die when Black Hawk helicopters based at Fort Campbell crash
FRANKFORT — ?Nine U.S. service members died when two Black Hawk helicopters based at Fort Campbell crashed Wednesday night, the Army announced Thursday morning. One helicopter had five soldiers aboard, the other four. The crews were flying with night vision as part of a training exercise. There were no survivors. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear spoke […]
Officials say water supply is safe as barges remain stuck at Ohio River dam near Louisville
Federal and state officials say a salvage team won’t be able to remove barges pinned against an Ohio River dam in a “navigation accident,” one of them carrying about 1,400 tons of the industrial chemical methanol, until the river levels drop.? Several barges were set loose in the early morning hours Tuesday, leading to three […]
Beshear orders flags to half-staff in remembrance of Nashville school-shooting victims
Gov. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on?Friday “in honor and remembrance of the victims of the acts of violence perpetrated on March 27 in Nashville, Tennessee,” according to a release from the governor’s office. Three children and three adult staff members were killed in […]
Beshear signs two juvenile justice bills
Gov. Andy Beshear signed into law on Monday two bills passed by the legislature aimed at improving Kentucky’s juvenile justice system.? The first, House Bill 3, allocates around $20 million to renovate and operate a Jefferson County Youth Detention Center and a facility in Lyndon in Jefferson County. It will also mandate detention for the […]
Beshear vetoes bill to stop automatic payroll deductions for certain public employee unions
Calling it “an attack on unions and teacher associations that support and protect hard working Kentucky families,” Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would stop automatic payroll deductions for some public employees’ unions or association dues. In his veto message, the governor said Senate Bill 7 violates the Kentucky Constitution by “targeting public […]
Beshear vetoes bill allowing ‘random’ venue changes in cases challenging Kentucky laws, decisions
Calling it an “unconstitutional power grab,” Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a Republican-backed bill Friday that allows a court case challenging the constitutionality of Kentucky laws and orders to be moved at random to a new courtroom across the state.? Senate Bill 126, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would give plaintiffs, defendants and the […]
Beshear vetoes bill that would end new dental, hearing, vision care for 900,000 Kentuckians
Stressing workforce development, Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would end new Medicaid benefits for dental, hearing and vision care for 900,000 Kentuckians. “Senate Bill 65 will harm Kentuckians and frustrate efforts to increase Kentucky’s workforce,” Beshear said in his veto message issued Friday. Beshear expanded Medicaid coverage last fall through an administrative regulation […]
Bill aiming to preserve Kentucky’s coal-fired power plants becomes law without Beshear’s signature
A bill that would make it harder for Kentucky’s utility regulator to allow utilities to retire coal plants on the state’s electricity grid became law Friday without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature.? Senate Bill 4, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would create a series of prerequisites on the Kentucky Public Service Commission before it […]
TikTok banned from Kentucky government devices and networks
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation Wednesday codifying recent bans on social media website TikTok from state government-owned devices and networks into law.? Senate Bill 20 received bipartisan support in the Senate and House this legislative session.? While presenting the bill in past debates, primary sponsor Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, has cited when presenting the […]
Beshear signs Stivers-backed resolution for postsecondary education study
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has signed a resolution sponsored by Republican Senate President Robert Stivers that aims to study the state of Kentucky’s public higher education.? Senate Joint Resolution 98 directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to complete a comprehensive review of postsecondary education by Dec. 1. A House floor amendment added a provision to […]