Economy
Autoworker in Louisville was ready to strike but Kentucky didn’t get the call
LOUISVILLE — Richard Jones remembers when the United Auto Workers made concessions to Ford in 2008 as the automaker avoided a government bailout that General Motors and Chrysler, now Stellantis, took. Ford workers did without raises and cost of living adjustments, he said, to keep Ford in business during the Great Recession.? “All this time […]
Kentucky lawmakers asked to exempt diapers from state sales tax
If a family can’t afford diapers, they may leave their child in one for too long, resulting in rashes or worse, experts told members of the Kentucky legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue Wednesday.? That’s why they joined forces with Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, a Louisville Democrat, to ask that lawmakers consider removing […]
Pike County crypto mining operation approved for electricity discounts with conditions
Kentucky’s utility regulator approved last week more than $2.5 million in electricity discounts over several years from utility Kentucky Power to a cryptocurrency mining operation in Pike County.? As? part of its approval, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is requiring Kentucky Power follow several conditions to make sure the costs of the discounts given […]
Sen. John Fetterman to Detroit Three auto execs: How many yachts do you need?
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, on Saturday joined striking autoworkers outside the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. Fetterman said he drove about five hours from Braddock, Pennsylvania, in his UAW-made Ford Bronco to get to the plant. “I always stand for the union way of life,” Fetterman said. “Whatever the unions say is […]
Consumers face higher car prices, lower inventory with auto workers on strike
Economic experts and researchers say that the auto workers strike could have far-reaching economic consequences for businesses and consumers, depending on its duration. In addition to workers’ job losses, consumers could see higher prices for cars and depleted inventory. The United Auto Workers union, representing about 150,000 auto workers, walked off the job at midnight […]
Calipari talks resiliency at Appalachian Regional Commission gathering
ASHLAND — Reflecting on his Appalachian roots, University of Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari spoke of the resiliency he sees in his upbringing, his players and Kentuckians.? Calipari, who grew up in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and has family ties to West Virginia, spoke in conversation with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on the opening […]
Kentucky projects receive $1.5 million to aid with substance use disorder recovery, re-entry
ASHLAND — The Appalachian Regional Commission announced nearly $14 million for projects that help people recovering from substance use disorders to re-enter the workforce.? Across 11 states, 43 projects were selected to receive part of the funding through ARC’s? Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative. Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin offered her congratulations to […]
Millions more workers would receive overtime pay under proposed Biden administration rule
Salaried workers who have been ineligible for overtime pay would benefit from a proposed Biden administration regulation. The Department of Labor’s new rule would require employers compensate full-time workers in management, administrative, or other professional roles for any overtime worked if they make less than $55,068 annually. Currently, the salary threshold is $35,568. The change […]
Kentucky politicians place their bets as in-person sports gambling opens
LOUISVILLE — In-person sports betting opened to Kentuckians Thursday morning and some of the state’s top politicians celebrated by placing bets — Gov. Andy Beshear at Churchill Downs and Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer at the Red Mile.? Democrat Beshear bet on the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville football teams and against […]
EV battery plant in Glendale topic of Sept. 12 town hall meeting in Elizabethtown
Executives of the joint venture that will manufacture electric vehicle batteries at Glendale in Hardin County will host a town hall meeting in Elizabethtown on Tuesday, Sept. 12.? Members of the BlueOval SK team will provide an update on construction, jobs, training and workforce development, as well as answer questions from the audience and media, […]
Seeing ‘Red’ after Taylor Swift debacle, lawmakers weigh concert ticket rules
There’s no question what motivated state Rep. Kelly Moller to push for changes in Minnesota law on concert ticket sales. “Really, it was the Taylor Swift debacle for me,” she said. A self-professed Swiftie, the Democrat found herself among millions of other Americans unable to buy tickets last year to Swift’s Eras Tour. She preregistered […]
$386 million to fund broadband projects across Kentucky from public-private investment
Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday announced $386 million in public and private investments to expand high-speed internet access to homes and businesses in 46 Kentucky counties. Joined by local officials and business representatives, Beshear said in a news conference that the 56 awards were the largest public sector investment in state history. More than 42,600 […]