Government
U.S. appeals court agrees to block central part of new Title IX gender rules for schools
A federal appellate court has upheld blocking central parts of new Title IX rules from the Biden administration and granted an expedited hearing in October.? A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday to block the rules from taking effect Aug. 1, shortly before most schools begin their academic year. […]
Kentucky ranks low in women’s health and reproductive care
As the worst of COVID-19 subsided in 2022 and a trigger law banning most abortions went into effect upon the fall of Roe v. Wade, Kentucky was already among the worst-performing states for women’s health.? This insight comes from The Commonwealth Fund’s 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care, a first-of-its kind ranking […]
Beshear says federal government should reclassify marijuana to recognize its medical uses
In a Wednesday letter sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he supports reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to Schedule III.? That would move marijuana from a DEA designation that says it has “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse” to having “a moderate […]
University president defends multicultural religious, social, and academic groups on campus
FRANKFORT — For almost 90 minutes on Tuesday, Kentucky lawmakers who tried to ban diversity, equity and inclusion in Kentucky’s colleges were told why such programs were needed in higher education. Yet, one legislator said DEI programs “segregate” students.? Among presenters were two university presidents — Northern Kentucky University President Cady Short-Thompson and Morehead State […]
Gun rights advocates at convention spell out plans if GOP gains control in November
MILWAUKEE — Republicans speaking at a concealed carry event on Tuesday, just days after a gunman attempted to kill their presidential nominee, insisted the party won’t change its stance on Second Amendment rights. Attendees at the one-hour session, hosted by the U.S. Concealed Carry Association near the Republican National Convention, weren’t actually able to conceal […]
Healthy coincidence? Kentucky’s adult smoking rate, cigarette tax collections decline
Increasing state cigarette taxes has proven to be an effective policy to decrease smoking rates, and it appears that is also true in Kentucky. Nearly 30 percent of Kentucky adults smoked in 2011, two years after the legislature had doubled the cigarette tax to 60 cents a pack. Following a 50-cent increase to $1.10 in […]
Jefferson County schools officials present district information to Kentucky legislative task force
Jefferson County Public Schools officials appeared Monday before a new legislative task force that will examine the governance of Kentucky’s largest school district.? Led by Marty Pollio, the district’s superintendent, the officials laid out information about the district’s enrollment, financial records, governance structure and more to the Efficient & Effective School District Governance Task Force. […]
Public school funding at risk if Kentuckians approve Amendment 2, new study says
Kentucky’s public schools could take a big hit to their state funding if voters approve a constitutional amendment this fall allowing the General Assembly to begin funding private schools, a progressive think tank and several school leaders warned Monday. The new report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KyPolicy) estimates that if Kentucky were […]
Federal judge dismisses Trump classified documents criminal case
MILWAUKEE —The federal classified documents case against former President Donald Trump was dismissed Monday by a Florida judge on the grounds that the Department of Justice unlawfully appointed special counsel Jack Smith. The order, while likely to be appealed, makes the possibility even more remote that Trump will be tried before the election on any […]
Kentucky panel that reviews child deaths has full board for first time in several years
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Child Abuse Reporting Hotline at 1-800-752-6200.? Kentucky’s Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel has a full complement of members for the first time in several years, analysts told members of the Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee Thursday. For […]
Some new Kentucky laws are in limbo as governor says lawmakers failed to fund them
FRANKFORT — Kentucky legislators enacted more than 200 laws this year, most of which take effect today, July 15. At least 20 new laws are in limbo, however. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear says the Republican-controlled General Assembly failed to fund them — to the tune of $153 million — even after he informed lawmakers of […]
Biden asks the nation for unity, promises security review after Trump shooting
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden Sunday called for unity and pledged an independent review following the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday where former President Donald J. Trump was shot and injured. “An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation,” Biden said in remarks from the White House Sunday […]