Government
Coleman unveils $12 million in grants from opioid settlements, repeats syringe exchange criticism
Attorney General Russell Coleman issued details Thursday of more than $12 million in grants from the state’s opioid settlements for prevention, enforcement, treatment and recovery. One of the grants will expand a syringe exchange, and was not supported by Coleman’s appointees to the commission. He confirmed at an event Thursday that he opposes the exchanges. […]
Democrats test whether Andy Beshear’s appeal is transferable — in Kentucky and beyond
FRANKFORT — Democrats’ long control of the Kentucky Capitol crumbled in the 21st century. Republicans won veto-proof supermajorities in the legislature and surpassed Democrats in registered voters.? And, yet, four of this century’s six races for governor have been won by Democrats — named Beshear.? Whether that Beshear success can be transferred to Democratic candidates […]
Federal appeals court blocks Title IX guidance challenged by 20 states, including Kentucky
The 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled against Biden administration guidance on how schools should protect students from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The court ruled Friday that the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education is invalid, upholding a lower court ruling. Kentucky is among the 20 states that […]
‘Free market health care:’ Boon or bane for rural Kentucky?
Experts and lawmakers continue to split over whether Kentucky should reform its controversial certificate of need process.? Two Republican lawmakers on different sides of the issue — Sen. Stephen Meredith of Leitchfield and Rep. Marianne Proctor of Union — spoke Thursday during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations. […]
Kentucky election officials say noncitizens aren’t voting in the state
Kentucky election officials on Tuesday told lawmakers they know of no instances of noncitizens having voted in Kentucky. Nonetheless, Kentucky is among a number of states where voters in November will be asked to ban noncitizens from voting in elections.? The officials, including Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, also described existing safeguards to ensure […]
Judicial watchdog criticizes Beshear’s involvement in Kentucky Supreme Court election
FRANKFORT — A judicial watchdog is raising concerns about Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s endorsement of a candidate in a state Supreme Court race, an election that is supposed to be nonpartisan under Kentucky’s Constitution.? The second-term governor will be the special guest at a fundraiser later this week for Supreme Court candidate Pamela Goodwine, a […]
Feds OK Kentucky plans to roll out $1 billion for broadband. Here’s what happens next.
Federal officials have approved Kentucky’s plan to deploy almost $1.1 billion?to expand broadband, a key step toward connecting homes and businesses throughout the state.? The funding was given to the state last year. Earlier this month the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved the second volume of Kentucky’s proposed plans for using the money through […]
US judge in Kentucky blocks Biden Title IX rules, says ‘sex,’ ‘gender identity’ not the same thing
A federal judge has blocked new Title IX rules, including those aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in K-12 schools, and sided with Republican attorneys general in several states — including Kentucky.? Chief Judge Danny Reeves of the U.S. District Court in Eastern Kentucky on Monday issued a ruling siding with Republican Attorney General […]
Deaths of 2 Kentucky workers demolishing coal-prep plant bring $31,500 fine for safety violations
On a cool evening in late October, David Peyton heard a pop then a warning scream to get out. Within seconds two men were trapped under 11 stories of steel and concrete. Peyton ran to where Alvin Nees and Billy Joe “Bo” Daniels were trapped in the collapsed Pontiki/Excel coal preparation plant in Martin County. […]
Kentucky attorney general opposes syringe exchanges despite evidence of their efficacy
The leader of the agency that makes grants from the state’s opioid settlements declined to support funding for a syringe-exchange program, saying Attorney General Russell Coleman does not support such programs — which are considered a key tool for reducing harm to people who inject drugs. Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission Director Chris Evans, who […]
Industry, clean power groups breathe a sigh of relief as Senate approves energy regulators?
Three nominees by President Joe Biden to serve on the nation’s top energy regulatory panel, which had risked losing a quorum, were approved this week by the U.S. Senate. The vote to approve the new members — two Democrats and a Republican — for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was cheered by industry, renewable power […]
Stuck in idle: Kentucky Speedway falls short of once high hopes 4 years after last NASCAR race
SPARTA — By the end of the year, the owners of Kentucky Speedway will have paid Gallatin County more than $900,000 for tickets never sold to races never run. NASCAR abandoned the racetrack following the 2020 Quaker State 400, but a 20-year PILOT agreement (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) obligates Speedway Motorsports Inc. to two […]