Government
Republican lawmaker will renew efforts to make water fluoridation optional in Kentucky
A Republican lawmaker will once again push to end Kentucky’s requirement for certain utilities to add or adjust fluoride levels in drinking water. Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, filed House Bill 141 in 2024, but it died without clearing either chamber.? Speaking before the Interim Joint Committee on State Government Tuesday, Hart said he wants to […]
Appalshop honored with National Humanities Medal at White House ceremony
Appalshop, the 55-year-old media arts nonprofit based in the coalfields of Southeastern Kentucky, was among 19 recipients of National Humanities Medals at a White House ceremony Monday. Recipients included Robin Wall Kimmerer, scientist and author; Jon Meacham, historian and author; Aaron Sorkin, playwright, screenwriter and director; Lavar Burton, actor and literacy advocate. Chef and author […]
1 million+ patients lose coverage as insurers, hospitals drop Medicare Advantage
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Libby and Andrew Potter usually ignore the avalanche of Medicare Advantage ads that land in the mailbox at their home in Huntsville, Alabama, each fall as Medicare’s open enrollment period begins. Libby, a retired middle school librarian, has what she considers good health insurance through the state employee health plan. Andrew has […]
Department of Labor releases AI best practices for employers
The U.S. Department of Labor released a list of artificial intelligence best practices for developers and employers this week, aiming to help employers benefit from potential time and cost savings of AI, while protecting workers from discrimination and job displacement. The voluntary guidelines come about a year after President Joe Biden signed an executive order […]
US Supreme Court sets Dec. 4 oral arguments in challenge to transgender care ban for minors
The U.S Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on Dec. 4 in a challenge to state restrictions on gender-affirming medical care that has implications for Kentucky. US Supreme Court review of gender-affirming care for youth could impact Kentucky law The court agreed in June to take the appeal filed by the American Civil Liberties Union […]
‘Second chance’ at employment sought for Kentuckians leaving incarceration
Gov. Andy Beshear has established a council aimed at promoting employment of Kentuckians reentering society after incarceration.? Beshear signed an executive order Thursday to establish the Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers. The 15-member council will “educate employers and local communities on the benefits of second-chance hiring,” according to Beshear’s office.? The council will also […]
Environmental groups sue Brent Spence Corridor Project
A coalition of transportation and environmental nonprofits have sued the Brent Spence Corridor project in federal court over its potential environmental impacts, especially as they relate to non-white communities around the bridge.? Filed on Tuesday, the suit’s plaintiffs include the Devou Good Foundation, Civic Cincinnati, Ride the Cov and Queen City Bike. The group’s complaint […]
Addiction Recovery Care cuts more staff, facilities in response to payment cuts
The state’s largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment is making further cuts in staff and facilities as it faces steep cuts in Medicaid payments from the government health plan that covers nearly all its clients. Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, based in Louisa, said it will temporarily close four programs and reduce staff as […]
Billionaire gives $5 million to PAC trying to sway Kentuckians to vote for school amendment
FRANKFORT — A multimillion-dollar television advertising campaign supporting the so-called “school choice” amendment on the November ballot is being single-handedly funded by Jeff Yass, a Pennsylvania billionaire and Republican mega donor. In early September a political action committee called Protect Freedom began running television ads advocating passage of Amendment 2 which would change Kentucky’s Constitution […]
Kentucky domestic violence survivors?now have a way to remove personal information from online
Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.? Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams’ office has launched a program to help domestic violence survivors delete their personal identifying information (PII) from the internet.? Called DeleteMe, the program is a national privacy company that removes personal information from certain online sites. […]
After 44 years on death row, Kentucky man says DNA shows he’s innocent?
Brian Keith Moore has spent most of his life in prison, serving a death sentence for the 1979 murder of Virgil Harris.? From the beginning, Moore said he was framed by an old friend. He’s spent decades filing appeals and fighting to get out of prison.? Over the years, judges acknowledged the delicate balance between […]
Beshear, national teachers union president in Lexington rally opposition to Amendment 2
LEXINGTON —? Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear joined teachers union president Randi Weingarten Tuesday to rally opponents of a constitutional amendment that they warned would defund Kentucky’s public schools. Beshear took issue with what he called “misinformation” being spread by supporters of Amendment 2. “You don’t have to read very far to know that those trying […]