Government
Judge dismisses ethics violations against former Secretary of State Grimes
FRANKFORT — Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was cleared Monday by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd of charges by the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission that she improperly ordered the downloading and distribution of voter registration data from her public office while she was Kentucky’s secretary of state. “The court order is […]
Kentucky’s next education commissioner says building relationships across the state is a priority
FRANKFORT — As he begins his transition from county superintendent to Kentucky education commissioner, Robbie Fletcher says implementing his goals for the state’s public schools will rely on relationships and being present on campuses.? Fletcher, who became the first commissioner to be confirmed by the Kentucky Senate earlier this month, will start at the Kentucky […]
Kentucky AG gets funding to fight Biden administration on climate, air and water pollution rules
When Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman told state lawmakers in January about the budget needs of his office, Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, asked if he needed more resources to address a “regulatory avalanche” regarding a “green agenda” coming from the federal government.? Coleman, a Republican, said his office would welcome them, saying there was […]
New?EPA rules will force fossil fuel power plants to cut pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday released a sweeping set of rules aimed at cutting air, water and land pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants. Environmental and clean energy groups celebrated the announcement as long overdue, particularly for coal-burning power plants, which have saddled hundreds of communities across the country with dirty air and […]
U.S. House GOP bars earmarks for certain non-profits, after controversy over LGBTQ projects
WASHINGTON — U.S. House lawmakers will no longer be able to request earmarked funding for some nonprofits under a change in eligibility made by the Republican chairman of the Appropriations Committee on Thursday. The alteration is related to an uproar during last year’s annual government funding process, when House Republicans, who are in the majority, […]
Candidacy challenge against Louisville Democratic lawmaker dismissed
LOUISVILLE —?A Jefferson County Circuit Court judge has dismissed an eligibility challenge to sitting Democratic State Rep. Nima Kulkarni’s appearance on the primary May ballot.? Kulkarni is running for a fourth term to represent the 40th House District in Louisville.? The opinion, rendered by Judge Mitch Perry, said the challenge to Kulkarni’s eligibility “fails to […]
Kentucky land conservation fund gets ‘new lease on life’ from lawmakers
Over the past three decades, a state-managed fund has been a financial force behind the creation and expansion of parks, nature preserves and hunting grounds across Kentucky.? The Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund, established in 1990 to provide a consistent source of funding for local governments, state agencies, nonprofits and universities to protect land for […]
‘Forever chemicals:’ Now that feds have acted, some say Kentucky should do more
FRANKFORT —? Rep. Kevin Bratcher, a Louisville Republican, says he wants to be on the right side of history when it comes to the man-made “forever chemicals” that are in Kentucky’s waterways, fish and some Kentuckians’ drinking water. He likens the widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short, to lead poisoning. […]
Loss of federal protection in Idaho spurs pregnant patients to plan for emergency air transport
Since the U.S. Supreme Court decided in January to consider a case about whether a federal law regarding emergency medical treatment supersedes an abortion ban in Idaho, air transports out of state for pregnancy complications at one of the state’s largest hospitals have increased from one in all of 2023 to six in the past […]
Kentucky to receive $62 million to expand solar energy access to low-income households
The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding a more than $62 million grant to Kentucky’s state government to help expand residential solar energy to low-income households, one of dozens of awards given across the country as a part of a federal grant competition.? The “Solar for All” competition, funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, is allocating […]
Mine safety advocates agree new silica dust rule is progress, but some worry it’s not enough
It was a celebratory moment years in the making when acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, flanked by miners and advocates, announced the rollout of a new rule limiting silica dust exposure for miners in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, last week. For years, advocates for mine safety had urged the federal government to adopt strict rules around the […]
Strong fundraisers vie to succeed McConnell as U.S. Senate Republican leader
Fundraising prowess has emerged as a key factor in choosing the next Senate GOP party leader to succeed current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). McConnell’s announcement that he will be stepping down from the Republican Party’s Senate leadership in November has started a succession bid that will require contenders to showcase their fundraising skills. […]