Government
Medication abortion rates grew 10% over the last few years, report shows
Researchers found that 63% of all abortions provided in the U.S. last year were medication abortions. There were an estimated 1,026,690 abortions — the most in over a decade — performed in the formal health care system in 2023, according to a report released Tuesday by the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research organization. The […]
?‘Adult-oriented business’ bill advances in Kentucky legislature, foes call it ‘anti drag’
A House committee on Tuesday advanced a Senate bill to regulate “sexually explicit” performances hosted in “adult-oriented businesses” which opponents have labeled as “anti drag.”? Members of the House Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee voted to approve the latest version of Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield. The Senate passed […]
State school board picks a new commissioner, but no announcement until contract is approved
The Kentucky Board of Education is set to start contract negotiations with a finalist for state education commissioner after two days of candidate interviews. Three finalists named in Kentucky’s education commissioner search The board authorized its chair,? Sharon Porter Robinson, to enter into negotiations with the preferred candidate, said a news release from the Kentucky […]
‘Power grab,’ says Beshear of bill to move Fish and Wildlife to agriculture department
LOUISVILLE — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday called a Republican-backed bill that would move the state’s wildlife management agency from his administration to the agriculture department an unconstitutional “power grab.”? Beshear also called out Senate Republicans for refusing to confirm his appointees to the Fish and Wildlife Commission.? “It’s time for them to stop […]
UofL Health opens $78 million hospital in Bullitt County
LOUISVILLE — UofL Health has opened a new hospital in Bullitt County that it says will help improve access to health care in Kentucky, which suffers from a shortage of medical providers.?? UofL Health’s $78 million South Hospital, which is located off Interstate 65 at Brooks exit 121 has 40 inpatient beds and room for […]
Divided Kentucky Senate advances bill attaching Fish and Wildlife to agriculture department
FRANKFORT — The GOP-dominated Senate narrowly advanced a controversial change for Kentucky’s wildlife management agency Friday while also voting to administratively attach the racing commission to the state agriculture department as well.? Sportsmen’s and wildlife conservation groups have strongly opposed the proposal, and lawmakers echoed their concerns during Friday’s debate.? Senate Bill 3, primarily sponsored […]
Looser child labor standards revived by committee that had temporarily blocked bill
FRANKFORT — A bill that would allow some teenagers to work longer and later hours advanced out of a Senate committee Friday just a day after the same committee had blocked it. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown, was passed 7-4 out of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor Committee in […]
House votes to end diversity, equity, inclusion programs in Kentucky public higher education?
FRANKFORT — Despite hours of impassioned pleas by Democrats, the Republican-dominated House approved a bill that aims to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities and colleges in Kentucky.? The House ultimately voted 68-18 to approve an overhauled Senate Bill 6. Republican Rep. Killian Timoney, of Lexington, voted against the measure.?The only Democrat […]
Sweeping GOP crime bill clears Kentucky Senate despite judiciary chairman’s opposition
FRANKFORT — A GOP-backed omnibus crime bill won state Senate approval Friday over the objections of the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Long after I’m gone, we are going to be paying for it — figuratively and literally,” warned Sen. Whitney Westerfield in an impassioned speech that did not dissuade his colleagues from […]
‘Game changer:’ Amendment for public dollars to nonpublic schools clears General Assembly
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Senate on Friday joined the House in passing legislation for a constitutional amendment — called a “game changer” by one Republican supporter — that would allow public dollars to fund nonpublic schools.? In a vote of 27-8, Senators approved House Bill 2. Eastern Kentucky Republican Sens. Brandon Storm and Phillip Wheeler […]
Baptist Health, Humana restore ‘in network’ coverage for Medicare Advantage patients
Baptist Health and Humana have ended a months-long standoff over Kentuckians with health coverage through Medicare Advantage and commercial insurance plans, the two companies announced Thursday. Effective April 1, Baptist physicians again will accept those patients as “in network”— meaning they would not be subject to potentially higher costs or limits on services. The news, […]
Senate budget restores Medicaid funding that House cut, but process is far from over
The Kentucky Senate has largely eliminated cuts to Medicaid that were proposed in the House budget. A top state official had warned the House plan would create a hole next year in the federal-state health plan that covers 1.5 million low-income Kentuckians. “We are pleased that the Senate’s proposed budget restores funding to Medicaid so […]