Government
As Kentucky lawmakers push anti-DEI bills, Black scholars define diversity
FRANKFORT — Against the backdrop of the Kentucky General Assembly considering a couple of bills that would limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in education, a panelist of Black scholars and academics met to define the state’s past and present with DEI.? The discussion concluded the Kentucky Legislative Black Caucus’ annual Black History Speakers Series […]
Bail clampdowns don’t match what research says about suspects, experts say
Crime is shaping up as a potent election issue, and one of the key points of debate is over bail: Which suspects should be jailed before trial, and which ones should be released on bond — and for how much money? Some conservatives argue that lenient bail policies put suspects who are likely to commit […]
Bill promoting nuclear energy in Kentucky advanced by Senate committee
FRANKFORT — The University of Kentucky would be home to a new authority to develop nuclear energy’s potential in the state, including identifying sites for nuclear reactors and other facilities, under a bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee.? Senate Bill 198, sponsored by Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, a long-time advocate […]
Celebrity rescue Ethan supports bill to make animal torture a felony in Kentucky?
FRANKFORT — In early 2021, Ethan the dog became a Louisville and Kentucky celebrity as the city rallied behind his recovery from horrific neglect. Ethan’s human, Jeff Callaway, told lawmakers Wednesday that after being sold as a puppy, he was traded for drugs and endured a “hellish” chapter of his life that ultimately led to […]
Bill limiting Kentucky governor’s pardon power near elections wins bipartisan approval in Senate
FRANKFORT —?With bipartisan support, the Kentucky Senate took another step toward limiting pardon and sentence commutation powers of the governor.? Republican-backed Senate Bill 126 proposes a constitutional amendment to suspend the governor’s power to issue pardons or sentence commutations from 30 days before a gubernatorial election until the fifth Tuesday after the election, the day […]
Bipartisan bill trying to shield Kentucky elections from ‘deep fakes’ clears committee
FRANKFORT — A Senate committee forwarded a bipartisan bill Wednesday aimed at limiting use of “deep fakes” or deceptive artificial intelligence to influence elections in Kentucky.? Two Lexington lawmakers, Republican Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe and Democratic Sen. Reggie Thomas, told the Senate State and Local Government Committee Senate Bill 131 is a first step in […]
$300 million to help rebuild from flood is closer to reaching Eastern Kentucky with plan’s approval
Almost $300 million in federal aid is a step closer to reaching Eastern Kentucky to help rebuild from devastating floods, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved Kentucky’s 2022 Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CBDG-DR) action plan, McConnell announced. The ?plan determines how $297,994,000 […]
GOP bill would give Kentucky teachers 20 days of maternity leave
FRANKFORT —?If a Republican-backed bill passes, Kentucky public school teachers would gain maternity leave, something not currently available to them. Senate Bill 205, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, of Smithfield, would provide 20 days of maternity leave to? public school employees after giving birth. Under the bill, employees could? begin to use sick leave after […]
Senate passes another bill critics say would override Lexington’s new tenant protections
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Senate approved a House bill Tuesday that critics say would override protections for tenants against discrimination based on their source of income in Kentucky’s two largest cities. The Senate approved a similar bill of its own last month, and the debate Tuesday on House Bill 18, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Dotson, […]
McConnell’s fundraising has slowed though he’s got plenty of money in his reelection account
Gov. Andy Beshear’s new political action committee reported last week that it raised $30,681 in its first month of existence. The PAC is called In This Together and was created two months after Democrat Beshear won reelection over Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron. It was established as a way for Beshear and his supporters to […]
Sponsor vows to back off gutting Kentucky open records law after hearing from constituents
A Kentucky lawmaker says he plans to revise a bill rewriting the state’s open records law after it ignited protests from open government advocates and the Kentucky Press Association who warned it would “eviscerate” access to public records. Rep. John Hodgson, R-Fisherville, said in an email he plans to eliminate a section redefining public records […]
University of Kentucky president says he opposes anti-diversity legislation moving in General Assembly
University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto is publicly opposing proposed restrictions on higher education that are pending in the General Assembly, including a Senate-approved bill aimed at curbing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). “As the University of Kentucky’s president, let me be clear: I am opposed to the legislation regarding both DEI and tenure,” Capilouto […]