Government
Environmental groups want stronger rules for use of coal ash fill after EPA reveals new risks
Coal ash, what’s left over after coal is burned to generate electricity, is one of the largest waste streams in the U.S., with hundreds of millions of tons of it lying in hundreds of sites across the country. However, a lot of that ash, which can contain a host of toxic metals, isn’t just sitting […]
Kentucky child care advocates say Beshear’s budget doesn’t do enough?
Gov. Andy Beshear is asking the legislature to spend $141 million over the next two years to stabilize the child care industry, but some advocates for children say that won’t be enough. Beshear’s budget proposal comes as pandemic-era federal assistance is ending, leaving Kentucky’s child care providers to face potential closures, tuition increases and wage […]
Frankfort commission voices support for city utility as state senator pushes to sell its telecom
The Frankfort city commission unanimously approved a resolution earlier this week offering “unwavering support” to its city utility in light of a Republican state senator’s efforts to force a change in control of its telecommunications business. The Lantern previously reported state Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, has been advocating for Frankfort’s utility, the Frankfort Plant Board […]
House Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts to not seek reelection
Another member of Kentucky House Democratic leadership announced she will not seek reelection Wednesday.? In a statement, House Minority Whip Rachel Roberts, said she will not run for her seat again in 2024 and added that her decision was “the right one for me and my family” after months of deliberation.?? “Serving those who live […]
Republican Jonathan Dixon not seeking reelection to Kentucky House
Republican Rep. Jonathan Dixon, of Corydon, will not seek reelection in the Kentucky House, he announced Wednesday.? Dixon, who was first elected in 2020, plans to finish the remainder of his term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2024. He is the vice chair of the House Transportation Committee “I am incredibly grateful to the people […]
Republican lawmakers mostly mum on Beshear’s budget. Can they find common ground?
When Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled his $136.6 billion two-year budget proposal on Monday, he told reporters he had started “good conversations” with the GOP-dominated legislature and already had meetings with leadership of both chambers.? His budget proposal — which calls for 11% across-the-board raises for school employees, paying for universal preschool and fully […]
Running on empathy: Beshear looks back on campaign successes, ahead to next legislature
FRANKFORT — Democrat Andy Beshear said he’s hopeful his relationship with the Republican-dominated legislature will improve now that he’s unable to run again for governor and lawmakers no longer have to worry about giving wins to a political rival. “With me being term-limited, hopefully people don’t worry about a win or a loss for me,” […]
Louisville’s Herron announces run for state Senate
State Rep. Keturah Herron, a Louisville Democrat, filed Tuesday to run for election to the Kentucky Senate in 2024.? Herron will seek the seat of Sen. Denise Harper Angel, another Louisville Democrat who recently announced she will not seek reelection in 2024 after representing Senate District 35 since 2005.? Herron said in a statement about […]
DEA vet will lead Kentucky’s opioid settlement distribution. AG-elect Coleman announces his team.
A veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will lead the Kentucky commission that is overseeing distribution of millions of dollars from opioid settlements, Attorney General-elect Russell Coleman announced Tuesday. Christopher Evans, who started as a street agent and served as the DEA’s acting administrator in 2021, will become the new executive director of the […]
Beshear unveils his state spending plan: teacher raises, universal pre-K, water infrastructure
FRANKFORT — Newly reelected Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear unveiled? a proposed two-year state budget —? 15 days before the Republican-dominated legislature is scheduled to convene — and began selling his ideas to a statewide audience on KET Monday night. The $136.6 billion spending plan, what Beshear called the “largest budget that we’ve seen in history,” […]
State Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe undergoes emergency surgery after injury by horse.
Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, issued a statement Monday saying that she is recovering from emergency surgery after being kicked in the face by her family’s horse. She said she is hopeful of making a full recovery and “returning to. Frankfort and getting back to work as soon as possible.” “On the afternoon of Dec. […]
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman undergoes double mastectomy, urges Kentuckians to schedule preventative exams
Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced Monday that she had undergone a double mastectomy. “Concerns were raised to me during a recent routine physical exam. With a significant family history of cancer, I made the decision to have a double mastectomy. I am happy to report that a successful surgery was performed today, and I […]