Government
New Harris campaign ad features Kentucky rape survivor who became pregnant at 12
A new campaign ad from Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign features sexual abuse survivor Hadley Duvall, a Kentucky woman who was raped by her stepfather and became pregnant when she was 12 years old. Duvall says in the 30-second spot, titled “Monster” that at the time she discovered she was pregnant, she “had options” […]
Tennessee tries to rein in Ballad Health’s hospital monopoly after years of problems
Ballad Health, an Appalachian company with the nation’s largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly, may soon be required to improve its quality of care or face the possibility of being broken up. Government documents obtained by KFF Health News reveal that Tennessee officials, in closed-door negotiations, are attempting to hold the monopoly more accountable after years of […]
Kentucky university presidents say they welcome everyone, GOP lawmakers renew criticism of DEI
FRANKFORT — Five of Kentucky’s university presidents told state lawmakers that their campuses are focused on inclusivity for all students as an interim committee sought information about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education. The discussion, which lasted a couple of hours, in front of the Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday […]
Focus shifts in I-75 shooter search from manhunt in forest to more police presence in communities
Kentucky officials on Tuesday announced a shift in the search for the suspect in the Sept. 7 shootings on Interstate 75 to focus on increasing police presence and patrols in nearby communities. Gov. Andy Behsear said that on the manhunt’s 11th day there remains only a low probability of finding Joseph Couch, 32, in the […]
As abortion bans delay emergency medical care, this Georgia mother’s death was preventable
In her final hours, Amber Nicole Thurman suffered from a grave infection that her suburban Atlanta hospital was well-equipped to treat. She’d taken abortion pills and encountered a rare complication; she had not expelled all of the fetal tissue from her body. She showed up at Piedmont Henry Hospital in need of a routine procedure […]
Growth in clean energy jobs spurred by incentives congressional GOP opposes, says advocacy group
Kentucky for the second straight year had the nation’s second fastest growth in clean energy jobs, though the state still lags in the actual number of such jobs, according to an annual report that focuses on economic development and energy. The report from E2, which describes itself as a nonpartisan business group that advocates “for […]
How immigrants navigate their digital footprints in a charged political climate
For more than a decade, San-Francisco-based Miguel has been successfully filing renewals for his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status every two years, at least until 2024. For some reason, this year, it took more than five months to get approval, during which his enrollment in the program lapsed, leaving him in a legal […]
Kentucky state senator from Harlan injured in lawn mower accident
Sen. Johnnie Turner, a Republican from Harlan, has been hospitalized following an accident involving a riding lawn mower Sunday afternoon.? In a statement Monday morning, Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said Turner was “in critical but stable condition” and had been admitted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.? “I’ve been in touch […]
Kentucky Wild will celebrate its birthday and native species Saturday in Georgetown, public invited
Bats, butterflies and a native plant sale will be featured at a celebration of Kentucky Wild’s sixth birthday Saturday, Sept. 21, in Georgetown. A news release from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources says the public is invited to the event which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern) at Country […]
Tradition falls to suspicion as GOP candidates spurn forums hosted by League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters has a history of organizing debates and forums from elections for U.S. president to Kentucky governor to local school boards. But this year Republicans in Kentucky’s largest city are not accepting a local chapter’s invitations to appear on stage with their opponents. Some of the candidates aren’t replying to inquiries […]
Kentucky’s two-year college system latest to reassess diversity policies under political heat
Under scrutiny from Republican lawmakers pushing to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, Kentucky’s two-year college system on Friday announced it is launching an internal review.? The goal is “to make sure that our offices and titles correctly reflect our mission of student success for all students,” said Ryan Quarles, president […]
Judge sets hearing on unsealing case involving attorney general’s efforts to get abortion records
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd has scheduled a hearing Sept. 27 on whether to unseal a case that appears to involve efforts by the Kentucky attorney general’s office to subpoena employment records of two University of Louisville physicians who previously provided abortion services at a private clinic in Louisville. Shepherd’s order Thursday comes a month […]