Gun Violence
Multiplying trauma: Kentucky set to add more kids to its troubled juvenile jails
A state law taking effect next month will require more kids charged with violent offenses to be held in Kentucky’s troubled juvenile jails — at a time when all eight of the youth detention centers are under federal investigation for possible abuses. That worries Devine Carama, who directs the One Lexington program to tackle gun […]
UK on Thursday will practice for ‘active aggressor crisis.’ Don’t be alarmed; it’s ‘only a drill.’
The University of Kentucky on Thursday will conduct a “full-scale active aggressor crisis exercise” from 8 a.m. until the afternoon.? “If you see large numbers of emergency response teams on campus, including police, fire and EMS, do not be alarmed,” says a UK release, “this is only a drill.” The training provides an opportunity for […]
Beshear lets school ‘guardians’ bill become law without his signature
Kentucky school districts will have the option of employing armed “guardians” to fill vacant law enforcement positions on campuses under a bill that became law Tuesday without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature.? Senate Bill 2 is a Republican-backed measure that built upon a bipartisan school safety law that was passed in 2019 after a shooting at […]
Automatic transfer of kids accused of some gun crimes to adult court has cleared both chambers
More Kentucky juveniles would be tried as adults under a bill that has now been approved by both chambers of the legislature.? ‘Victims before perpetrators:’ Senate passes bill to try certain juveniles as adults? The House on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 20 which mandates that juveniles 15 or older would be transferred to circuit court […]
Pastoral counselors added to school ‘guardian’ bill as it clears House committee
FRANKFORT — A bill authorizing armed “guardians” to fill vacant law enforcement positions in Kentucky schools was passed by a House committee Tuesday morning with several new additions, including one allowing pastoral counselors in schools.? Discussion among House Education Committee members largely centered on an amendment for Senate Bill 2 from Irvington Republican Rep. Josh […]
Republican backs bill to remove guns from Kentuckians at risk of hurting selves or others?
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. A Republican-backed draft bill aimed at temporarily removing firearms from Kentuckians at risk of harming themselves or others garnered mixed reactions from the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary Friday morning.? Sen. […]
Louisville GOP lawmakers working on sweeping anti-crime bill ahead of legislative session
LOUISVILLE — Republican state representatives from Louisville plan to file an 18-point omnibus bill in the next legislative session that aims to tackle an “epidemic of crime in our commonwealth,” said the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Jared Bauman.? The bill, which focuses mostly on issues within Louisville and Jefferson County, is backed by seven Republicans […]
Louisville police officer in critical condition after being shot during early morning stop
A Louisville police officer is in critical condition after being shot in the torso during an early morning traffic stop. Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelin Gwinn-Villaroel said ?shots were fired from a nearby house as the officer conducted a traffic stop around 2 a.m. in the 4000 block of Kentucky Street. A supporting officer […]
With ‘incredible will to survive,’ Officer Nickolas Wilt heads home
Louisville Metro Police Officer Nickolas Wilt headed home Friday for the first time in months.? Waiting for him: his own bed and a much-anticipated steak dinner.? He rolled out of Frazier Rehabilitation Institute in a wheelchair around noon, past smiling scrubs-clad staff, police officers, politicians and members of the press.? Before exiting the building, he […]
Legislative task force starts review of Kentucky school safety laws
FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers on Tuesday launched a review of recent laws aimed at making schools safer as a special Task Force on School and Campus Security met for the first time.? In response to a 2018 school shooting at Marshall County High School, in which two students were killed and more than a dozen […]
Cities have ways to curb gun violence; feds are giving them more money
When shots ring out on the South and West sides of Chicago, Sam Castro and his team at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago race to the scene of the shooting and to the hospital where emergency responders are treating the gunshot victim. Knowing most of the city’s gun violence is caused by a small cluster […]
Officer Wilt, wounded by mass shooter in Louisville, making ‘remarkable progress,’ family says
A Louisville police officer who was injured while trying to stop a mass shooter in early April is making “remarkable progress,” his family said Thursday.? Officer Nickolas Wilt took a gunshot to the head on April 10 while responding to a shooting at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville.? He was one of nine people […]