Justice
Kentucky Supreme Court strikes down ‘random’ change of venue law
The Kentucky Supreme Court in a 6-1 decision Thursday struck down a new law allowing “random” changes of venue in lawsuits challenging state laws and decisions. In its order, the state’s highest court said Senate Bill 126 violated the separation of powers among state government branches. The court said the law, among other unconstitutional features, […]
Kentucky activists step in to deliver on the promise of voting rights restoration
This story first appeared in Bolts and is reprinted with permission. Alonzo Malone Jr. says he felt “less than human” during the 27 years the state of Kentucky barred him from voting. Malone lost his voting rights, along with his freedom and a slew of other civil liberties, in 1989 when he was convicted of […]
Who’s more qualified to succeed Cameron? Meet the candidates for attorney general
Voters in Kentucky’s race for attorney general will choose between a former FBI agent who served as a federal prosecutor and a retired Air Force colonel and military lawyer who won a seat in the legislature.? The winner will succeed Republican Daniel Cameron who is running for governor. Russell Coleman, the Republican nominee who was […]
Legislators in 49 states ask SCOTUS to preserve access to abortion pill
A group of more than 600 Democratic legislators from 49 states have signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to overturn an appellate court decision that would roll back access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to safely terminate early pregnancies and treat miscarriages. The amicus brief, also called […]
Lawmakers briefed on handling of sexual misconduct charges against juvenile justice staff
Since 2015, there were six cases in which Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice staff engaged in sexual misconduct or activity with a youth in the system, staff told the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee Thursday.? The misconduct could include “sexual harassment” or “inappropriate sexual banter,”? Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Kerry Harvey told […]
Police blame some deaths on ‘excited delirium.’ ER docs consider pulling plug on the term.
The way Sheldon Haleck’s parents see it, the 38-year-old’s only crime was jaywalking. But that March night in 2015, after Honolulu police found him behaving erratically, they pepper-sprayed him, shocked him with a Taser, and restrained him. Haleck became unresponsive and was taken to a hospital. Before his parents could get from their home in […]
It’s hazing season on college campuses. State safeguards are uneven.
Max Gruver spent the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 2017, heavily intoxicated and passed out on a couch inside the Phi Delta Theta chapter house at Louisiana State University. He had been forced to repeatedly chug 190-proof Diesel liquor in a hazing ritual called “Bible Study,” during which pledges are quizzed on fraternity facts. […]
Class action lawsuit seeks to halt enforcement of anti-trans law in Lexington public schools
A class action lawsuit against Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron and the Fayette County Board of Education argues that students’ constitutional and privacy rights are violated by a new anti-trans Kentucky law and asks the court to block its enforcement in Lexington schools.? Senate Bill 150, enacted by the legislature earlier this year over Democratic […]
U.S. appeals court upholds Kentucky’s ban on some medical care for transgender minors
Nearly a month after hearing oral arguments on Kentucky’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, a federal three-judge panel of the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled Thursday to keep the ban in place. This means Kentucky minors who seek treatment like hormones will not be able to access that care.? The […]
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 […]
‘We ought to fix:’ Kentucky crime victims aren’t getting automatic court notifications?
Kentucky crime victims are no longer getting automated notifications regarding their cases, Henderson County Attorney Steve Gold told members of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary Thursday.? The Victim Information and Notification Everyday or VINE? system has proved “an essential life saving tool for victims of crime” in the past, Gold told lawmakers.? VINE sent […]
Louisville mayor names board to oversee distribution of opioid settlement money
LOUISVILLE—On schedule, Kentucky’s most populous city just finalized an advisory board to oversee its opioid settlement fund distribution.? Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg appointed health experts and other local leaders to supervise the spending of more than $57 million from opioid settlements with CVS, Walgreens, Teva and Allergan.? Release of the? $57 million will be spread […]