Justice
Mass shootings spur debate over whether crime scene photos prompt change or trauma
This article was first published by Kaiser Health News. McCLELLANVILLE, S.C. — John Lites was one of the first police officers to respond to a 911 call from Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C, on June 17, 2015, when a white gunman murdered nine Black people attending a Bible study. Lites […]
Lawmakers ask about understaffing, violence in Kentucky’s juvenile detention centers
After lawmakers questioned administration officials about outbreaks of violence in the state’s understaffed juvenile detention centers Thursday, Senate Judiciary Chairman Whitney Westerfield said he welcomed administration actions but “a lot of it comes a little too late.” In recent weeks, law enforcement responded to a riot at a juvenile detention center in Adair County amid […]
Illegal gun use is making Kentucky more deadly; red flag laws could save lives here
A Lexington wife and mother was killed in her home Nov. 23 — three days after a judge rejected an emergency protective order that police encouraged her to seek. The ruling: “No imminent threat.” The man she was divorcing called police to report he had shot her. Convicted of a past drug felony, he wasn’t […]
Marriage equality bill heads to Biden’s desk following bipartisan U.S. House vote
WASHINGTON —?President Joe Biden is expected to sign the marriage equality bill on Tuesday.? Last week the U.S. House overwhelmingly approved the measure which?ensures same-sex and interracial couples would continue to hold many of the rights they have now, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the cases that established those constitutional protections. The 258-169-1 vote […]
Awaiting Kentucky Supreme Court’s abortion ruling with ‘anxiousness’ and uncertainty
A Kentuckian seeking an abortion now must travel to another state for it, with Illinois being the nearest where the procedure is accessible with few or no restrictions.? Virginia has some access as well, though less than Illinois.? This is true despite the defeat of the anti-abortion Amendment 2, which would have specified there’s no […]
Move to close some death investigation records seen as response to Judd family concerns
Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson would close public records in death investigations such as those surrounding the suicide of country music legend Naomi Judd, a move drawing opposition from open records advocates. Johnson, a Franklin Republican, filed Senate Bill 9 in advance of the 113th General Assembly, a measure that would conceal […]
Citizens group demands new medical provider, end of overcrowding at Louisville jail where 12 died
For the past year, Louisville has been in the throes of one of the most devastating humanitarian?crises in the city’s history. Twelve people died in the nightmarish conditions at Louisville Metro?Department of Corrections (LMDC): Last December, as Mayor Greg Fischer and community leaders shrugged their shoulders and?remained silent when three people died at the jail […]