Politics
Poll shows GOP voters in Kentucky support gun removal measure, Westerfield assures Senate
FRANKFORT — In what he said could be his last speech on the Senate floor, Sen. Whitney Westerfield assured his colleagues that “the politics … are safe” to support a law that would temporarily remove firearms from Kentuckians at risk of harming themselves or others.? Speaking on Friday night, Westerfield cited polling that found 76% […]
Fletcher tells lawmakers he wants to serve all Kentucky kids, avoid politics as ed commissioner
FRANKFORT — Robbie Fletcher, awaiting confirmation as Kentucky’s next education commissioner, told a Senate committee Friday that schools should be dedicated to serving all children and that he values strong teams and relationships.? Fletcher told the Senate Education Committee about his experience as an educator in his native Eastern Kentucky and his commitment to his […]
Billionaire TikTok investor, charter school advocate puts $8 million into Paul affiliated PAC
Jeff Yass, the Pennsylvania billionaire and major investor in the parent company of TikTok, contributed $8 million last month to a super PAC affiliated with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. The super PAC is called Protect Freedom PAC, and a report it filed with the FEC on Wednesday says Yass gave the $8 million […]
Democrats hope to force vote on abortion exceptions as session winds down
FRANKFORT — Democrats are hoping to force lawmakers to take a stand on loosening Kentucky’s near total ban on abortion before going home Monday. Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, announced Thursday that he is filing a discharge petition for his Senate Bill 99, which would create exceptions in the abortion ban for rape and incest. He […]
‘He should consider dropping out’: Kentucky House candidate arrested for alleged strangulation at Walmart
Kentucky House District 67 candidate Brian Ormes admitted to an altercation with a group of juveniles before his arrest inside a Fort Wright Walmart on Monday, according to a police report on the incident. Ormes, 53, of Southgate has been charged with strangulation first degree, menacing and assault fourth degree stemming from the incident involving […]
Beshear vetoes sweeping anti-crime bill along with parts of state budget
Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a number of vetoes Tuesday including rejecting a sweeping anti-crime bill pushed by Jefferson County Republicans and strongly opposed by Democrats, arguing House Bill 5 is a costly and “unwieldy” bill.? HB 5, primarily sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman, had received opposition across a broad political spectrum with conservative […]
Covid-19 misinformation persists four years after shelter-in-place
From spring break parties to Mardi Gras, many people remember the last major “normal” thing they did before the novel coronavirus pandemic dawned, forcing governments worldwide to issue stay-at-home advisories and shutdowns. Kentucky Senate votes to bar employers, schools from requiring COVID-19 vaccine Even before the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the U.S., […]
Republican Party of Kentucky building fund hits $2.9 million with horse racing interests’ help
FRANKFORT — Churchill Downs contributed $100,000 and The Jockey Club gave $50,000 earlier this year to the Republican Party of Kentucky’s fund drive to renovate and expand its party headquarters in Frankfort. The two recent contributions are listed in a report that the RPK’s Building Fund filed this week with the Kentucky Registry of Election […]
McConnell criticizes Biden, makes no mention of Trump in Shelbyville luncheon speech
SHELBYVILLE —?U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell stressed his support for continued U.S. aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia during a speech Wednesday to a luncheon crowd in Shelbyville.? The Shelby County Farm Bureau and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce hosted the gathering. McConnell, whose parents moved to Shelbyville later in life, has spoken at […]
McConnell praises his ‘favorite freshman’ Sen. Katie Britt speaking in Louisville
LOUISVILLE —?U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced his “favorite freshman” senator to a crowd at his alma mater Tuesday.? U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, a first-term Republican from Alabama, delivered a lecture as part of the McConnell Center’s Distinguished Speaker Series at the University of Louisville. She spoke about lessons she’s learned from the past […]
As drag shows go ‘mainstream,’ some red states look to restrict them
Drag performances used to be found mostly in the confines of nightlife venues such as clubs and bars. But drag has stepped into the daylight, with elaborately costumed and made-up performers appearing at library readings and kid-friendly brunches, and a newfound visibility for gender-bending entertainment and self-expression. “Drag now versus 15 years ago is like […]
States rush to combat AI threat to elections
This year’s presidential election will be the first since generative AI — a form of artificial intelligence that can create new content, including images, audio, and video — became widely available. That’s raising fears that millions of voters could be deceived by a barrage of political deepfakes. But, while Congress has done little to address […]