Politics
Federal court blocks Alabama’s congressional map, orders new lines drawn
A three-judge federal panel Tuesday ruled that a new Alabama congressional map failed to address Voting Rights Act violations and ordered a third party to draw new lines. In a 217-page opinion in the case, known as Allen v. Milligan, U.S. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus and U.S. District Judges Anna Manasco and Terry Moorer sharply […]
Physician says no evidence McConnell experienced a stroke or has a seizure disorder
Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office on Tuesday released a physician’s letter saying “there is no evidence” that the Senate’s Republican leader has a seizure disorder or experienced a stroke, following two public episodes when McConnell appeared to freeze while speaking to reporters. “There are no changes recommended in treatment protocols as you continue recovery from your […]
McConnell’s health scare turns attention to Cornyn, other likely successors as GOP leader
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn doesn’t hide that he wants Mitch McConnell’s job as Senate Republican leader. The senior Texas senator has long expressed interest in the position and spent years as McConnell’s top deputy. After a recent series of health scares raised concerns about McConnell’s future, questions abound about Cornyn’s next step. Cornyn […]
Kentucky fails to meet fiscal trigger to allow for another income tax cut
Kentucky Republicans’ goal?of gradually eliminating the state income tax has met an obstacle of their own making. State tax revenues failed to meet a fiscal requirement set by the GOP-controlled legislature in order to consider further income tax cuts during next year’s legislative session, according to a letter?from the state budget director.? The General Assembly […]
McConnell gets all-clear from congressional physician
The attending physician for the United States Congress on Thursday signed a letter giving Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell the all-clear a day after he? appeared to freeze while speaking to reporters.? Dr. Brian Monahan wrote that McConnell, from Kentucky, “is medically clear to continue with his schedule as planned.”? McConnell’s office said Wednesday that […]
Stumping on home turf, Massie has Cameron’s back despite earlier criticism
Update: This story was updated Friday to reflect that Freedom Fest 2023 has been canceled.? GREENUP — In his home district, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie said he’s always backed Kentucky GOP gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron despite accusing his campaign of “political malpractice” two months ago. Massie, a six-term Republican congressman, made stops with the attorney […]
Kentucky education board to talk about an interim education commissioner next week
Kentucky Board of Education members will meet next week to begin their discussion of appointing an interim education commissioner to lead the Kentucky Department of Education.? According to an agenda for the Wednesday, Sept. 6, special meeting, the board will go into closed session to discuss candidates “Which Might Lead” to an interim commissioner appointment. […]
McConnell again falls silent, this time while speaking to reporters in Northern Kentucky
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell fell silent and appeared to freeze while speaking to reporters Wednesday in Covington, his second such public episode in as many months. A spokesman for the Senate Republican leader told the Lantern that McConnell “felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today.”?? “While he feels fine, as a prudential […]
Cameron joins four AGs in warning law firms to end race-based hiring practices
Kentucky Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron joined a group of GOP attorneys general in warning 100 of the nation’s largest law firms against using race-based hiring practices for employment and contract workers.? The nine-page letter sent on Tuesday to executives of American Lawyer 100 Firms calls for the firms to “refrain from discriminating on the […]
Abortion rights advocates will ask Ohio Supreme Court to rule on amendment’s ‘deceptive’ summary
The group supporting a constitutional amendment on reproductive rights will take its arguments against a “deceptive” summary approved and written by the Ohio Ballot Board to the state’s highest court. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights announced Monday afternoon that it plans to file a lawsuit Monday asking the Ohio Supreme Court either to order the […]
One for the books as Trump and rest of Fulton 19 enter Georgia justice system over 2020 election
This post was updated at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 25 to reflect that Sidney Powell filed a demand for a speedy trial. At the end of a historic week at the Fulton County jailhouse, the criminal case against former President Donald Trump and his 18 allies also accused of subverting Georgia’s 2020 presidential election is just […]
Americans are worried about democracy. You wouldn’t know it from the GOP debate.
There’s a growing feeling, among both experts and ordinary Americans, that our democracy isn’t functioning well — and even that it’s under threat. “American democracy is cracking,” the Washington Post reported August 18. “I’m terrified,” one democracy expert told the paper. “I think we are in bad shape, and I don’t know a way out.” […]