News
U.S. House passes ‘anti-woke’ bill aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion in higher ed
WASHINGTON — A GOP measure barring accrediting organizations from requiring colleges and universities to adopt diversity, equity and inclusion policies as a condition of accreditation passed the U.S. House Thursday, though its fate appears dim. The End Woke Higher Education Act — which succeeded 213-201 — marks one of several so-called anti-woke initiatives and messaging […]
Teamsters Local 89 endorses Harris after national union doesn’t make a presidential pick
Union workers from Kentucky and Southern Indiana announced Thursday they were endorsing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.? The announcement from the Teamsters Local 89 Executive Board comes a day after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a candidate for president. The Teamsters Local 89 executive board said their unanimous decision to endorse Harris […]
Eight Kentucky community health centers to expand mental health care with federal money
Eight community health centers in Kentucky have received nearly $5 million in federal funds to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder treatments across the state.? The $4.7 million in grant money comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), housed within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).? Centers […]
Addiction care provider sues managed care company for cutting Medicaid payments
An Eastern Kentucky provider of addiction services has filed a lawsuit challenging cuts in Medicaid payments that it says threaten its business. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Jefferson Circuit Court by Frontier Behavioral Health Center, is against Wellcare of Kentucky Inc. — one of six private insurance companies that handle most of the state’s Medicaid […]
Eastern Kentucky sheriff charged with murder in shooting death of judge at courthouse in Whitesburg
A sheriff in Eastern Kentucky has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a district court judge Thursday at the Letcher County Courthouse in Whitesburg.? Kentucky State Police said District Judge Kevin Mullins, 54, was pronounced dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds. Letcher County Sheriff Shawn M. “Mickey” Stines, 43, was charged with […]
2 generations split by incarceration say sentencing should consider those left behind
When Jayden Spence was 5 years old, he watched police take his mother, Amanda Hall, away in handcuffs.? The experience “terrified” him, he told Kentucky lawmakers. It also left him a lingering “mistrust” of the justice system.? Spence and Hall lent their stories to the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary Thursday and asked members to […]
Government shutdown deadline nearing as U.S. House stumbles on stopgap spending bill
WASHINGTON — Congress has 12 days left to approve a short-term government funding bill before the shutdown deadline, though leaders in the Republican House and Democratic Senate haven’t felt the need to start negotiations just yet. House GOP leaders, instead, attempted to pass a six-month continuing resolution Wednesday that carried with it a bill requiring […]
Police think body found near site of Interstate 75 shootings is suspect Joseph Couch
Law enforcement officials in a Wednesday evening news conference said they think a body found near where five people were shot on Interstate 75 in Laurel County is the alleged shooter.? Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said confirmation that the body was Joseph Couch, 32, would have to await an autopsy Thursday in […]
Harris blasts Trump deportation pledge as poll shows a majority of voters support it
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris warned Wednesday of her GOP rival’s plans to enact mass deportations. Former President Donald Trump has made immigration a core campaign topic and has often demonized immigrants such as in Aurora, Colorado, and in Springfield, Ohio. Trump has pledged to conduct mass deportations of immigrants in […]
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to address West Virginia Democrats later in September
Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear will be the keynote speaker at an annual West Virginia Democratic Party dinner later this month.? Beshear, a two-term governor in a red state, will speak at the party’s Roosevelt Kennedy Dinner at the Charleston Civic Center on Sept. 27.? West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin called Beshear “a […]
Teamsters won’t endorse either candidate in presidential race
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a candidate for president Wednesday, although both parties sought the support of the nation’s largest union. The group’s General Executive Board voted Wednesday to abstain from an endorsement, citing a split among members and a lack of firm commitments from either major party candidate, Vice President Kamala […]
As ‘Super Bowl of taxes’ looms in 2025, progressives urge Congress to ensure fairness
WASHINGTON — Dozens of progressive organizations from across the United States descended on the nation’s capital Wednesday to champion “tax justice” ahead of Congress’ major task of resetting the tax code in 2025. Led by a coalition named Fair Share America, state and national advocates urged lawmakers to raise the corporate tax rate and ensure […]