Author
Lantern staff
Say, whatever happened to that bill?
FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers filed more than 1,200 bills this session — the most in more than 20 years? — and passed about 215 of them before adjourning Monday, according to a news release from the Legislative Research Commission.? That’s a lot of legislating to keep up with. So we put together a scorecard of […]
Seedtime on the Cumberland June 1 in Whitesburg
Appalshop has announced the lineup for Seedtime on the Cumberland June 1 in Whitesburg. The free annual festival will feature live music, jam sessions, food and art, including a quilt exhibit hosted by the Southeast Kentucky African American Museum and Cultural Center. Performers for the 2024 festival include Sunrise Ridge, John Haywood, Jay Skaggs, Randy […]
April 22 deadline to register to vote in Kentucky primary election
To vote in Kentucky’s primary election next month you must be registered by 4 p.m. Monday, April 22. In the May 21 primary, Kentuckians will be nominating candidates for U.S. Congress, state legislature and many local offices, as well as casting ballots in primaries for U.S. president. You can register online by clicking here. Read […]
Perry County prosecutor faces federal charges for allegedly trading favors for sex, drugs
A Kentucky prosecutor, who allegedly helped criminal defendants in exchange for sexual favors and methamphetamine, is facing federal wire fraud charges. Perry County commonwealth’s attorney Scott Blair, 51, of Hazard, was charged with committing honest services wire fraud in a federal criminal complaint Friday, according to a release from the U.S. attorney for the Eastern […]
Automatic transfer of kids accused of some gun crimes to adult court has cleared both chambers
More Kentucky juveniles would be tried as adults under a bill that has now been approved by both chambers of the legislature.? ‘Victims before perpetrators:’ Senate passes bill to try certain juveniles as adults? The House on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 20 which mandates that juveniles 15 or older would be transferred to circuit court […]
House passes restrictions on filming food production, farming operations
After rejecting protections for whistleblowers and accidental violations, the House on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 16 restricting drone photography of food production plants and animal feeding operations. Democratic Rep. Al Gentry of Louisville offered an amendment protecting whistleblowers who film violations of safety or health laws.? Overbroad bill risks turning food plant workers, government inspectors, […]
Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame will honor six new members Monday evening in Lexington
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame will honor six new members Monday evening at The Kentucky Theatre in Lexington. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. p.m. The event is free and open to the public. This year’s living inductees are: George C. Wolfe, “titan of the American theatre,” according to The […]
Kentucky’s new juvenile justice chief is veteran of managing adult corrections
A? longtime adult corrections official will head the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.? The new commissioner, Randy White, worked in the Kentucky prison system for 27 years in multiple roles, including correctional officer, warden and most recently more than five years as deputy corrections commissioner, according to a release from […]
State school board picks a new commissioner, but no announcement until contract is approved
The Kentucky Board of Education is set to start contract negotiations with a finalist for state education commissioner after two days of candidate interviews. Three finalists named in Kentucky’s education commissioner search The board authorized its chair,? Sharon Porter Robinson, to enter into negotiations with the preferred candidate, said a news release from the Kentucky […]
Kentucky attorney general among those warning Maine not to enact medical shield law
Kentucky’s Russell Coleman is among 16 state attorneys general threatening legal action if Maine enacts a law shielding its medical providers from penalties for providing reproductive and gender-affirming care to residents of other states. The Republican attorneys general assert such a law would be “extraterritorial bullying” and “could also trigger a rapid tit-for-tat escalation that […]
Kentucky will help pilot ‘innovative’ approaches to helping children, families thrive, thanks to grant from Doris Duke Foundation
Kentucky will share in a $30 million grant seeking to build supports for families who fall through cracks in the child welfare system.? The Doris Duke Foundation is funding the three-year initiative called Opt-in for Families (Opportunities for Prevention and Transformation). Pilot sites will be in Kentucky, South Carolina, Oregon and Washington, D.C. A release […]
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman moves to restart executions
FRANKFORT — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is moving to restart executions in Kentucky. Coleman announced Friday that he has filed a motion in Franklin Circuit Court seeking to end what a news release from his office called a “nearly 15-year ruling that has blocked the imposition of the death penalty in Kentucky.” Coleman said […]