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Teachers union asks judge to block new Kentucky law barring payroll deductions to pay union dues
FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s largest teachers union representing thousands of educators throughout the state is asking a judge to temporarily block a new law that prohibits the union from collecting dues through payroll deductions.? The Kentucky Education Association (KEA) sued the state last month asking for Senate Bill 7 to be struck down as unconstitutional and […]
Western Kentucky wildlife refuges receive nearly $18 million to buy land for waterfowl habitat
Two wildlife refuges in Western Kentucky will receive almost $18 million from a federal commission to buy thousands of acres to protect waterfowl habitat in the state.? A release Thursday from the U.S. Department of the Interior stated the Migatory Bird Conservation Commission awarded almost $11.4 million to the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in […]
$124 million from feds will build hundreds of homes in tornado-impacted Western Kentucky
FRANKFORT — Kentucky officials are opening up applications this summer for almost $124 million in federal funding to help rebuild housing and infrastructure primarily in tornado-impacted Western Kentucky, which Gov. Andy Beshear said could help rebuild around 600 homes.? The federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will go to […]
If your Kentucky ‘farm’ is smaller than 5 acres, you now need a license to hunt or fish on it
It was a small change in a 48-page bill that became law during this year’s legislative session. Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, mainly sought to give the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources the power to acquire perpetual conservation easements for 54,000 acres of land in Southeastern Kentucky.? That aspect […]
Wildfire at Natural Bridge state park in Eastern Kentucky is ‘100% contained’
A wildfire at an Eastern Kentucky state park that has been burning for about a week has been “100% contained” by firefighters from local, state and federal agencies.? A social media post Monday from the Kentucky Division of Forestry stated the wildfire at Natural Bridge State Resort Park was contained to 125 acres and that […]
Beshear campaign says its donors attest that they are contributing their own money
FRANKFORT — Responding to questions about a Kentucky Lantern report, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday said ?contributions supporting his reelection campaign are always “voluntary” with no promises of any sort given to donors. The Kentucky Lantern on Monday reported that the largest group of contributors to the Democratic governor’s reelection bid include people who […]
Judge asks Supreme Court to weigh in on Kentucky’s new right to ‘random’ change of venue
A Kentucky judge has asked the state’s highest court to weigh in on the constitutionality of a new law that entitles lawsuit participants, in cases challenging state laws and decisions, to have the case moved to another circuit court chosen at random.? In a 12-page order Monday, Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd said Senate […]
Kentucky one of four states passing up federal money to plan for climate change
Kentucky’s state government will be unable to compete for $4.6 billion from the federal government to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gasses because it is one of only four states that did not apply for up to $3 million to create a climate action plan through a new grant program.? A spokesperson for Kentucky’s environmental agency said […]
Wildfire at Natural Bridge state park spreads to more than 100 acres
State forestry officials say a wildfire at an Eastern Kentucky state park that was ignited on Monday has spread to more than 100 acres, the terrain of the area making it difficult to contain the blaze.? A Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet release Wednesday stated a wildfire at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, which was […]
Wildfire that closed trails at Natural Bridge state park is under investigation
Federal and state forestry officials say dozens of firefighters are responding to contain a small wildfire at an Eastern Kentucky state park that was ignited late Monday, closing all trails and nearly all parking lots at the park. A release Tuesday afternoon from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) stated the five-acre fire was […]
Calls for action on gun violence meet silence from Kentucky’s Republican legislative leaders
As Louisville’s mayor and Democratic legislators have pleaded for gun reforms, Republican leaders in the GOP-dominated Kentucky legislature have remained silent on what, if any, actions addressing gun violence they’ll consider following a mass shooting Monday at a downtown Louisville bank. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has been forceful in his calls to action, pointing to […]
‘Spin the wheel of fortune’: Kentucky judge asked to block ‘random’ change of venue law
FRANKFORT — A Kentucky judge is considering whether to follow along or block a new state law that allows the attorney general and lawsuit participants, in cases challenging state laws and decisions, to move a case to a random circuit court across the state. Pace-O-Matic and other plaintiffs representing manufacturers and operators of what they […]