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Kentucky Senate approves ‘parental rights’ bill despite pleas to protect vulnerable youth
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. FRANKFORT — Despite pleas by the few Democrats in the Kentucky Senate to protect “vulnerable, marginalized children,” the supermajority of Republicans passed a controversial bill around parental rights and gender identity […]
Anti-abortion amendment to Kentucky Constitution given little chance this session
Roughly three months after voters rejected?Amendment 2, which would have specified there is no right to an abortion in Kentucky’s Constitution, a similar amendment was proposed Tuesday by the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Whitney Westerfield.? But the amendment isn’t likely to move this session.? Senate Majority Floor Leader Daymon Thayer said Tuesday […]
Bill blocking local assistance with federal firearms regulations sails out of Kentucky House committee
FRANKFORT — A bill that would block local assistance with federal firearms bans — one of several filed by Republicans in the GOP-dominated Kentucky legislature that aim to curb gun control restrictions — sailed out of a state House of Representatives committee Tuesday.? House Bill 153 would prevent local law enforcement, employees of public agencies […]
KFTC seeks investigation of surface mining’s role in deadly Kentucky floods
A Kentucky advocacy group is calling on the federal government to launch an investigation into whether a legacy of surface coal mining in Eastern Kentucky exacerbated the catastrophic, deadly flooding the region faced last July. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC), a progressive, grassroots organization known for lobbying on environmental issues, made public Monday a letter […]
GOP lawmakers seeking oversight of disaster donations, while Beshear defends funds’ transparency
Republican lawmakers want more oversight of disaster relief funds following a report that checks from donations had been sent to people unaffected by the December 2021 tornado outbreak. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported earlier this month thousands of dollars worth of $1,000 relief checks, provided through the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, were sent in […]
Kentucky House impeaches suspended prosecutor who reportedly traded nude images for favors
The Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously voted Thursday afternoon to impeach a suspended elected prosecutor who reportedly asked for nude photos and videos in exchange for prosecutorial favors.? An impeachment committee, chaired by Rep. Daniel Elliott, R-Danville, had advanced three articles of impeachment earlier this week against Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Goldy.? A Louisville Courier Journal […]
Income tax cut bill passed through the Kentucky Senate, headed to governor’s desk
The GOP-controlled Kentucky Senate passed legislation Wednesday afternoon along party lines that would further cut the state’s income tax to 4%, sending the bill to the desk of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear who remains mum on whether he’ll veto the tax cut.? House Bill 1, highlighted by Republican lawmakers as a priority to pass well […]
Income tax cut bill passes easily out of Kentucky Senate committee
A top priority for Republicans in the Kentucky legislature, a bill that would further cut the state’s income tax, sped out of a Senate committee easily Wednesday morning. The comments of support by GOP lawmakers for House Bill 1 and testimony critical of the bill mirrored past discussion surrounding the legislation when it sailed through […]
Kentucky House committee advances impeachment articles against suspended prosecutor
A Kentucky House impeachment committee has advanced three articles of impeachment against a suspended elected prosecutor accused of asking a defendant for nude photos and videos in exchange for prosecutorial favors.? The Kentucky Supreme Court suspended Ronnie Goldy — the commonwealth’s attorney for the 21st Judicial Circuit serving Rowan, Menifee, Bath and Montgomery counties — […]
‘Black history is American history’: Lawmakers lead celebration of Black Kentucky history?
Members of the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus marked Black History Month and the arrival of lawmakers back to the state Capitol Tuesday with a celebration of Black history, being joined by the justices of the Kentucky Supreme Court, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican legislative leadership. Rep. Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, who’s the Democratic candidate for […]
Kentucky counties, cities increasingly adopting ordinances to regulate solar energy projects
A new interactive map shows Kentucky counties and cities that have in recent years adopted ordinances to regulate solar projects amid rising interest by solar developers in establishing installations throughout the state. The online map, created by the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy, highlights county and city governments that have created ordinances to provide a […]
Millions in donations were sent for tornado relief. Survivors wonder where the money is.
MAYFIELD — Doug Irby, owner of a mold removal and home foundation repair company, sees daily reminders that Kentuckians still need help to recover from the tornadoes of December 2021. Yet most of the donations that Kentucky has set aside to help victims pay for unmet needs remain untapped, leaving survivors wondering if that help […]