Briefs

Seeking ‘healing justice’ for Black women who have substance use disorder

BY: - July 18, 2024

LOUISVILLE — The Volunteers of America chapter that includes Kentucky will spend $123,000 over the next nine months to make sure more Black women get access to treatment for substance use disorder.? Volunteers of America Mid-States is using this grant money, which came from the Kentucky Association of Health Plans, to fund a new initiative […]

Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Monday that his being mentioned as a possible presidential contender is a positive reflection on Kentucky. The governor had just spoken at a celebration of Kentucky State Parks' 100th anniversary. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Beshear says federal government should reclassify marijuana to recognize its medical uses

BY: - July 17, 2024

In a Wednesday letter sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he supports reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to Schedule III.? That would move marijuana from a DEA designation that says it has “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse” to having “a moderate […]

In a win for dogs like Ethan, first offense animal torture now a felony in Kentucky

BY: - July 16, 2024

Legislators and advocates who pushed for years to make dog and cat torture a felony on first offense gathered in the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday to celebrate a new Kentucky law that does just that.? House Bill 258, also called Ethan’s Law, allows a person to be charged with a Class D felony the first and […]

Jefferson County schools officials present district information to Kentucky legislative task force

BY: - July 15, 2024

Jefferson County Public Schools officials appeared Monday before a new legislative task force that will examine the governance of Kentucky’s largest school district.? Led by Marty Pollio, the district’s superintendent, the officials laid out information about the district’s enrollment, financial records, governance structure and more to the Efficient & Effective School District Governance Task Force. […]

Kentucky panel that reviews child deaths has full board for first time in several years

BY: - July 15, 2024

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Child Abuse Reporting Hotline at 1-800-752-6200.? Kentucky’s Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel has a full complement of members for the first time in several years, analysts told members of the Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee Thursday. For […]

Republican National Convention to go on despite shooting, with Trump plans unchanged

BY: and - July 14, 2024

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Republicans will gather in Milwaukee beginning Monday for the party’s presidential nominating convention — a typically joyous occasion that will likely take on a different tone this year after a gunman shot at Donald Trump, injuring him, on Saturday. Republican National Convention launches Monday amid some grumbling over abortion stance Trump, […]

Auditor’s office calls Beshear’s ‘hope’ to ‘work through’ database dispute ‘disingenuous’

BY: - July 11, 2024

Gov. Andy Beshear said he hopes his administration and state Auditor Allison Ball’s office “can work through” access issues around a database in a Thursday press conference.? Earlier this week, Ball, a Republican, sent a “demand letter” to Beshear, a Democrat, and Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander over access to the […]

Beshear gives update on how Kentuckians can get assistance for severe weather damage

BY: - July 11, 2024

Gov. Andy Beshear gave updates on how Kentuckians affected by recent severe weather can receive assistance and how damages are being assessed.? In his weekly press conference, Beshear said Louisville Metro Emergency Services is working with local government officials and first responders to assess damage and assist victims of an EF-1 tornado that hit Jefferson […]

Citizen members of JCPS task force announced ahead of first meeting

BY: - July 11, 2024

Five citizens have been selected to join a legislative task force that will examine Jefferson County Public Schools’ governance.? The General Assembly passed House Concurrent Resolution 81 to create the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force during the last legislative session. The task force will review school districts with enrollment above 75,000 students. […]

Help biologists monitor, conserve Kentucky’s wild turkey population by reporting sightings online

BY: - July 10, 2024

State fish and wildlife agencies are conducting scientific research to shed more light on the status of turkey populations — and need the public’s help, according to a news release from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The department is encouraging anyone who observes wild turkeys in Kentucky during July or August to […]

Kentuckians give blood for chance to see Taylor Swift. Ticket giveaway credited with donor surge.

BY: - July 9, 2024

FRANKFORT — A Taylor Swift ticket giveaway worth thousands of dollars and aimed at incentivizing more people to donate blood worked, Kentucky Blood Center donor numbers show.?? From May 28 through June 29, anyone who donated at any Kentucky Blood Center location was entered to win two Eras Tour tickets for Nov. 3 in Indianapolis.? […]

Beshears traveling to Japan, Korea next week on economic development mission

BY: - July 5, 2024

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will travel next week to Japan and Korea on what his office describes as “an economic development trip to bring new jobs to the state.” Also on the trip will be ?First Lady Britainy Beshear, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray and other members of […]