The University of Louisville has disbanded the UofL Women’s Network and four other employee groups in response to a new state law. A former president of one of the disbanded groups criticized the action, telling the Kentucky Lantern it goes further than required by the Republican legislature’s new ban on diversity initiatives in public higher […]

Across most of the South and Midwest, state laws bar local governments from requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, effectively stripping cities of the power to enact their own labor protections. Nearly 73 million workers live in the 18 states, including Kentucky, that now have such preemptive laws, according to a new report from […]

FRANKFORT — Kentucky state government revenue grew by only a fraction of 1% in the fiscal year that ended June 30. The Office of State Budget Director reports that receipts to the state’s General Fund for the year totaled $15.7 billion. That was $132 million, or 0.8%, more than the fund took in the previous […]

A new scholarship for Kentucky Community and Technical College students is aimed at preventing damage to utility lines. The Kentucky Public Service Commission is providing a $66,000 annual fund to support training in how to safely locate and manage underground utility lines. ​​The PSC 811 Damage Prevention Scholarship will support training in three programs — […]

As homelessness rises in Kentucky, especially outside the two largest cities, the Trump administration wants to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support for state housing programs. Recently released data showing an increase in Kentuckians experiencing homelessness comes from the annual “Point-In-Time” count conducted each January to capture a snapshot of homelessness across […]

Over 60 years ago, KET was founded so every Kentuckian, no matter their circumstance, would have access to quality educational programs and services. The mission to enrich lives and build stronger communities by informing, inspiring and connecting remains the cornerstone of this Kentucky institution. On June 12, the House of Representatives passed the Rescissions Act […]

For nearly a month, hundreds of thousands of Iowans have not been allowed to water their lawns — even though there’s no drought. Local authorities previously asked the public to refrain from washing cars and filling pools. And some cities turned off splash pads in the height of summer heat. While such measures are common […]

The justices’ reasoning in the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding Tennessee’s ban on youth gender-affirming care could have much broader implications, perhaps opening the door to state restrictions on health care for other groups of people, experts say. The ruling could give states leeway to make rules on any other sex-related treatment — potentially […]

Today I’m remembering what Lela Scopes told me about her famous brother for my Paducah Sun story going on 46 years ago. She said before John Thomas Scopes left to teach science and coach football at Rhea County High School in Dayton, Tenn., in 1924, he explained, “I’m going there because it’s a small town […]

Kentucky State University will again ask the General Assembly to fund construction of a Health Sciences Center, representatives told lawmakers Wednesday.  In 2024, the historically Black university requested $50 million to build a nursing school for its growing class of future health care providers. The legislature ultimately rejected the request, giving KSU money to design […]

A Central Kentucky measles outbreak has now spread to nine cases, according to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.  The department posted to Facebook on Tuesday that the five new measles cases in Fayette County are all “household contacts of the first” case in the county. The patients have all been in quarantine, the health department […]

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission has found “probable cause” that Rep. Daniel Grossberg, a Louisville Democrat accused of inappropriate behavior toward women, committed ethics violations, clearing the way for the first public airing of the charges against him.  The commission’s votes came after a closed-door hours-long meeting last month which included appearances by Grossberg and […]

State Rep. Deanna Gordon, R-Richmond, is running for the U.S. House seat currently occupied by Republican Andy Barr. On her campaign website, Gordon touts her support of President Donald Trump on a variety of issues, including immigration, guns and energy.  Gordon is the fourth candidate to enter the closely-watched race in Central Kentucky’s 6th Congressional […]

Some Appalachian leaders are urging Congress to stop a Trump administration plan to slash funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission.  President Donald Trump’s discretionary budget proposal released in May calls for cutting funding to the economic development agency by 93%, or from $200 million to $14 million for fiscal year 2026.  More than 80 elected […]

In what’s already becoming a sizzling U.S. Senate primary, the top three Republican candidates plan to participate in a Kentucky tradition known for politicians’ trading jabs in front of a crowd.  Former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Lexington businessman Nate Morris confirmed with event organizers their plans to speak at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic […]

The giant tax and spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law over the weekend includes the biggest health care spending cuts in U.S. history. In response, states are scrambling to shield their hospitals from the looming loss of hundreds of millions in federal funding. In Georgia, a key state panel late last month took […]

The commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health and a former Kentucky state senator is considering running for Congress in a Central Kentucky district.  Dr. Ralph Alvarado, the 2019 running mate of former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, announced in a social media post that he is considering a run after Republican state Sen. Amanda Mays […]

President Donald Trump’s massive spending and tax package includes provisions that will affect Kentucky’s Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries — an incentive for horse owners and a provision that makes it harder for bettors to turn a profit.  Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington is hailing the former, saying it will provide racing with security […]

BOWLING GREEN — When the Family Enrichment Center was established in 1977 with the goal of addressing child abuse, staff immediately set aside an open — free — seat for a child in need.  Despite tumultuous challenges facing the child care industry, that seat stays open thanks to grant funding. Staff say it’s a key […]

The U.S. Department of Education’s decision last week to hold back $6.8 billion in federal K-12 funds next year has triggered alarm among state education officials, school leaders and advocacy groups nationwide over how the lack of funds will affect their after-school, enrichment and language-learning services. The Trump administration’s decision to freeze the funding has […]