Kentucky Edition

March 15, 2024 - Tornado Touches Down in Kentucky

A confirmed EF-2 tornado touches down in Trimble County, along the Ohio River.

March 14, 2024 - The Safer Kentucky Act is Making its Way to the Kentucky Senate

The Safer Kentucky Act is making its way to the Kentucky Senate. The House easily passed the omnibus crime bill six weeks ago. A Senate committee has advanced the bill.

March 13, 2024 - The Senate Unveils its State Budget Plan, with Some Changes to the House Versio

The stage is almost set for budget negotiations as the Upper Chamber unveils a different executive branch spending plan than the House.

March 12, 2024 - Louisville is Getting Free pre-K for Three and Four-Year-Olds Thanks to a Non-Profit

Louisville is getting free pre-K for three and four-year-olds thanks to a non-profit. The non-profit, Thrive By Five Louisville, plans to create a five-year program rolled out in three phases. Phase 1 will focus on workforce. Phase 2 is a financial assistance program. Phase 3 is an expansion of the financial assistance program.

March 11, 2024 - A Re-Introduction to the Justice For Breonna Taylor Act

U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined U.S. Senator Rand Paul in Louisville to re-introduce the Justice For Breonna Taylor Act.

March 8, 2024 - Bill That has Student Teachers Getting Paid for Their Time in the Classroom Passes House

Bill that has student teachers getting paid for their time in the classroom passes the House. House Bill 377 would also pay some tuition dollars for aspiring Kentucky public school teachers.

March 7, 2024 - A New Bill in the Kentucky State Senate Would Allow Part-Time Students in K-12 Schools

A new bill in the Kentucky State Senate would allow part-time students in K-12 schools.

March 6, 2024 - U.S. Senator of Mitch McConnell Endorses Former President Donald Trump for the Presidency

U.S. Senator of Mitch McConnell endorses former President Donald Trump for the presidency, the day after Trump won most of the Super Tuesday primary states.

March 5, 2024 - The Kentucky Senate Says Schools Should be Able to Hire Armed Guards to Protect Kids

The Kentucky Senate says schools should be able to hire armed guards to protect kids. Senate Bill 2 would let school districts hire retired law enforcement and military veterans to carry a gun and respond to potential school shootings. Proponents say this bill fills a gap in school resource officers while opponents question the liabilities guards and school districts might face.

March 4, 2024 - U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Puts Trump Back on Colorado Ballot

UK law professor and constitutional expert Josh Douglas discusses U.S. Supreme Court's ruling restoring Donald Trump to Colorado election ballot.

March 1, 2024 - Bill Gives Authority Over Installation and Removal of Statues at Capitol to Lawmakers

The GOP-led House passes a bill that gives lawmakers the authority to decide which statues will be installed or removed from capitol grounds, House passes bill to make coal Kentucky's state rock, researchers at Northern Kentucky University working on robotic arm controlled by brain waves.

February 29, 2024 - Lawmakers Forward a Bill Taking Away a Kentucky Governor's Power to Fill a U.S. Senate Vacancy

One day after U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announces he's stepping down as Senate Minority Leader, state lawmakers forward a bill taking away a Kentucky governor's power to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy, senator proposes having armed guards in school to fill gap in school resource officers.

February 28, 2024 - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell Will Step Down as Senate Minority Leader in November

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell will step down as Senate Minority Leader in November, under a new bill, employers would not have to provide meal or rest breaks for employees, and a new Henry Clay estate tour focuses on some of the enslaved who lived and worked there.

February 27, 2024 - A Bill Addressing Kentucky's Childcare Centers Takes a Step Forward in Frankfort

A bill addressing Kentucky's childcare centers takes a step forward in Frankfort, several bills relating to education are heard in committee, why one lawmaker has introduced a bill adding some exceptions to Kentucky's abortion ban, and a source of income bill is headed to the Governor's desk.

February 26, 2024 - A Campbellsville University Student is Dead, Another Arrested for his Murder

An arrest is made in the murder of 18-year-old Josiah Kilman, a Campbellsville University student, additional medical school, a veterinarian school, and more Ph.D programs might be in Kentucky's future if state legislators sign off, and the executive director of Morehead State University's Space Science Center talks about their involvement in the newest mission to the moon.

February 23, 2024 - A New Bill Could Help School Districts Struggling to Hire Student Resource Officers

A new bill could help school districts struggling to hire student resource officers, a group of Kentucky Colonels are calling on the governor to decriminalize cannabis, and how a mentoring program, Guys with Ties, is helping prepare students for their future.

February 22, 2024 - This Year’s Priority Legislation, Senate Bill 1, Focuses on Boosting Academic Research

This year’s priority legislation, Senate Bill 1, will focus on boosting academic research, a new bill would ban drug treatment facilities from accepting some out-of-state patients, lawmaker wants an embarrassing mislabeling of Kentucky's state rock and mineral fixed, and a new program aims to get more young people considering careers in the aviation industry.

February 21, 2024 - Lawmakers and Queer Youth Rally for Better LGBTQ Legislation in Kentucky

Lawmakers and queer youth rally in Frankfort against Senate Bill 150 and for better LGBTQ legislation, Kentucky voters could decide if the governor's pardoning powers are restricted, a new bipartisan bill takes aim at protecting candidates from artificial intelligence, and one Lexington husband and wife demonstrate why pottery has endured for so long.

February 20, 2024 - Why the Horizons Act may be the Rescue the Childcare Industry Needs

Without help from the state, one in five childcare facilities could permanently close its doors but the Horizons Act, may be the rescue the childcare industry needs, JCPS superintendent pushes back against lawmakers on DEI, audits, splitting district, and some Jefferson County students are learning real-life lessons in how the law works.

February 19, 2024 - University Leaders in Kentucky React to Legislation that Would Restrict DEI Initiatives at State College Campuses

University leaders in Kentucky react to legislation that would restrict DEI initiatives at state college campuses, why Kentucky could see a record of voters in November, Gov. Beshear reacts to comments about challenging Sen. McConnell in 2026, and a new Youth Poet Laureate is announced.

February 16, 2024 - Some Lawmakers Propose Lifting State Labor Protections for 16 and 17-Year-Olds

Some lawmakers propose lifting state labor protections for 16 and 17-year-olds, Eastern Kentucky University could soon be turning out more doctors under a new bill, and the University of Louisville's president on her first year at the helm and future goals for the university.

February 15, 2024 - More Teenagers Could be Tried as Adults Under a Bill that Cleared the Full Senate

More teenagers could be tried as adults under a bill that cleared the full Senate, a new poll on where Kentuckians land on the issue of government-backed DEI programs, a plan to change how sick leave balances are used in the state teacher pension system is rattling some educators.

February 14, 2024 - Could a Bill Meant to Protect Kids End up Hurting Them?

Some Kentucky lawmakers have concerns about House Bill 278 that includes tougher penalties for people who sexually abuse children, state superintendents say the Republican House budget doesn't make the grade, a newly-introuced bill would provide portable benefit plans for the self-employed, and we visit one of Kentucky's oldest chocolate companies.

February 13, 2024 - State Public Colleges Could have to Change their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

State public colleges may soon have to change their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts as Senate Bill 6 advances, a new plan could help parents struggling with childcare costs and childcare deserts, and Kentucky lawmakers take aim at kids' favorite tobacco product: e-cigarettes, or vapes.

February 12, 2024 - Search for New Education Commissioner

Friday is the deadline to apply to be Kentucky's next Commissioner of Education and so far, the Kentucky Board of Education has received six applications, The division between Kentucky's two Republican U.S. Senators continues to widen, and meet the Paint Queen of Kentucky, who's putting Taylorsville, KY on the map.

February 9, 2024 - Kentucky’s Senate Leader Wants to see Occupational Taxes Eliminated in the State.

Kentucky’s senate leader wants to see occupational taxes eliminated in the state, some lawmakers in Kentucky are questioning the value of fluoride in our drinking water, and Shop and Share Super Bowl event raises money for domestic violence shelters in the state.

February 8, 2024 - Measure to Scale Back DEI Policies is Advancing in the Capitol

A measure to scale back DEI policies is advancing in the state Capitol, a bill to prevent sexually abusive teachers from transferring to different schools advances, public retirees rally saying a big state surplus means it’s the right time for a raise, and being heart smart during Heart Month.

February 7, 2024 - Murray State University’s Plan For a New Veterinary Doctorate Program

Lawmakers hear Murray State University’s plan for a new veterinary doctorate program to help with the shortage of veterinarians. A House committee passes a resolution to create a task force to address the state's housing crisis. Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington wins a competition to stage the Broadway version of "Frozen."

February 6, 2024 - Bills to Ban Cell Phones in Classrooms Advance

House Education Committee advances bills to ban cell phones in classrooms and recruit more teachers, school superintendents in southern Kentucky on competing with bordering Tennessee for teachers, and a new report on the economic impact of bourbon in Kentucky.

February 5, 2024 - Childcare Field Shows Dire Potential