LRC adopts personnel reforms

by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky’s legislative leaders approved a job classification plan and an updated personnel policy manual for the 320-person legislative staff on Wednesday – reforms suggested in a 2014 audit that found a severe dissatisfaction among the staff. “What this plan entails are job descriptions for every position…” said David Byerman,…

Dakota Meyer blasts Trump over Khan remarks

by Joseph Gerth, @Joe_Gerth – Ghazala Khan refuted Donald Trump’s claim that “she wasn’t allowed” to speak at the Democratic National Convention, saying she was too emotional to talk. Muslim women have responded with the #CanYouHearUsNow hashtag. Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer blasted Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Twitter over Trump’s continued sniping at…

Kids are getting ready to go back to school, but is education in Kentucky making the grades?

by Nick Storm, @NickStorm_cn2 – Children across the commonwealth are gearing up for another school year, but the data points on education in the commonwealth don’t always add up. Kentucky Youth Advocates Executive Director Terry Brooks says many state leaders “engage in happy talk” when it comes to Kindergarten through 12th grade education, but the results are not…

Humana, Aetna agree to sell plans after lawsuit

by Justin Sayers, @_JustinSayers – Louisville-based Humana released a joint statement with Aetna Tuesday morning announcing that both companies agreed to sell assets in an effort to ease concerns from the U.S. Justice Department over Aetna’s proposed $37 billion acquisition of Humana. The two companies entered into separate agreements to sell part of their respective Medicare Advantage…

Gov. Bevin Delays Applying For Medicaid Waiver

by Lisa Gillespie – Gov. Matt Bevin is delaying submitting changes to the state’s Medicaid program, which were initially due to the federal government on Monday. Adam Meier, Bevin’s deputy chief of staff for policy, said the extension is due to the large number of comments the state received regarding the proposal. Under Bevin’s proposed plan, recipients would have co-pays for doctor…

Charter: City giving Google Fiber unfair edge

Phillip M. Bailey, @phillipmbailey – Louisville’s largest cable and internet provider says the city is giving Google Fiber an unfair advantage, and it wants Mayor Greg Fischer to step in and ease key regulations in the coming weeks. In a July 28 letter, Charter Communications told Fischer the city’s separate franchise agreements allow Google to operate…

McConnell Will “Likely” Seek Seventh Term

by ASSOCIATED PRESS –  U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is signaling that his long political career may stretch well into the next decade. The Kentucky Republican said there’s a “great likelihood” he’ll seek a seventh Senate term in 2020. McConnell, appearing on WKYT-TV’s “Kentucky Newsmakers” program that aired Sunday, said he’s “at the top of…