Kentucky Democrats criticize influence of money in politics

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Several underfunded candidates have piled on Democratic front-runner Jim Gray for putting his own money into his campaign for a Republican-held U.S. Senate seat. Six Democratic candidates met in a forum shown statewide on Kentucky Educational Television on Monday night, days ahead of the state’s May 17 primary. Candidate Ron Leach called the reliance on big campaign…

Graham’s son: Put God back in government

by Deborah Yetter, @d_yetter – FRANKFORT, Ky. – Calling on Christians to get God back in government, Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham and successor to his international ministry, held a rally on the steps of the state Capitol Wednesday, urging the faithful to elect more people of God to public office. “We need Christian men and…

Beshear examining validity of Bevin vetoes, other cuts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear says he is looking into the validity of Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s budget vetoes and his mid-year reductions of several state agencies. Beshear argued before a state judge on Wednesday that Bevin’s mid-year cuts to colleges and universities without getting the approval of the state legislature violated…

JCPS planning staff cuts at central office

by Allison Ross, @allisonSross – Jefferson County Public Schools will soon be notifying some of its central office staff that their jobs are being eliminated as different departments work to meet a district-imposed reduction of $2.4 million in central office position spending. It’s unclear exactly how many people will be laid off as part of the…

Andy Beshear says he’ll charge Tim Longmeyer

by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – FRANKFORT, Ky. – Attorney General Andy Beshear said Wednesday he will file state criminal charges against his former top deputy Tim Longmeyer, who last month pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. “Last week my office started gathering information to prepare to charge Tim Longmeyer with state crimes,” Beshear said at an…