by Joe Sonka, Louisville Courier Journal As American coal jobs and production continue to plummet in 2020, so too has the political influence of the industry that once bankrolled campaign ads decrying the so-called war on coal. While contributions to federal candidates and PACs from coal industry executives have fallen to their lowest level since the…
By ALAN LYTLE This week on Capitol Chat Kentucky Gazette editor and publisher Laura Cullen Glasscock provides a rundown of the competitive legislative races in Central Kentucky. While not on the ballot this time around Andy Beshear, the state’s Democratic Governor, could be a factor in several.
By Jacob Ryan The attorney for Brett Hankison had one request during his arraignment in a Jefferson Circuit Court earlier this month: that his client, who is charged with three felony counts of first degree wanton endangerment, could keep his guns. Hankison, a former Louisville Metro Police officer, had received threats against his life since he…
By JOSH JAMES Nearly half of Kentucky’s 120 counties haven’t changed or updated their ethics codes since they were put in place in the mid-90s. That’s according to a new report from State Auditor Mike Harmon. Harmon says his office decided to a deep dive into counties’ ethics codes, and the boards meant to enforce them,…
BY ASHLEIGH MILLS KENTUCKY FRANKFORT, Ky. — Because there was no testing last academic school year, due to COVID-19, some key indicators of student achievement are left off the state’s school report card. Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released the annual report card on Wednesday, along with a lengthy list of the measures not included this time. Things not…
By Jared Bennett Tracey Hayes was working as a retail merchandiser in March, arranging products on store shelves around Glasgow to promote sales, when she decided she couldn’t risk exposing her mother to the coronavirus or handle child care for her two children by herself. Hayes had been watching Gov. Andy Beshear’s daily coronavirus briefings, and…
By Cory Sanning HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) – The Perry County School Board announced on Monday that it will shift to online instruction following an increase in COVID-19 cases on Monday. For Perry County Superintendent Jonathan Jett, the rapid climb was enough to cut off in-person classes for the foreseeable future. “As of today, we’ve had people…
By WKMS STAFF WKMS News sent an issues survey to candidates vying for seats in the Kentucky state representative and state senate races in our coverage area for the Nov. 3 general election. The survey for candidates included questions on police reform and coronavirus response, as well as the opportunity to elaborate on which issues candidates want to address within…
By Amber Philpott LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – It seems everywhere you turn you are being reminded to get your flu shot and perhaps this year it is even more important than ever to get the vaccination. As we head into the colder months, doctors are worried we are headed for a really nasty upper respiratory season.…
By STU JOHNSON Governor Beshear says the State of Kentucky and county governments can’t offer enough enforcement to defeat COVID-19. The governor said Monday during his briefing self-enforcement has to play the biggest role. But, Beshear did say local health departments are following up on complaints and other agencies are also offering enforcement measures. “We have…
