For years, a powerful Louisville hospital sued people for unpaid bills. Experts say they could have gotten free care

Louisville Public Media | By Jared Bennett Norton Healthcare has filed thousands of lawsuits over unpaid medical bills in Jefferson County District Court. Many of those people were likely eligible for free or discounted care. In 2021 Rochelle Hinkle had just retired from a career as a TARC bus driver and was adjusting to life on…

UK group to study use of flavored tobacco products in ‘at-risk’ communities

WEKU | By John McGary The University of Kentucky is kicking off a five-year study that will examine tobacco-related health disparities due to the use of flavored tobacco. Mindy Ickes is an assistant dean of research at UK’s College of Education and the author of the successful grant application to the Centers for Disease Control and…

Republican lawmakers promise a “school choice” amendment will come up in Kentucky’s legislative session

Kentucky Public Radio | By Sylvia Goodman Conservative legislators have long pushed for “school choice” measures, like charter schools and scholarship tax credits, but a provision in the state constitution banning public education dollars from being spent on entities besides “common schools” has hamstrung their efforts. Now Republican leaders say they plan to amend the…

Congressman Hal Rogers files for reelection

By Cameron Aaron SOMERSET, Ky. (WYMT) – On Tuesday, Congressman Hal Rogers filed for re-election for his 23rd consecutive term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rogers has served as a Kentucky representative since 1981. “Eastern Kentucky is thriving with more job opportunities, greater access to rural broadband, better infrastructure, rapid growth in our tourism industry,…

How are Kentucky’s kids faring? New report offers education, health insights

Fewer kindergarteners ready to learn, more fourth graders proficient at reading BY: SARAH LADD Fewer Kentucky kindergarteners were ready to learn in the 2022-2023 school year than in 2018, according to a new report that measures child welfare. This insight comes from the Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, released by Kentucky Youth Advocates Wednesday. Kids…

United Health Foundation report finds maternal deaths in Kentucky extend into postpartum period

By Nadia Ramlagan Public News Service Maternal mortality has increased in Kentucky, and the latest data from the United Health Foundation show more moms – especially those of color – are struggling with substance use and mental distress, during and after pregnancy. Ashley Brandt, director of early care and education with Metro United Way in Kentucky, said…

‘There’s always a way forward’: Organization aims to support farmers and their mental health

BY JORDAN GRANTZ KENTUCKY BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Kentucky is a large agriculture state with over 73,000 farm operations in 2022, according to the state agriculture overview. But for the people in the farming industry, the unpredictability and physical demands of it can lead to mental health issues. What You Need To Know The University of Kentucky…