by Tom Loftus, @TomLoftus_CJ – Here are a dozen examples of bills that have easily passed the Republican Senate in the last two years but died in the Democratic House. They could be in play if the GOP captures the House in November. 1. Abortion ultrasounds In 2016, the Senate voted 32-4 for Senate Bill 152to require a doctor to display the…
by Scott Wartman, swartman@nky.com – The rise in online tax filing means the loss of 1,800 jobs at the Internal Revenue Service facility in Covington, the agency announced Wednesday. An overwhelming majority of the American population filed their income tax returns via the internet in 2015: 86 percent, up from 58 percent in 2008, the IRS reported. That…
by Darla Carter, @PrimeDarla – Though it’s just September, flu cases already are popping up in Louisville and elsewhere in the state. The Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Thursday that there have been 10 laboratory-confirmed cases, stemming from Jefferson, Bullitt and Fayette counties. It’s a little early to be seeing flu, according to the department, which noted…
by Deborah Yetter, @d_yetter – STORY HIGHLIGHTS HHS will take public comments through Oct. 8 on Kentucky’s Medicaid plan. People may comment at Medicaid.gov. Gov. Matt Bevin’s plan to reshape the state’s Medicaid program was debated in Louisville on Wednesday, with top officials from his administration defending it and health advocates arguing against his proposal submitted last week…
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS – Communities across Kentucky will compete for $100 million in state funding to pay for projects to train Kentucky’s workforce. The Work Ready Skills Advisory Committee, appointed by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, is scheduled to meet Wednesday to review 114 proposals for the money. The 10-member committee led by Education and Workforce Development…
by DANIEL DESROCHERS, ddesrochers@herald-leader.com – Democratic candidates for federal office in Kentucky criticized Gov. Matt Bevin on Tuesday for suggesting last weekend that blood might someday need to be shed if Hillary Clinton wins the presidential election, going so far as to suggest impeachment. In his off-the-cuff speech Saturday at the Values Voters forum in Washington, D.C., Bevin referenced a famous…
by Nick Storm, @NickStorm_cn2 – U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s campaign released its first ad of the general election cycle with a positive spot focusing on the Bowling Green eye surgeon’s pro bono surgery’s performed in Kentucky and around the world. The advertisement titled “caring for Kentucky” is running as part of a “significant buy” according to the campaign.…
by VALARIE HONEYCUTT SPEARS, vhoneycutt@herald-leader.com – A documentary that premieres Tuesday on PBS and Sept. 19 on KET focuses on efforts to improve the lives of preschoolers in Owsley County, which has one of the lowest median household income levels in the country. “Class of ’27” from filmmaker James Rutenbeck shows that the children have “caring and competent…
by Kate Howard – Facing growing scrutiny from donors and its own university, the University of Louisville Foundation is paying $11,500 a month in retainers alone for external public relations firms. In contract proposals submitted in July, the firms shed light on strategies they intended to employ to combat rampant criticism of the Foundation. The documents, obtained by WFPL’s…
by JACK BRAMMER, jbrammer@herald-leader.com – FRANKFORT — Sixteen months after Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes announced his retirement and nine months into the administration of Gov. Matt Bevin, Kentucky still does not have a full-time secretary to oversee the cabinet that attempts to create jobs in Kentucky. The $250,000-a-year job to attract new industries and help existing companies expand…