by Don Weber – FRANKFORT – A bill which would implement a statewide judicial redistricting plan designed to reallocate judicial resources and relocate judges was passed by the full Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 23-13. Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, would also add 16 family court judges but remove 15 circuit and…
BY DANIEL DESROCHERS, ddesrochers@herald-leader.com – FRANKFORT — A bill that would divide Kentucky’s ailing pension systems was put on hold Thursday but will be considered again during an expected special law-making session later this year to deal with tax reform and pension funding, Gov. Matt Bevin said Thursday. “The most critical thing is to make sure we get this right,”…
by Beth Warren , @BethWarrenCJ – An elite Louisville task force that intercepted shipments of heroin and other illegal drugs at UPS’ worldwide hub — considered a “primary” drug pipeline for the region — has been disbanded following a police scandal. Louisville Metro Police had led the multi-agency task force for more than a decade, until a probe by the…
by STU JOHNSON – Proposed legislation to better coordinate recreational trail development, especially in eastern Kentucky coalfields, is moving through the General Assembly. A proposal to create the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority passed the full House Monday. Debby Spencer is president of a Bowling Green-based development firm called We Make Things Happen. She said 20 county…
by JOHN CHEVES, jcheves@herald-leader.com – FRANKFORT — The Kentucky House will get a Senate bill that would establish “medical review panels” to intervene in malpractice or neglect lawsuits, with changes that its supporters hope will help it survive a constitutional challenge. The House Health and Family Services Committee on Tuesday voted 9-2 in favor of Senate Bill 4, sponsored by…
by Bailey Loosemore , @bloosemore – Kentucky distilleries and breweries are in the middle of a building boom — and that means a lot of jobs will be added in and around the beverage industry. But will the state’s workforce be able to fill them? Universities across the state aren’t waiting to find out. They’ve implemented programs that combine…
by The Associated Press – FRANKFORT, KY. — Kentuckians would have the option of purchasing a voluntary travel ID to replace their standard drivers’ licenses under a bill that is advancing in the House of Representatives. House bill 410 would comply with the federal Real ID Act of 2005. The federal law was passed in the…
By WYMT News Staff | FRANKFORT, Ky. (WYMT) – The House passed a bill Monday to promote economic development in Eastern Kentucky. House Bill 156, sponsored by Rep. Chris Fugate, will create the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority to stimulate outdoor recreation and tourism development. “Eastern Kentucky is home to some of the most natural beauty in our…
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS – Maker’s Mark president emeritus Bill Samuels Jr. is speaking at a state park next month about all things bourbon. His appearance will be during an event Lake Barkley State Resort Park is calling “Bourbon, Beef and BS.” Samuels’ father purchased the Loretto distillery in the 1950s and started producing the iconic bourbon…
by TAYLOR INMAN – Marshall County has had four confirmed deaths in the past week related to the flu. According to the County Health Department all four of the victims were elderly. Public Information Officer Jennifer Brown says the exact strain of flu is not known until lab results are returned. Brown says while the elderly and…