The state board that oversees optometrists has established an advisory “work group” as it considers changes in response to a controversy about optometrists it improperly licensed in recent years by waiving testing requirements. But the plan doesn’t sit well with Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, whose measure to create an outside task force to review operations of the Kentucky Board […]
Author Archives: Kentucky Lantern
Posted inElections
Democrat Jacqueline Coleman announces 2027 run for Kentucky governor
Standing in front of the Hall of Governors at the Kentucky Historical Society, Democratic Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced her 2027 run for governor Monday morning. The 43-year-old, who is a former teacher, assistant principal and basketball coach, is making public education a cornerstone of her campaign. Coleman was Gov. Andy Beshear’s running mate for […]
Posted inPolitics
Housing, data center legislation dies on final day of 2026 session
In the final hours of this year’s legislative session, Republicans sent more legislation to the governor but failed to pass bills aimed at tackling the state’s housing shortage and protecting ratepayers from bearing the costs of supplying electricity to data centers. The legislature also restored funding to public universities that it had earlier cut. Lawmakers […]
Posted inPolitics
Teen’s persistence pays off as legislature adopts rescue dogs, cats as official KY pet
Hitching a ride on the backs of Treeing Walker Coonhounds, rescue dogs and cats are set to become the official pets of Kentucky. Senate Bill 37, which designates the hound as Kentucky’s official state dog breed, passed both chambers of the General Assembly in the final hours of the 2026 legislative session. Bill sponsor Sen. […]
Posted inPolitics
Republican supermajority overrides most of Kentucky governor’s vetoes
The Kentucky General Assembly overrode most of Gov. Andy Beshear’s vetoes on Tuesday, including the judicial branch budget and most of the two-year state budget. Votes and floor speeches were largely along party lines. Democrats defended Beshear’s vetoes as House Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, called one veto “petulant and unconstitutional” and Speaker Pro Tem […]
Posted inNews
KY man challenges constitutionality of child sex doll ban. AG pushes back.
A Union County man is challenging — with pushback from Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman — a 2024 law that criminalized the possession of child sex dolls. Kenneth Moore, 50, was charged in August, according to court records, with a total of 16 counts of possession or viewing matter portraying a sexual performance by a […]
Posted inPolitics
As legislature breaks for veto period, what made it, what didn’t, what still has a chance
In Wednesday’s final hours, Kentucky lawmakers passed the state’s two-year budget bills, voted to name a section of highway in Boone County after the late Charlie Kirk and moved dozens of bills, while leaving some controversial legislation on the table. Both chambers adjourned right before midnight. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol on April 14 and 15. […]
Posted inPolitics
GOP-controlled KY legislature gives final passage to $31B executive branch budget
The GOP-controlled Kentucky legislature gave final passage Wednesday to the state’s executive branch budget, allocating more than $31 billion in General Fund revenues and sparking heated debates between Republicans and Democrats over funding for education, Medicaid, and more. In the House, Democrats called the finalized state budget morally and fiscally short-shighted. The Republican chair of […]
Posted inPolitics
KY bill making sweeping changes to Medicaid adds copays (but they’re lower now)
The Kentucky Senate has lowered the copays Medicaid patients would have to pay under a bill that proposes a work requirement and other sweeping changes to the federal-state program. House Bill 2 proposed adding copays of $35 for inpatient hospital services and $8 copays for prescription glasses and contacts. In the Senate version, which passed the […]
Posted inPolitics
Crunch time: KY legislature has one day to finish big to-do list without risking vetoes
With just one working day before breaking for the veto period, the Kentucky legislature still has to approve a two-year state budget. Senate President Robert Stivers told reporters Tuesday night that a final version of House Bill 500, the $31 billion executive branch budget, could be published online later in the evening. “Documents are being drafted […]