Written by Liam Niemeyer for Kentucky Lantern Kentucky’s state government will be unable to compete for $4.6 billion from the federal government to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gasses because it is one of only four states that did not apply for up to $3 million to create a climate action plan through a new grant program. […]
Author Archives: Kentucky Lantern
Posted inElections
April 17 is deadline to register to vote in Kentucky’s primary election
Written by McKenna Horsley for Kentucky Lantern For those who plan to make a choice in Kentucky’s upcoming primary election, be sure to register to vote by Monday, April 17. The primary election is Tuesday, May 16. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Registering can be completed online, via mail or by returning voter registration […]
Posted inEducation, Frankfort, Health, News, Politics, Top 3
Sex, gender, parents’ rights: A roundup of Kentucky education legislation
Written by McKenna Horsley for Kentucky Lantern The recently-ended legislative session brought education to the forefront of Kentucky politics in an election year for statewide offices. Lawmakers approved legislation aimed at tackling a shortage of teachers, though the Republican-controlled General Assembly never considered Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s proposal to provide school employees with 5% pay […]
Posted inNews
Hazardous dams in Kentucky will now be required to have emergency plans, thanks to new law
Written by Liam Niemeyer for Kentucky Lantern Kentucky dam safety officials faced a potentially dire situation last year: A sinkhole was rapidly growing in the slope of a dam in Crittenden County. A failure could have sent 180 million gallons of water cascading toward private developments and the local hospital. And there was no emergency plan. That’s […]
Posted inNews
Bipartisanship abounds as Beshear signs bills legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting
Written by McKenna Horsley for Kentucky Lantern Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear called Friday an “amazing” day as he signed two pieces of legislation — legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting — that were passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. With legislative sponsors and advocates gathered around him in the Capitol Rotunda, Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 and House […]
Posted inCulture, Frankfort, News, Politics, Top 3
Legislature votes to phase out tax on aging bourbon despite pleas from local officials
Written by Liam Niemeyer for Kentucky Lantern A bill to give Kentucky’s bourbon industry a property tax break on barrels of aging whiskey — something distillers have been asking for and some local communities say will “devastate” their budgets — saw last-minute changes before passing the legislature on the last day of the session House […]
Posted inNews
Process for challenging “obscene” books, school programs becomes law without Beshear’s signature
Written by McKenna Horsley for Kentucky Lantern A bill that opponents warn could lead to book banning became law without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature after the governor chose not to sign or veto the measure. Secretary of State Michael Adams said Senate Bill 5 was delivered to his office without the governor’s signature Monday afternoon. The measure, which had an […]
Posted inFrankfort
Beshear vetoes solar decommissioning bill, saying it weakens local control
Written by the Kentucky Lantern’s Liam Niemeyer Renewable energy developers have surged into Kentucky in recent years, seeking to establish large-scale solar installations covering thousands of acres with panels to harvest energy from the sun. It’s what happens to these large-scale projects at the end of their lives decades from now that Republican lawmakers have […]
Posted inNews
Beshear outlaws tianeptine known as ‘gas station heroin’
Written by the Kentucky Lantern’s staff Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday issued an emergency regulation classifying tianeptine, known as “gas station heroin,” as a Schedule 1 controlled drug. In some countries the drug is prescribed in low doses to treat depression and anxiety. The drug is not approved in the United States and in higher doses produces opioid-like […]
Posted inNews
Bill making it harder to retire Kentucky coal plants heads to governor’s desk
Written by Kentucky Lantern’s Liam Niemeyer A bill backed by Kentucky’s coal industry that would make it harder for utilities to retire fossil fuel-fired power plants received final passage Thursday in the Kentucky House of Representatives, sending the legislation for Gov. Andy Beshear’s consideration. Senate Bill 5, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would […]