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Shining brightest where it’s dark
Site URL: kentuckylantern.com/
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Proposed makeover of utility regulator met with warnings consumers would lose their voice
Published: March 3, 2026 23:46
FRANKFORT — A GOP-sponsored bill would remake Kentucky’s utility regulator by expanding its board from three to five members and giving the GOP state auditor two of the appointments. The governor would continue to appoint the other three members of the…
It’s open season on KY ratepayers’ pocketbooks, while their voices are being silenced
Published: March 3, 2026 21:07
At the heart of utility regulation in Kentucky is the principle that in return for having been granted monopoly service territories, utilities are obligated to provide adequate, efficient and reasonable service while charging rates determined by the Public…
UK athletics director to retire in June before taking on ‘new role’ with $950K salary
Published: March 3, 2026 19:52
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart is retiring after 24 years in the post but will begin a new role as the first executive-in-residence of the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative later this year. According to a copy of Barnhart’s…
Racism is hazardous to Kentuckians’ health
https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/03/03/racism-is-hazardous-to-kentuckians-health/
Published: March 3, 2026 13:14
The overtly racist ad from U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, who is running for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat, is both shocking and not. Shocking for its in-your-face racism — while he smiles, such a great big smile — in a little 30 second ad. Not shocking in that…
Kentucky House passes bill to ban machine gun conversion devices
https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/kentucky-house-passes-bill-to-ban-machine-gun-conversion-devices/
Published: March 2, 2026 23:44
The GOP-controlled Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill Monday afternoon to ban devices that can convert semi-automatic firearms into automatic weapons, though a significant number of Republicans opposed the measure. House Bill 299, sponsored…
State regulator approves reduced increase in Kentucky Power rates following ‘emotional pleas’
Published: March 2, 2026 22:57
Eastern Kentucky ratepayers for investor-owned electric utility Kentucky Power will see an increase in electricity rates for the second time in three years, although the size of the increase was reduced by the state’s utility regulator after hearing…
Helping trees — and Louisville — outrace climate change
https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/03/02/helping-trees-and-a-city-outrace-climate-change/
Published: March 2, 2026 10:50
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here. LOUISVILLE — Nearly a foot of snow…
Double dose of danger to Kentuckians in bill awaiting state Senate vote
Published: March 2, 2026 10:30
Pending in the Kentucky Senate, with a possible vote this week, is Senate Bill 178 — a bill that would trade Kentuckians’ future health to protect industries that want to avoid paying the full costs of controlling their pollution. The bill would prohibit…
Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie says he will push for congressional vote on Iran war
Published: February 28, 2026 18:38
Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky says he will work with a House Democrat to force a congressional vote on war with Iran while his Trump-endorsed primary challenger applauded the attack, calling it “deterrence.” Other Kentucky Republicans…
Judge denies former KY Gov. Matt Bevin’s request to bar adopted son from divorce case
Published: February 27, 2026 19:48
A Court of Appeals judge has denied Matt Bevin’s request to keep his adopted son, Jonah, out of the former Kentucky governor’s divorce settlement case. Matt and Glenna Bevin’s divorce was finalized in March 2025, but a proposed settlement is pending while…
KY Senate sends bill to opt Kentucky into federal K-12 scholarship program to Beshear
Published: February 27, 2026 16:23
A Republican-backed bill opting Kentucky into a tax credit program promoted by the Trump administration to fund scholarships for K-12 students is now heading to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk. House Bill 1 passed in the Senate with a vote of 33-5…
‘My mom was not a bad parent. She was sick.’
https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/27/my-mom-was-not-a-bad-parent-she-was-sick/
Published: February 27, 2026 10:30
I was 2 years old when my mom went to jail. I do not remember everything she remembers. I was too young. What I do remember is what came after. I remember missing her. I remember confusion. I remember loss before I had the words for it. What I see clearly…
‘Needs, not wants’: GOP-controlled KY House passes ‘restrained’ state spending plan
Published: February 27, 2026 00:45
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky House on Thursday approved a two-year state spending plan described by budget chair Jason Petrie as “restrained” and fulfilling “needs, not wants.” House Bill 500, approved on a mostly party line vote, allocates more than $30…
Kentucky House advances funding cut for tobacco prevention, cessation
Published: February 26, 2026 23:33
Kentucky would cut funding for tobacco cessation over the next two years under the state budget approved Thursday by the House, prompting public health advocates to urge the Senate to change course. Doug Hogan, the government relations director in Kentucky…
Trump’s Justice Department sues Kentucky, four other states for voter data
Published: February 26, 2026 22:19
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing five additional states, including Kentucky, for not providing voter registration data, including sensitive information such as driver’s license and Social Security numbers. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams,…
Kentuckians requesting public records could be asked to show photo ID under new bill
Published: February 26, 2026 20:16
FRANKFORT — Public agencies would be allowed to require photo IDs from Kentucky residents who request public records under a bill that received a House committee’s approval. A police chief said the measure would help his department weed out requests…
GOP sponsor says scholarships fueled by US tax credit would also benefit public schools
Published: February 26, 2026 16:48
A bill opting Kentucky into a tax credit program promoted by the Trump administration to fund scholarships for K-12 students is winging its way through Kentucky’s Republican-controlled legislature. The Senate Education Committee gave its approval to House…
Hopes pinned on Senate to kill proposed ‘barrier’ to free college for older Kentuckians
Published: February 26, 2026 15:30
A provision that opponents say would discourage older Kentuckians from taking free college classes was approved by the Republican-controlled House Wednesday — even as 17 Republicans joined 19 Democrats in voting no. House Bill 497 would require…
Schools get 2% increase but transportation funding still flat in revised House GOP budget
Published: February 26, 2026 02:04
FRANKFORT — Republicans on the House budget committee approved a revised state budget proposal Wednesday that removes a spending cap that was raising worries of sharp increases in health insurance costs for public employees and retirees The executive…
‘Open for business’ or ‘body count?’ Bill would curb environmental, health protections
Published: February 25, 2026 22:53
FRANKFORT — Kentucky regulators would have to wait until people are actively being harmed before issuing regulations to protect public health and the environment under a bill that is backed by lobbyists for manufacturers and the state Chamber of Commerce.…
At 2026 Kentucky Fairness Rally: Political speeches, voting advocacy and ‘joy’
Published: February 25, 2026 22:15
FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear headlined the annual Fairness Rally in Frankfort Wednesday, praising LGBTQ+ advocates who “fight for what’s right.” “Don’t back down, not to a Republican supermajority here, not to a president elsewhere,” the Democratic…
KY secretary of state says FBI call with election officials ‘resembled previous ones’
Published: February 25, 2026 21:27
Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams said a Wednesday call between state election officials and federal agencies, including the FBI, was much like previous meetings. The meeting made national headlines earlier this month amid calls by…
KY considers lifting repeat residency requirement to help recruit foreign-trained doctors
Published: February 25, 2026 17:21
FRANKFORT — A Republican lawmaker is proposing a partial solution to Kentucky’s doctor shortage: Let international physicians practice in their specialty area — after completing board exams — without having to repeat residency training in the United…
Medicaid copays, audits and more: GOP lawmakers seek to rein in costs, change behavior
Published: February 25, 2026 00:10
A sweeping Republican bill aiming to reform Kentucky’s Medicaid program would impose copays on some patients, among other changes that advocates say would put up barriers to care. House Bill 2 was approved by the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee…
Kentucky Republicans issue subpoenas to Beshear administration for budget information
Published: February 24, 2026 23:29
FRANKFORT — Kentucky Republicans in the General Assembly have issued subpoenas to the Beshear administration for information they say they need to craft the next two-year state budget. In a press release, Republican lawmakers said the subpoenas were…
Advancing GOP-sponsored bill would ban machine gun ‘conversion’ devices
Published: February 24, 2026 22:53
A committee-approved bill would enable Kentucky law enforcement to seize devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into automatic weapons, an effort led by a member of House Republican leadership. House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, the…
Kentucky would opt into federal plan for private-school tuition aid under GOP bill
Published: February 24, 2026 18:34
FRANKFORT — A House committee approved a bill that would allow Kentucky to participate in a federal education tax credit program established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Critics of the measure, House Bill 1, argue that the legislation is a way to…
KY animal control officers would be asked to help spot child abuse under GOP bill
Published: February 24, 2026 17:30
This story discusses child abuse. Report child abuse to Kentucky’s Statewide Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-597-233. In many cases of child abuse, perpetrators have already hurt an animal. Because of this, Kentucky Rep. Susan Witten, R-Louisville, wants…
Surge in KY utility disconnections raises alarms as federal funding falls short of need
Published: February 24, 2026 10:50
Kentucky electric utilities made more than 268,000 utility disconnections over a recent 12-month period as federal funding to prevent disconnections fell far short of Kentuckians’ financial need, according to a recent analysis of state and federal data.…
How I graduated from college in Kentucky debt free
https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/24/how-i-graduated-from-college-in-kentucky-debt-free/
Published: February 24, 2026 10:30
Student loan debt is often viewed as an unavoidable consequence of earning a degree, but it doesn’t have to be. Last year, 6 out of 10 Kentucky undergraduates completed a postsecondary credential debt-free. I should know — I’m the first of three kids in my…
KY House advances ‘guardrails’ for artificial intelligence in mental health therapy
Published: February 23, 2026 22:20
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call or text the suicide prevention lifeline at 988. A Kentucky bill aimed at keeping mental health therapy between humans passed the house 88-7 Monday. House Bill 455 bars…
KY lawyer John Rosenberg receives national honor for his commitment to justice
Published: February 23, 2026 22:19
Kentucky public interest lawyer John Rosenberg has been awarded the American Bar Association’s highest honor, the ABA Medal, for “exceptionally distinguished service to the cause of American jurisprudence.” A Holocaust survivor, Rosenberg founded the…
Kentucky children keep dying in ‘preventable’ drug overdoses
Published: February 23, 2026 10:50
This story discusses child abuse. Report child abuse to Kentucky’s Statewide Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-597-233. Kentucky’s poison control line is 800-222-1222. Kentucky children are increasingly ingesting and overdosing on unsafe substances like…
The day Ron DeSantis played Frankfort
https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/02/23/the-day-ron-desantis-played-frankfort/
Published: February 23, 2026 10:30
Since Kentuckians can no longer sit in the House and Senate galleries for in-person viewings of legislative action — galleries are suddenly nonexistent because leadership requested no public accommodations when designing their temporary space while the…