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Beshear outlaws tianeptine known as ‘gas station heroin’
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 effects and can lead […]
Beshear appoints former state Rep. Angela Hatton to Public Service Commission
Former state Rep. Angela C. Hatton of Whitesburg is the newest member of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the appointment March 10. Hatton, who will serve as the PSC’s vice chair, replaces Marianne Butler of Louisville whose appointment was not confirmed by the Senate. Hatton’s term ends July 1, 2025, according […]
Kentucky House approves sports gambling bill
FRANKFORT — Betting on sports would become legal in Kentucky, under a measure approved Monday by the state House. Although the prospects for House Bill 551 are uncertain in the Senate, it comfortably won bipartisan passage in the House by a 63-34 vote. The bill needed 60 votes, given that Kentucky statutes require bills raising […]
Lofton’s Law headed for Senate, would make hazing that causes death or serious injury a felony
FRANKFORT — A bill that would make hazing a separate crime in Kentucky and provide prison sentences for hazing that causes injury or death cleared committee Thursday and now awaits a vote by the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee heard from the mother of Thomas “Lofton” Hazelwood, 18, who died in 2021 of alcohol poisoning […]
Beshear signs bill providing $16.3 million to complete Bowling Green Veterans Center
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday signed a bill providing $16.3 million to complete construction of the Bowling Green Veterans Center. House Bill 2 provided an appropriation from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund to complete construction of the $53 million facility expected to be finished next year. The Veterans Centerwill be the state’s fifth long-term […]
Kentucky agriculture group named to address large animal vet shortage
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles has named a working group of agriculture industry stakeholders to search for “solutions to the state’s large animal vet shortage,” the Agriculture Department said Friday. A shortage of large animal veterinarians across the country has created “a negative impact as farmers search to find the veterinary care they need […]
Video will help Kentuckians understand new unemployment insurance rules
Kentucky legal aid offices have released a video to help people who are out of work understand changes to the unemployment insurance system that took effect Jan. 1. Katina Miner, advocacy director at Kentucky Legal Aid, says, “Unfortunately, this is not good news for people out of work. That’s why we want to make sure […]
Yarmuth defends Omar after GOP ousts her from foreign affairs panel for past antisemitic remarks
Former U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a Democrat from Louisville, defended Rep. Ilhan Omar Thursday after the House voted along party lines to remove the Minnesota Democrat from the Foreign Affairs Committee for past antisemitic statements. In a Twitter thread, Yarmuth wrote, “I served with Ilhan Omar and spoke to her about her attitude about Jews […]
Terry L. Birdwhistell, historian and former University of Kentucky dean, dies
Historian, author and educator Terry L. Birdwhistell died Sunday after a brief illness, according to a news release from the University of Kentucky where he had been dean of libraries and holder of the William T. Young Endowed Chair. Best known for his oral histories, Birdwhistell was 72. The release from UK goes on: “Being […]
No charter school applications despite legislature’s ‘urban academy’ mandate
No one applied to open a charter school in Louisville, despite last year’s mandate by the legislature that Jefferson County Public Schools approve a pilot charter by July 1 of this year. Monday was the deadline for charter school applicants in Jefferson County. JCPS spokesman Mark Hebert confirmed that no sponsor stepped up to open […]
Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund to help build eight new homes, help cover some home repairs
The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund committed $600,000 in funds to build eight new homes in partnership with two housing nonprofits, the Housing Development Alliance in Hazard and Homes Inc. of Whitesburg, Gov. Andy Beshear’s office announced Tuesday. The fund is providing $75,000 per home for building materials. “While we are at the beginning […]
Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame adds five new members
The Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame will induct five new members, two posthumously, March 23 in Lexington at the Kentucky Theatre. A release from the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington says, the new members are: Marsha Norman, a prolific playwright, screenwriter and novelist, is one of the best-known writers in American drama. […]