Economy
Ashland to host Appalachian Regional Commission conference in September
Representatives from across Appalachia will convene in Ashland Sept. 11-12 for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s annual conference. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced the location, theme and date at the Delta Hotel in Downtown Ashland on Tuesday. He was joined by the commission’s federal co-chair Gayle Manchin. The conference theme is “Appalachia Rises: Resilience, Strength & […]
Bill making it harder to retire Kentucky coal plants heads to governor’s desk
FRANKFORT — 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 4, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would impose a series of […]
Advanced practice nurses in Kentucky will have more prescribing authority under new law
For years, Beth Partin has practiced medicine in rural Kentucky through a collaborative agreement with a physician. Because her husband is a physician, Partin – who has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree – said she hasn’t had an issue getting a provider to sign an agreement with her in compliance with a state law […]
‘Gray machines’ ban receives final passage in Kentucky Senate
FRANKFORT — Legislation that would ban so-called “gray machines” in Kentucky received final passage Tuesday in the GOP-controlled Kentucky Senate and heads to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk. House Bill 594, sponsored by Rep. Killian Timoney, R-Nicholasville, saw much less resistance among Republicans than when it was approved by the House last week, passing the upper […]
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 […]
A ‘shell’ bill to regulate Delta-8 THC rushes through Kentucky House
FRANKFORT — After a court decision last year legalized an intoxicating compound derived from hemp, a bill to regulate Delta-8 THC sped through the House of Representatives on Thursday. Delta-8 THC can get a user “high” similar to the Delta-9 THC compound found in marijuana. Some hemp farmers have been trying to find a market […]
‘Gray machines’ ban, sports betting legalization advance in Kentucky House
FRANKFORT — Two gambling-related bills — one to legalize betting on sports contests and another to ban so-called ‘gray machines’ — advanced in the Kentucky legislature Wednesday. House Bill 551, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, would legalize sports gambling in Kentucky and advanced out of the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee. “I’m […]
Powell signals higher interest rates. Here’s why Friday’s jobs report will affect Fed’s decision.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week that interest rate increases could be higher and come faster if Friday’s unemployment data shows the nation’s labor market isn’t cooling off. Stock indexes fell after his comments. That’s been a familiar pattern over the past year as the federal bank has tried to combat inflation. A […]
Senate approves studying feasibility of four-year public university in Southeastern Kentucky
FRANKFORT — Citing higher education’s potential for spurring economic development in the wake of the coal industry’s decline, a resolution calling for a comprehensive review of Kentucky’s higher education system received Senate approval Wednesday. The vote for Senate Joint Resolution 98 was 35-0. It now goes to the House for consideration. The resolution, sponsored by […]
Bill addressing Kentucky’s health-care workforce shortages clears House
A Kentucky bill aimed at addressing Kentucky’s health-care workforce shortages passed the House Wednesday 92-1. House Bill 200 would create a health-care workforce fund through a private-public partnership administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), the Lantern previously reported. Most of the money in the fund – 65% – would be reserved for educational […]
U.S. agriculture secretary unveils initiatives aimed at small and midsized farms
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday announced new steps the Department of Agriculture is taking to recenter U.S. agriculture and benefit small and midsized operations, including a proposed new “Product of USA” labeling rule and an $89 million expansion of the USDA intermediary lending program. At the National Farmers Union conference in San Francisco, […]
Sponsor says drag show bill is pro-children not anti-LGBTQ
FRANKFORT — A Kentucky bill that would criminalize “sexually explicit” performances by “male or female impersonators” on publicly-owned land or in front of children passed a Senate committee Thursday. Members of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 115, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield. A chant of […]