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Kentucky Press Association: HB 509 would turn public records upside down
For nearly 50 years, Kentucky has been a national leader in allowing its citizens to access government records. That legacy is due in large part to the broad—and prescient—definition of “public records” that has appeared in Kentucky’s Open Records Act since its inception. In one fell swoop, HB 509 would eviscerate that legacy and leave…
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Homelessness is not a crime and does not belong in KY HB 5
BY GINNY RAMSEY The Lexington Street Voice Council hosted a luncheon at the Capitol Annex for the Kentucky legislators on Feb. 7 to give the lawmakers the opportunity to see them as the people they are, to hear their stories and understand the reasons they are experiencing homelessness. Over 65 Kentucky legislators shared a meal…
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What it means to have Appalachian roots
There is a certain bond between people born and raised in Appalachia and where they grew up. Most of us spent our childhoods in small towns or up a holler (hollow for you city slickers) and we have a special attachment to those communities and the people who live there. The place where we were…
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Fill the hole with a load of rocks
“60 Minutes” reported Sunday evening, Feb. 3, about a gap in our border wall. The gap is reported to be about 60 miles east of San Diego and is a global destination for migrants from around the world. The news source reported that during a four-day watch they personally witnessed about 600 illegal entries come…
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Buy your Valentine’s Day candy early
Valentine’s Day is coming soon and you better go to the store today if you want a cheap box of candy! A pharmacist friend recalled a man coming into his store late on Valentine’s Day a couple of years back. He only had one big box of candy left that sold for over $50. The…
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Missing the old school rivalries
With basketball season in full swing and teams headed for tournament time, I was reminiscing about some old school rivalries before consolidation gobbled up most of the former high schools. I am sure most older sports fans recall the heated games between so many community schools. The gymnasiums would be filled to the rafters in…
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A call to action for Martin County
As Martin County grapples with a water crisis that has left residents facing unreliable access to clean, safe water, the importance of targeted infrastructure investment has never been clearer. Gov. Andy Beshear proposes a $12 million allocation specifically for Martin County water projects in his budget. However, getting it into the final state budget hinges…
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People are freezing to death in America while the church doors are locked
Numerous people have frozen to death in America this winter. They literally died from exposure to the cold. In nearby Evansville, Indiana, a homeless man was found in his routine sleeping spot after a night of frigid temperatures. He was dead. Like any of us, he could not survive trying to sleep in the subzero…
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Do not take your politics so seriously
If you have not heard, this is an election year. We are already having primary elections across the United States. This is an important year since we will elect a president, U.S. Senators, and many Congressmen. I am not going to get into politics and tell you how to vote. However, I looked up some…
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This looks like the year for an epidemic of measles, the most contagious disease, which can be deadly but is very preventable
BY KATELYN JETELINAYOUR LOCAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST Yesterday I got a Google news alert: “Measles.” Yes, measles. In the 21st century. At the height of winter. Measles typically spreads in spring. What’s going on? Two active and unrelated measles outbreaks among unvaccinated people: Philadelphia and New Jersey A Delaware children’s hospital on alert after an unvaccinated patient…