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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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Kentucky lawmakers consider bill that would expand felony offenses
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KENTUCKY NEWS CONNECTION Under proposed legislation being considered by Republican lawmakers, Kentucky renters would face harsher criminal penalties for property damage. Penalties would increase for sleeping in a tent in public areas, and for violent offenses, among other measures. Ben Carter, senior litigation and advocacy counsel with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center,…
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Nominations open for 2024 Governor’s Awards in the Arts
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations through March 29 for the 2024 Governor’s Awards in the Arts. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The nomination process is coordinated by the Arts Council. “Governor’s Awards in the Arts nominations play a…
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Voter registration ends year strong
Registration increases for ninth straight month FRANKFORT — Secretary of State Michael Adams announced that voter registration continued to increase in the last month of the year, with 6,562 voters registering in December. “Voter interest in this presidential election is strong,” said Adams. “It is critical that we keep early voting as an option and…
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Free legal self-help portal available on Judicial Branch website
Offering assistance with divorce, probate, small claims and more FRANKFORT — The Judicial Branch has launched its Legal Self-Help Portal, a specialized part of the state court system’s website where the public can access free legal resources. The Kentucky Court of Justice and the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission jointly developed the portal to help…
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Average monthly residential electricity bill to increase 5.66%
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Residential customers of Kentucky Power will experience an average monthly bill increase of approximately 5.66%, or about $8.32. This increase approved Friday by the Kentucky Public Service Commission is significantly lower than the original 18.3% hike proposed by Kentucky Power in July 2023. Kentucky Power’s application also included…
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Senator Phillip Wheeler’s Legislative Update: Week 1 of the 2024 Legislative Session
As we convene the 2024 regular session, I would like first to wish you a happy new year. I hope your holidays were filled with joy and laughter while spending quality time with family and friends. The Senate convened for day one of the 2024 Legislative Session on Tuesday, Jan. 2, with incredible renditions of…
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Lt. Gov. Coleman has twin mastectomy, citing exam, family history
KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS UPDATE, Dec. 26: Coleman issued a statement saying in part, “My post-surgery reports came back clean! While I am grateful for my amazing health-care heroes, and the relief I feel for having answers, please hear me when I say, if I had put this off, skipped appointments, or not taken it seriously,…
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Report: Kentucky lawmakers increasingly fast-track bills, reducing transparency
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE Kentucky lawmakers convene this week for the 2024 legislative session, and a new report finds state representatives are increasingly fast-tracking legislation while eroding citizen participation. The League of Women Voters of Kentucky analysis finds lawmakers are replacing original versions of bills with last-minute substitute versions, leaving little or no…