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Billionaire gives $5 million to PAC trying to sway Kentuckians to vote for school amendment
by Tom Loftus, Kentucky Lantern October 16, 2024 FRANKFORT — A multimillion-dollar television advertising campaign supporting the so-called “school choice” amendment on the November ballot is being single-handedly funded by Jeff Yass, a Pennsylvania billionaire and Republican mega donor. In early September a political action committee called Protect Freedom began running television ads advocating passage of…
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School vouchers bring theft of tax dollars and other crimes
BY JOHN SCHAAF If Amendment 2 passes and Kentucky adopts a dangerous school voucher plan like other states, there will be unaccountable private school operators who will misuse or steal millions of taxpayer dollars and be involved in other criminal activity. That’s exactly what’s happened in states that bought into the radical policy of throwing…
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Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher opposes Amendment 2
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, during an Oct. 10 webcast with superintendents, commented on the Kentucky Board of Education’s (KBE) unified stance against the use of public funds to support nonpublic schools. The board’s recently passed resolution states that public education is the best way to ensure…
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VOTE NO on Amendment 2, urges Kentucky’s school leaders
BY DR. RHONDA CALDWELL CEO, KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS Between now and Election Day Nov. 5, our airwaves are filled with political messages. Whether you are a highly engaged voter or one who votes only when it matters to you, this election is dangerous for our society when considering Constitutional Amendment 2. The amendment reads, “The General…
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Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky says Amendment 2 is bad for children’s health
Kentucky Health News In a two-page document titled “Amendment 2 is Bad for the Health of Kentucky Kids,” the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky describes ways taking money away from “our already underfunded public schools” would impact the health of Kentucky’s youth. Amendment 2 is a constitutional amendment that will be on Kentucky’s ballot for…
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Kentucky lifts drought declaration
Kentucky has lifted Level 1 drought declarations for all 120 counties following recent rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, the Energy and Environment Cabinet announced Thursday. The precipitation has replenished rain deficits, restored streamflows, and improved soil moisture levels, according to the state’s climatology office and drought mitigation team. Drought conditions had been declared…
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Martin County mail carrier faces up to 50 years in child porn case
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LEXINGTON — A mail carrier from Martin County pleaded guilty to child pornography charges Monday in U.S. District Court in Lexington and faces up to 50 years in federal prison. Dustin Edward Newsome, 35, of Debord, admitted to coercing minor boys to engage in sexually explicit conduct for porn production…
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Kentucky State Police honors troopers and officers, seven from Pikeville Post 9
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT PIKEVILLE — Kentucky State Police (KSP) troopers might not wear capes, but this weekend 55 of them were honored like the heroes they are. At the Sworn Awards ceremony, KSP celebrated the officers who have made it their mission to protect Kentucky’s 120 counties, including seven from Pikeville Post 9. KSP has…
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Volunteers needed in 75 Kentucky counties to review cases of children in foster care
FRANKFORT — Citizen Foster Care Review Boards (CFCRBs) are seeking volunteers in more than half of Kentucky’s 120 counties to review cases of children in foster care and make recommendations regarding their care. Volunteers make a positive difference in the lives of children who are in foster care due to dependency, neglect and abuse. “It…
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Level 1 drought declared in all Kentucky counties
FRANKFORT — The Office of the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, in coordination with the Kentucky Drought Mitigation Team, are issuing a Level 1 Drought Declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Level 1 Drought signifies moderate to severe drought conditions mainly affecting soil moisture and vegetative health. Serious impacts to…