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Kentucky lawmakers renew push to establish statewide residential utility disconnection protections
by Liam Niemeyer Kentucky Lantern February 2, 2026 Last month, on a frigid day in front of the state capitol building in Frankfort, advocates called on Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to halt residential utility disconnections through the winter via executive order. These groups, including the environmental advocacy nonprofit Kentucky Conservation Committee and Kentuckians for…
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Kentucky Senate approves bill to clarify recent teacher and student electronic communication law
by McKenna Horsley Kentucky Lantern January 27, 2026 A bill that aims to revise restrictions on how Kentucky teachers communicate electronically with their students has passed out of the state Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, builds on her law from last year that required public school teachers and students to electronically…
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Kentucky has approved five medical marijuana cultivators and seven dispensaries
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Kentucky has now approved five medical marijuana cultivators, two safety compliance facilities and seven dispensaries that are either open or preparing to open, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Jan. 29. He said nine licensees are undergoing inspection. “Folks suffering from serious medical conditions like PTSD, cancer, multiple sclerosis and more…
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New data show ICE arrests in Kentucky are on the rise
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE Nearly 2,000 people in Kentucky were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement between January and October of last year, and the number is expected to increase, according to new data. The majority of arrests are happening in jails or prisons, but around 25% are occurring at workplaces, residences…
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Auditor announces annual drawing contest
Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball’s Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman announced its annual statewide drawing contest in celebration of Read Across America Day, March 2. The contest invites Kentucky students ages 13 and under to participate by creating a bookmark-sized drawing that features their favorite storybook character discovering the joy of reading. Entries will be accepted…
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Proposed bill would increase KY’s minimum wage to $10 per hour
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE A newly proposed bill would increase Kentucky’s minimum wage to $10 per hour, placing it above the federal baseline. The state’s hourly pay rate is among the lowest in the nation, currently matching the nationwide minimum of $7.25, which has not increased since 2009. Sen. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, chair…
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First medical marijuana processors approved; more dispensaries opening soon
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Gov. Andy Beshear announced Jan. 8 that the state had approved its first cannabis processor, Bison Infused, located in Dayton, Kentucky. Beshear said the approval of Bison Infused is expected to result in multiple products becoming available in the coming weeks. “Our priority is ensuring Kentuckians suffering from serious…
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Woman faces fetal homicide charge after using ‘abortion medication’
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT CAMPTON — A Campton woman is facing a first-degree fetal homicide charge following a reported abortion and the burial of a fetus on her Wolfe County property. According to the Kentucky State Police, United Clinic in Campton alerted Post 8 around 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31 after a woman at the facility allegedly…
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After the Whistle: Stein back in his Old Kentucky Home
Another Christmas has come and gone. With record highs, we had sandal weather instead of sweater weather. Is this what it feels like to live in Florida during the winter? Sports teams are away for tournaments during the two-week break. As a teenager, I loved playing in the holiday tournaments. As an adult, I believe…
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More Kentucky kids struggle with obesity, poor nutrition
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE In Kentucky, nearly one in five youths from ages 6-17 are obese, according to new county-level data on measures of child well-being in the Commonwealth. The increase mirrors a nationwide trend. There has been a more than 270% increase in the number of obese children compared to the 1970s.…
