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15-year-old driver’s permit applicants must start at KSP website
FRANKFORT — With the new state law, House Bill 15, allowing 15-year-olds to earn their driver’s permits, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises applicants that they must start at the Kentucky State Police (KSP) website — not the KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Offices. Any 15-year-old who scheduled an appointment with the KYTC should cancel and
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Governor Beshear will challenge Trump’s funding cuts to Kentucky health departments, health programs
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Kentucky’s health departments are set to lose nearly $150 million in health-related grants after the Trump administration announced it would cancel the state’s COVID-19 health care grants, Sylvia Goodman reports for Kentucky Public Radio. The grant money is used for childhood vaccines, suicide prevention, community health workers and addiction
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Mom who used stimulus check to buy fentanyl loses appeal in toddler’s overdose death
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN FRANKFORT — A Northern Kentucky woman convicted of murder after her toddler son ingested her fentanyl in 2021 will remain in prison. The Kentucky Supreme Court has upheld her 33-year sentence, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday. A Kenton County jury in 2023 convicted Lauren Baker, 37, of Ludlow,
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UK research uncovers hidden health effects of disrupted sleep, circadian rhythms
BY ERIN WICKEY UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY The University of Kentucky’s Julie Pendergast and a team of researchers are exploring how disruptions to the body’s natural circadian rhythms and sleep impact health. “Overwhelming evidence suggests that irregular circadian and sleep patterns, such as inconsistent bedtimes, wake times and eating schedules, are linked to increased risks of
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Bill to provide free feminine hygiene products in schools fails again, despite need
BY ELLA DENTON KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS For more than 30 years, Kentucky lawmakers have filed bills to provide free access to feminine hygiene products for elementary and secondary students. And every year, including this one, those efforts have failed. Samantha Sams, head principal of Second Street School in Frankfort, told Kentucky Health News that she
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Commissioner of Education honors legendary academic coach Frank Baldridge
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISVILLE — Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher paid tribute Monday to the late Frank Baldridge, beloved legendary academic coach from Martin County. Baldridge was posthumously honored with the 2025 Kentucky Association for Academic Competition (KAAC) Legacy Award. The award was presented following the KAAC state tournament finals in a ceremony
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Celebrating agriculture in the classroom
BY DR. ROBBIE FLETCHER KENTUCKY COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION Getting the chance to speak with students involved in agriculture programs earlier this year, I saw just how eager students can be for education when it involves vibrant learning experiences that are relevant to the community and the world around them. One of the key pillars of
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Federal assistance for damaged private roads, bridges in Kentucky and West Virginia
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Residents of Kentucky and West Virginia whose private roads, bridges, or driveways were damaged by the severe storms and flooding in February may qualify for federal assistance to help with repairs or replacement from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to information on FEMA’s website, to qualify for FEMA assistance the
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Navigating disaster assistance: How to appeal FEMA decisions
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN In the aftermath of disasters, survivors seeking assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may find that their initial decision is not what they expected. But a denial or lower-than-expected award is not necessarily the final word. Individuals affected by disasters have the right to appeal any decision or
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Martin County ‘cheated’ out of water and wastewater funding
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — When House Joint Resolution 30 came up for a vote in the state Legislature on Feb. 27, Representative Bobby McCool voted “no,” citing the bill’s failure to allocate funding to Martin County despite its long-standing water and wastewater issues. McCool congratulated the water and wastewater recipients listed in
