Thursday, July 23, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Gov. Beshear directs adjutant general to look at tougher security measures in light of Chattanooga shootings

07/22/2015 06:12 PM
Gov. Steve Beshear issued an executive order on Wednesday directing Kentucky Adjutant General Edward Tonini to take any necessary steps to boost security at National Guard facilities. The order follows the shooting deaths of four Marines and a Navy officer at a military center in Chattanooga, Tenn., last week. The gunman, Mohamad Abdulazeez, had also opened fire at an Army National Guard recruiting center. The fatal shootings opened a deluge of calls to allow military personnel to carry firearms while on duty,... Read more 

Ky. Democrats hope to pin Bevin with past comments on farm bill in run-up to Ky. Farm Bureau forum

07/22/2015 02:46 PM
Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin is taking lumps for critical comments he made about last year’s U.S. farm bill a day before he meets Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway at a gubernatorial forum hosted by the Kentucky Farm Bureau. The Kentucky Democratic Party organized a conference call on Wednesday with two farmers supporting Conway’s candidacy, Democratic Harrison County Judge-Executive Alex Barnett and 2007 Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate David Neville. The trio heaped criticism on Bevin based on a February 2014 Associated... Read more 

Andy Beshear's allegiances questioned in latest ad from GOP group backing Westerfield

07/22/2015 12:48 PM
The Republican Attorneys General Association is keeping up their mid-July ad barrage against Democratic candidate Andy Beshear, seeking to bring attention to Beshear’s background. In the ad, the group specifically targets who Beshear would represent as attorney general. The 30-second spot points to a lack of law enforcement experience for the candidate, who is an attorney with Louisville-based Stites and Harbison. “How about the special interests bankrolling his campaign raising questions of ethics? Or the companies he’s worked for but would... Read more 
Beshear Authorizes Kentucky National Guard to Enhance Security at Facilities, Recruiting Centers
from Associated Press
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has issued an executive order authorizing Adjutant Gen. Edward Tonini to enhance security at state National Guard facilities and recruiting stations following the shooting death of five servicemen in Tennessee last week. The order tells Tonini to immediately implement additional policies consistent with state law. Department of Military Affairs spokesman David Altom said these policies include things like rehearsing active shooter drills and ensuring doors are locked. Beshear noted in the order that Kentucky already has policies in place allowing active duty servicemen to carry concealed weapons at state facilities as long as they have a valid concealed [...]
Thu, Jul 23, 2015 11:20:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Paul Just The Latest Candidate To Assault Paper
from NPR
In a campaign looking for a jumpstart, Republican presidential hopeful Rand Paul released a video Tuesday that attempted to grab some of the spotlight away from Donald Trump. In the slickly produced video, Paul, a Kentucky senator, sporting a black T-shirt with the words “Detroit Republican” in white letters, destroys thousands of pages of paper – with a chainsaw, wood chipper and fire. “Hey I’m Rand Paul, and I’m trying to kill the tax code all 70,000 pages of it,” he says before directing viewers to his website to learn more about his single-page tax code and 14.5 percent flat-tax policy. He [...]
Thu, Jul 23, 2015 11:03:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Beshear order allows Ky. National Guard leader to extend security measures
from jmadden@herald-leader.com (Justin Madden)
Gov. Steve Beshear issued an executive order Wednesday directing state Adjutant Gen. Edward Tonini to take any necessary steps to increase security at National Guard facilities and recruiting stations in…Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Jul 23, 2015 1:49:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Details Of LRC Sexual Harassment Settlement Expected Thursday
from Ryland Barton
Details of the settlement between the Legislative Research Commission and staffers who say they were sexually harassed by state lawmakers will be released Thursday, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney in the case. Last month the state agency agreed to settle the case with a cash payment to three women, who in October 2013 brought the lawsuit against former Rep. John Arnold, Rep. Will Coursey, former LRC Director Robert Sherman and the state agency as a whole. An order to dismiss the case was expected to be filed in Franklin Circuit Court on Wednesday, 30 days after the parties hammered out an agreement [...]
Wed, Jul 22, 2015 10:41:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Ahead of Farm Bureau forum, Democrats blast Matt Bevin for opposing federal farm bill
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
With Republican Matt Bevin and Democrat Jack Conway preparing to square off at Thursday's Kentucky Farm Bureau forum for gubernatorial candidates, Democrats are pulling out the long knives, questioning Bevin's…Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Jul 22, 2015 4:55:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Report: Overhaul needed of worker-training programs in Kentucky
from lblackford@herald-leader.com (Linda B. Blackford and Beth Musgrave)
Kentucky spends hundreds of millions of dollars training workers each year, but it's not getting the job done for employers, says a new report from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.Click to Continue » [...]
Wed, Jul 22, 2015 4:30:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Gov. Beshear tells county clerks to set aside convictions of same-sex marriage but won't share his own views on subject

07/21/2015 07:49 PM
FRANKFORT — Despite telling the few county clerks who still refuse to issue marriage licenses to set aside their personal beliefs on same-sex marriage and perform their duties, Gov. Steve Beshear on Tuesday twice declined to say whether he followed his own advice when he decided to appeal a 2014 federal court ruling overturning Kentucky’s ban on same-sex marriage. Beshear, whose second term as governor ends in December, continually brushed aside questions on his personal views toward same-sex marriage as his... Read more 

Beshear announces $82.5M influx for Budget Reserve Trust Fund after 5.3% revenue growth in FY15

07/21/2015 06:17 PM
FRANKFORT — After revenue growth topped 5 percent in the recently closed fiscal year, Gov. Steve Beshear announced an $82.5 million deposit in the state’s Budget Reserve Trust Fund on Tuesday. That pushes the balance of Kentucky’s so-called “rainy day” fund to $209.4 million, its highest mark since the state held $214.8 million in reserves in fiscal year 2008. The $82.5 million represents nearly half of the $165.4 million in excess revenues collected by the state, the remainder of which will... Read more 

Bevin wants military personnel to have guns on duty; Beshear says current rules allow it

07/21/2015 03:59 PM
Following the deadly attacks in Chattanooga, Tenn., one Republican lawmaker and GOP gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin are calling on Gov. Steve Beshear to allow service members access to firearms, something Beshear says is already allowed. On Thursday, Mohammad Abdulazeez took the lives of five service members in Tennessee. The shootings, which is being investigated as an act of terrorism, started at a Chattanooga National Guard recruiting center in a strip mall. Afterwards, Abdulazeez drove to a local Navy operations center, where... Read more 
McConnell To Stump For One-Time Rival Bevin at Fundraising Event
from Ryland Barton
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell will headline a Republican fundraising event in late August for gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin, who last year launched a primary challenge against the longtime senator. The event will be hosted by Alliance Coal CEO Joe Craft and former U.N. Ambassador Kelly Knight, both of whom chaired the Kentucky fundraising committee for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. McConnell, Craft and Knight’s presence at the event shows a measure of unity among establishment Republicans, who some had speculated wouldn’t aid Bevin after last year’s contentious GOP Senate primary. Bevin was the benefactor of infighting between two GOP establishment candidates during the primary. [...]
Wed, Jul 22, 2015 11:05:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Author Discusses the World’s Best Health Care Models–and the Problems With America’s System
from Ja'Nel Johnson
T.R. Reid, author of “The Healing of America”  will speak Tuesday evening on the current state of America’s health care system. His talk is part of a series hosted by the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Reid, a former NPR commentator, spoke to WFPL about his global search for the best health care models. Your book “The Healing of America” is referred to as a “comparative policy analysis.” Can you explain what that is and how it relates to the health care system? For any organization, company, college or country, if you have problems one way to solve that problem [...]
Tue, Jul 21, 2015 9:03:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Black Community Leaders Ask Attorney General To Weigh-In On UofL Appointments
from Ashley Lopez
Members of the Justice Resource Center and the West Louisville Minister’s Coalition want Attorney General Jack Conway to weigh in on whether Gov. Steve Beshear broke state law when he did not appoint a single African-American to the University of Louisville’s Board of Trustees. The groups sent a letter to Conway Tuesday. Beshear recently appointed a Cuban-American to replace the board’s only black member, Dr. Kevin  Cosby. Reverend Clay Calloway with the Minister’s Coalition and Pastor Milton Seymour with the Justice Resource Coalition want Conway to issue a legal opinion on whether appointing a Latino in lieu of other racial minorities satisfies [...]
Tue, Jul 21, 2015 8:31:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Rand Paul pays delinquent property tax bill on the same day he pledges to 'kill' the tax code
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul paid a delinquent property tax bill in Florida on Tuesday, only hours after the Republican presidential candidate said he wants to use fire, a wood chipper…Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Jul 21, 2015 8:16:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Mitch McConnell to headline fundraiser for Matt Bevin
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will headline a fundraiser in late August for Republican gubernatorial nominee Matt Bevin, hosted by Lexington power couple Joe Craft and Kelly Knight.Click to Continue » [...]
Tue, Jul 21, 2015 3:49:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Loan-forgiveness program aimed at luring dentists to Appalachian Kentucky
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
Officials announced a loan-forgiveness program Monday as an incentive to get more dentists in Appalachian Kentucky.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Jul 20, 2015 9:48:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Today's Political Headlines


Ky. Democratic Party launches web ads targeting Westerfield 

07/20/2015 05:29 PM
Seizing on a report published last week by Pure Politics, the Kentucky Democratic Party is targeting Republican Attorney General candidate Whitney Westerfield in a new Web ad launched Monday. The ad, titled “Me Time,” highlights a 2007 section of Westerfield’s personnel record when he worked as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Christian County. The ad specifically highlights a small section of the file which says that, “Personal interests often take priority over work duties,” including “Teeth Cleaning vs. Jury Trial,”... Read more 
Mitch McConnell Says He’ll Be At Fancy Farm
from Ashley Lopez
U.S. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said he’ll attend the Fancy Farm picnic next month to help support a one-time rival. “I’m looking forward to being there,” McConnell said during a stop in Bullitt County Monday. Related StoryMatt Bevin Was the Only Republican Candidate For Governor at the 'Unity Rally'Other years he’s missed it, but McConnell said that’s only when there isn’t a big state race in play that year. This year, Republican Matt Bevin and Democrat Jack Conway are squaring off for the governor’s office. So, this year, Kentucky’s senior senator said he will be making a speech at the picnic. Bevin, [...]
Tue, Jul 21, 2015 10:54:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Rowan Co. Clerk Testifies In Same-Sex Marriage Suit, Ruling In Mid-August
from Ryland Barton
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who refuses to issue marriage licenses despite a Supreme Court lifted same-sex marriage bans throughout the U.S., testified in court on Monday that her stance is based on religious grounds. Davis is being sued by four Rowan County couples, represented by the ACLU of Kentucky, who were denied marriage licenses. Rowan County is one of at least two counties that has refused to issue marriage licenses after the Supreme Court ruling. On Monday, Davis said that she fasted and prayed about her decision to refuse marriage licenses, and that her right to do so on religious grounds is [...]
Tue, Jul 21, 2015 1:40:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Loan-forgiveness program aimed at luring dentists to Appalachian Kentucky
from bestep@herald-leader.com (Bill Estep)
Officials announced a loan-forgiveness program Monday as an incentive to get more dentists in Appalachian Kentucky.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Jul 20, 2015 9:48:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
McConnell: 'Gender card' alone not enough for Clinton
The Senate's top Republican said Monday the "gender card alone" won't be enough to propel Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton to the White House.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Jul 20, 2015 9:31:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Louisville Arts Community Remembers Kentucky Opera Director David Roth
from Tara Anderson
Kentucky Opera David Roth Colleagues of David Roth say the Kentucky Opera has lost a bold leader who saw the company through the 2008 financial crisis and other challenges. Roth, the opera’s general director since 2006, died this weekend while returning from a trip to Des Moines. He was found in his car, which had run off the road outside of Champaign, Illinois. The exact cause of death has not been determined, the company said. He was 56. Roth also contended with the Louisville Orchestra’s labor dispute of 2011-12, which canceled much of the orchestra’s season and complicated the opera’s season, too. He also made bold moves for [...]
Mon, Jul 20, 2015 9:14:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Details of settlement in legislative harassment lawsuits expected Wednesday
from jcheves@herald-leader.com (John Cheves)
Kentucky taxpayers should learn by Wednesday what they will pay to settle two lawsuits filed against House Democrats over sexual harassment and hostile workplace claims.Click to Continue » [...]
Mon, Jul 20, 2015 8:35:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, July 20, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

McDaniel wants tweaks to state's anti-heroin law to reflect strict needle exchanges

07/19/2015 04:53 PM
A controversial section of the state’s anti-heroin legislation is still a point of contention among lawmakers. As communities in the state implement locally run needle exchange programs, lawmakers in Frankfort disagree with the form one of the programs has taken. Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, along with other members of the Senate GOP caucus have taken issue with the type of exchange taking place in Louisville. “Unfortunately what we have seen go on in Louisville is a distribution point. You... Read more 

Andy Beshear's campaign attempts to have GOP ad pulled; RAGA defends first ad of cycle

07/17/2015 02:58 PM
The campaign of Democratic attorney general candidate Andy Beshear is attempting to have an ad by the Republican Attorneys General Association removed from Lexington airwaves. The ad first was launched on Tuesday in the Lexington market where the 30-second spot is airing on: WLEX-TV, WKYT-TV and WTVQ-TV. As previously reported, the spot highlights Republican candidate Whitney Westerfield, a Hopkinsville attorney and the state Senate Judiciary chairman, as having spent time as a prosecutor “who put criminals behind bars.” The... Read more 

Safety of proposed re-purposed natural gas pipeline questioned in Frankfort

07/17/2015 02:47 PM
FRANKFORT – Kentuckians told lawmakers today in Frankfort that they have concerns over a proposed re-purposing of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline. The pipeline, which is currently carrying natural gas has been proposed as vehicle for another form of combustible material — natural gas liquids or NGLs. The 964 mile pipeline would carry raw NGLs from Ohio, though Kentucky and on to the Gulf Coast for processing and export, and several Kentuckians expressed concens in an interim committee on Friday. The Tennessee... Read more 
Hal Rogers: ‘We’ve Gotta Think Of Things Other Than Coal’
from Ryland Barton
U.S. Rep Hal Rogers, a staunch supporter of Kentucky’s coal industry, said last week that the state must consider other manners of employment for the Appalachian region besides coal. Related StoryUniversity of Louisville Trustees Vote For Bonus, Smaller Raise For President RamseyRogers on Friday spoke to the the University of Louisville Board of Trustees–in  in Prestonsburg for their annual retreat–to give an update on the Shaping Our Appalachian Region initiative. He also asked the board members to continue supporting the program spearheaded by Rogers and Gov. Steve Beshear. He said during the first SOAR meetings people came forward with ideas they’d never [...]
Mon, Jul 20, 2015 11:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
What You Missed Saturday at Forecastle Festival
from Joseph Lord
In sweltering but generally tolerable heat, the second day of Forecastle treated festival-goers to a series of interesting music culminating in a lengthy set by Louisville’s musical hometown heroes. Early attendees got to hear bands such as Mariachi El Bronx, which was essentially the punk band The Bronx retrofitted to play Mexican folk music. The band includes Louisville native Brad Magers. Another intriguing early performer was Desaparecidos, a side project from Conor Oberst more similar to Fugazi (though not exactly) than Oberst’s most famous and more mellow project, Bright Eyes. Political and aggressive, Desaparecidos provided a nice jolt of energy. J. Tyler Franklin Desaparecidos Another treat [...]
Sun, Jul 19, 2015 5:02:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
What You Missed Friday at Forecastle Festival
from Ja'Nel Johnson
Forecastle Day 1 had more than a few notable moments–the largest one probably being the severe thunderstorm that rolled toward the end of the night,  cutting Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Sam Smith’s set short. Not to mention the thousands of people who evacuated Waterfront Park all at once as the storm set in. But before the night took came to an unexpected end, the first day of the music festival at Waterfront Park was sunny, hot and full of musicians and the fans who love them. Earlier in the day, ZZ Ward took over the Mast Stage. The mixture of strong vocals, a solid [...]
Sat, Jul 18, 2015 4:13:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Analysis: Rand Paul's priorities causing concern in some GOP quarters
from syoungman@herald-leader.com (Sam Youngman)
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's decision to skip this year's Fancy Farm picnic is one of several causing serious hand-wringing among Republicans as they privately fret that Paul is focusing too…Click to Continue » [...]
Fri, Jul 17, 2015 10:02:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Panel begins work on potential fixes for Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
A 23-member work group appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear started Friday trying to come up with recommendations to boost the financially strapped Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.Click to Continue » [...]
Fri, Jul 17, 2015 9:46:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, July 17, 2015

Today's Political Headlines

Covington police at odds with city over manpower shortage

07/17/2015 08:09 AM
COVINGTON — As the overall number of police on the streets in Covington declines the police says the public and police are more at risk. City officials say that they are doing the best they can to fund police services despite shrinking revenue. Revenue is dropping in the city due to a general lack of growth. Sgt. Bryan Bogard, president of the Covington FOP, who’s seen the number of officers in the city drop from 116 to just fewer than 100,... Read more 

The Chatter: Sabato's Crystal Ball bumps governor's race to leans GOP, McConnell sows hemp language in spending bill

07/16/2015 06:39 PM
A national political website has moved Kentucky’s gubernatorial election from “toss up” to “leans Republican,” citing conservative federal voting trends as a key factor in boosting GOP nominee Matt Bevin’s prospects in the Nov. 3 election. In a piece by Managing Editor Kyle Kondik and Associate Editor Geoffrey Skelley, Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball bumped the race’s rating on Thursday. The two said the Kentucky electorate may be poised to vote in the governor’s race as it does in recent presidential... Read more 

Prosecutorial experience becomes focus of race for attorney general

07/16/2015 02:30 PM
With ads starting to hit the airwaves and $1 million in ad time reserved for October, the open election to name the next state attorney general is heating up. An outside group supporting Republican state Sen. Whitney Westerfield has gone on the attack over the lack of prosecutorial experience of Democratic candidate Andy Beshear, among other issues. Beshear, the son of Gov. Steve Beshear, has worked as an attorney for more than 10 years. He currently practices litigation, business and finance,... Read more 

GOP lawmakers pre-file bill protecting county clerks, clergy in same-sex marriage; Fairness Campaign hopes for vote on fairness law in 2016

07/16/2015 11:28 AM
UPDATED: A pair of Republicans in the state House pre-filed a bill on Wednesday that would allow county clerks to refuse to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples based on their religious views toward marriage. The proposed legislation — sponsored by House Minority Caucus Chairman Stan Lee, R-Lexington, and Rep. David Meade, R-Stanford – amends the state’s religious freedom law, passed in 2013, to add the issuance of marriage licenses and solemnization of marriages for same-sex couples to acts deemed “a... Read more 

RPK chair Steve Robertson transitioning to private sector; McConnell staffer Mike Biagi tapped as replacement 

07/16/2015 10:38 AM
Steve Robertson, chair of the Republican Party of Kentucky, is moving to the private sector with law firm Frost Brown Todd. Robertson, who has been acting as chairman of the party since June 2007, is joining CivicPoint LLC, the public affairs subsidiary of Frost Brown Todd, as senior vice president in the firm’s Lexington office, according to a press release. “I am excited to join CivicPoint, not only for the firm’s strength in Kentucky, but because it’s the only multistate public... Read more 

With Supreme Court ruling, GOP lawmakers want another look at state exchange

07/15/2015 07:53 PM
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month federal subsidies could apply to health plans purchased on both state and federal insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, Republicans on the Interim Joint Health and Welfare Committee suggested Wednesday the state may fare better by shuttering kynect in favor of the federal website HealthCare.gov. But Beth Jurek, executive director of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ budget and policy office, said kynect is better suited for Kentucky customers than the... Read more 

Pensions will be "front-burner issue" in 2016 session, Sen. Joe Bowen says

07/15/2015 01:18 PM
As accounting rules change and unfunded liabilities mount, Kentucky lawmakers will again have to address the state of the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System and the Kentucky Retirement Systems, said state Sen. Joe Bowen. In essence, Bowen said the state is fighting a two-front battle as problems face KTRS and KRS. “We’ve got two big issues that we are confronting at one time,” he said. Bowen, an Owensboro Republican who serves as the co-chair of the Public Pension Oversight Board, said... Read more 

Bevin takes aim at Courier-Journal reporter in Conway's absence at Louisville forum

07/14/2015 09:07 PM
The event was touted as a gubernatorial forum and its logo featured the mascots of both political parties, but those who lined the pews of Crescent Hill Baptist Church on Tuesday only heard from one candidate: Republican Matt Bevin. The Louisville investment manager had the stage to himself for more than an hour, touching topics like poverty, health care, drug abuse and early childhood education in front of officials from myriad non-profits and community groups at the forum hosted by the... Read more 

Dayton schools looking to improve scores by reaching students earlier

07/14/2015 03:25 PM
DAYTON – The Dayton Independent School District has struggled for years with low test scores in its elementary, middle and high schools, but efforts are underway to change that. In August, the district will debut an all-day preschool program in an effort to give young Dayton students early childhood learning experiences which, in turn, will hopefully lead to better academic careers for students. The district has partnered with Covington based non-profit Children, Inc., which has grown to become the largest non-profit... Read more 

Republican A.G. group enters election fray with ad highlighting Westerfield and attacking Beshear

07/14/2015 01:09 PM
The Republican Attorney General’s Association is on the air with an advertisement promoting GOP candidate Whitney Westerfield’s prosecutorial experience and attacking Democratic candidate Andy Beshear. The RAGA’s entry in the race comes as the GOP candidate struggles to keep financial pace with Beshear. Westerfield has just $8,700 cash-on-hand after the primary as Beshear enters the general election with $1.5 million in his campaign war chest, according to 30-day, post-primary reports filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. The RAGA did... Read more 

Beshear orders state of emergency after flash flooding leaves one dead

07/14/2015 12:53 PM
Gov. Steve Beshear has declared a state of emergency a day after severe weather pounded the state, creating widespread flooding in some eastern Kentucky counties and killing a Johnson County man. The declaration, announced in a news release Tuesday, gives local officials access to emergency state resources as they contend with the storms’ aftermath. Beshear said more severe weather was forecast later Tuesday. “The declaration is a part of the process to identify what assistance is needed in these counties because of... Read more 
Louisville Tourism Officials Ramp Up LGBT Outreach Following Supreme Court Ruling
from Ashley Lopez
Following last month’s landmark Supreme Court ruling allowing gay marriage in Kentucky, Louisville’s tourism agency has ramped-up its outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Tourism officials have been working to attract more LGBT tourism to the city for a couple of months now. When they started, though, the state’s ban on gay marriage was a barrier.  But things are different now. Christa Ritchie, a spokeswoman for the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, said her agency had been planning in advance of the same-sex marriage ruling for a way to reach out to LGBT couples looking to get married as soon [...]
Fri, Jul 17, 2015 11:00:00 AM, Continue reading at the source
Obama and coal industry battle over mountaintop removal
The Obama administration is imposing new measures designed to better protect streams from coal mining, a move the struggling industry calls a significant blow to jobs.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Jul 16, 2015 10:07:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
After Years of Work, Federal Office Proposes Rule to Protect Streams from Coal Mining
from Erica Peterson
The federal government on Thursday unveiled a controversial and long-awaited rule to protect streams from coal mining damage. The coal industry was quick to criticize the proposed rule for placing more regulatory burdens on the flagging industry, while environmental groups say the rule isn’t strong enough. The Stream Protection Rule lays out the rules that apply to coal companies operating near waterways. It will require the companies to test water quality before, during and after coal mining, as well as to restore streams and return mined-over areas to their previous state when mining is finished. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell told reporters that [...]
Thu, Jul 16, 2015 8:52:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky’s Health Insurance Exchange Gets Average Rating for Patient-Friendliness
from Ja'Nel Johnson
A new analysis looks at just how patient-friendly Affordable Care Act implementation is in each state. Related StoryKentuckians Don't Always Enroll in the Best Health Insurance OptionThe report, compiled by the National Health Council, used five key areas to determine how each states’ insurance market promoted policies that best protect patients—non-discrimination, transparency, state oversight, uniformity and continuity of care. Kentucky’s health insurance exchange, Kynect, is touted by health care reform advocates as a national success. But the report says the state could do more with its exchange. The state would benefit from requiring more robust provider networks, developing quality measure ratings to better inform [...]
Thu, Jul 16, 2015 7:52:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
McConnell inserts hemp provision into Senate farm appropriations bill
from jbrammer@herald-leader.com (Jack Brammer)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has inserted into the Senate farm appropriations bill a provision aimed at making it easier to process legally grown industrial hemp.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Jul 16, 2015 7:28:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Hearing in Kentucky same-sex marriage case scheduled for Monday
from lblackford@herald-leader.com (Linda B. Blackford)
A federal judge will resume a hearing Monday morning on whether Kentucky's county clerks must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.Click to Continue » [...]
Thu, Jul 16, 2015 3:25:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
2 GOP lawmakers sponsor bill to exempt county clerks, ministers from liability for following religious beliefs on same-sex marriage
from Jack Brammer
By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT — Two Republican state representatives said Wednesday they are sponsoring legislation that would exempt county clerks from civil or criminal liability if they refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples based on religious objections. Reps. Stan Lee, R-Lexington, and David Meade, R-Stanford, said in a news release that their legislation also would protect ministers who don’t want to perform such marriages. Earlier this month, state Rep. Addia Wuchner, R-Burlington, pre-filed a bill that would prohibit the state from requiring religious organizations or leaders to perform same-sex ceremonies. That bill would also protect such organizations and leaders from being [...]
Wed, Jul 15, 2015 8:40:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Kentucky unveils new campaign to promote HPV vaccine
from Jack Brammer
By Jack Brammer jbrammer@herald-leader.com FRANKFORT –Kentucky will start a statewide campaign July 20 to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated against human papillomavirus, a virus that can cause cervical and oral cancer. Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen, Health and Family Services Audrey Haynes and state Public Health Commissioner Stephanie Mayfield announced the campaign Monday at a Capitol news conference. Luallen said a $500,000 federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will pay for the campaign that will run through September and feature TV, radio and print ads developed by Louisville-based Doe Anderson. The vaccine is for girls and boys. Kentucky trails the national [...]
Mon, Jul 13, 2015 7:22:00 PM, Continue reading at the source
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)