Voters lined up outside the Marksbury Family Branch of the Lexington Public Library on Thursday, the first day of early voting in Kentucky. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Kevin Nance)

As no-excuse early voting began in Kentucky Thursday, some polling locations saw long lines of people eager to cast their ballots.?

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams both voted early Thursday morning at their local polling places. They later appeared together at Beshear’s weekly Team Kentucky update to discuss early voting.?

“We have had occasional and sporadic instances of lines this morning when the polls opened,” Adams said. “We had the same thing in 2020 on the first day of voting. That’s not unusual. Those lines have calmed down. They’re moving very, very quickly. You’re going to have a longer line and a longer voting experience if you wait until Tuesday.”?

Social media users shared photos and videos of a long line outside of the early voting locations like Bowman Field in Louisville and the Tates Creek branch of the Lexington Public Library in Lexington.?

Republican Sen. Whitney Westerfield said on X that about 150 voters were waiting in line at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville before the polling location opened.?

“It’s never like this,” Westerfield added.?

Adams and Beshear worked on a bipartisan deal in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic to expand voting access in Kentucky. That included introducing early voting in the state. Beshear later signed legislation making three days of no-excuse early voting permanent in 2021.?

“I encourage all eligible Kentuckians to make a plan to get out and vote,” Beshear said before adding early voting will continue on Friday and Saturday.?

Adams issued a plea last week when predicting a massive voter turnout in Kentucky. “For the love of God, vote early,” he said, which Kentuckians seemingly are heeding.?

The secretary said Thursday that Kentucky had record voter turnout in the 2020 election, and 45% of voters cast ballots early then. Before that, Kentucky’s highest turnout was in 1908.?

Additionally, Adams said 71% of mail-in absentee ballots have been returned ahead of Tuesday’s election. Each county has at least one drop box for voters to return ballots.?

Adams also highlighted that some races on the ballot are nonpartisan, meaning straight-ticket voters still need to fill in bubbles to cast votes in those elections. He encouraged voters to review sample ballots, which will also include language for two constitutional amendments, before going to vote.?

“This is an open book test. You can look at your ballot before you show up to vote. I did that myself this morning,” Adams said. He brought a sample ballot with him to review names for nonpartisan offices.?

For more voting information, visit govote.ky.gov. The website directs users to local sample ballots and polling locations, as well as their hours.?

The general election in Kentucky is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open then from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.?

Gov. Andy Beshear talks to reporters after a Wednesday night rally in Lexington. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LEXINGTON —?Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is joining other Democrats in calling for the U.S. president to be elected by popular vote, saying the country needs to “move to a place where seven states don’t decide the presidency.”?

“We’ll have better government. We’ll have better politics. We’ll have better elections when we get to that point,” Beshear said Wednesday at a gathering of Democrats in Lexington.?

When asked to further clarify in a Thursday press conference, Beshear said that candidates would be encouraged to campaign for votes in all states rather than just in swing states if the popular vote decided the president. He added that such a system would get “us closer to a place where we can govern in a way that lifts all Americans up, that we’re not pushed towards any extreme, that we don’t write off crazy things that some candidates may or may not say, but that we would truly get an election for all Ameriicans.”?

“I think to do that, we would ultimately have to abolish the Electoral College,” Beshear said. “I know that’s been with us a long time, but we see where things currently stand.”?

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors — mirroring states’ total members in Congress — meaning a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.?

In 48 states, the winner of the popular vote, no matter how slim the margin, is awarded all of the state’s votes in the Electoral College. Maine, Nebraska and the District of Columbia use a proportional system to award electoral votes.?

Some Democrats, including Beshear and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are renewing calls to do away with the Electoral College in favor of a national popular vote.?

According to POLITICO, the U.S. has had five elections in which the winner of the popular vote lost. The races in this century where this happened are Vice President Al Gore’s 2000 bid against President George W. Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign against President Doanld Trump.?

Both Gore and Clinton are Democrats. Bush was the last Republican to win the popular vote during his 2004 reelection campaign.?

Beshear’s Wednesday night comments drew ire from Kentucky Republicans on social media. The Republican Party of Kentucky said on X that abolishing the Electoral College would make “Kentucky have no say in presidential elections.”?

In a Thursday evening statement, Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said the GOP Senate Caucus sees the Electoral College as “a vital pillar of our Republic that ensures smaller states like Kentucky continue to have a voice and we reject any attempt to dismantle it.” Stivers added that Beshear’s position “proves that he is a nationalized Democrat through and through” and “violates what our founding fathers, including Washington, Jefferson, and others, envisioned for this great country.”

“Governor Beshear’s proposal to eliminate the electoral college not only threatens the federal balance but disrespects every Kentuckian who values their representation in the highest levels of government,” Stivers said. “This proposal is a blatant dereliction of his responsibility as the head of the Commonwealth’s executive branch and a disrespectful affront to every Kentuckian who values their right to be heard.”

Kentucky has eight electoral votes, which have consistently gone to Republican presidential candidates since the 2000 presidential election.?

In his response on Thursday, Beshear said that Kentucky would benefit from a popular vote for president, although he doubts the Electoral College will be abolished anytime soon.

“At the end of the day, regardless of the changes that are or are not made, certainly in my activities, I want to make sure that we are moving not just this state, but other states into a place where they are also considered important in these elections, that we have a seat at the table nationally. That’s good for Kentucky, but it’s also good for every single state.

A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 63% of Americans would instead prefer that the winner of the popular vote be the winner of the presidential election while 35% prefer maintaining the Electoral College.

This story was updated Thursday evening with additional comments.?

On the first morning of early voting in Kentucky, voters in Lexington waited to enter the polling place at the Tates Creek branch of the public library. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Kevin Nance)

With days left in Kentucky’s general election, supporters and opponents of Amendment 2 are traveling the state to make their last-minute pitches to voters.?

Republicans U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, his wife Kelley Paul and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron spoke to a Bowling Green rally for the amendment Monday evening. Meanwhile, Kentucky Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, made their case against the amendment during a Fayette County Democrats’ rally on Wednesday, the evening before early voting began.?

Both the senator and the governor are backing political action committees that are spending a lot of money on this issue ahead of the election. The Protect Freedom PAC, sponsored by Pennsylvania billionaire and mega donor Jeff Yass, has spent $3.75 million to promote Amendment 2 and has released ads featuring the Pauls. Meanwhile, Kentuckians for Public Education, a PAC operated by Beshear’s campaign manager, has raised more than $975,000.?

Amendment 2, which has divided Kentucky politicians along partisan lines, would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools, or those “outside the system of common schools.” The amendment would suspend or “notwithstand” seven sections of the state Constitution to allow public money to flow to nonpublic schools. The legislation for the amendment was a priority for Republican lawmakers earlier this year and an attempt to overcome constitutional hurdles cited by Kentucky courts striking down earlier charter school and private school tax credit laws.

At the Bowling Green rally, which was sponsored by Americans for Prosperity of Kentucky, Sen. Paul blamed Kentucky courts. It “boggles the mind,” he said, that the courts “interpreted our Constitution to say the legislature wasn’t allowed to debate, discuss or legislate on education” but he was unsure of how a different ruling could come without a new court. Kentucky Supreme Court justices are elected on a rotating election schedule.?

“This originated in the courts,” Paul said of challenges to funding nonpublic schools. “They created this problem.”?

Last December, Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd wrote that charter schools are “private entities” that do not meet the Kentucky Constitution’s definition of “public schools” or “common schools,” striking down a state charter school law. Before that, the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2022 unanimously struck down a law creating a generous tax credit to help families pay for tuition at private schools. The opinion, which upheld a circuit court ruling by Shepherd, cited a long line of precedent reinforcing the Kentucky Constitution’s ban on the state financially supporting private schools.

Paul said that support for the amendment is “getting closer, but I still sense that we need more momentum.” He urged attendees at the rally to canvass and spread the word about the amendment.?

“It is not legislation. It doesn’t appropriate any money,” he told the crowd. “It doesn’t take a single penny from public education. It’s an amendment that allows the legislature to do what they’re supposed to do — debate how best we should get education for our kids.”

When asked by a reporter what system the legislature should consider if the amendment passes, Paul said lawmakers must debate that. He pointed to the legislation struck down by the Supreme Court? “So I would say vote for Amendment 2 if you believe in private charity, you believe in private philanthropy, you believe in church schools, non-religious schools,” he said. “You believe that somehow we ought to have some kind of educational choice.”?

Republican House Speaker David Osborne has previously said that debate about what should come next if the amendment passes will likely be “contentious.” Republican Senate President Robert Stivers predicted “we’re probably a year away from any type of legislation.”?

Democrats, meanwhile, are honing in on the ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding what could come should the amendment pass. Speaking with reporters after the Fayette County rally at The Burl in Lexington, Beshear said “there is no question that this is simply a voucher scheme” despite what Republicans say. Under such systems, families can use vouchers of state funds to send students to their school of choice.?

“Our solution should be to fully fund public schools and not to give a blank check to Frankfort politicians to move money away from them and further defund them,” the governor said.?

Beshear said “Kentuckians have further educated themselves” about Amendment 2 and was confident it would be defeated Tuesday. He said opponents of the measure, including the Kentucky Education Association, AFT union members, teachers, superintendents, Lexington area faith leaders and parents, have “put in a lot of work” ahead of the election.?

“People are fundamentally against giving Frankfort politicians the ability to take money away from public schools and send it to unaccountable private schools,” Beshear said, referring to how public schools are overseen by the Kentucky Department of Education.

Coleman echoed Beshear’s sentiments in her speech to the crowd. A former educator herself, she has been holding press conferences across the state to speak out against the amendment.

“There are more reasons than I have time to cover right now about why Amendment 2 is detrimental to our schools, our families, our communities in this commonwealth,” she said Wednesday. “But let me tell you this: this General Assembly is undeserving of a blank check from the voters.”?

Volunteers and staffers will be hitting the campaign trail themselves with little time left before the polls close at 6 p.m. Tuesday. A representative of AFP said at the end of the Bowling Green rally that the group is aiming to make 20,000 contacts with voters this week after making 200,000 contacts through canvassing already. One of the largest PACs against the amendment, Protect Our Schools, has canvassing and tour stops listed throughout Kentucky through Election Day on its Facebook page.?

The general election in Kentucky is Tuesday, Nov. 5. No-excuse early voting began Thursday, Oct. 31.

Voters should check the "write-in candidate" bubble and need not worry about remembering their chosen candidate's first name, says a spokesperson for the Kentucky secretary of state. (Austin Anthony for The Kentucky Lantern)

Voters in a southeastern Kentucky district will be able to choose among 11 write-in candidates for the state Senate seat held by the late Sen. Johnnie Turner who died last week.

“They can use just the last name and it does not need to be spelled correctly as long as the intended candidate can be clearly determined,” said Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Kentucky secretary of state.

She said voters also must check the “write-in candidate” bubble. No list of the write-in candidates will be posted at polling places, Lindstrom said, but if a voter asks for one they should be provided with a list.?

Kentucky Sen. Johnnie Turner of Harlan dies

The 29th Senate District is made of ??Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties.?

Turner of Harlan died last week as a result of injuries he received in a lawnmower accident in September. He was seeking reelection after winning a contested Republican primary in May. He faced no Democratic challenger in the general election. An independent candidate, David Suhr, withdrew his candidacy a week before Turner’s death.?

The deadline to file as an official write-in candidate was Friday. Excused, in-person absentee voting was already underway. ?Three days of early voting start Thursday. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

State? party leaders have weighed in on their favorites — Republican Pineville Mayor Scott Madon and Democrat and attorney Justin Noble of Emmalena in Knott County.?

The other nine candidates are:

• Craig E. Blackburn, Prestonsburg
• John Clem, Cranks
• Willie Crase, Garrett
• Leonard Hendrickson, Pine Top
• James Richard Tanner Hesterberg, Prestonsburg
• Valerie Ison Horn, Whitesburg
• Andrew Thomas Saylor, Wallins Creek
• James Tyler Ward II,Whitesburg
• Paul Williams, Prestonsburg

The Senate Republican Campaign Caucus Committee endorsed Madon Friday. In a press release shared by the Republican Party of Kentucky, Senate President Robert Stivers said Madon “has a deep connection to the district and a track record of delivering results for his community.”?

The Senate Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee released its endorsement of Noble Friday as well..?

Gov. Andy Beshear endorsed Noble on X and added that he “will be focused on supporting our public schools, ending the teacher shortage, and serving the people of Eastern Kentucky with integrity” if elected. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined Beshear in endorsing Noble.?

Lindstrom added that Turner and Suhr’s names will be on the ballot but any votes cast for them will not be counted. Local precincts should have signs saying votes for them will not count.?

The deadline to print ballots for the general election in Kentucky was Sept. 16.?

The Kentucky Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case between the Jefferson County Public Schools board and the Attorney General's Office over possible special legislation, Aug. 14, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice-elect Debra Hembree Lambert has appointed Justice Robert B. Conley to serve as deputy chief justice starting in January.?

Lambert is the current deputy chief justice, but was elected by her fellow justices to succeed outgoing Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter last month. Lambert and Conley will assume their new roles on Jan. 6, 2025.

“Justice Conley is a man of exceptional character and good judgment,” Lambert said in a statement. “I know he will ably serve in this new role with integrity and will do all he can to advance the work of the Court of Justice.”

The deputy chief justice fills in when the chief justice is recused from a case or administrative matter,?

Conley was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2020. He represents the 7th Supreme Court District, which covers 32 counties in Eastern Kentucky.?

In 1994, then-Gov. Brereton Jones appointed Conley to fill a district judge vacancy in the 20th Judicial District of Greenup and Lewis counties; he was elected again to that seat for three terms. Conley was elected to the circuit bench in the two counties in 2006 and served there until joining the Supreme Court.??

This was the scene on a rainy primary Election Day in 2023 at Elkhorn Crossing School in Georgetown. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Abbey Cutrer)

Early voting for all registered voters will begin this week as a surge of Kentuckians participated in excused in-person absentee voting last week.?

Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams said in a post on X that 16,441 voters cast ballots last week during the first three days of in-person absentee voting, which is a 114% increase over the same period in 2022. Adams said those voters included 9,739 Republicans, 5,690 Democrats and 1,012 voters registered as “other.”

Three more days of excused in-person absentee voting continue through Wednesday.

No-excuse early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 31, and lasts through Saturday, Nov. 2. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.?

Voters will cast their ballots in a number of races, including elections for president, U.S. representatives, state legislators and many local offices. Kentucky voters will also consider two constitutional amendments, one that would bar those who are not U.S. citizens from voting in Kentucky elections and another that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools.?

Early voting polling locations and hours vary by county. To find local information, visit the State Board of Elections’ website. Also listed are Election Day polling locations and drop box locations for returning mail absentee ballots.?

The deadline to request absentee ballots was Oct. 22. At the time, Adams said on X that 130,695 Kentuckians had requested a ballot.

“As absentee ballots generally make up 2%-4% of all ballots cast, this portends a massive overall turnout,” Adams said. “For the love of God, vote early.”?

During the 2020 presidential election, 658,000 voters requested an absentee ballot. That was amid the coronavirus pandemic and emergency regulations that expanded eligibility to vote by mail in Kentucky.?

As of Saturday, 56.49% of requested mail-in ballots had been returned to local county clerks’ offices, according to State Board of Elections data.?

In September, 24,536 Kentuckians registered to vote. The deadline to register for the general election was Oct. 7.

Kentucky has 1,649,657 registered Republicans, or 47% of the total number of registered voters. Democrats make up 43% of registered voters with 1,507,936 voters.

For more voting information, visit govote.ky.gov.?

Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, asks a question during the June meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity. (LRC Public Information)

The Kentucky Supreme Court denied a challenge that sought to disqualify Louisville Rep. Nima Kulkarni from seeking reelection this fall.

In an unpublished opinion released Thursday, the state’s highest court unanimously denied a motion from Kulkarni’s primary challenger, William Zeitz, and previous opponent, former Rep. Dennis Horlander. Zeitz and Horlander sought an appeal of a Franklin County Circuit Court decision that allowed a vacancy in the 40th House District primary election to stand.?

“Because the Democratic primary election was a nullity, a vacancy was created that needed to be filled,” the court’s opinion said. “No candidate emerged from the primary for either party. The Democratic candidates both were undone by Kulkarni’s victory and subsequent disqualification.”?

James Craig, Kulkarni’s attorney, called the court’s decision “a big and final win” for the representative.?

“This case has finally ended where we knew it would from the start,” Craig said. “The Kentucky House District 40 voters chose her by a wide margin in the primary, and we’ve been to two circuit courts and the Kentucky Supreme Court to save their voice. Today’s unanimous decision protects the voices of the voters. The Democratic nominating process was done correctly and with integrity. This is a big win for my client Rep. Kulkarni, but it is a bigger win for democracy.”?

For months, Horlander has sought to legally bar Kulkarni from the ballot after challenging the validity of her candidacy papers. One of her two signatories was not a registered Democrat, as required by state law, at the time of signing. In that case, the Supreme Court disqualified Kulkarni, effectively nullifying the primary election in the 40th House District.?

Subsequently, Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams permitted the local political parties to nominate candidates for the general election. Democrats selected Kulkarni. Republicans did not nominate a candidate.?

Kulkarni defeated Horlander in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries for the 40th House District. In an unofficial vote count, Kulkarni received 78% of ballots cast in the May primary election. Zeitz received the remaining 22%.

In September, Zeitz and Horlander previously appealed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, but a panel of judges denied that motion after requesting the Supreme Court review the matter. The Supreme Court denied that transfer.?

Zeitz and Horlander’s attorney, Steven Megerle, said in a statement that Adams’ interpretation of the law “is now confirmed to be correct.”?

“The result is Nirupama Kulkarni has no opponent and will be elected with these quirky facts. William Zeitz, an Army tank veteran, who served overseas and here who did nothing wrong is out,” Megerle said. “Politics often benefits the privileged like Ms. Kulkarni, not asphalt truck drivers like Bill Zeitz. But our Commonwealth’s compact gives the final say to the collective body of the General Assembly to determine qualifications of its members. And I hope there might just be a robust discussion by that branch to finally determine whether Nirupama Kulkarni or William Zeitz should be seated for the people of House District 40. “

Kentucky’s general election ends Tuesday, Nov. 5.?

An entourage of Kentucky Democrats, including Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, former U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg, arrive at the airport to greet Gov. Tim Walz in Louisville. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE — Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota made a brief fundraising stop in Louisville Wednesday evening ahead of the upcoming presidential election.?

Walz and his daughter, Hope, were greeted at the airport by top Kentucky Democrats, including Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, former U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenburg. The entourage followed Walz’s motorcade to the fundraiser, which will support the PAC of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

According to a press pool report, Walz said the Louisville fundraiser netted the Harriz-Walz campaign more than $2 million.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear was not in attendance. Eric Hyers, the governor’s former campaign manager, said in an email to the Kentucky Lantern that Beshear was on a long-planned trip with his kids, who are on fall break from school.?

The press pool report said Walz did acknowledge Beshear during the fundraiser Walz said that he is grateful for Beshear campaigning for Harris and Walz and making the case across the country for them and Kentucky.

Beshear was under consideration to become Harris’ running mate earlier this summer, but she ultimately selected Walz. The governors have been recent political allies, as Walz attended Beshear’s 2023 inauguration in December.?

Walz’s Louisville stop was among a flurry of events he had scheduled this week. Walz was set to travel to North Carolina after the fundraiser. He voted early in Minnesota Wednesday morning with his wife, Gwen, and son, Gus.?

Harris and Walz, as well as their opponents former Republican President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, have less than two weeks to sway voters before Election Day, Nov. 5.?

Walz is not the first candidate this cycle to make a fundraising stop in Kentucky. Vance attended a Lexington reception hosted by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in August.?

Trump is likely to win Kentucky’s eight electoral votes this year. He won Kentucky in 2016 and 2020.?

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell speaks to reporters after an appearance in Louisville, Oct. 23, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE — U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said the presidential election will be “a cliffhanger” when asked Wednesday if he still supports former President Donald Trump’s campaign.

The Kentucky senator fielded questions from reporters, including about his earlier endorsement of Trump, after a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce event. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat, have 13 days left to sway voters.

“Looks like seven or eight states that are going to determine who wins, that’s where both candidates are spending all of their time, which is smart,” McConnell said. “I don’t have a clue how it’s going to turn out. I think it’s going to be really, really tight.”

McConnell was also asked about recent comments by John Kelly, a retired Marine general and Trump’s former chief of staff. Kelly said Trump’s leadership was “dictatorial,” “fascist” and lacking empathy.

“I think the election is pretty clear,” McConnell said. “If you’re satisfied with the Biden years, you’re going to vote for the Democrat. If you think we can do better, support the Republican.”

A? biography of McConnell, “The Price of Power,”? written by The Associated Press’ deputy Washington bureau chief Michael Tackett, is slated to hit shelves next week. According to early reports, McConnell called Trump “stupid as well as being ill-tempered,” a “despicable human being” and a “narcissist” following the 2020 presidential election.?

McConnell endorsed Trump’s reelection bid earlier this year following the former president’s Super Tuesday wins. At the time, McConnell said it “should come as no surprise” as he had said he would support the eventual Republican nominee.?

Trump and McConnell have often been at odds. McConnell once blamed the former president for “disgraceful” acts sparking the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In February, Trump said he was unsure if he could work with McConnell in a second term. Days later, McConnell announced he planned to step down as the Senate Republican leader this November.?

McConnell’s remarks preceded Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s visit to Louisville Wednesday afternoon. Walz, Harris’ running mate, is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for the Harris campaign. McConnell did not respond to a question about that appearance.?

Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, spoke during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation, July 18, 2023. (LRC Public Information)

Kentucky Sen. Johnnie Turner of Harlan has died as a result of injuries received in an accident last month.

Turner, 76, was an attorney and had served in the U.S. Army as a medic. A Republican, he had served in the state Senate since 2021, representing Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties. He served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement that Turner died Tuesday evening.?

“Over the past weeks, his remarkable resolve and strength filled the Turner family — and all of us — with optimism, making this loss all the more difficult to bear,” Stivers said.?

Stivers said the “loss is deeply personal to me” because he also knew Turner before they were in the Senate together.?

“Johnnie spent his life lifting others—whether through his service in the U.S. Army, as a member of the State House of Representatives and State Senate, or in his private legal practice. His unwavering commitment to the people of Eastern Kentucky — his constituents, brothers and sisters in Christ, whom he so fondly referred to as ‘his people’ — was at the heart of everything he did,” Stivers said.?

“Johnnie’s deep love for his family, community, and the region he represented will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him and were fortunate enough to have felt the positive impact he made. The effects of his tireless work on behalf of Eastern Kentucky families will endure, and his legacy of service and leadership will not be forgotten.”

In a post on Facebook, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, wrote:

“Johnnie was truly one of the most fascinating people that I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Born on Christmas Eve of 1947 into what was even for the time an atypically large family of 11 children, Johnnie grew up in Harlan County before attending the Red Bird Mission School where he worked on the campus to pay for his books and tuition.

“Johnnie served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 in the Panama Canal Zone where he met the love of his life Maritza to whom he was married for more than 50 years. Returning to the United States, Johnnie worked in a factory to earn the money to bring Maritza to the U. S.

“He subsequently attended Union College before attending the University of Kentucky College of Law. Johnnie literally practiced law longer than I have been alive, starting his career in January 1978 with former federal District Judge Karl Forester and continuing to practice until his accident in September. Johnnie became a ‘legal legend’ in the mountains trying hundreds of cases and representing thousands of coal miners.”

Calling Turner a “fervent Christian” and a “magnificent storyteller,” Wheeler said one of Turner’s goals in the House was to mitigate the “harsh workers’ compensation law” backed by then-Gov. Paul Patton and enacted in 1996.

Turner was injured and hospitalized in September when a riding lawnmower he was driving went into an empty swimming pool.

Other Kentucky officials offered condolences to Turner’s family and friends Wednesday morning.?

U.S. Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky issued a statement: “Elaine and I were saddened to hear of the passing of our friend, Senator Johnnie Turner. Throughout his service to Kentucky and the nation – in the U.S. Army, the State House, and the State Senate, representing Eastern Kentucky’s communities – Johnnie lived his life for others. In recent years, I remember crossing paths with Johnnie to survey the damage left by the devastating floods that hit Eastern Kentucky. Johnnie was on the scene, ankle-deep in mud, his equipment from home in tow, ready to help folks in Letcher County. That’s just who he was: a good man who loved the mountains and its people. We send our condolences to the entire Turner family, Johnnie’s colleagues in the Senate, and all those touched by his service.”

Gov. Andy Beshear said on X: “Britainy and I are saddened by the news of Sen. Johnnie Turner’s passing. We send our condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman wrote in a X post that Turner “was a true champion for his beloved Mountains. His steadfast leadership for our Commonwealth made a lasting impact on Eastern Kentucky.”?

Republican Speaker David Osborne offered condolences to Turner’s family on behalf of the House of Representatives in a statement.

“Johnnie will be greatly missed and his loss will be felt throughout the halls of the Kentucky State Capitol where he served his constituents and Commonwealth so well,” Osborne said. “A committed public servant, Johnnie was an ardent champion and passionate voice for Eastern Kentucky. We are saddened by his loss, but know that his legacy will live on in those he helped.”

Turner’s family includes his wife, Maritza; his children Yazmin, Susie and Johnnie; and grandchildren.

A visitation for Turner will be held Friday, Nov. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Harlan County High School Auditorium, 4000 North US Hwy. 119, in Baxter, Kentucky. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Church, 2536 South US Hwy. 421, in Harlan, Kentucky. The burial site is Resthaven Cemetery in Keith, Kentucky. Donations may be made to Red Bird Mission.

Matt Nunn, left, and Kiana Fields are running for the state Senate seat being vacated by Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer.

With Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer planning to step down from office, two candidates are seeking to replace him in the 17th Senate District.?

Matt Nunn, a veteran and executive at Toyota Tsusho America, is running to continue the district’s Republican control while Kiana Fields, who works in higher education, hopes to flip the seat blue. The 17th Senate District includes Grant and Scott counties and parts of Fayette and Kenton counties.?

In recent interviews with the Kentucky Lantern, both Nunn and Fields spoke about the importance of education to their respective campaigns. Nunn said public education was the top issue that drove him into the race, and added that “it’s very important to me that our public schools are effective” and prepare students to contribute to society and the workforce. He and his wife attended public school as their kids do now.?

This fall, Kentucky voters will decide to adopt or reject a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools, such as private or charter schools. It will be Amendment 2 on the ballot.?

Nunn predicted that if the amendment passes, the legislature would look at ways to support public charter schools and would carefully review the SEEK formula to continue supporting public schools.?

“Number one, I’ve said this many times, I’ll say it again, they’re not voting for a king, they’re voting for a representative,” he said. “And so I would let the results from my district guide how I might legislate on the issue, because that’s my job in a representative democracy.”

Fields works as a research and education coordinator at the University of Louisville to recruit future health professionals. She said she would support policies to retain and recruit teachers and incorporate the voices of students and parents and ensure curriculum meets needs of businesses and postsecondary institutions.?

“I think that we have turned critical problems into political messages instead of looking at them as problems to be solved that (would) help improve the lives of everyday Kentuckians,” Fields said.?

Fields said other policy areas she hopes to address if elected include access to quality and affordable health care, which includes making sure that insurance and Medicaid covers health care needs of Kentuckians. She also has an interest in making sure certificate of need laws “are up to date and are meeting the needs of our communities.” She said she believes CON laws should be kept on the books but supports looking for opportunities to reform.

State lawmakers have discussed CON in recent legislative sessions, and that conversation is expected to continue in the future.?

Nunn said he is supportive of CON laws but does believe there could be room for improvement. Other policies he is supportive of are lowering the state income tax to 0% and tough on crime policies. As a veteran, he also has interest in creating policies in that area as well as agriculture.?

The 17th Senate District, which includes a growing suburban region just outside of the Lexington area, has become one of the fastest growing areas in Kentucky in recent years.?

In the 2023 gubernatorial election, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear won three of the four counties in the district. Fields said the governor’s success in the district shows that approaching an election “looking at people first” is something that will help her in this race.?

“This is home for a lot of us. My family’s been in this district since the 1840s which is unique as a Black woman, and my legacy is here, and so I love this place, and I will make sure, and will always be a part of the good fight, to make sure that generations to come will be able to thrive in this district and in this commonwealth,” Fields said.?

Thayer has held the Senate seat for 21 years. Nunn said Thayer “has been a very consequential legislator” for both the district and the entire state. Thayer backed Nunn during the primary election and recently hosted a fundraiser for him.?

“I think everything I’m seeing tells me that this is a conservative-minded district,” Nunn said.?

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reacts after accepting the vice presidential nomination during the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on Aug. 21, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will make a stop in Louisville Wednesday for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign fund.?

According to an advisory from the Harris-Walz campaign, Walz will deliver remarks at a campaign reception for the Harris Victory Fund, the campaign’s PAC.?

In recent years, Walz has been a political ally of Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Walz attended Beshear’s 2023 inauguration in Frankfort. Both were considered as a possible running mate for Harris this summer.?

Walz’s Kentucky stop comes with two weeks left for the presidential candidates to campaign ahead of Election Day, Nov. 5. Meanwhile, both Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump are campaigning in battleground states to sway voters.?

Walz is not the first this cycle to make a fundraising stop in Kentucky. Trump’s running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, attended a Lexington reception hosted by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr in August.?

Kentucky’s eight electoral votes are likely Trump’s to win this November. Trump won Kentucky in 2016 and 2020.?

Students arrive at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville in January 2022. (Getty Images)

Amid calls in the Republican-controlled legislature to deconsolidate Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, a new study found that some states that have proposed splitting up large urban districts ultimately did not put those changes into law.?

The Office of Education Accountability, an agency that researches education for the legislature, studied school governance models across the country and presented its findings to Kentucky lawmakers on the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee Tuesday morning. Other findings in the report included that consolidating school districts can result in long-term saving costs but local communities often oppose it.

Co-chair of the subcommittee, Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, asked OEA presenters if consolidation had a positive impact on student performance. OEA Research Division Manager Deborah Nelson said the research on the effects of consolidation were inconclusive.?

Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, asked if deconsolidation has an effect on student performance. Bojanowski teaches at a JCPS elementary school.?

“If you took a large urban school district and split it up, is there any evidence that you would have improved academic outcomes?” she asked. Nelson said there has not been a state deconsolidation of large districts, so it cannot be studied. Some small districts have succeeded from a larger district, but there have not been studies on student achievement in those cases.?

According to the OEA study, Nevada’s legislature considered dividing the Clark County School District in Las Vegas in 1997 but no legislation to that effect was approved. In New Mexico, legislation in 2017 included a provision to deconsolidate districts with more than 40,000 students but it did not pass. In Nebraska, legislation was passed in 2006 to deconsolidate Omaha Public Schools, but the legislation was later repealed.?

“We have no data we can point to for deconsolidation,” West said in a subsequent comment. “In the case of JCPS, for us as a state, we don’t have a lot to go on, really, is what you’re telling us.”?

Last year, a group of Republican lawmakers called for exploring legislative changes to JCPS after a bus-scheduling? debacle delayed the start of the school year. Among policies they wanted to tackle was creating a commission to evaluate splitting up JCPS, the state’s largest school system.?

During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly approved a task force to review governance of the school system. That group has met during the legislative interim and any recommendations it will make must be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by Dec. 1.?

Louisville residents expressed concerns about deconsolidation during two task force meetings held at local schools. A co-chair of the task force, Sen. Michael Names, R-Shepherdsville, told reporters after the first local meeting that he suspected no legislation could come from the task force next legislative session because of the amount of information the task force wants to review.

On other issues, OEA’s report found that Kentucky’s school governance laws for state and local boards of education were similar to most states in the U.S. and that state takeover of school districts can often lead to some improvements for districts’ fiscal health but “on average, does not lead to improvements in student achievement.”?

The report did study authorization models for charter schools and noted that while Kentucky law does have a governance framework for charter schools, none are currently operating in the state. States with charter schools have varying authorizers.?

In Kentucky, authorizers can be the local school board in the district where the charter school would be located or a group of local school boards formed to make a regional charter school. There are also two local government authorizer options: the mayor of a consolidated local government or the chief executive office of an urban-county government.?

Louisville has a consolidated local government plan. Lexington operates under an urban-county government model.?

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, speaks to a crowd while accepting the 2024 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. (Screenshot via JFK Library Foundation livestream)

Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams is mulling a run for governor, according to a recent interview with his law school’s publication.?

An alumni profile of Adams entitled “Election Defender” in the Harvard Law Bulletin says he is considering a run for governor as he is term-limited as the state’s top election official. Adams graduated from Harvard Law School in 2001. He won bids for Kentucky secretary of state in 2019 and 2023.?

In response to the Kentucky Lantern on Monday, Adams’ spokesperson Michon Lindstrom said right now Adams “is focused on running a smooth presidential election and will discuss any future plans at a later date.”?

Speculation about Adams making a future gubernatorial bid swirled after he gave a victory speech last November that focused on topics outside of the purview of the secretary’s office, including public safety, quality of life and the state’s long-term future. When asked at the time by the Lantern about his future political plans, Adams said it was too soon to say.?

“It is way too early to try to predict what I’ll be doing in four years,” Adams said. “I think I showed my party I’m a strong player on the bench. I have found a way to reach across the divide and over-perform in places Republicans generally can’t compete.”

In the 2023 general election, Adams was the top vote-getter after he gained more than 784,000 votes.?

Adams was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award earlier this year. He was selected for his work to increase voting days in Kentucky, as well as for standing up for free and fair elections despite ire from fellow Republicans and death threats from election deniers.?

The Harvard Law Bulletin interview focused on Adams’ career after graduating from Harvard Law and how he first became interested in civics. According to the article, Adams says? that state government fits his style more than more polarized national politics.

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, left, and House Speaker David Osborne are among the Republicans who declined to answer the Right to Life candidate survey this year. They conferred during the State of the Commonwealth address in the House chambers on Jan. 3, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

LOUISVILLE — Kentucky Right to Life is endorsing in fewer legislative races this year — 45 candidates for the General Assembly received an endorsement from the anti-abortion group, down from 86 in 2022 and 88 in 2020.

Planned Parenthood’s Tamarra Wieder said the decrease in endorsements is a sign that Kentucky politicians no longer want to take the unpopular stands required to win a Right to Life endorsement.??

Wieder, state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Kentucky, said it’s an “incredible indictment on the brand and on the movement.”?

“What this shows is that they have become too extreme, even for their followers,” Wieder said. “They are out of step with Kentuckians, and I think it also shows the legislature is afraid of putting their name on anti-abortion policies.”?

Addia Wuchner, Kentucky Right to Life executive director, did not respond to a Lantern reporter’s voicemail and an email sent to an address posted on Kentucky Right to Life’s website last week.

In a newsletter sent in response to the story, the organization acknowledged “challenges” facing Kentucky’s anti-abortion movement … “as public opinion evolves.”

“While we respect diverse opinions, it’s crucial to clarify that (Kentucky Right to Life) does not measure its mission by popularity or changing political winds,” the email said. “We remain guided by a steadfast moral compass, prioritizing the protection of life over convenience.”?

In order to be considered for an endorsement, the Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC requires candidates to answer questions about issues important to the group and sign the survey. The organization also considers voting record, a candidate’s involvement in organizations related to abortion, electability and background.?

In 2024, about 50 Republican candidates “declined” to answer the survey, according to the endorsement report. Right to Life endorsed 45 legislative candidates and “recommended” others based on their voting history.?

All 100 House seats and half of the 38 Senate seats are on the ballot every two years, although many seats go uncontested.

The Lantern used information from VoteSmart to count endorsements from earlier elections; Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC’s voter guides from prior elections are not posted on its website.

It’s unclear if everyone marked as “declined” this year received the survey.?

Although endorsed by Right to Life at times in the past, the top Republicans in both chambers of the legislature are not endorsed this year. Among those listed as declining to answer the group’s questions: Senate President Robert Stivers, House Speaker David Osborne, Senate President Pro Tem David Givens and Speaker Pro Tem David Meade.

Other prominent Republicans listed as declining to respond are House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy and Senate budget committee chairman Chris McDaniel.?

All of them were still recommended by Right to Life based on their voting records.

A Senate GOP spokesperson said Stivers and Givens “agree that their voting record speaks for itself.”?

No Democrats answered the Right to Life survey this year and none were endorsed.

Candidates wary of surveys in general

Political considerations about abortion changed after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federally-guaranteed right to abortion in 2022. The ruling allowed a near-total abortion ban that Republican lawmakers had already put on the books to take effect in Kentucky. It has no exceptions for victims of rape or incest and a narrow exception to protect the life of a pregnant patient.?

Morgan Eaves, the executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party, said the decline in candidates taking the Right to Life survey shows that “Kentucky Republicans know that their extreme anti-choice and zero exceptions policy is unpopular, and that’s why they’re running away from it now.”?

Republicans, however, gave little sign of backing off the abortion ban during this year’s legislative session. Although lawmakers of both parties sponsored bills to loosen abortion restrictions, none of the measures made any headway. Bills protecting in vitro fertilization also failed to advance, after the temporary suspension of the fertility treatment in Alabama stirred a political storm.?

Republican Trey Grayson, a former Kentucky secretary of state, was reluctant to say if the decline in GOP candidates responding to the Right to Life survey signaled a rift with the organization. Candidates, he said, have become more wary of surveys in general. Advocacy interest groups are trying to advance an agenda and elect people who are part of their causes, Grayson said. A? lawmaker seeking reelection recently complained to him about “gotcha” questions on candidate surveys.?

Challengers are more likely to respond to surveys, Grayson said, while incumbents can point to their voting records, floor speeches and websites.

‘ … not that much more to give’

Last year Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear used the abortion ban to his advantage against Republican challenger Daniel Cameron. Cameron had been endorsed by Right to Life but waffled on abortion after Beshear aired ads attacking him as extreme for opposing rape and incest exceptions. (Kentuckian Hadley Duvall, who spoke in a Beshear ad about being impregnated by her stepfather when she was 12, is now playing a prominent role in the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic? candidate for president.)

The year before, in November 2022, Kentuckians had defeated an anti-abortion constitutional amendment that Republicans put on the ballot before Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Republican strategist Tres Watson, a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said it’s not Republican politicians who have changed but Right to Life. Having gained its long-time goal of outlawing? abortion in Kentucky, the organization is “continuing to ask for more when there’s just not that much more to give.”

“I think that the leadership over there needs to reconsider their relationship with candidates and with the legislature if they want to continue to be an influencer in Frankfort,” Watson said of the group.?

Weider of Planned Parenthood said the Right to Life questionnaire “is more extreme than ever.”?

Watson said he thinks Republican lawmakers support adding exceptions for rape and incest to the abortion ban. “I think that if you were to remove elections from the equation, I think that an exceptions bill would pass easily among Republicans,” Watson said. “But I think that the threat of Kentucky Right to Life coming out and attempting to make pro-life legislators appear to be pro-abortion liberals is preventing that from passing.”?

Watson said when he worked for the state Republican Party candidates were advised not to respond to a survey from Northern Kentucky Right to Life “because it asked you to take extreme positions that didn’t sit well with independent voters and center right Republicans.”?

IVF among the questions

Kentucky Right to Life’s 2024 questionnaire asks candidates about their support for maintaining a ban on assisted suicide, banning mail-in abortion pills, adding a “Human Life” amendment to the U.S. Constitution to include “all human beings, born and unborn” and more. It highlights issues surrounding in vitro fertilization in which unused frozen embryos are discarded.?

Questions included:?

• If you are in a position to do so, would you advocate, support, sign into law and/or defend against legislation that would permit the cloning of human embryos or laboratory-created life for the purpose of the harvesting their stem cells for research or therapeutic cloning? (procedures requiring the creation and destruction of human lives)
• Do you believe that embryos created through IVF (in vitro fertilization) should be protected as all other lives??
• Do you believe medical schools and nursing programs operating in conjunction with universities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky that receive state funding should have mechanisms in place such as conscience exceptions that permit students to be excused from participating in specific curricular activities and training, i.e. abortion procedures that violate the student’s religious or ethical beliefs?
• Are you morally and/or medically opposed to chemical abortions, such as RU-486, the abortion pill, and other drugs known to prevent the newly created human being from attaching (implantation) to his/her mother’s womb or medications that cause the woman’s body to expel her developing child in the early stages of her pregnancy?
• Do you agree that the personal protection afforded to every member of the human race under the Fourteenth Amendment should be extended equally to the preborn?

Eaves, the Kentucky Democratic Party chief, said most Kentuckians and Americans “believe in some form of pro-choice policy.”

Is IVF protected in Kentucky? Depends on whom you ask.

In May, the Pew Research Center reported that 63% of Americans “say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in all or most cases.”?

Gallup polling also shows the majority of Americans think abortion should be legal in certain cases.?

Additionally, 54% of those surveyed by Gallup in May considered themselves “pro choice” and 41% considered themselves “pro life,” the largest gap since 1995.?

Weider of Planned Parenthood said the effects of the abortion ban on health care, especially for? people who are experiencing miscarriages or nonviable pregnancies, will continue to push politicians away from Right to Life.

?“You are starting to see pushback on what was once, I would say, a badge of honor for the majority of conservative politicians in Kentucky,” she said. “And I think it is an indictment on what has happened to Kentucky and health care. And we are seeing the daily fallout.”??

This story was updated with response from Kentucky Right to Life.?

Kentuckians will be voting this fall on two constitutional amendments. This is the view approaching the Sugar Maple Square polling site in Bowling Green, May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

One of the two constitutional amendments Kentucky voters will decide this November would prohibit people who are not citizens of the United States from voting in Kentucky elections — something that already does not happen.

The amendment’s sponsor, state Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, called it a “proactive” measure to protect election integrity. Others say the amendment could discourage immigrants who are citizens from exercising their right to vote and that Republicans are using it to fan anti-immigrant fears to turn out their base.

If approved, Amendment 1 would bar noncitizens from voting in Kentucky elections. Election officials, including Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, told lawmakers this summer that the state already has safeguards in place to keep that from happening.?

During the 2024 legislative session, Howell’s bill was one of two proposing to amend the state constitution to specifically prevent noncitizens from voting in Kentucky elections. Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, introduced the other bill, which gained support in the House.?

Similar measures are on the ballot this fall in other states, including Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin. In Congress, House Republicans have sought to push a provision to bar noncitizens from voting in federal elections, which is already unlawful.?

Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president, has repeatedly falsely claimed that noncitizens voting are costing Republicans elections, a claim refuted by former Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, a Republican, among many others.?

Noncitizens voting in elections across the country is rare. Some state officials in Texas, Ohio, Alabama and Georgia have flagged some noncitizens who have registered to vote or did vote in an election. Some local governments in California, Maryland, Vermont and the District of Columbia allow noncitizens to vote in their elections, such as for school board or city council.?

In an interview with the Lantern, Howell said if a local government in Kentucky allowed noncitizens to vote in a local election, “the administrative complexities associated with that, with our county clerks and secretary of state’s office, would be significant.”

“The reality of the situation — if a governmental entity decided to do this anywhere in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a huge majority of our citizens would lose their minds over it, and I think rightly so,” the senator said.?

Anti-immigrant sentiments

Some have criticized measures like Kentucky’s Amendment 1 as a ploy to churn anti-immigrant sentiments among GOP base voters.?

Corey Shapiro, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, called it “an attempt to divide and fearmonger more than anything else” as federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.?

Shapiro said the amendment will bring “additional attention to anybody who people think might not be a citizen” and could increase voter suppression among immigrants who have gained citizenship.?

“We’re seeing attacks on immigrants all across the country, and this is yet another attack, and it’s unfortunate because people who are registered to vote in Kentucky have probably one of the fewest opportunities to vote compared to other states, and instead of working to actually improve our election laws, make it easier for people to access the ballot, we are spending time and money talking about … made-up problems and casting doubt on the legitimacy of our elections,” Shapiro said.?

Kentucky has fewer days of early voting than most states. Voters also have fewer hours to get to the polls on Election Day in Kentucky, where polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., than in most states.?

Shapiro said giving Kentucky voters “more access to the ballot and more ability to vote … would be a much better use of our politics.”?

However, Howell said that he did not think the amendment could spur anti-immigrant sentiments among Kentuckians, but non-citizens voting in elections could.?

“Sometimes, it’s very controversial when a particular immigrant community expands within a community,” Howell said. “And I can see anti-immigrant sentiment being stirred up against that particular immigrant community if they were given the opportunity to vote for their mayor, or their school board where their children are educated, or something like that. To me, that has a much greater risk of anti-immigrant backlash than this constitutional amendment ever could.”?

The campaign for Amendment 1 has had a much lower profile than Amendment 2, which would give the General Assembly the ability to fund nonpublic schools if passed. Nine issue committees have registered with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance to spend dollars to support or oppose Amendment 2, but none have filed to campaign on Amendment 1.?

House Democratic Caucus Chair Cherlynn Stevenson of Lexington said during a Kentucky Democratic Party press conference a couple of weeks ago that she does “absolutely believe that (Amendment 1) is probably on the ballot to help drive turnout” for the nonpublic schools amendment as voters who will support Amendment 1 will be encouraged to vote for Amendment 2.?

“It is a solution in search of a problem that doesn’t exist because noncitizens can already not vote,” Stevenson said.?

Howell said the amendments are “pretty mutually exclusive” as they deal with separate issues. He said he has not heard people talk about the amendments together.

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams told lawmakers: “It is illegal to impersonate a peace officer, and for good reason. It should be equally illegal to impersonate a secretary of state or county clerk and put out false information in any format about our elections.”?He was speaking Tuesday to a task force studying artificial intelligence. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Matthew Mueller)

Kentucky’s Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams told lawmakers it’s “too soon” to tell what effect artificial intelligence will have on elections but that it has “potential for significant impact,” and he urged them to consider making it a crime to impersonate an election official.

Adams appeared before the General Assembly’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force Tuesday to discuss AI, which has become a growing concern for possible influence in this year’s presidential election. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found 57% of U.S. adults were extremely or very concerned that people or groups seeking to influence the election would use AI to create fake or misleading information about presidential candidates and campaigns.?

“Should you take up AI legislation when you return in 2025, I would encourage you to consider prohibiting impersonation of election officials,” Adams told the task force. “It is illegal to impersonate a peace officer, and for good reason. It should be equally illegal to impersonate a secretary of state or county clerk and put out false information in any format about our elections.”?

Adams highlighted a bipartisan bill from Lexington legislators, Republican Sen. Amanda Mays Bledose and Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. Reggie Thomas, that would have limited the use of “deep fakes” or deceptive AI to influence elections in Kentucky. In the recent legislative session, the bill died in the House after gaining approval in the Senate.?

Adams gave an example of a political consultant receiving a fine of $6 million from the Federal Communications Commission for fake robocalls to New Hampshire voters that mimicked President Joe Biden. The calls encouraged voters to not vote in the state’s Democratic primary. Adams said the fine was for violating telecommunication law and New Hampshire brought criminal charges against the consultant because of a state law making it a crime to impersonate a candidate.?

“As you look to protect candidates and voters from such practices, I urge you to consider inclusion of election officials,” Adams said. “An impersonation of me or my deputy secretary or senior staff of the State Board of Elections or a county clerk actually could do more harm than impersonation of a candidate.”?

Adams noted that concerns of AI influence in elections is not just an American problem. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom and South Africa, will also have consequential elections this year. Thus, they face issues with AI interference in elections as well.?

Bledsoe, who is a co-chair of the task force, said that there is tension between legislation aimed at preventing misuse of AI to influence elections and free speech protections. Adams said in response that laws against voter suppression do exist.?

“I think that the process and distrust of what is actually being said is the greatest danger to a voter, and we want to protect (the voter) as much as possible,” Bledose said.?

Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Veron, the other co-chair of the task force, said what Adams was asking was “very reasonable.”?

“It’s something I know that we’ve debated internally,” Bray said. “We’ve had Senate bills filed, we’ve had House bills filed, and it’s very clear that this is something that’s going to be with us as the technology evolves.”?

Amendment 2 would change Kentucky's Constitution to allow the General Assembly to spend tax dollars for educating students at private schools. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

FRANKFORT — With the general election next month, Kentucky’s top Democrats and Republicans are both criticizing what they say is misinformation about a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools.?

Amendment 2, which Kentucky voters will decide, was a top priority for GOP lawmakers during this year’s legislative session; Democrats consistently opposed the idea. The partisan skirmish continues in the race to sway voters.

Speaking with reporters in Frankfort this week, Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne, both Republicans, said unfounded speculation about what the amendment would do is an obstacle for its supporters to overcome.

Stivers and Osborne stressed that the amendment merely lowers constitutional barriers that in the past have blocked the legislature from expanding what its supporters call “school choice.”

Opponents warn that if Amendment 2 is approved, the Republican-controlled legislature would create a system of vouchers, as 10 states have done, to help families pay for private school tuition diverting funds from public schools.

“I think what some people are saying about the amendment is not accurate,” Stivers said. “There is nothing in the amendment except it would allow the legislature to go beyond what the constitutional definition of common schools are.”?

In the past, Stivers said, the focus of “school choice” legislation in Kentucky has been targeted “on failing school systems” but, he said, those laws were declared unconstitutional.?

In recent years, Kentucky courts have struck down the legislature’s attempts to authorize charter schools in the state and tax credits to help families pay private school tuition. Those bills narrowly passed over Gov. Andy Beshear’s vetoes.?

Amendment 2 would suspend or “notwithstand” seven sections of the state constitution but only to enable “the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools,” according to language approved by the legislature.

If voters approve the? amendment, the Republican leaders said, decisions about next steps would involve stakeholders and extensive debate by lawmakers — debate that Osborne predicted would be “contentious.”

“If you look at the history of the school choice debates in the legislature, they’ve been very contentious, and they’ve been very incremental in the things that they have done,” Osborne said. “I think to expect there to be sweeping legislation that’s going to happen the next day is clearly just not going to happen, but there’s really not been a tremendous amount of discussion about what that policy will look like.”?

Stivers predicted “we’re probably a year away from any type of legislation,” noting that the General Assembly next convenes in January in the middle of a school year. The Kentucky Department of Education, superintendents, teachers and families would also need to give input on any future legislation, he said.?

When lawmakers debated the amendment earlier this year, some Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the ballot measure, particularly those with a history in public education or who represent rural communities.

Meanwhile, Kentucky Democrats point to the lack of specifics in the amendment as a reason voters should defeat it.?

“Amendment 2 is really just a blank check for the Republicans in the General Assembly,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Cherlynn Stevenson of Lexington. “Do not let them convince you to write it.”?

Stevenson spoke during a news conference in the Capitol Rotunda last week, along with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge.

Coleman, who has been traveling the state campaigning against the amendment,? said its supporters are putting out false information. She said she was aware of a recent campaign mailer saying that Gov. Andy Beshear supported it, which is not true.?

“There’s a lot of conversations that still need to be had,” Coleman said. “And it’s my hope that the folks who are tied in the most in our education communities — parents, teachers, volunteers, all of the folks who work in our schools — help to educate the people around them about what this really means.”?

Elridge argued “we don’t even know what the choice actually is” because Republican lawmakers have not shared what changes in policy and law they would pursue if the amendment passes.?

Stevenson called for supporting education by funding universal pre-K programs and pupil transportation along with finding ways to lower class sizes rather than supporting the amendment.?

When asked if it’s a challenge to persuade voters to support Amendment 2 without telling them more about what would come next, Osborne said that “makes it easier for people to distort it” but he thinks “the people of Kentucky are smart enough to figure this out.”?

“Most people do like to maintain status quo, and so that is an impact on any constitutional amendment,” Stivers said.?

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. In-person, excused absentee voting will be held Oct. 23, 24, 25, and Oct. 28, 29, 30. Early in-person, no excuse absentee voting will take place Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 31- Nov. 2. To find out times and locations of? early voting in your county, visit the State Board of Elections website at govote.ky.gov.

Democrat Adam Moore, left, and Republican Thomas Jefferson are running to represent House District 45 in the Kentucky General Assembly.

After his support for LGBTQ+ teens cost Republican Rep. Killian Timoney the primary, voters in his suburban Lexington district will choose between the Republican who defeated him and a Democrat who describes himself as more of a Libertarian.?

The candidates are Democrat Adam Moore, a military veteran and business owner, and Republican Thomas Jefferson, who has retired from finance and car sales. The election is a test of how culture war issues will play in the district.?

Moore and Jefferson are vying for a seat in the General Assembly in a district that encompasses southwestern areas of Fayette County and part of Jessamine County. They recently spoke to the Kentucky Lantern in separate interviews.?

House District 45 candidates

Thomas Jefferson

Party: Republican

City: Lexington

Raised for general election: $23,664.83

Website: www.tjforky.com

Adam Moore

Party: Democratic

City: Lexington

Raised for general election: $46,685.59

Website: www.kydeservesmoore.com

In the primary, the Jessamine County Republican Party endorsed Jefferson over Timoney, citing the incumbent’s votes against two GOP anti-transgender bills, 2023’s Senate Bill 150, which among other things banned gender-affirming care for transgender minors, and 2022’s Senate Bill 83, which prevents trans women and girls from competing on their schools’ female sports teams.?

Jefferson said that Timoney is a “very nice gentleman” and a good family man, but he disagreed with his voting record, particularly on those measures.

“I would never ever think of running against a fellow Republican unless I felt like they weren’t doing the job that I expected,” Jefferson said. “And unfortunately, Killian voted way differently than I would, and I believe differently than most of the 45th District would vote as well.”?

Moore, the Democrat, said Timoney was targeted by “a negative smear campaign” and said he expects to be likewise targeted heading into the general election. Mailers to primary voters from outside groups referred to Timoney as a “groomer” for voting against the anti-transgender bills.?

Moore too praised Timoney’s character, adding that while they may disagree on policies, at the end of the day Moore knew that Timoney cared about people.?

“I think the Thomas Jefferson defeat of Killian Timoney in the primary signals a shift in the Republican Party,” Moore said.?

The two legislative candidates have gone back and forth on participating in a debate or forum. Last week, Moore issued an invitation on social media to Jefferson for a public forum. Jefferson told the Lantern he would have to know more about the proposal before accepting it.?

“I’d be more than glad to debate anybody,” Jefferson said. “It doesn’t matter who it is, but it all depends on who is hosting the debate, who the moderators are,” Jefferson said. He then pointed to GOP criticism of the ABC presidential debate for the moderators’ live fact-checking of Republican former President Donald Trump.

Moore said in response that he’s open to having any “credible local journalist” moderate. He added that he believes it’s fair to fact check someone in a debate when something false is said.?

Adam Moore

Moore, a former Republican who interned for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, said that service has always been important to him. As an intern, he got experience responding to constituents’ concerns and in the Army, he learned lessons completing missions while facing hard days. Both experiences have prepared him for representing the 45th House District, he said.?

“Service has always been important to me,” Moore said. “It’s why I joined the Army, why I’m involved with local civic organizations, and the road that I’ve kind of traveled on, this is just the next logical step as well, being able to continue serving and to serve in a different way and serve in a way that I think I can really succeed at and do a good job at.”

Moore said he has never fit the model of stereotypical Republicans or Democrats. He added that he’s “always been more of a Libertarian,” in that he believes in avoiding excessive government spending while letting people live their lives as they wish socially.?

“As far as being a Democrat now, I’ve already said I’ve been pretty Libertarian in my leanings as far as the government should basically stay out of people’s lane if they can,” Moore said. “And what we see now is the Republican Party has been molded in this image of Donald Trump, which is not policies. It’s become more of a cult of personality.”?

If elected, Moore has some policies in mind that he would like to support, such as eliminating sales taxes on services and expanding on Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive order that restored the right to vote to nonviolent felons. Moore said the order did not cover felons convicted in other states or charged with federal crimes.?

“I would like to extend that same thing and put that in law to anyone in Kentucky who is now a lawful citizen who has served their time,” Moore said. “We’ve all made mistakes, and of course, not all mistakes are the same, but once you’ve served your time, the bare minimum to be a part of our democracy is having your right to vote.”?

Additionally, Moore would? like to establish a veterans’ caucus. As for a couple recent policies passed by the Republican-controlled legislature, Moore said he is against a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools, Amendment 2, and an omnibus crime bill, House Bill 5. Both passed earlier this year.?

Moore took issue with a controversial part of the crime bill that created illegal street camping.?

“What you do is you, you identify the causes of homelessness, and all the causes of homelessness are also the causes of other crime that that bill is seeking to address, and homelessness is a part of that but that might also be battling with addiction, that might be systemic poverty. There are things to address that are not Band-Aid solutions, that is adding to our already overcrowded prison system.”?

Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson worked in the car business for nearly four decades and retired three and a half years ago. While he’s “brand new to politics,” he’s finding that resonates with voters he meets. Jefferson said he decided to run for office after getting “tired of throwing rolled up socks at the TV.”

Jefferson said he believes his career experience will translate to working with others in the General Assembly.?

“One thing you find out in sales is you have to compromise and you have to negotiate. Politics is the same way,” Jefferson said. “To accomplish anything, you’re going to have to understand what the other people want to try to accomplish, put forth what you want to try to accomplish and come up with a compromise that everybody gets some of what they want.”?

Among lawmakers, Jefferson said he would be most aligned with Liberty Caucus members including Reps. Savannah Maddox, Candy Massaroni and Matt Lockett. The Kentucky Liberty Caucus’ website defines Liberty politicians as ones who are “more critical of government debt spending, corporate handouts, the influence of money and lobbyists in politics, and intrusion upon the rights of individuals than the establishment.”

Jefferson has also signed a term limit commitment. The commitment did not specify how many terms he would seek, Jefferson said, but added he would be open to three terms, or six years.??

“I want to serve for a few terms and do what I can to help our Commonwealth, and then pass the baton on to somebody else that can go ahead and have some fresh ideas. Besides that, I think that’s what our founding fathers really expected. It was supposed to be an honor to serve, but also a burden at the same time, and so they never expected to have career politicians out there.”?

Jefferson said he supports Amendment 2 and would “forward the opportunity for school choice” if elected this November. However, he added that he, his wife and daughters attended public schools.?

“We appreciate the jobs that they (public school teachers) do, and they’re unsung heroes in a lot of ways, but the public school system is not always a good fit for every child, and I would love to to empower average middle-class citizens like myself that don’t have the opportunity because of finances, to give their child a different avenue towards learning and help them succeed in life,” Jefferson said.??

Additionally, Jefferson said he supports greater transparency in government and schools. He would like to publish synopses of bills online and get input from constituents on legislation. He also supports parents having greater access to know what curriculum and books are taught in schools.?

Jefferson is a co-lead usher of Southland Christian Church and regularly volunteers with a mentor program through the church for elementary school kids.?

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, left, and House Speaker David Osborne are among the Republicans who declined to answer the Right to Life candidate survey this year. They conferred during the State of the Commonwealth address in the House chambers on Jan. 3, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

FRANKFORT — The top two Republicans in the Kentucky General Assembly laid out the process to remove a lawmaker in response to questions about allegations of inappropriate behavior against Louisville Democratic Rep. Daniel Grossberg.?

Speaking to reporters in the Capitol Annex Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker David Osborne said indications of impropriety within the chamber are taken seriously. Meanwhile, Senate President Robert Stivers said he sees a bipartisan appetite to review the matter.?

In the months following this year’s legislative session, the Lexington Herald-Leader revealed allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women by the freshman lawmaker, including text messages. The newspaper recently reported Grossberg received a lifetime ban from a Louisville strip club after inappropriately touching a dancer and that he offered another dancer $5,000 to have sex with him.?

Grossberg has repeatedly denied the allegations and has said he plans to seek treatment “to reduce my impulsive behavior.”?

Osborne said that while an ethics investigation is ongoing, “we have taken steps to, at the request of the minority (caucus) and their leadership, to make some changes.” The Herald-Leader has previously reported Grossberg is the subject of two investigations by the Legislative Research Commission and the Legislative Ethics Commission.

“Certainly, we take any indication of impropriety or inappropriate behavior very, very seriously in this workplace, and will continue to do so,” the speaker said. “There is a process for removing a member from the body and expelling the member from the body. So that certainly will be, I’m sure, a possibility. To my knowledge, those conversations are not ongoing at this point.”?

Kentucky legislators are not subject to the typical impeachment process, but rather can be removed by a two-thirds vote of their chamber, under the state Constitution.?

Democrats have largely unified in shunning Grossberg following the reports. Leading Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, have called on Grossberg to resign. House Democrats voted to expel Grossberg from their caucus. He’s been booted from his interim committee assignments.?

However, Grossberg appears to have little resistance in getting another term. He faces no opponent in the November general election for the 30th House District after narrowly winning his primary election by 50 votes.?

Stivers said that he had previously told Osborne he sees “a bipartisan request to look into this.”?

“It appears to be that there is a bipartisan sentiment to do something if it is proven,” Stivers said. “And if that happens in that way, the Senate will support their decision, even though we will not be able to impact that decision.”?

The Senate Democratic Caucus leadership has also joined Democrats in calling on Grossberg to resign.

When asked if a special session of the legislature to remove Grossberg was a possibility, Osborne said he anticipated the matter would wait until lawmakers convene for the regular session in January.?

In Kentucky, the governor must call the legislature into a special session. The General Assembly sought an amendment to give it that power in 2022. Beshear opposed it. Stivers said that perhaps if the governor had supported the amendment, “we could have already dealt with it.”?

Grossberg’s attorney, Anna Whites, did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.?

Signs hoisted by the audience for an Amendment 2 debate at the Fancy Farm Picnic express conflicting views on the school funding amendment that Kentucky voters will decide in November, Aug. 3, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office sent a cease and desist notice to a public school district that took an online stance against a constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools.?

Augusta Independent Schools became the second public school district in the state to openly oppose Amendment 2 via Tuesday night posts on X and Facebook. The amendment has drawn ire from public school officials and Democrats who warn it would reduce dollars now allocated to public education.

The Ohio River school district said in its Facebook post that the amendment would “take public taxpayer dollars and give them to private schools, leaving our public schools with fewer resources.” Tuesday’s post was the first of the district’s “Be Informed Series,” which it said would continue twice a week until Election Day next month.?

“If you believe in strong, well-funded public schools for all students, vote NO on Amendment 2 this November 5th,” the post said. “Protect Kentucky’s Public Schools!”?

Christopher Thacker, general counsel for Coleman, wrote the Wednesday letter to Lisa McCane, the school district’s superintendent calling the anti-amendment posts “partisan political messages” and asked that they be removed.

“We certainly understand that individuals on both sides of the debate over Amendment 2 feel strongly about the issue,” Thacker wrote. “The Office of Attorney General also fully supports the First Amendment rights of all Kentuckians — including school officials — to express their views on this important ballot question. However, public officials may not commandeer public resources to promote their own partisan positions.

“Quite simply, messages that are appropriate for an individual social media account may not be permissible when posted on an official platform that purports to speak for the school district itself, rather than for any single individual or group of individuals.”?

McCane, the Augusta superintendent, was not immediately available for an interview Wednesday. The school district removed the posts Wednesday night and released a new statement online. The district said it intended to inform voters about how the amendment would affect public education and the amendment “would negatively impact the education and services we provide to our students in the Augusta Independent School District.”

Last month, Pulaski County Schools made similar posts on its social media accounts and websites but later removed them after backlash from Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.?

At the time, Coleman issued an advisory “to remind those entrusted with the administration of tax dollars appropriated for public education that those resources must not be used to advocate for or against” proposed Constitutional Amendment 2. Thacker cited that advisory and the school district’s policy on political activities in his letter to the Augusta superintendent.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who is also a former attorney general, questioned the original advisory and asked if it would have been issued in response to lawmakers using their official letterhead or social media accounts to campaign against the amendment.?

“If we are going to put out opinions like this, it has to be content neutral, and it has to apply to more than just a school district fighting for its funding,” the governor said.?

Speaking with reporters Wednesday at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Republican House Speaker David Osborne said Coleman has “been pretty clear that we don’t need to clarify” the law around schools issuing political messages.?

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers added that the law also applies to lawmakers. He said they have taken care to not use state resources to advocate for or against the amendment, but have said what the amendment’s language is.?

“That’s it. Not advocating for or against it using state dollars because state dollars shouldn’t be used for political advocacy,” Stivers said.?

At first, comments had been turned off on Augusta Independent’s posts, but were later turned on Wednesday afternoon.?

Augusta Independent had 294 students enrolled last school year, according to Kentucky Department of Education data. Located in Bracken County, the town is in Northern Kentucky.

This story was updated Thursday morning.?

Cease and desist letter to Augusta schools superintendent

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear walks onstage before speaking during the first night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear was named to the TIME100 Next list for 2024 following his reelection in a red state and consideration as a running mate by Vice President Kamala Harris put him in the national spotlight.?

The list curated by Time Magazine recognizes emerging leaders from around the world. Beshear was highlighted for “his convincing portrayal of post-partisan leadership” during his 2023 campaign, particularly speaking of unity in the state and citing the Bible’s story of the Good?Samaritan.

“The scion of Kentucky Democrats’ most formidable family, he has managed to lead his conservative state even as a Republican supermajority at the statehouse routinely sends him veto-destined legislation, delivering on big ideas like legalizing medical marijuana and expanding Medicaid to cover vision and dental care,” Time wrote. “And his commitment to reproductive rights has been as steady as his presence during a slate of floods and tornadoes, making the 46-year-old Beshear a winner of praise well beyond -Kentucky.”?

While Harris ultimately picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, Beshear has continued to act as a surrogate for her campaign, regularly appearing in national TV news. Beshear also addressed the Democratic National Convention last month where he renewed his message on overcoming political division and supporting reproductive freedom for a wider audience.?

“I’m honored to be included on the 2024 #Time100Next list with such phenomenal people,” Beshear said on his personal X account Wednesday morning. “This honor is a testament to the great work we’re doing in Kentucky and the rest of the world is noticing. Thank you, @TIME.”?

Others appearing on the list include CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins, pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and Olympian Ilona Maher.?

Voting is one of the duties and privileges of living in a democracy. You'll also get one of these stickers. The deadline to register to vote in Kentucky is Oct. 7. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky’s deadline to register to vote ahead of the November general election is Monday, Oct. 7.?

Voters in the Bluegrass State will consider a ballot that includes the presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, congressional races, a number of legislative races, two constitutional amendments and more. Some regional and local elections include a Supreme Court race in Central Kentucky and a Court of Appeals race in Western Kentucky.?

Registering can be completed online, via mail or by returning voter registration cards to your county clerk’s office. Registration ends at 4 p.m. local time on Monday.?

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Excused in-person voting is Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 28-30. No excuse in-person voting is Oct. 31-Nov. 2.?

Kentucky’s online absentee ballot request portal is open through Tuesday, Oct. 22.?

According to the State Board of Elections, the qualifications for voters to register in in Kentucky are:

• Be a U.S. citizen and a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before the election. Non-U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals do not qualify.
• Be at least 18 years old by the general election.?
• Cannot be a convicted felon. For some with an expungement, executive pardon or executive order, the right to vote may be restored.?
• Cannot have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law or have voting rights removed.
• Cannot claim the right to vote outside Kentucky.??

To complete a new or updated voter registration, request an absentee ballot or learn more information about voting in Kentucky, visit govote.ky.gov.?

Signs hoisted by the audience for an Amendment 2 debate at the Fancy Farm Picnic express conflicting views on the school funding amendment that Kentucky voters will decide in November, Aug. 3, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office has denied a Republican political strategist’s open records request and sided with Pulaski County Schools regarding communications about a proposed constitutional amendment that could affect school funding.

In the decision issued Friday, the attorney general’s office said the school district did not violate the state’s Open Records Act when it “denied the request as unreasonably burdensome” according to state law. Blake Gober, a GOP political strategist, had submitted a request for internal and external communications between school district board members and staff with references to “‘Education Opportunities Constitutional Amendment (Ballot Question 2)’; ‘Amendment 2’; ‘Question 2’; ‘Yes on 2’ or ‘No on 2.’”

A public agency may deny open records requests if producing the records would impose an unreasonable burden or if the records custodian “has reason to believe that repeated requests are intended to disrupt other essential functions of the public agency,” under Kentucky state law. However, the agency must provide evidence to demonstrate that.?

“The District explained that, as written, the request sought 18,473 emails from 2,123 District employees,” the open records decision said. “The District also stated that the requested records would need to be reviewed and redacted for exempt information before they could be produced. Finally, the District invited the Appellant to narrow the parameters of his request, stating it would work with him to fulfill such a subsequent request. This appeal followed.”?

TJ Roberts, an attorney representing Gober in the appeal, said the opinion “was a narrow ruling on the broad nature of the request.” Roberts said Gober plans to narrow his request. Roberts is a Republican candidate for the 66th House District in Northern Kentucky.?

Gober said in a Monday afternoon statement that while he was disappointed in the Attorney General’s office ruling, he was more disappointed by the school district. He said he would file a new request rather than seek an appeal in court to continue “seeking the answers the public deserves while seeking to alleviate the supposed ‘unreasonable burden’ that (the school district) claimed they were facing.”

“Their sole job is to educate but they have chosen to use their publicly funded resources to spread disinformation and lies about Amendment 2,” Gober said. “Rather than put students first, they have chosen to fight for the status quo that is failing so many students across our great Commonwealth.”

Last month, Republicans supporting Amendment 2 criticized Pulaski County Schools for posting messages on its websites and Facebook account advocating against the ballot measure. If it passes this November, the amendment gives the General Assembly the ability to fund nonpublic schools. The Attorney General’s office later published an advisory that warned school districts to not use tax dollars to advocate for or against a constitutional amendment.?

Amid the initial backlash, Pulaski County Schools said in a statement that school board members had received open records requests “for their private cell phone and devices for texts or emails discussing this issue.”?

Around that time, the Kentucky Lantern submitted an open records request to Pulaski County Schools for recent requests regarding Amendment 2. Gober’s request was disclosed in response, as well as a request from the Kentucky chapter of Americans for Prosperity for communications with specific search terms, including “Amendment 2,” and a defined timeframe.

The AFP requester told the Lantern the school district provided documents Monday. AFP is a libertarian conservative advocacy group that is campaigning for Amendment 2 in Kentucky.

Pulaski County Superintendent Patrick Richardson did not immediately return a request for comment Monday morning.

This story was updated with additional comments Monday afternoon.?

Corrie Shull, the chairman of the JCPS Board of Education, left, speaks as Superintendent Marty Pollio listens during a Kentucky House Education Committee meeting at the Capitol in Frankfort, March 5, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio plans to retire from his post effective next summer.?

Pollio, who has led Kentucky’s largest public school district since 2017, sent a letter to JCPS employees announcing his plans to retire Friday. In recent years, Pollio’s tenure at the school district has been beset by increasing oversight from Republican lawmakers in Frankfort and criticism over transportation issues.?

Pollio said the “journey has not been an easy one,” pointing to the coronavirus pandemic and severe staffing shortages, but added that he was “extremely proud that we made the decision to make the most substantial changes in the history of JCPS despite many challenges.” His retirement is effect July 1, 2025.?

“I am proud that I have served the last eight years in this position given the immense challenges that public school districts face,” Pollio wrote. “If it weren’t for the amazing students of this district, I would not have had the strength and motivation to persevere. I have truly given them my all. I also could not have done this without the support of all the incredible educators and employees in this district and the positive words and encouragement from so many of you. Although not perfect, we have an incredible school district where all of you give so much to meet the needs of ALL children in this community. We need to stand together with pride in that fact.”?

Some of the “major accomplishments” Pollio highlighted in his letter included focusing on “racial equity to improve student outcomes for our historically underserved population,” establishing a facilities plan that includes construction of 24 schools building over the next decade and “successfully navigating through numerous audits and pushing back on attacks from Frankfort since 2017.”?

Earlier this year, Republicans in Frankfort passed a resolution creating a task force to review the governance of JCPS. At the time, Pollio called it another “attack on JCPS” and warned against consolidating the school district.?

Pollio began his career in JCPS as a social studies teacher at Shawnee High School in 1997. His other roles have included principal of Jeffersontown High School and Doss High School. Pollio said he was making his announcement early to give ample time to select his successor. He added that he hopes to “continue positively influencing public education moving forward in Kentucky and even at the national level.”?

“Once again, it has been the honor of my professional career to serve as your superintendent,” Pollio wrote. “I have given every ounce of myself to this role as I know so many of you do daily. Although there have been challenges over my tenure, no one can ever question my passion, fight, and love for Jefferson County Public Schools.”?

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville. (LRC Public Information)

Leadership of the Kentucky Senate Democratic Caucus joined fellow party members in calling on Louisville Democrat Rep. Daniel Grossberg to resign amid allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women.?

The leaders said in a Wednesday statement that the Senate caucus “remains committed to the principles of respect, accountability, and justice in our efforts.”?

“As public officials, we must uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity. The recent allegations involving Rep. Daniel Grossberg are deeply troubling,” the statement said. “No one should be subject to harassment or intimidation in any setting. Given the seriousness of these accusations, we call on Rep. Grossberg to relinquish his seat immediately.”?

Last week, prominent Kentucky Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, called on the freshman representative to resign following a Lexington Herald-Leader report about Grossberg getting a lifetime ban from a Louisville strip club after inappropriately touching a dancer and offering another dancer $5,000 to have sex with him. The House Democratic Caucus permanently expelled Grossberg Friday.?

Meanwhile, through comments shared by his attorney, Grossberg vowed to stay in office and denied the allegations. He faces no opponent in the general election for the 30th House District, which includes central parts of Jefferson County. Earlier this summer, the House Democratic Caucus had temporarily suspended Grossberg and asked the Legislative Ethics Commission to investigate allegations that he sent inappropriate text messages to women earlier this summer.

Lexington attorney Erin Izzo, left, and Court of Appeals Judge Pamela Goodwine are running for Kentucky Supreme Court. (Photos provided)

Two women are vying in Central Kentucky for a seat on the state Supreme Court after the chief justice chose not to seek another term.

The candidates are Pamela Goodwine, deputy chief Kentucky Court of Appeals judge, and Erin Izzo, a partner at Lexington law firm Landrum and Shouse. While judicial elections are nonpartisan in Kentucky, political partisans are lining up on opposite sides of this race.?

Last year, Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter announced he would not be seeking reelection in the 5th Supreme Court district, which includes Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott and Woodford counties. He will be succeeded as chief justice in January by Deputy Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert, who was chosen Monday by her colleagues.?

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is backing Goodwine saying she would be “a really great Supreme Court justice.” According to campaign finance reports, Goodwine’s donors also? include former Democratic Govs. Steve Beshear and Paul Patton, as well as Democratic state lawmakers. A political organization created this week and organized by the current governor’s top campaign adviser is supporting Goodwine.?

Meanwhile, Izzo has received GOP support — an endorsement from the Clark County Republican Party and donations from local Republican groups in Fayette and Madison counties.

Goodwine told the Kentucky Lantern that “it is critical for impartiality to be demonstrated and upheld in the role of judge and justice.” Judges have a role to fairly interpret the law while also maintaining ethics and integrity, she added.

Judicial watchdog criticizes Beshear’s involvement in Kentucky Supreme Court election

“I have been a registered independent since I became a judge and I am known for continually displaying a strong work ethic along with honesty and integrity to ensure justice for all,” Goodwine said. “My strong reputation for upholding these values along with my 25 years of dedicated service as a judge has earned me respect from all parties. I have staunch supporters from all parties and welcome and accept invitations from all parties to participate in their events.”?

Izzo said she too has attempted to go before a mix of groups that lean left and right or are neutral. She added it “would be dangerous for Kentucky” to open up judicial races to more partisanship in the future.?

“I think as a candidate, there’s not much I can do with my supporters in terms of who’s going to give endorsements and who’s not,” Izzo said. “It doesn’t surprise me, honestly, that Beshear came out and endorsed her given her political leanings. And it doesn’t surprise me that the Clark County Republicans came out and endorsed me because of their political leanings.”

Because of ethics guidelines, Kentucky judicial candidates must avoid indicating their decision in a particular case. Both Goodwine and Izzo discussed their legal philosophies and qualifications with the Kentucky Lantern.?

Justices serve eight-year terms. Both candidates said they intend to serve their full term on the court if elected.?

Goodwine promises ‘dedication to the rule of law and justice for all’

Goodwine said that her 25 years of judicial experience have “given me the vast array of experiences and responsibilities needed to best serve all Kentuckians on the Kentucky Supreme Court.” Goodwine was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals for the 5th Appellate District in 2018. Before that she served on the benches of Fayette County Circuit and District courts.?

Being part of the state appeals court prepared Goodwine to join the Supreme Court, she said in written responses to the Kentucky Lantern, as she interpreted complex legal issues and crafted opinions while managing a high caseload.?

“Upon election to the Kentucky Supreme Court, I will be the first woman and only the fifth person in history to serve at all levels of the judiciary in Kentucky,” Goodwine said. “And I pledge to bring to our state’s highest court not only the legal expertise, work ethic, preparedness and passion for the law that I have built my reputation as a judge, but also a commitment to approaching each case with a dedication to the rule of law and justice for all.”?

After moving to Lexington from her hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, in 1979, Goodwine began working as a court reporter before attending the University of Kentucky the following year. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1991 and UK College of Law in 1994. Early in life, Goodwine overcame challenges like the deaths of her parents by the age of 19 and and a life-threatening illness. She said those moments taught her to use “challenges as a springboard to grow and thrive” and accomplish her goals.?

Goodwine, 64, said she knew she wanted to be a judge as a teenager and that was later reaffirmed after her mother’s murder.?

“From the courtroom to community outreach, I’ve witnessed the real impact legal decisions have on people’s lives and that fuels my commitment to serving on the Kentucky Supreme Court,” Goodwine said.???

Goodwine said the Kentucky Supreme Court is “the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution, laws and rulings,” and handles lower court appeals and focuses typically on cases with “significant legal or constitutional decisions” and renders rulings with binding legal precedents.?

As an arbitrator, Izzo says, she does ‘a lot of the same things that judges do’

Izzo said her litigation experience across Kentucky makes her qualified for the state’s highest court. For 19 years, she’s worked on litigation, arbitration and mediations. She compared arbitration to working as a judge and said her philosophy is to interpret the law as it is written.?

“As an arbitrator, we do a lot of the same things that judges do,” Izzo said. “We look at cases. We have attorneys come before us. I hear arguments. I make decisions. I hear evidence. I preside over trials. It’s there. It’s just different that it’s here in a conference room, as opposed to the courthouse.”

Izzo, 46, completed her undergraduate degree at Dartmouth in 2000 and graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2005. Before joining Landrum and Shouse in 2011, Izzo’s career experience includes being an attorney at Fulkerson, Kinkel and Marrs in Lexington, working as an assistant Fayette County attorney and being a judicial staff attorney for the Family Division of the 50th Judicial Circuit. Before law school, she worked as a paralegal at New York City firm Seward and Kissel.?

Describing herself as a “constitutionalist” and not “an activist arbitrator” when it comes to applying law, Izzo said she looks at the intent behind how laws were written. She added that “if there’s something there that might be better socially, or might (be) something that I disagree with, it’s not my place to change.”?

“I look at how things are, what the intention of the founding fathers were with our Constitution, and that kind of carries over to what legislative intent was when a law was adopted,” Izzo said. “Because I think if you really want to understand what the legislature intended with the law, you want to know how things were when it was adopted, what was in effect, what was going on at the time, and so that can have an impact on what a statute means outside of the Constitution.”

Izzo was born in Tennessee and raised in a Portland, Oregon, suburb until the age of 7when her family moved to Louisville.?

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. In-person no-excuse early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 31.?

Kentucky Supreme Court (front, from left) incoming Chief JuDebra Hembree Lambert, outgoing Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter, Michelle Keller. (Back row, from left) Christopher Shea Nickell, Kelly Thompson, Robert Conley, Angela McCormick Bisig. (AOC photo/Brian Bohannon)

State Supreme Court Deputy Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert will become the first woman to be Kentucky’s chief justice starting next year.?

Justices on the court selected Lambert to serve as the next chief justice on Monday. She will serve a four-year term starting Jan. 6, 2025, according to an announcement from the Administrative Office of the Courts.?

Lambert represents the 3rd Supreme Court District and was elected to the court in 2018. In a statement, she said she was “humbled and honored to have been elected by my colleagues” to serve as chief justice.?

“I know it is certainly no small task to lead the Judicial Branch of government,” Lambert said. “Our judges, clerks and administrative employees handle large dockets and special programs with great efficiency. While it may be notable that I will be the first woman to serve as chief justice in Kentucky, I am most proud to be a small-town kid from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky who has had a lot of support and encouragement along the way.”??

Lambert is a native of Bell County and now lives in Pulaski County with her husband, Joseph Sharpe. Lambert earned her degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Law. She previously was married to former Chief Justice Joseph Lambert, who left the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2008.

Last year, Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter announced he would not be seeking reelection in the 5th Supreme Court district.?

“Chief Justice-elect Lambert is a hard-working, dedicated and experienced member of the Kentucky Court of Justice, having served as Family Court Judge, Court of Appeals Judge and Justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court. Altogether, she has served as a judge or justice for more than 17 years,” VanMeter said. “I am confident that Chief Justice-elect Lambert will lead the Judicial Branch with integrity and ensure the efficient and fair administration of justice for this great commonwealth.”

Before joining the Supreme Court, Lambert was on the Kentucky Court of Appeals and was appointed as a family court circuit judge in the 28th Judicial Circuit by former Gov. Paul Patton in 1999. She practiced law in Mount Vernon as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney and city attorney.?

Lambert also leads the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and volunteers as a certified suicide prevention trainer.

Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, (LRC Public Information)

A three-judge Kentucky Court of Appeals panel denied a motion that sought to disqualify Louisville Rep. Nima Kulkarni from seeking election this fall.?

Kulkarni’s primary challenger, William Zeitz, and previous opponent, former Rep. Dennis Horlander, appealed a ruling out of Franklin County Circuit Court last week that allowed a vacancy in the 40th House District primary election to stand. Zeitz and Horlander plan to appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court.?

“Because the Kentucky Secretary of State, Michael Adams, appears to have correctly applied the law to the particular circumstances presented, we find no substantial question on the merits of this case, and we deny the pending motion,” the Court of Appeals said in a published order.?

Adams, a Republican, declared the vacancy after the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Kulkarni was disqualified from the May primary election because of problems in her filing papers. Adams invited the local political parties to nominate candidates for the general election. Democrats nominated Kulkarni and Republicans did not name a candidate.?

Kulkarni, by way of her attorney James Craig, said appreciated the appeals court “issuing a thorough and comprehensive opinion today.”?

“The two men who brought this challenge have lost repeatedly at the ballot box, and now their efforts to go around the election process have been denied,” Kulkarni said. “Those who were involved in going against the will of the people and hoping that a court would ignore the voters’ wishes — they also lost today. This was a win, not only for my constituents, but also for democracy.”

Steven Megerle, an attorney for Zeitz and Horlander, said “Kulkarni has not yet stolen this election” and that they would filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to determine when a vacancy occurs. Megerle reiterated that Zeitz was a bona fide candidate for the primary.?

“This case always appeared to be bound back to the state Supreme Court due to the quirky and peculiar posture that it’s had,” Megerle said.

Before issuing its denial, the Court of Appeals requested the Supreme Court review the appeal, but the high court denied the transfer. Judges Sara Walter Combs, Kelly Mark Easton and Jeff Taylor were on the appeals court panel.?

Zeitz and Horlander filed a lawsuit against election officials after Hornlander challenged the validity of Kulkarni’s nomination papers, as one of the two signatories was not a registered Democrat, as required by state law, at the time of signing.

Kulkarni defeated Horlander in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries for the 40th House District. In an unofficial vote count, Kulkarni received 78% of ballots cast in the May primary election. Zeitz received the remaining 22%.

The Court of Appeals said that the question around Kulkarni’s eligibility to be nominated would have been different had the Supreme Court not allowed votes to be cast for her before disqualification.

“Zeitz was not entitled to be declared the winner of an election that did not count and which he lost by a four-to-one margin,” the appeals court said. “Zeitz was not unopposed before the primary votes were cast.”?

The deadline to print ballots for the general election was Sept. 16, and they have been, according to Adams’ office.

“While our Office has stayed neutral in this dispute, we are pleased that the Court did not sow chaos in the election by undoing our work,” Adams said in a statement. “For the past four years, Kentucky has been nationally recognized for our accessible, secure and smooth elections, and we will keep it that way.”

This story has been updated with additional comments Friday afternoon.?

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville. (LRC Public Information)

Prominent Kentucky Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear and House Democratic Caucus members, are calling for the resignation of Louisville Democratic Rep. Daniel Grossberg following new allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women. The caucus also voted to permanently expel Grossberg.??

Grossberg issued a statement late Friday afternoon saying he was seeking treatment “to reduce my impulsive behavior.” WHAS radio host Terry Meiners shared the statement from Grossberg. ?It said?the representative is “in treatment to help reduce my impulsive behavior going forward — and I will keep my head down and continue working to serve my constituents.”

Beshear addressed reporters at the Capitol Friday following a morning report from the Lexington Herald-Leader saying Grossberg received a lifetime ban from a Louisville strip club after inappropriately touching a dancer. The story also alleges Grossberg offered another dancer $5,000 to have sex with him.?

“I want to once again state clearly and unequivocally that Rep. Grossberg should resign,” Beshear said. “He should resign.”?

Beshear added that he and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman “stand united together” in believing that calling for Grossberg’s resignation “is the right thing to do.

“And I hope he hears it, and I hope he follows it,” Beshear said.?

Coleman said in her statement “enough is enough.”

“Women and girls in Kentucky deserve better and so do Rep. Grossberg’s constituents,” Coleman said. “He has had ample opportunity to do the right thing by stepping aside, and if I were him, I’d take it sooner rather than later.”

Grossberg’s attorney, Anna Whites, told the Kentucky Lantern Friday morning that Grossberg plans to continue in office and denied the allegations in the latest Herald-Leader report.?

As the governor’s press conference ended, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Colmon Elridge released a statement calling Grossberg “unfit to serve” in office.?

“Every individual deserves to be held accountable for their own actions — particularly those who represent Kentuckians in the halls of our Capitol,” Eldrige said. “Representative Grossberg has repeatedly proven that he is unfit to serve and must resign from office.”

The House Democratic Caucus met Friday morning and “voiced strong support for the victims,” said leaders Reps. Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts in a joint statement. Caucus members “are calling on Representative Grossberg to resign immediately,” they said.

“Our caucus does not believe Rep. Grossberg should hold office as he responds to these appalling matters,” caucus leaders said. “It has become abundantly clear to us that he cannot and should not represent his constituents and our commonwealth any longer.”

The caucus leaders sent an additional statement hours later that said caucus members “voted to expel him permanently as a caucus member.” Grossberg was notified of the change, they added.

The latest revelations follow the House Democratic Caucus temporarily suspending Grossberg after asking the Legislative Ethics Commission to investigate allegations that he sent inappropriate text messages to women earlier this summer. Grossberg has also been asked to “temporarily refrain from participating” in Louisville Democratic Party events and removed from his interim committee assignments.?

Three women anonymously quoted in an August Herald-Leader story about their interactions with Grossberg recently went public and identified themselves. They are Lexington Fayette Urban County Council candidate Emma Curtis, Kentucky Young Democrats President Allison Wiseman?and former Democratic House candidate Sarah Ritter.?

Grossberg represents the 30th House District, which includes central parts of Jefferson County.?

Beshear said last month that Grossberg should seriously consider if “a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time.”?

Friday morning, other elected officials, including Democratic U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville, state Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, and Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, called for Grossberg’s resignation Friday morning. Chair of the Louisville Democratic Party Logan Gatti also called on the representative to resign.?

Previously, the executive board of Kentucky Young Democrats called on Grossberg to resign after reviewing evidence it had seen at the time and “the experiences of multiple board members.” Louisville Young Democrats and Fayette County Young Democrats have also called on Grossberg to resign.??

Grossberg, who is in his first term in the House, narrowly won his primary election by 50 votes. He does not face a Republican challenger in the upcoming general election.?

Whites said Grossberg plans to continue serving his constituents. In August, Whites told the Herald-Leader that Grossberg has a “neurodivergent diagnosis,” placing him on the autism spectrum, which means his brain processes information differently.

“He’s spent the past several weeks in Frankfort and in his district, working hard to do the job he was elected to do,” Whites said. “We do not intend to attack or disparage witnesses in the paper, but definitely look forward to both the ethics process and any other means of correcting what we see as inaccuracies or false statements in some of the Herald-Leader reporting.”

The Herald-Leader said in a Friday afternoon story that it stands by its reporting. Executive Editor Richard Green said reporters “conducted dozens of interviews, reviewed more than 150 texts and social media messages” to vet its stories.

Grossberg has sought to dismiss an ethics complaint filed by House Democratic leadership against him. Whites said throughout this, Grossberg maintains that the disputes alleged in the complaint could have been resolved “if House Democratic leadership had maintained and retained the harassment reporting policy” it had a few years ago.? Whites said the policy was “known to everybody” so that concerns could be immediately reported and mediated with a confidential third party.

“We want anyone who has a concern or a complaint, particularly if they’re a member of the public, but also if they’re a political peer, like Emma or Allison or anyone else, we want them to have that avenue known to them, that they can use in the moment. Most of these claims are a year or two old,” Whites said. “Those should have been addressed quickly and easily in real time. And if the House had had appropriate, impartial, nonpartisan procedures we wouldn’t see it playing out now, shortly before an election, which looks a little gamesmanship-y.”

Brian Wilkerson, a spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus, told the Lantern that White’s reference to the reporting policy was “another blatant yet weak attempt by Anna Whites to somehow shift the blame for her client’s reported egregious behavior to someone or something other than her client.” He said the caucus follows Legislative Research Commission policies which are “both strict and clear and provide needed protections for those they cover, which includes partisan and non-partisan employees, as well as third parties in their interactions within LRC.” Legislators and staff are required to review the policies against workplace harassment annually.

Wilkerson added that the caucus has previously sponsored successful legislation “that would have enshrined in law that anyone with ties to the legislature, including lobbyists, would have an official avenue to make complaints and have them handled appropriately.”

‘Nobody should face harassment‘

In response to reporters’ questions Friday morning, Beshear condemned Grossberg’s alleged conduct as “wrong” and reiterated that Grossberg “can’t be a state representative.” The governor added that “nobody should face harassment” in their place of work, in the Kentucky Capitol and across the commonwealth.?

“I want my daughter to grow up in a world free from harassment, I want my son to grow up in a world free from harassment and these allegations and the alleged conduct — it crossed the line in the first story, it crossed the line in this story. It’s too much,” Beshear said. “(Grossberg) needs to resign.”?

When asked if he had heard personally from women who had accused Grossberg of misconduct, Beshear said he wanted to “preserve the confidentiality of any of those conversations that someone had with me.”?

The governor said he knows some of the individuals who have made accusations against Grossberg and “I hate that they’ve gone through what they’ve gone through.”?

“I hope that people see or hear today that we will listen, that they will be believed, and that no one should use a position of authority to make anyone else feel unsafe or harassed,” the governor said. “Now, it’s important that in a world where we still see far too much conduct that’s just totally unacceptable for people to know that if they choose to speak out, they’ll be heard.”?

As for calls to change the Legislative Ethics Code to prevent a lawmaker from engaging in conduct like the incidents Grossberg has been accused of, Beshear said a stronger code is needed as well as stronger enforcement of it.?

The House or Senate may removed a state lawmaker with a two-thirds vote of the chamber, according to the Kentucky Constitution.

This story has been updated with additional comments Friday afternoon.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has won the endorsement of a Teamsters local that represents union members in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Union workers from Kentucky and Southern Indiana announced Thursday they were endorsing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.?

The announcement from the Teamsters Local 89 Executive Board comes a day after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a candidate for president. The Teamsters Local 89 executive board said their unanimous decision to endorse Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, was “based solely on their support for union related issues.”?

“In these trying and charged political times, it is crucial that all union members look beyond the issues that divide us and instead look to the issues that matter to every working person in America like ensuring your family has food on the table and a roof over their heads,” the union leaders said. “To do that, we must support candidates who we know will support Labor over Corporations and working people over CEOs.”?

Teamsters Local 89 members participated in a straw poll over the summer and “Local 89 members voted overwhelmingly” against former Republican President Donald Trump in the poll, the executive board said.?

“As leaders of Local 89, it is paramount that we are open and honest with our membership, even when what needs to be said may not be well received by some,” the union’s announcement said. “We respect that some of our members choose to personally support former President Trump, but it is our duty to inform all Local 89 Teamsters that when it comes to what candidates will support Organized Labor and the values we stand for, Harris-Walz is the clear choice by far.”?

Some saw the decision by the national union to not endorse Harris or Trump as a loss for the Democratic nominee. The union, which is the largest in the country, has endorsed Democratic presidential candidates since 2000, including President Joe Biden. According to an electronic poll released by the union on Wednesday, members preferred Trump over Harris 59.6% to 34%.

Teamsters Local 89 represents about 20,000 workers in industries such as trucking, shipping and logistics, warehousing, gaming, grocery and more. The Thursday endorsement is one of several local union endorsements Harris has received since the national union announcement. Teamsters in battleground states like Nevada, Michigan and Wisconsin have pledged their support to her campaign.?

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear walks onstage to address the Democratic National Convention on its opening night, August 19, 2024, in Chicago. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear will be the keynote speaker at an annual West Virginia Democratic Party dinner later this month.?

Beshear, a two-term governor in a red state, will speak at the party’s Roosevelt Kennedy Dinner at the Charleston Civic Center on Sept. 27.?

West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin called Beshear “a champion for working families and a proven leader in our region” in a press release Wednesday afternoon. Pushkin predicted the governor’s remarks would be inspiring to West Virgnia Democrats ahead of November elections.?

Pushkin said Beshear’s success in a red state “proves that a Democrat with strong values and a commitment to making government work for everyone can win even in the toughest political environments.”?

Over the summer, Beshear traveled to political events while he was under consideration as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, though she ultimately picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Beshear spoke to Iowa Democrats during a party dinner and addressed Kentucky Democrats during its Forward Together Dinner in Louisville. The governor also gave remarks during the Democratic National Convention in August.?

Like Kentucky Democrats, West Virginia Democrats hold a superminority in the legislature. In its release, the West Virginia Democratic Party said Beshear’s “insights will be invaluable as West Virginia Democrats gear up for crucial races in the November elections.”?

However, Democrats in the Mountain State do not currently hold the Governor’s Mansion. West Virginia Republican Gov. Jim Justice is term limited and is seeking the U.S. Senate seat opened up by Democrat Joe Manchin’s decision not to run for reelection. His opponent, Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliot, and gubernatorial candidate Huntington Mayor Steve Williams will also speak during the dinner.?

UK President Eli Capilouto, left, shakes hands with Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, ahead of an interim education committee meeting. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT — Five of Kentucky’s university presidents told state lawmakers that their campuses are focused on inclusivity for all students as an interim committee sought information about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education.

The discussion, which lasted a couple of hours, in front of the Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday comes amid Republican hostility to DEI efforts and threats to eliminate them in higher education, both in Kentucky and across the nation.

Before the meeting, Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, shared on X, formerly Twitter, that he and other lawmakers, including Rep. Candy Massaroni, R-Bardstown, planned to file a bill during the 2025 legislative session that would eliminate a requirement for public universities and colleges to submit diversity plans to the Council on Postsecondary Education and remove penalties for not meeting CPE standards.?

“While Representative Jennifer Decker continues to lead the charge to fully end DEI initiatives in Kentucky’s post-secondary institutions, we aim to refocus colleges on education — not division or exclusionary practices,” Calloway said.?

Decker, R-Waddy, was the sponsor of the House’s answer to DEI in higher education last session. That bill would have eliminated DEI programs in higher education. Meanwhile, a Senate bill proposed a legal path for employees and students to sue universities on the grounds they were discriminated against for rejecting “divisive concepts.” Neither piece of legislation passed.?

Committee co-chairs, Republicans Sen. Stephen West and Rep. James Tipton, “felt it was appropriate to get all the information out on the table” regarding DEI at public universities heading into the next session, West said at the start of the meeting.?

Some of Kentucky’s public universities have already begun looking at their diversity policies in the interim. In recent weeks, the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University announced they were closing their diversity offices. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System said last week it plans to review its programs and resources.?

Campuses represented Tuesday were UK, the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University. Presidents of NKU and Morehead State University previously addressed the education committee about DEI programs on those campuses. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles recently told the Kentucky Lantern he would make a similar presentation in November.?

UK President Eli Capilouto said he hears concerns about DEI in questions regarding how it represents everyone. He said the purpose of the meeting was to “to find a common approach to a common concern,” and that was “how we support everyone, regardless of where they are from, what they think, who they are.”?

While UK eliminated its diversity office, no jobs were eliminated, Capilouto said. He added that the university was recommitting itself to refrain from statements “that appear political or partisan” and protecting academic freedom.?

“??Spaces for learning must be free for the exchange of ideas, and discovery should take our scholars and students wherever their curiosity and questions lead, because that’s the only way we’re going to solve the thorniest of problems,” Capilouto said. “And we should welcome discomfort in hearing ideas. But we can’t tolerate indoctrination, intimidation or disrespect. The lectern serves learning, and is not a pulpit for proselytizing.”?

Kim Schatzel, who became president of UofL in early 2023, told lawmakers? her institution “will support all our students and all needs of all.” Last year, UofL changed the name of its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Office of Institutional Equity.?

“‘Equity’ means no preference, no bias, no discrimination,” Schatzel said before she listed the various identities that make up UofL’s student body —?Black, brown, white, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, refugees, first generation students, gay, straight, disabled, veterans and more.?

Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, referenced pro-Palestine protests at UofL and on other campuses that she said made Jewish students feel unsafe based on religion. She said she appreciated Schatzel’s efforts “to make that right.”

“Our Constitution talks about equality,” Tichenor said. “I don’t love that word, equity. Because it assumes that there’s an overall that everybody can have or comes in, you know, it leaves the same way. That’s just impossible. We’re all different people. So I guess my question to you would be, why would you choose … the Office of Institutional Equity, as opposed to the Office of Institutional Equality, because that truly is more of our founding in the United States of America, that we’re all created equal.”

WKU President Timothy Caboni said the university defines diversity through a combination of identities, such as geographical background, age, socioeconomic status, political views, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and more. The university launched its OneWKU campaign in 2020, which is “cultivating a sense of belonging” for all who are on campus.?

David McFaddin, president of EKU, said his university does not have a diversity office but remains committed to welcoming all. Bob Jackson, Murray State’s president and a former state lawmaker, said universities have a responsibility to advance the future workforce and highlighted academic programs at the university.?

“I say all of these things because our workforce and economic development needs and issues are vitally important for all students all across Kentucky, no matter gender, race, income status or otherwise,” Jackson said. “And that’s who we are. I’m proud of who we are.”?

Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, spoke during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation, July 18, 2023. (LRC Public Information)

Sen. Johnnie Turner, a Republican from Harlan, has been hospitalized following an accident involving a riding lawn mower Sunday afternoon.?

In a statement Monday morning, Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said Turner was “in critical but stable condition” and had been admitted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.?

“I’ve been in touch with Johnnie’s family, who are with him at the hospital,” Stivers said. “The family requests prayers for a speedy recovery.”?

Turner has been serving in the Senate since 2021. He represents Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties. He previously had a stint in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2022. He is 76 years old.?

According to multiple media reports, Turner drove a lawn mower into the deep end of an empty swimming pool.?

The League of Woman Voters has a policy against sponsoring one-sided events. Unless all candidates agree to participate, there's no forum. (Getty Images)

The League of Women Voters has a history of organizing debates and forums from elections for U.S. president to Kentucky governor to local school boards. But this year Republicans in Kentucky’s largest city are not accepting a local chapter’s invitations to appear on stage with their opponents.

Some of the candidates aren’t replying to inquiries at all, while others have refused and said they think the League is partisan, according to LWV Louisville leaders.?

The League says that out of contested races for 10 state House seats, two state Senate seats and seven spots on Louisville Metro Council, only one Republican —?Sara-Elizabeth Cottrell in the 41st House District —?has agreed to a candidate forum. Cottrell will appear alongside former Democratic state Rep. Mary Lou Marzian in an Oct. 7 forum.?

Because of a LWV policy to avoid a one-sided event, both candidates must agree to participate in order for a forum to be scheduled.?

Dee Pregliasco, former president of the Louisville LWV, said one candidate accused her personally of partisanship because of a letter to the editor that she had penned. She said the letter had nothing to do with the LWV.

“My bottom line to these people is if you want people to accept your view of government, your view of the community, your view of what needs to be done, then you need to engage them,” Pregliasco said.

Democratic candidates are “willing to do it” when contacted about forums, Pregliasco said.?

Gail Henson, a co-president of the Louisville chapter, said some Republican candidates responded by saying they prefer to meet constituents one-on-one or that they are busy when a specific date had not yet been offered.?

Henson read a response to the Kentucky Lantern from one Republican representative, but did not identify them.?

“I do not consider the League of Women voters to be nonpartisan,” the candidate said. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I am not inclined to participate in your event.”?

The local chapter is part of a national nonpartisan public policy organization founded amid the women’s suffrage movement. The statewide chapter is a regular advocate in Frankfort for government transparency and civic engagement.?

Ahead of the 2024 legislative session, LWV released a report that found the General Assembly has increasingly fast-tracked bills in a manner that makes citizen participation nearly impossible. That report came up in a floor debate over changing rules in the House to loosen leadership’s control.?

Henson said two candidates declined to participate because of the LWV’s stance against Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment on November’s ballot that if approved would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools with tax dollars. Henson said that the League takes positions only if they align with the organization’s national guidelines. LWV does not endorse candidates for elected office but under its guidelines may take positions on ballot issues.

Opportunity to stand before voters and compare policies

Cottrell, the GOP candidate in the 41st House District race, said she was looking forward to her forum. She added that while the district is “very heavily Democratic,” she wanted to offer an opposing viewpoint for voters. Cottrell said she had not been directed to decline participating in the forum by a lawmaker or the Republican Party.?

“I’m excited about it,” Cottrell said. “I welcome the opportunity to stand in front of voters and people who are interested in the district and compare policies between two candidates.”?

Cottrell said she understands why some candidates may choose to not participate in a forum or a survey because of how questions are worded. But she said has?attended previous events hosted by the LWV and did not “expect there to be any bias.” She did say she has pushed back at some of the League’s stances, including its position on Amendment 2.?

“Democrats are people and Republicans are people. We have different priorities, and that causes us to take different stances,” Cottrell said. She said “we need to push back on this sense that because we’re so emotionally charged about one issue or another, that it has to turn to some sort of battle.”?

Pregliasco said the League has encountered difficulties getting candidates to agree to forums the last couple of election cycles. A trend she sees is that once candidates become incumbents, they do not feel they need to participate in forums. However, the winners of any election —?whether Metro Council or seats in the General Assembly —?represent everyone in that district, she said..?

“So in that sense, our strong feeling is you have an obligation to be out there and letting the public see you against whomever wants to take your job away from you,” Pregliasco said. “There needs to be some comparison.”

In Lexington last year, the local League sponsored a televised gubernatorial debate between Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and former Republican Attorney General Danield Cameron only to be refused by GOP candidates for lower offices.

Study: Kentuckians increasingly excluded from lawmaking process by fast-track maneuvers

The Lexington LWV published an opinion piece in the Lexington Herald-Leader last October addressing the lack of participation from local GOP candidates for its forums.

“We firmly believe that the success of our democracy relies on an informed electorate,” Lexington LWV said at the time. “Therefore, we urge candidates running for office in future elections to participate in our community forums for the benefit of voters.”

Jonathan Levin, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Democratic Party, said in a statement that Republicans aren’t participating in the forums because they do not want “to talk about their record because they know it’s indefensible” citing policies “from removing a worker’s right to overtime pay to attacking basic reproductive freedoms.”?

“Voters deserve to know where their representatives in Frankfort stand on the issues that matter most,” Levin said. “One out of 19 Republicans being willing to talk directly to voters about their positions is sad but not much of a surprise.”?

Andy Westberry, a spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, told the Lantern that he “can’t speak to any specific individual’s schedule or whether or not they had prior commitments or scheduling conflicts on the proposed dates and times for the forums.” He also said that “Democrats frequently decline to participate in legislative forums, so I don’t think this is particularly newsworthy or unusual.”?

“The most critical aspect of running a successful campaign is knocking on doors and engaging directly with voters in the district,” Westberry said. “Regardless of party affiliation, that should be a candidate’s top priority.”?

Decline in civic participation

Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky, said that Republicans’ suspicion of the League “is just one symptom of what’s happened as American politics has become more polarized, especially by gender and social class.”?

In the past, local chapters had members who were usually “upper status women,” both Republicans and Democrats, Voss said. But by taking positions on various issues, particularly in Kentucky politics, “there’s no doubt that they’re a progressive organization.” In addition to opposing this year’s Amendment 2, the Kentucky LWV previously opposed an anti-abortion ballot measure in 2022.

In the past, candidates were “seen as basically obligated to appear” in front of LWV chapters and other neutral organizations, Voss said. However, as Republican voters grow suspicious of such organizations, GOP politicians refusing to speak with them “resonates with voters.”?

“Being progressive politically, and therefore opposing conservative issue positions isn’t necessarily the same as being ‘partisan,’ but for a Republican to doubt they’d get a fair shake in front of an organization that’s already on record taking positions at odds with their party’s positions on a whole range of issues seems like a pretty legitimate excuse to give.”?

Participation in civic events in general is on the decline, Voss noted.?

“If you live in a city and you go to a series of political events, it’s dominated by the same set of retirees,” Voss said. “These events are rarely an effective way to broaden your exposure to the voters.”?

Pregliasco said the best times to host candidate forums are from Labor Day to the third week of October, as excused in-person early voting begins Oct. 23. She said the League would “be glad” to hear from the candidates it hasn’t gotten a response from yet as there is time left to schedule forums.?

The Louisville LVW has scheduled some forums in nonpartisan races — three Jefferson County Public School board districts and a family court judicial election.?

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is made up of 16 colleges across Kentucky. Its headquarters, above, is in Versailles. (KCTCS photo)

Under scrutiny from Republican lawmakers pushing to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, Kentucky’s two-year college system on Friday announced it is launching an internal review.?

The goal is “to make sure that our offices and titles correctly reflect our mission of student success for all students,” said Ryan Quarles, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

In an interview with the Kentucky Lantern, Quarles, a former state lawmaker and two-term agriculture commissioner who became the system’s president this year, emphasized the diverse student population served by KCTCS which touts itself as “the most diverse institution in the state.”

“As KCTCS president, I want to assure our lawmakers and taxpayers and policymakers that we have an environment at our community colleges that is open to anyone and we welcome Kentuckians of all backgrounds and that when we offer support and services and programs that they’re open for every single student,” Quarles told the Lantern.

The review comes as two Kentucky public universities — the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University — have closed their diversity offices amid pressure from Republican lawmakers. Two bills targeting DEI in higher education failed to pass the GOP-controlled General Assembly earlier this year, but the anti-DEI efforts are expected to be renewed when the legislature convenes in January.?

In an announcement released Friday afternoon, KCTCS said its review will begin in coming weeks with the goal of ensuring “all programs, offices and goals align with our commitment to success for all students.”?

KCTCS has 16 colleges across the state and serves more than 100,000 students. According to its website, the system has Diversity Peer Team contacts at individual campuses.?

Quarles said KCTCS delivers education not only on its campuses but also in prisons and addiction recovery centers. He added that more than half of GEDs awarded in Kentucky are awarded through KCTCS.? “When we talk about diversity, sometimes people tend to focus on race, but at KCTCS, we truly are an open access college for all Kentuckians,” he said.

When asked if he thought it was appropriate for the General Assembly to take action on DEI in higher education, Quarles said he would defer to current lawmakers on that.?

Ryan Quarles named president of Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Next week, the Interim Joint Committee on Education will hear from five university presidents on DEI programs within their institutions. Morehead State University and Northern Kentucky University have already made their presentations. Quarles said he is scheduled for a November presentation.?

Quarles said a goal of the review is to ensure consistency across KCTCS and to provide a better awareness of resources available to all students.?

“That means that all of our programs are inclusive, meaning that no programs exclude people,” Quarles said. “And we also want to make sure that our faculty and staff, who work really hard every day to get students across the finish line, that their titles and offices reflect the fact that they support all students.”

“The students that we serve at our community colleges sometimes need a little extra help, including wraparound services such as mental health support, child care, etc.,” Quarles said. “This is going to give us an opportunity to perhaps uncover some best practices to help all students achieve their college dream.”?

The Efficient and Effective School Governance Task Force heard from a couple dozen community members at Louisville Male High School. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE — More Louisville residents expressed skepticism about a legislative task force’s intentions amid fears of dismantling Jefferson County Public Schools Tuesday evening.?

While addressing the Efficient and Effective School Governance Task Force, students, teachers, parents and more called for different solutions, like allocating more adequate funding for public schools, giving students incentives to become educators themselves and creating better access to school resources, like transportation.?

Melissa Nelson, manager of education for Metro United Way, said that residents repeatedly said they opposed breaking up the school district out of skepticism. She referred to another speaker’s comments about taking the committee at its word that it wants to help the school district and added “I really hope that’s true.”?

Nelson pointed out some positives she sees in JCPS, such as mental health resources and cultural groups to give students a sense of belonging within their schools.?

“My biggest drawback with JCPS is they don’t work well with others, and I think that is because they are constantly under threat,” she said.?

The task force, which includes government and citizen members, met at Louisville Male High School on Tuesday. About a couple dozen speakers addressed the group within an hour. It was the second of two meetings held to get community feedback in Louisville area schools. The task force typically meets in Frankfort at the Capitol Annex.?

During the last meeting, co-chairs of the task force said deciding to split the district, which serves almost 97,000 students, was not under its purview. Some Republicans have said in the past that “the district is too big to properly manage.”?

One task force member, Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, of Louisville, told reporters after the meeting that while he did hear skepticism about the panel, he also heard several speakers invite the task force to help JCPS. Neal also said that whatever decision is made in the future about the school district won’t be at the hands of the committee, but the entire General Assembly, which is mostly made up of lawmakers who do not have a connection to Louisville and JCPS.?

“I’m hopeful that the legislature will come together and do the right thing,” Neal said.?

Co-chair Sen. Michael Names, R-Shepherdsville, told reporters that he did hear some new points to consider during the meeting, such as making changes around disciplining students with behavioral issues. Nemes said he wished the task force could have more community meetings to hear more feedback as much was focused on the question of splitting up the district.? “I want to hear: What we can do to help, what the Jefferson County Public Schools need, what do the students need, what can be done better? That’s what we want,” Nemes said. “What can we do better? What can we help them with?”

The task force, which was created by a House resolution, must make any recommendations by Dec. 1 in a report to the Legislative Research Commission. The resolution also directs the task force to only review the governance of Kentucky school districts with more than 75,000 students. JCPS is the only district that meets that criteria.

The group’s next meeting will be in Frankfort on Monday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m.?

Gov. Andy Beshear. attended a July fundraiser for Democrat Kate Farrow, who is running to unseat Republican Ken Fleming from the Kentucky House. The event was held at at Rockdale, an 18th century restored cabin owned by Don Wenzel and Ron Darnell in eastern Jefferson County. (Photo by Beth Thorpe)

LOUISVILLE — Democrats backed by Gov. Andy Beshear are vying to unseat two Louisville Republicans in the Kentucky House this fall.?

The challengers — union leader John Stovall and education advocate Kate Farrow — are hoping to turn Kentucky’s 37th and 48th House Districts blue. The seats are currently held by Republican Reps. Emily Callaway and Ken Fleming.

According to the latest available campaign finance reports, Stovall has outraised Callaway by nearly $20,000 in the 37th district contest. Fleming raised more than $30,000 over Farrow in the 48th.?

?The 37th House District includes parts of Bullitt and Jefferson counties. The 48th House District includes parts of Jefferson and Oldham counties.?

Beshear won Jefferson County in 2023 with about 70% of the vote while Republican candidate for governor Daniel Cameron carried Bullitt and Oldham counties.

The races could be a test of whether Beshear’s popularity will help his party make inroads against the legislature’s Republican supermajority. The two-term governor predicted Democrats “are going to pick up seats in our state legislature” during the party’s Forward Together Dinner in Louisville earlier this year.?

Fleming and Callaway declined the Lantern’s requests for interviews through a Republican Party of Kentucky spokesperson. Both Stovall and Farrow spoke to reporters following a recent Kentucky Democratic Party press conference on labor issues.?

37th District

Stovall is president of Teamsters Local 783. He previously worked for the Jefferson County Board of Education for nearly three decades until joining the Teamsters and representing JCPS employees. He said he decided to run for office after he told fellow union members to get involved in politics themselves.?

“I just thought I’d be a phony if I didn’t live up to what I had asked them to do,” Stovall said.?

His top priorities if elected include creating and protecting jobs, along with securing pensions and health care.?

As for what he’s seen from the Kentucky legislature, Stovall expressed concern over GOP-backed labor bills that ultimately failed during the 2023 session, including one that would have removed requirements for employees to have a “reasonable” amount of time for lunch or rest breaks. To push back on such policies in the future, Stovall said Democrats should “be more aggressive” and speak about those issues with voters.

He criticized other laws enacted by the Republican-controlled legislature. “Now they’re telling you what books you can read. Well, that’s not? freedom. Now, they’re telling you what a woman can and cannot do with her own body,” Stovall said. “That’s not freedom, and they’re wanting to get involved in stuff that they have no business being involved in.”?

Callaway’s website highlights her co-sponsorship of an omnibus crime bill during the last legislative session, House Bill 5. Her website also says she supports eliminating the state income tax, giving parents “more freedom and choices in education,” “is pro-life” and supports the Second Amendment.?

Callaway voted in favor of putting Amendment 2on the ballot this fall that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools. ItShe also carried some successful legislation in 2024, including? requiring? local school boards adopt a transportation services policy that includes student behavior rules and another that allows school districts to use passenger vehicles, such as vans, to transport kids to and from school as well as other approved school activities.?

Callaway, who is serving her first term,? introduced a bill dubbed the “Prenatal Equal Protection Act,” which would have criminalized “knowingly and voluntarily causing the death of a preborn child.” That bill was never assigned a committee in the House.?

48th District

Farrow became an outspoken education advocate after narrowly losing a race for Oldham County Board of Education in 2022. She said she ran for that office to further support one of her children, who has dyslexia and ADHD. She came in second, “but I realized I wasn’t done.”?

“I advocated for him, and then looked up and realized there was a lot of kids that needed advocacy too,” she said.?

Farrow said she met with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support a literacy bill during the 2023 legislative session, Senate Bill 156. Introduced by GOP senators and signed into law by Beshear, it established a statewide reading research center.?

Farrow said when meeting with voters in her district, the top issues she hears about are repealing Kentucky’s abortion ban and investing in public education, particularly in transportation.?

“I think we need to do better at investing in education and making sure it gets all the way down to the front line,” she said.?

In response to suggestions by some Louisville lawmakers that the state’s largest school district should be divided, Farrow said “busting up JCPS” would increase? overhead expenses since multiple superintendents and school administrations would be created in the county. She also said the move could “unfairly burden” property owners in the West End of Louisville versus the East End when it comes to paying taxes for new school districts.?

“As a business person, I really want to dive into root cause analysis and really efficiently spending our dollars,” Farrow said.?

Before retiring, Farrow worked at the Louisville Water Company, starting as a laborer and finishing as operations manager.

Farrow said she would be open to working across the aisle to try to get some policies passed and develop relationships regardless of party, adding that she is aware she would be “in the superminority in a supermajority situation.” Heading into November, Democrats have 20 seats in the 100-member House.?

“I think there’s more that we have in common than we have in difference, but we have to have those conversations to find it and then move the needle forward together, move it in a more common ground, common sense space,” Farrow said.?

According to his website, Fleming supports eliminating the state income tax, increasing funding to Kentucky’s public education SEEK formula and is looking for ways to strengthen resources for mental health services. He co-sponsored the bill for Amendment 2 and the omnibus crime bill.?

Fleming introduced a resolution to establish the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force in the 2024 legislative session. In the interim, that task force, which includes lawmakers and citizen members, has been reviewing the governance of Jefferson County Public Schools.?

Fleming was also the primary sponsor of legislation this session to expand exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion ban, including for rape and incest. That bill was never assigned to a House committee.?

Fleming has served in the House from 2017 to 2018, and then again from 2021 to present.?

Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, prevailed in Franklin Circuit Court on Monday. (LRC Public Information)

FRANKFORT —?Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd issued a ruling Monday afternoon that allows state Rep. Nima Kulkarni, a Louisville Democrat, to seek reelection in November after months of court battles that went to the state Supreme Court. However, the lawyer for a primary challenger has already filed another appeal.

In his order, Shepherd wrote that it was “not in the public interest for the Courts to intervene and dictate the result of this election” and that doing so “would effectively disenfranchise the voters of the District.”?

“In the circumstances of this case, the public interest requires denial of injunctive relief, which would thwart the will of the voters, as well as the will of the political party whose nomination is at issue,” Shepherd wrote.

Shepherd’s ruling is consistent with Secretary of State Michael Adams’ action in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that found that because of problems in her filing papers, Kulkarni was disqualified from the May primary election in the 40th House District. After that ruling, Adams declared a vacancy on the November ballot and invited political parties to submit nominees.?

Democrats in Louisville nominated Kulkarni. The Republicans did not nominate a candidate.

On Monday, Shepherd denied Democratic primary challenger William Zeitz’s request to be named as the qualifying candidate for the general election. Later in the day, Steven Megerle, the lawyer who sought to disqualify Kulkarni, said he submitted a request for an emergency review of? Shepherd’s order to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The appeals court recommended transferring the case to the Kentucky Supreme Court on Tuesday.??

Megerle called denying Zeitz’s request the “death penalty” to his candidacy and that Kulkarni could have continued to seek office in other ways.?

“She would have still been able to run as a write-in candidate had she been disqualified and the vacancy not declared by the secretary of state,” Megerle said.?

In an unofficial vote count, Kulkarni received 78% of ballots cast in the May primary election. Zeitz received the remaining 22%.

Megerle first represented former state Rep. Dennis Horlander, a Democrat defeated by Kulkarni in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries for the 40th House District. Horlander’s initial case was a challenge to the validity of Kulkarni’s nomination papers, as one of the two signatories was not a registered Democrat, as required by state law, at the time of signing.?

In the Franklin Circuit case, Megerle represented Horlander and Zeitz — the latest legal conundrum regarding the eligibility of Kulkarni. The pair joined together in suing election officials to challenge Adams’? declaration of a nominating vacancy.?

James Craig, an attorney for Kulkarni said that the outcome shows that “elections matter.”?

“This district has chosen Rep. Kulkarni to be their agent in Frankfort, and their voices matter,” Craig said. “We’ll continue to defend them for as long as Mr. Horlander continues to try to set them aside.”?

The various parties in the latest lawsuit all appeared before Shepherd Monday morning. Megerle sought an emergency injunction that would order Adams to put Zeitz on the ballot by issuing a certificate of nomination. Meanwhile, Craig argued that the Supreme Court’s opinion on the matter of declaring a nominating vacancy was clear. He added that Kulkarni had been chosen twice to seek another term in office —?once by the unofficial votes cast in the primary and again when the local party nominated her for the general election.?

Michael Wilson, deputy general counsel for the secretary of state, told the court that Adams had acted in good faith based on direction from the Supreme Court’s opinion. Wilson added the office’s primary concern was printing ballots in a timely manner.?

The deadline to print ballots for the general election is Sept. 16. Monday is the deadline for the secretary of state to certify candidate names with local county clerks.?

The?secretary of state’s office plans to follow the ruling of the court.?

This story was updated Tuesday afternoon.?

William T. Young Library at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. (Mark Cornelison | UK Photo)

Professors in the South are increasingly worried about political interference in higher education, according to a new survey released by southern chapters of the American Association of University Professors.?

The survey, which included responses from nearly 3,000 faculty members, found that about 70% of respondents signaled dissatisfaction with the political atmosphere around higher education and rated it “poor or very poor.” Additionally, about 55% of survey respondents said they were disappointed in their school’s administration for “not adequately defending academic freedom and tenure.”?

According to a news release, 109 respondents were from Kentucky. AAUP chapters that participated in the survey included Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.?

The survey results come on the heels of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives coming drawing fire from Republicans in Kentucky and across the nation. In recent weeks, the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University announced plans to close their diversity offices amid pressure from Republican lawmakers.?

Two anti-DEI bills were debated by Kentucky lawmakers in the 2024 session but died without being approved. However, one policy change did pass as part of a postsecondary funding bill. It changed the formula for performance-based funding of universities by prohibiting the use of “any race-based metrics or targets.”?

Another GOP-backed measure in Kentucky that would have allowed universities to remove faculty for not meeting certain “productivity requirements” did not come out of the House Education Committee last session. Some critics saw it as a path to end tenure in Kentucky.?

Among its overall survey results, the AAUP chapters found that 60% of respondents would not recommend their state “as a desirable place to work for colleagues.” About 28% of respondents had reported they applied for academic jobs in another state since 2022, and another 28% are planning to do so in the coming year. Of those who had applied to another state, the top five destinations were California, New York, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Illinois.

More than 27% of respondents reported that they do not plan to stay in academia longterm.?

Respondents could list multiple reasons why they were seeking employment elsewhere. The top issue was salary at 56.5%, followed by the state’s political climate at 53.3% and academic freedom at 49.6%. DEI and shared governance issues were mentioned by about 30% of respondents.?

Over the summer, the UK Board of Trustees gave its final approval to a new shared governance model that stripped faculty of power over academic decisions by dismantling the University Senate and instating a weaker faculty senate.?

The survey was conducted during state AAUP conferences Aug. 12-30 through social media and email. About 17% of the respondents said they were non-white and 51% were female. More than 60% said they had a tenured position.?

Leaders of the Republican Party of Kentucky break ground on an expansion of the party's Frankfort headquarters. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT — What speakers hailed as “the house that Mitch built” will be doubling in size? — thanks to more than $3 million from special interest donors and a change of state law in 2017 that legalized such donations.

A slew of prominent Kentucky Republicans joined U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to break ground Thursday on an expansion of the party’s headquarters which is named for McConnell.

The Republican Party of Kentucky has been headquartered for 50 years in an old house about four blocks down the hill from the Kentucky Capitol.?

McConnell and other speakers said the building’s expansion symbolizes the growth of their party over those five decades as Republicans gained political dominance in Kentucky, a change that many credit in no small part to McConnell’s leadership and fundraising.

“We’ve come a long way, and the people here today had a lot to do with it,” McConnell said. “Thanks for all the praise for me, but it’s a team sport, and many of you have contributed a lot of years and a lot of dollars over the years to bring us where we are today.”?

Plans for the project released earlier this summer show it will add about 6,800 square feet of meeting and office space. The new addition is being designed by Stengel-Hill Architecture, of Louisville, to conform with the surrounding residential neighborhood. It will include a 160-seat auditorium.

Pfizer Inc. gave $1 million

Reports filed by the party with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance reveal that the project is being paid for with donations by a small number of large contributions from special interests that lobby in Washington and/or Frankfort.

State law caps how much a person can give to a political party in Kentucky, and corporation contributions to candidates and most political committees are illegal. But a 2017 state law allowed Kentucky’s two political parties to establish building funds which could accept corporation donations of unlimited amounts.

The financing of the expansion of the Mitch McConnell Building has relied on those super-size corporate contributions. Party Chairman Robert Benvenuti thanked the 16 donors who together gave $3,212,500.

Kentucky Lantern first reported last year that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., of New York, made the largest contribution for the project — $1 million.

The second largest donor is NWO Resources, a small Ohio gas distribution utility, which gave $500,000. The president and director of NWO Resources is James Neal Blue, who is also chief executive and chairman of the General Atomics Corp., a defense contractor which the Forbes website says is best known as the manufacturer of the Predator drone.

Telecommunications companies AT&T and Verizon have each given $300,000 as has Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

In his years in Washington, McConnell has worked to dismantle federal limits on political giving and spending and, thanks to Supreme Court rulings, has largely succeeded.

‘Future dominance of our values’

McConnell, 82, is both Kentucky’s longest serving senator and the Senate’s longest-serving party leader. Speaking on the lawn of the party headquarters, he recalled his humbler beginnings in Kentucky politics then dominated by Democrats. In 1984, he rode President Ronald Reagan’s reelection coattails and a campaign commercial featuring hound dogs to victory over a Democratic incumbent.

McConnell shared one of his favorite anecdotes, the time he was on stage with Reagan who referred to him as “Mitch O’Donnell.”

“I couldn’t be prouder at this stage of my career to look at the Kentucky Republican Party today,” McConnell said. “It’s a great experience to watch that grow and develop over the years. … A whole lot of people deserve the credit.”

The Republican Party now? holds supermajorities in the Kentucky House and Senate and every statewide office except governor and lieutenant governor, both U.S. Senate seats and five of Kentucky’s six seats in the U.S. House. In February, McConnell announced he planned to step down as the Senate’s Republican leader at the end of this year.

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, who represents Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, said the senior senator laid the foundation for the modern state party and floated the idea of putting a statue of McConnell in the Kentucky Capitol rotunda. The Republican supermajority recently passed legislation giving the General Assembly authority over permanent displays in the rotunda.?

“This is a groundbreaking for the future dominance of our values and our policies in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Barr said.?

Kentucky Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer, of Georgetown, said he was “proud that it was legislation that I authored that allows for corporate contributions to state party building funds.”?

Afterward, Thayer said in an interview, “These buildings are expensive to operate and maintain and build. Modern day politics is expensive.” He said the contributions “are all reported, you’ve written about it —which I think is wholly appropriate. People know about it and can make their own judgment.”

‘Steadfast leadership’

State House Speaker David Osborne, of Prospect, likened the status of the party’s headquarters to McConnell’s rise in politics. Osborne said he could remember walking into the building when ice was hanging from the ceiling and space heaters were on because the furnace didn’t work.?

“One thing that has not changed along the way is the steadfast leadership of Leader McConnell. … With the evolution of Kentucky politics, we would’ve gotten the majority eventually, but it certainly would not have been as quickly and as productive as it has been with Sen. McConnell’s leadership,” Osborne said.?

Thanking donors, Benvenuti, the party chair, said, “Your generosity has provided more than just the bricks and mortar. It has laid the foundation for future success and growth of our community.”?

Thayer and McConnell both contrasted the expanding GOP headquarters with the headquarters of the Kentucky Democratic Party along Interstate 64 on the outskirts of Frankfort — the Wendell Ford Building named for the late Kentucky governor and U.S. senator.

Jonathan Levin, Kentucky Democratic Party communications director, said the party is in the process of selling its headquarters and plans to move to more modern office space more centrally located in Frankfort.

The Republican fundraising effort for its expansion has lasted nearly two years. McConnell’s longtime fundraising consultant Laura Haney has led that effort. Reports filed by the RPK Building Fund show it has paid Haney Consulting $100,000 in consulting fees since the beginning of 2023.

This summer the fund began paying design and construction costs. As of June 30 the fund reported it still had $3 million on hand.

RPK spokesman Andrew Westberry said he was not certain when the project will be completed.

The Franklin County Courthouse is shown in downtown Frankfort. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT — Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd urged Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration and Republican Auditor Allison Ball’s office to resolve a dispute over access to an abuse and neglect database before further litigation ensues.?

In a Wednesday morning motion hour, Shepherd gave attorneys on both sides until close of business Thursday to let his office know if they had agreed on a mediator. Otherwise, he would appoint one for them.?

“I think there’s probably a practical solution out there if everybody will just step back, take another look at it, take another try, maybe get somebody to help hammer out an agreement,” Shepherd said.?

Last week, Ball filed the lawsuit against the Beshear administration seeking access for the office of the ombudsman to information about abuse and neglect cases through the iTWIST database. The auditor is seeking an expedited resolution on the matter so that the new Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman can review information in the database. Named in the lawsuit are Beshear, Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander and Ruth Day, the chief information officer of the Commonwealth Office of Technology.?

The legislature replaced the Office of the Ombudsman and Administrative Review in 2023 with the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman and attached it to the auditor’s office, effective July 2024. The original office was part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).?

The ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints about agencies in CHFS, including protective services for children and elderly Kentuckians. The ombudsman appointed by Ball, Jonathan Grate, can’t do his job without access to iTWIST, (the Workers Information System), Ball previously told lawmakers.?

On the other hand, CHFS says state law limits access to the computer system iTWIST to cabinet social service officials, with some exceptions for certain parties within the cabinet, law enforcement and prosecutors, outside medical or social service officials and the parent or guardian of the child in question, the Lantern has reported.?

Ball’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of back and forth between her office and Beshear’s administration over access to the database. In July, she sent the governor a demand letter to Beshear and CHFS Secretary Eric Friedlander seeking database access.?

The governor later said that while he supported the office having access, “we have a written statute that is on the books that says we can’t provide certain access.”?

“And I don’t think the General Assembly is going to tell me that if you think that you know what we wanted you to do, then you can ignore the other statutes that we passed on the books,” Beshear said at the time.?

On Tuesday, Shepherd did say he could understand the positions of both the auditor and CHFS. Ball’s office has sought access to the database for months, but CHFS is concerned about maintaining the confidentiality of information regarding minors and families.?

The judge said that he thought everyone in the case could agree that the General Assembly will likely pass a law clarifying access to the database for the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman. The legislature reconvenes in January, about four months away, and has a veto-proof Republican supermajority.?

Alexander Magera, general counsel for the auditor’s office, asked Shepherd to consider granting court-ordered access to the database for the new ombudsman’s office.?

“If you all can’t reach an agreement on this within the next week or two, I’m going to reserve the right to take whatever action the court thinks is necessary to make sure the statutory mandate is implemented,” Shepherd said.?

Robert Long Jr., on behalf of the chief information officer for COT, and Travis Mayo, general counsel for Beshear, both filed motions to dismiss the case. They argued the auditor’s office did not have standing to include Day and Beshear as parties in the lawsuit. Shepherd said the governor’s argument could be different on that front since he is the head of the executive branch and has authority over decisions within it.

Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, (LRC Public Information)

LOUISVILLE — Another legal obstacle to Democratic Rep. Nima Kulkarni’s reelection was filed in Franklin Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon.?

William Zeitz, a Democrat who challenged Kulkarni in May’s primary election, has joined with Dennis Horlander, a Democrat who previously represented the 40th House District, in suing election officials after Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams declared a nominating vacancy on the Nov. 5 ballot.

After the state Supreme Court disqualified Kulkarni from the primary election because of problems in her filing papers, Adams declared a vacancy in the nomination process and invited both parties to choose candidates for the general election.

The Louisville Democratic Party nominated Kulkarni Friday evening and she filed with the Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday morning. Louisville Republicans have not yet named a candidate. They have until Monday at 4 p.m.?

Zeitz and Horlander are asking Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd to void Kulkarni’s nomination and certify Zeitz as the winner of the May primary. They are represented by Steven Megerle, who represented Horlander’s previous lawsuit challenging the validity of Kulkarni’s nomination papers.?

The foundation of Megerle’s argument is a recent state law that bars disqualified primary candidates from running for the same office. Megerle said Zeitz feels that Kulkarni’s campaign “stole the nomination from him and they manipulated the process” and that he should be certified as the primary election winner.?

“In every case where a candidate is disqualified before the election, the other candidate received their certificate of nomination from either the county clerk or the Secretary of State, depending on who they filed with,” Megerle said.?

A motion hour on Horlander’s first case was set for Tuesday morning in Jefferson Circuit Court, but Megerle withdrew motions on Sunday. Those had included disqualifying Kulkarni as an eligible candidate for the nomination process and certifying Zeitz as the winner of the primary election.?

Kulkarni is seeking a fourth term in office. She previously defeated Horlander in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries for the 40th House District. According to the unofficial votes from this year’s May primary, she received 78% of votes over another Democratic candidate, William Zeitz. No Republicans filed for the primary election.?

Her attorney, James Craig, said in a statement Tuesday morning after the motion hour that those withdrawn motions? should be the conclusion of the matter, calling it “not only a win for Rep. Kulkarni, but it is a win for the voters.”?

“Their intent has been clear throughout this process,” Craig said. “She was nominated by nearly 80% of her district, and she (was) chosen again by her party last Friday.”

Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office said: “While we previously have taken no position in this dispute other than to follow court orders, we will vigorously resist this lawsuit’s demand for an injunction that would prevent the timely printing of ballots for Kentucky voters.”

The deadline to print ballots for the general election is Sept. 16.?

This story has been updated with new information.

Northern Kentucky University no longer has a diversity office, its president has announced. (NKU photo)

A second Kentucky public university has disbanded its diversity office under pressure from Republican lawmakers.

Northern Kentucky University President Cady Short-Thompson wrote in an email to campus: “The circumstances under which universities across the Commonwealth and the country find themselves, coupled with the legislative priorities of state leaders for the upcoming session, require universities to change.”?

Short-Thompson announced in the Thursday email that she was dissolving the Office of Inclusive Excellence after Chief Diversity Officer Darryl Peal stepped down from his role. Short-Thompson also announced interim employees who will oversee Title IX regulations and investigations at NKU.?

On Aug. 20, the University of Kentucky announced it was disbanding its Office for Institutional Diversity and would establish a new Office for Community Relations.?

UK President Eli Capilouto also cited political concerns in his email to the campus. While university members “share the value that out of many people, we are one community,” Capilouto wrote, “the university has also “listened to policymakers and heard many of their questions about whether we appear partisan or political on the issues of our day.”?

Republican lawmakers target diversity in higher ed

The closings come on the heels of legislative scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives in higher education both in Kentucky and across the country. Republicans pushed anti-DEI bills during Kentucky’s 2024 session, although none were enacted.

One policy change did make it through the session. The Republican-controlled legislature changed the formula for performance-based funding of higher education to prohibit the use of “any race-based metrics or targets.”?

Criticism of diversity programs has continued during the legislative interim as Republican lawmakers have challenged university officials. During an Interim Joint Committee on Education meeting in July, Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, asked Short-Thompson how her son, who will soon go to college, could feel welcomed at an institution like NKU when there are no organizations specifically for white students. Other public universities are expected to give presentations on DEI during the committee’s September meeting.?

University of Louisville spokesperson John Karman told the Lantern Thursday that there “are no plans to eliminate the UofL Office of Institutional Equity.” According to the office’s website, it “oversees initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive excellence” at UofL and offers resources and training to the campus and community.

“The office serves all UofL students as they progress and complete their degrees,” Karman said. “The success of all our students is UofL’s highest priority.”?

Revisiting, reviewing

Other higher education officials in Kentucky told the Lantern that they are revisiting their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) resources and reviewing how to best meet the needs of all students.

Aaron Thompson, the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education said in a Thursday afternoon interview with the Kentucky Lantern that CPE and public universities have had discussions about how to ensure they are serving all students and that he hopes to continue the conversations in the next legislative session.?

“My goal is to try to show people exactly the power we have by inclusion and having people feeling like they belong on a campus, no matter what their backgrounds are,” he said.?

?CPE oversees Kentucky’s public universities and community colleges.

“My goal is to try to show people exactly the power we have by inclusion and having people feeling like they belong on a campus, no matter what their backgrounds are,” he said.?

Thompson added that CPE specifically is reviewing “what it means for us to make sure that we’re pushing policy and design that will serve all of our students.” That will look like “ an access and success mission,” he said. CPE is asking itself guiding questions like: “Are we getting students from our population groups that are needing to get into college to get a degree that will become part of our economic development system?”?

If not, Thompson said, then “we need to make sure we work on getting those students.”?

“It’s our goal — the campuses’ and my goal — to continue to work in ways that we serve students, and we invite all students to come to us,” Thompson said. “We would always want any student to feel like they’re welcome in our doors and that they, in fact, are going to come to us and get the kind of degree or credential that they need when they leave our doors to have a well paying job, and hopefully they all stay in Kentucky.”

Western Kentucky University “is committed to a safe and welcoming campus with top-ranked faculty and staff, ethical and transparent policies and a thriving, diverse student body prepared for success as global citizens,” spokesperson Jace Lux said in a statement.?

“Our focus is not on programs, initiatives or activities but rather about fostering a sense of belonging so that every individual who comes to our campus to study, teach, live, compete or visit finds their place and recognizes that they are an integral part of our community,” Lux continued. “As always, we will monitor all legislation that could affect higher education throughout the upcoming legislative session.”

Murray State University said in a statement that its Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access “is focused on equal opportunity including Title IX and operates in a compliance function for complaints, investigations and training regarding illegal discrimination and illegal harassment consistent with the University’s non discrimination statement,” per state and federal laws.?

“This office has a responsibility for remaining impartial and therefore holds no advocacy role,” MSU said.

Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton, D-Shively, speaking during a legislative committee meeting, Jan. 18, 2024. (LRC Public Information)

LOUISVILLE —?Kentucky state Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless driving and driving under the influence in Jefferson County District Court Friday morning.?

The 62-year-old Democratic lawmaker from Shivley was arrested by local police early Tuesday. According to the arrest citation, she refused to take a field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test after officers asked.?

An attorney representing Chester-Burton appeared in court Friday morning and entered the not guilty plea on her behalf. A pre-trial conference was scheduled for November.?

Chester-Burton was previously arrested for a DUI in 2020 after falling asleep in a drive-through line at a White Castle while she was mayor of Shivley. She later pled guilty, according to court records.?

She began her first term in the House in 2023. She represents the 44th House District, which includes a western part of Jefferson County.?

Chester-Burton won her Democratic primary earlier this year. No Republican challengers filed to run against her.?

House Democratic Caucus leaders Reps. Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts released a statement Tuesday after Chester-Burton’s arrest: “While we do not yet have details, we are very concerned about the charges facing Rep. Chester-Burton. Without knowing more information, we are unable to comment further at this time.”?

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, speaks on the Kentucky House floor, Feb, 15, 2024. (LRC Public Information)

The Louisville Democratic Party is asking Rep. Daniel Grossberg to “temporarily refrain from participating” in the party’s events amid a Legislative Ethics Commission investigation.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the state Democratic Party said situations involving a few state representatives from Louisville have “certainly been concerning” but pushed back on suggestions that they could hurt the state party’s overall image.

Plus, Gov. Andy Beshear said in his weekly press conference Thursday afternoon that Grossberg should seriously consider if “a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time.”?

Grossberg, a freshman legislator from Louisville, has sought to dismiss a complaint to the commission filed against him by House Democratic leadership that alleges inappropriate behavior and communications toward women. He’s also been removed from his interim committee assignments following the allegations, which were first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Grossberg has previously denied “any impropriety” in a statement to the newspaper.

In its statement shared online Thursday morning, the Louisville Democratic Party said its executive committee “is unwavering in its commitment to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone.” It also reaffirmed that the party is committed to “ending all forms of harassment by fostering a culture of inclusivity, providing robust support systems, and holding ourselves accountable.” The party added that “every individual deserves an environment free from harassment” and wants to “ensure this standard is met.”?

“Though we understand the claims against Representative Grossberg are allegations at this point in time, we are asking that he temporarily refrain from participating in LDP events and meetings while the Legislative Ethics Commission investigation is in process,” the party’s statement said.

Grossberg said in a statement shared by his attorney, Anna Whites, that he appreciated “the Louisville Democratic Party’s concern for all parties in this matter.”?

“I will continue to focus on serving constituents while the Ethics Commission completes its review,” he said.?

Kentucky state law makes the ethics commission’s proceedings, including complaints and other records related to a preliminary inquiry, confidential until the commission makes a final determination. However, Grossberg’s response to seeking dismissal of the complaint gave insight into allegations against him, which included refuting text messages highlighted in media reports and helping another lawmaker navigate “unwanted communications.”?

The controversy around Grossberg is one of several embarrassing situations involving Louisville Democrats in the Kentucky House. This week, Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton was arrested for driving under the influence in Jefferson County early Tuesday morning. Rep. Nima Kulkarni was disqualified from the primary election by the Kentucky Supreme Court after an issue with her candidacy papers, though she appears to have a path onto the November ballot.?

In a Wednesday press conference about labor policies, Kentucky Democratic Party Executive Director Morgan Eaves responded to suggestions that the state party’s overall image is at risk, adding that she was more concerned with making sure “the individuals involved” have support. Eaves said “the allegations that have come out recently against different representatives have certainly been concerning” and that “we are in conversations with those folks.”?

“Safety in the workplace, personal dignity —?those are tenets of our party,” Eaves said. “We are always concerned when either a candidate or an elected official appears to skirt some of those tenets, but we also respect the due process of folks, and when you have investigations involved, I think we need to see those through while having serious conversations amongst ourselves about what that means for the party and what that means for individuals affected.”?

Beshear said in response to a reporter’s question on Thursday that he hoped Grossberg “is giving serious thought and having discussions with family members about whether a public office is the best or most appropriate place for him to be at this time.”

Previously, the executive board of Kentucky Young Democrats called on Grossberg to resign after reviewing evidence it had seen at the time and “the experiences of multiple board members.” In a statement earlier this month, it said some of its members had related their “own stories detailing Rep. Grossberg’s inappropriate behavior toward them.”?

This story was updated Thursday afternoon.?

Ava Williams, a junior at Central High School in Louisville, addresses the Efficient and Effective School Governance Task Force. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE — Several speakers, including Jefferson County Public Schools students, warned a legislative task force against breaking up Kentucky’s largest school district in a Tuesday evening meeting.?

However, the co-chairs of the Efficient and Effective School Governance Task Force said deciding to split the district, which serves almost 97,000 students, was not under its purview. Some Republicans in the legislature have called for studying whether the district is too big to be successfully managed.

The task force met at Central High School Tuesday evening. It was the first of two meetings the group will hold at a public school in Louisville. It typically meets in Frankfort at the Capitol Annex.?

“I fear that splitting up the district could jeopardize the unique experiences and support that Central provides their students,” said Ava Williams, a junior at Central High School. “Smaller districts may be faced with resource constraints that could limit access to specialized magnet programs, especially for students in disadvantaged areas like Central High School.”?

Williams told the committee that the magnet teaching and learning program she is in has provided her opportunities that she did not think she could have in another school district, such as touring Kentucky State University, an internship available only to students in her magnet program and sitting in on classes at the University of Louisville. Williams also spoke of support she’s had from her connections to teachers at Central.

Other speakers — including JCPS students, employees, parents and representatives of community groups, such as the local NAACP chapter and the Louisville Urban League — also warned against possible ramifications of dividing JCPS into smaller school districts. They instead argued for lawmakers to strengthen education resources through increased funding, citing the need for adequately supporting transportation and teacher pay.

The meeting lasted around 90 minutes and had more than two dozen speakers.

Would dividing JCPS sacrifice diversity? Republican lawmaker, school board member disagree

After a handful of community members addressed the task force, Co-chair Rep. Kim Banta, R-Ft.Mitchell said Co-chair Sen. Michael Names, R-Shepherdsville, asked her to reiterate that the task force would not determine splitting up the district.?

“He wanted me to say that we’re not talking about splitting up the district,” Banta said to jeers from the crowd.?

According to the House resolution that created the task force, the group must make any recommendations by Dec. 1 in a report to the Legislative Research Commission. The resolution also directs the task force to only review the governance of Kentucky school districts with more than 75,000 students. JCPS is the only district that meets that criteria.

Nemes told reporters after the meeting that he suspected no legislation could come from the task force next legislative session because of the amount of information the task force wants to review. While some of the lawmakers backing the initial House resolution may have wanted to see the district split, Nemes said that’s not the task force’s intention.?

“Out of this task force, we’re going to have recommendations, possibly, but mostly a good report,” Nemes said. “And yes, we may ask for more time to do things. Whether there be legislation or not … there may be some minor things, but we’re going to work with Jefferson County Public Schools on what can be done and what should be done.”?

Questions from the task force

Those signing up for public comment were prompted to answer two questions: “How would you like to see the district’s academic offerings, educational capabilities and operations improved?” and “How have these factors affected the enrollment decisions for your child?”?

Terrance Sullivan, the vice chair of the JCPS Advisory Council for Racial Equity, said told the task force that the questions “presupposed the fault on the district and don’t add any space or culpability of the legislature.”?

Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfiled, told reporters after the meeting that she felt like speakers did answer the questions the task force posed, particularly about different programs and opportunities the district offers students. She added that she hoped the task force hears more community perspectives at its next meeting.?

In response to the issue of funding that some speakers brought up, Tichenor said the General Assembly approved additional funding for school transportation in its most recent two-year state budget.?

“I think the idea of ‘fully-funded’ never has an end,” Tichenor said. “It’s always a moving target, so when that gets brought up from the public, we never really have an answer of what ‘fully funding’ means.”?

Nemes added that teacher pensions are “now pretty much solvent” because of money the legislature has added to recent state budgets, as was reported at a Tuesday meeting of the Pension Oversight Board.

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, of Louisville, told reporters that “there’s no way to tell” if the task force has been effective in reviewing JCPS governance so far through the interim session. He also said that lawmakers behind the resolution had initially pushed for breaking up the school district.?

“The main message is we’re stronger together,” he said. “We’re stronger in uplifting all people.”

Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton is the former mayor of Shively and a state lawmakers since 2023. (LRC Public Information)

Kentucky state Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton was arrested for driving under the influence in Jefferson County early Tuesday morning.?

Chester-Burton, a 62-year-old Democratic lawmaker from Shivley, was arrested around 1 a.m. on Garrs Lane in Shivley, a spokesperson for the Shively Police Department told the Kentucky Lantern. She was charged with reckless driving and a second offense of driving under the influence.?

According to Louisville Metro Corrections records, the representative was booked around 2:30 a.m.?

Chester-Burton began her first term in the House in 2023. While she was mayor of Shivley, she was arrested for DUI in 2020 after falling asleep in a drive-through line at a White Castle.

House Democratic Caucus leaders Reps. Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts released a statement Tuesday afternoon: “While we do not yet have details, we are very concerned about the charges facing Rep. Chester-Burton. Without knowing more information, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

According to the arrest citation, police officers were responding to a domestic violence call when Chester-Burton drove her vehicle into oncoming lanes of traffic and “sat there for a minute forcing an oncoming vehicle to pass around her in the opposite oncoming lane.” Chester-Burton then pulled into the correct lane, but stopped her vehicle in the middle of the road and put it into park.?

When officers approached Chester-Burton, they “could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” from her and her speech was fast and slurred, the report said. Chester-Burton told officers she was coming from Frankfort and “people were calling her and asking what was going on in Shively.”?

One of the officers asked Chester-Burton how much she had to drink, but she “would never directly answer the question” and kept referring to the calls she was getting, the report said. She attempted to get back in her vehicle a few times, but officers stopped her “in fear of getting behind the wheel intoxicated.” She asked to “call the chief,” the report continued, and added she attempted to get into her backseat but almost fell.?

Chester-Burton declined to do a field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test, the report said. Chester-Burton was asked again to do a field sobriety test “numerous times” and she “stated that she would not and she would beat it like she did the last one.”?

After arrest, Chester-Burton again asked to call the chief “but she was denied and placed under arrest,” the report said.?

“The subject on spontaneous utterance to the officer transporting her to jail stated that ‘these guys act like they haven’t ever been to a birthday party,’” the report said.?

Chester-Burton will be arraigned in Jefferson District Court Friday morning.

This story was updated Wednesday morning to reflect an updated court docket.?

Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gives remarks at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Aug. 23, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Kennedy announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign and supporting the Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Despite suspending his presidential campaign last week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear on Kentucky ballots, according to Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams.?

Adams said in a Monday night post on X, formerly Twitter, that Kennedy, a third-party candidate, filed to run for president in Kentucky around 3:30 p.m. Monday.?

“Having just completed review of his submission of signatures, we are placing him on the ballot,” Adams wrote.?

Kennedy appeared on the secretary of state’s candidate filings website, along with running mate, Nicole Shanahan.?

Kennedy announced Friday that he was suspending his campaign and threw his support behind former Republican President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. He added that he is not terminating his campaign and planned to “remain on the ballot in most states.” Kennedy planned to remove his name from about 10 battleground states, but did not say which ones.?

At the time, Kennedy said he “cannot, in good conscience, ask my staff and volunteers to keep working their long hours, or ask my donors to keep giving when I cannot honestly tell them that I have a real path to the White House.”

Kennedy withdrew from Arizona and Texas, but it might be too late for him to withdraw from some states, such as Nevada and Wisconsin.

Kentucky has become a predictable red state in recent presidential elections. Trump won the state’s eight electoral votes in 2016 and 2020.?

Some polling suggests that Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump will have minimal effect on the election between Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.?

Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist, is part of the country’s most recognizable families in Democratic politics. He is the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy.?

Republican vice presidential dandidate Sen. J.D. Vance speaks during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

As former Republican President Donald Trump makes his case to swing state voters, his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, is heading to the red state of Kentucky to raise money.

Trump was scheduled to be in Michigan Monday to address the National Guard Association of the United States conference. Trump held rallies in Pennsylvania and Arizona last week while his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, was in the spotlight during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.?

Vance is attending a reception in Lexington Monday for donors with tickets beginning at $2,500 per person, according to the invitation.?

A campaign spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr confirmed that the fundraiser was taking place Monday as scheduled, but had changed locations from Pikeville to Lexington. Barr, a Republican representing Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District,? is listed as a host of the event.?

Other hosts listed include former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft and her husband, coal executive Joe Craft, and Forcht Group Founder and CEO Terry Forcht and his wife, Marion Forcht.?

The post said host committees slots cost $100,000, co-chairs positions $50,000 or a roundtable $25,000, all per couple. Photo opportunities were listed at $15,000 per couple.?

On Tuesday, Vance is slated to be at a Nashville fundraiser, the Tennessee Lookout reported. Trump won both Kentucky and Tennessee in 2016 and 2020.?

Colmon Elridge, the chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, called Vance in a Monday statement an “out-of-touch phony who called Eastern Kentuckians lazy” ahead of the fundraiser.?

“JD Vance can try to keep pretending to be an Appalachian, but a ritzy fundraiser — moved out of Pikeville to Lexington — isn’t doing his charade any justice. To put it bluntly, he ain’t from here,” Elridge said.?

The chairman’s last line refers to criticisms voiced by Gov. Andy Beshear while he was being considered as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris.?

Vance has some family ties to Eastern Kentucky, which he highlighted in his book, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He grew up in Middletown, Ohio, north of Cincinnati, where Vance’s grandparents had migrated. The family returned often to Breathitt County in southeastern Kentucky where Vance also spent time during summers and owns land.

Rep. Nima Kulkarni, D-Louisville, prevailed in Franklin Circuit Court on Monday. (LRC Public Information)

Republican Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams has opened a path for Democratic state Rep. Nima Kulkarni to appear on the November ballot, although further legal challenges could arise.

Adams declared a vacancy in the nomination process for Louisville’s 40th House District on the heels of legal challenges against Kulkarni’s candidacy. However, attorneys on both sides disagree on if Kulkarni is eligible to be nominated.?

In a statement issued after the Kentucky Supreme Court finalized its disqualification of Kulkarni Thursday morning, Adams said he interpreted the new opinion to mean that no primary election had occurred since Kulkarni’s candidacy was challenged before votes were cast. Therefore, “the true and legitimate will of the people has not yet been expressed,” Adams said, citing the Supreme Court’s opinion.?

“I take this as a directive to me to certify that a vacancy exists in the nomination for state representative in the 40th District,” Adams said. “I intend to permit the Democratic and Republican Parties to nominate candidates for this office, and give the people a choice.”

The Kentucky Supreme Court in June issued a one-page preliminary order disqualifying Kulkarni as a candidate in the primary election because of problems in her filing papers. On Thursday, the court issued a final 5-1-1 ruling and addressed questions around the nomination process.?

The lawsuit against Kulkarni, filed by former Democratic state Rep. Dennis Horlander, whom Kulkarni unseated in 20018, challenged the validity of her candidacy papers.

Kulkarni’s attorney, James Craig, said they appreciated Adams’ “swift work, which the voters of District 40 deserved.”?

“Notwithstanding today’s Supreme Court decision, Rep. Kulkarni remains eligible to seek her party’s nomination after the declaration of a vacancy, and she intends to seek the nomination,” Craig added.?

Kulkarni won the unofficial primary vote in the district by 78% over challenger William Zeitz. No Republican candidates filed for the election. Kulkarni defeated Horlander in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primaries in the 40th House District. Kulkarni is seeking a fourth term in office.?

However, Horlander’s attorney, Steven Megerle, told the Kentucky Lantern that Kulknari cannot be nominated by Democrats in this election. He cited a recent state law that bars disqualified primary candidates from running for the same office.?

“The Jefferson circuit court judge should issue a final order with directions on next steps to all of the parties on how this should proceed,” Megerle said. “And we will await his direction, but it is absolutely clear that Ms. Kulkarni has been disqualified, and under the new statute, she cannot be a nominee in the general election.”

In contrast, Craig pointed to a previous brief from Megerle in the lawsuit that said disqualifying “a first-place finisher after the election does not entitle the second-place finisher to ascend to a nomination he was unable to obtain through the ballot box.”?

As for Horlander, Megerle said that he believes Zeitz is the qualifying candidate for office and should be certified as such.

“If the courts and the secretary of state think otherwise, Mr. Horlander will consider the options that may in the future open up,” Megerle said.

Justices weigh in

Horlander filed the lawsuit to challenge the signatures on Kulkarni’s candidacy papers. State law says the documents must be signed by two witnesses who are Democratic voters in the 40th District. At the time of signing, one witness was a registered Republican and changed her registration after the filing deadline. Kulkarni previously testified she thought the voter was a registered Democrat and only later became aware of the issue.?

State law places the burden on candidates to ensure the accuracy of their election filing papers, the court wrote in its majority opinion, written by Justice Shea Nickell.

“It is not unreasonable or unduly harsh to demand strict compliance with clearly enacted legislative mandates for ballot access,” the opinion said. Assuring one’s required election filings are compliant is among the first duties of anyone intent upon seeking public office.”

Justice Kelly Thompson issued an opinion dissenting in part. He wrote that while he agreed with the court’s interpretation that the Court of Appeals could determine if Kulkarni was a bona fide candidate, he disagreed “with its ultimate resolution of that issue.”?

Thompson said he was persuaded by arguments from Justice Angela McCormick Bisig that an 1990 update to state law regarding the candidate nomination process created “sufficient ambiguity that they should be interpreted as intending” to amend previous state law. Thompson called the “hypertechnical requirements” of the law “a trap for unwary candidates who file for office” and suggested the Kentucky secretary of state and General Assembly address the issues.?

Bisig wrote in a dissenting opinion that the court should uphold the ruling of Jefferson County Circuit Court that would have allowed Kulkarni to remain on the ballot. She wrote about different interpretations of the 1990 changes.?

“Given the two possible interpretations of the amendment to the filing requirements statute, I would recognize the long-standing principle that uncertainty or doubt in statutory language ‘should be resolved in favor of allowing the candidacy to continue,’” Bisig said, citing a 2003 case. “The idea of liberal construction of election statutes that favors the goal of broad voter participation is deeply embedded in Kentucky law.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional comments.?

Read the Supreme Court ruling

Joe and Kelly Craft admire their $10.5 million country ham held by Miss Kentucky Chapel Tinius. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE —?Two Republican megadonors once again were the highest bidders at Kentucky Farm Bureau’s Country Ham Breakfast charity auction.?

Kelly Craft, a former United Nations ambassador and 2023 Republican gubernatorial candidate, and her husband, coal executive Joe Craft, bid a record $10.5 million Thursday morning for the country ham that was crowned champion of the 2024 Kentucky State Fair.

?The money will support charities, which Kelly Craft said included the Boys and Girls Club and building new homes in Eastern Kentucky following devastating floods.?

The Crafts have repeatedly made the highest bid at the breakfast in recent years. Last year, the couple joined Central Bank in bidding though they were not present. Craft had placed third in the GOP primary months before, behind winner and former Attorney General Daniel Cameron and former Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles — both of whom were also present Thursday.?

“I’m not going to mix politics with charity,” Craft told reporters when asked about her future political ambitions. “This is a really important day, and I think this is all about the Kentucky Farm Bureau and all about the people that work so hard in our state to make today happen.”?

With former Republican President Donald Trump’s campaign underway this year, the Crafts hosted a Lexington fundraiser for him in May. Before that, the Crafts donated to some of Trump’s primary rivals. Trump appointed Kelly Craft as UN ambassador in 2019 but endorsed Cameron in the Republican primary for governor.?

The KFB Country Ham Breakfast annually brings together politicos with agriculture leaders and high-profile Kentuckians during the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. However, this year’s crowd heard from only a couple politicians as no candidates are campaigning for statewide offices this year.?

Republican elected officials in the crowd included Attorney General Russell Coleman, Secretary of State Michael Adams, Auditor Allison Ball and Treasurer Mark Metcalf, as well as dozens of members of the General Assembly. Most Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear, had a scheduling conflict this year —?the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Thursday was the last day of the DNC.?

Kentucky’s highest ranking Republican, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, addressed the breakfast and said it was his 30th time attending the event. He addressed the crowd on issues of foreign policy and agriculture, particularly the farm bill that has been hung up in Congress. The legislation covers agriculture support and nutrition programs.?

McConnell said that if his party were in the majority, “we’d be doing the farm bill.” He added that the situation shows a core difference between elected Republicans and Democrats, and that the latter has a more urban focus.

“Frankly, there are not many Democratic elected officials left in small town and rural America,” McConnell said. “And how that impacts an issue like this — they’re just not particularly interested.”?

Flyers promoting an upcoming McConnell biography, “The Price of Power,” were also on chairs for the breakfast’s attendees before the event began.?

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell also took a moment to highlight farm issues in Kentucky in his remarks.

“I’ll tell you that when our rural areas of this state prosper, so does the overall economy in the state of Kentucky,” he said. “We in Kentucky have a $8.1 billion impact for our farms and families and businesses that are the backbone of this commonwealth, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”?

Broadbent B&B, of Kuttawa in Lyon County, produced the Crafts’ 18.2-pound ham. Kelly Craft said the family typically has Critchfield Meats in Lexington cook and slice the ham so it can be served for Christmas dinner.

Superintendent Demetrius Liggins included this rendering in his presentation to a legislative committee in Frankfort, Aug. 20, 2024.

Republican state lawmakers grilled the Fayette County Public Schools superintendent Tuesday over the design of restrooms in a new middle school, suggesting the district is trying to circumvent the anti-transgender law enacted by the GOP-controlled legislature last year.?

However, Superintendent Demetrus Liggins told the Interim Joint Committee on Education that restrooms in the new Mary E. Britton Middle School were designed to increase student safety by preventing bullying and other bad behavior in restrooms — a problem that data shows has increased statewide. Liggins said the design decisions had nothing to do with the controversial Senate Bill 150, which also limited medical care for transgender minors.

“This has nothing to do with Senate Bill 150, but we can see from the data that when students are supervised, behavior incidents go down,” Liggins said in response to a question from Rep. Candy Massaroni, R-Bardstown. “That’s just common knowledge.”

Massaroni had asked if the design was “a way just to get around” the 2023 legislation that, among other provisions, bans people from using bathrooms, locker rooms or showers that “are reserved for students of a different biological sex” in schools.?

The committee’s discussion, which lasted nearly an hour, signaled a renewal of Republican lawmakers’ conversations about preventing transgender students in Kentucky schools from using bathrooms of the gender they identify with.

Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, criticized what he called a gender-neutral restroom design in a presentation to the committee and called it an attempt to bypass requirements of the 2023 law.

The design features private stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and an open communal sink area that can be observed and supervised from the hallway.?

Liggins told lawmakers that the school’s principal has decided to segregate boys and girls into separate restroom areas. He said the new configuration will enable adults to better supervise “restrooms in general.”?

The superintendent said the district’s advisory council on safety saw a need to address supervision of students in hallways and restrooms. Parents and other stakeholders also had a chance to participate in the design process, he said, without raising concerns about the restrooms design.

Liggins highlighted issues the school district faced from a 2021 TikTok trend inspiring damage and theft, mostly in boys’ bathrooms. He added that vandalism cost the district more than $42,000 in repairs. More recently, the school district and others across the nation are trying to prevent students from vaping or using electronic cigarettes in restrooms, Liggins added.?

According to the Kentucky 2022-23 School Safety Report, schools have seen an increase in behavior events reported in bathrooms, with more than 15,000 that school year. In the 2018-19 school year, 4,980 behavior events in bathrooms were reported.?

Henry Clay High School, which is part of Fayette County Public Schools, recently announced it would close restrooms during transitions between classes unless there is a medical need.?

Lockett, whose district includes part of southern Fayette County, called on his fellow legislators to back a bill he had drafted that would require all Kentucky public schools with more than 100 students to have at least 90% of their restrooms designated for one gender — allowing the remaining 10% to be “all access restrooms.” He added that he welcomes input from others on his proposal. The General Assembly can take action on legislation when it reconvenes in January.?

“We expect our schools to be safe, learning environments, not social experiments,” Lockett said. “We expect that our students shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed, bullied or harassed in school. And at the end of the day, we want our public schools, including Fayette County, to be the best that they can be.”

Lockett referred to renderings of a “gender-neutral open-concept” restroom in Britton Middle School, which will open on Polo Club Boulevard near Hamburg in 2025.?

But Lockett’s “gender-neutral” description is incorrect, a school district spokesperson told the Lexington Herald-Leader after the meeting. “There are individual stalls in pods with sinks outside and signage will designate if the pod is for girls or boys,” FCPS spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith told the newspaper.

Davidson-Smith also told the Kentucky Lantern that Lockett’s district does not include the new middle school, so none of his constituents would be impacted by the design and thus were not contacted to give input to the school district.

Eunice Montfort, of Frankfort, addressed the committee as a concerned citizen. She said she has ?worked as a health care administrator and in the construction industry and “did encounter individuals who were transgendered” in both careers. She said she opposed “co-ed bathrooms” and thought they were “a terrible idea.”?

In his remarks to the committee, Lockett presented a hypothetical situation where a sixth-grade girl tells her parents that she’s uncomfortable sharing a gender-neutral bathroom with male classmates and faces embarrassment.?

“She uses the restroom, possibly anyway, and enters a stall that a boy just came out of,” Lockett said. “There is urine all over the seat and floor of the stall — because we know how middle school boys are — and so this allows her experience to be even worse.”

Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, said that as an elementary school teacher, her perspective was “completely different than the perspective that Rep. Lockett brings.” She said when a fifth-grade class goes to the restroom, a teacher stands in the hall as kids line up to enter when a stall opens, but the students aren’t supervised in the closed-off restroom.?

Bojanowski said she recently passed a class going to the bathroom at her school and a student told the teacher another child had punched them in the restroom, but “what can the teacher say? She is not in the room.”

“As an educator, I would applaud this design,” she said. “You can have a teacher or an adult standing, watching, sending the kids into the area one at a time to use the restroom in the enclosed stalls, and then they wash their hands and they come out, and you have … eyes on them every minute, except for when they understandably have their own privacy.”?

A few lawmakers did ask some questions of presenters during the meeting, but Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, asked committee Chairman Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, “why we needed to cut off questioning and rush the meeting” before going to the next item on the agenda.

“Because we have two more items on the agenda, plus about 12 or 13 administrative regulations to get through today,” Tipton said.?

“I’m happy to stay. Anybody else?” Raymond said in reply. “Everybody happy to stay a little bit longer?”?

Tipton said to Raymond he didn’t know “how long you’ve been in the General Assembly” and added that “you should know by now that we have time restraints on how long we can keep the room,” referring to the meeting room in the Capitol annex.?

Raymond offered that she’s been a member of the legislature for six years. She then asked what event would be in the room next and when it started.?

“Rep. Raymond, I’m just following the rules given to us by the LRC (Legislative Research Commission),” Tipton said. “And you’ve just caused us a delay.”?

Raymond previously announced that she is not seeking reelection to the General Assembly to instead run for a seat on Louisville Metro Council.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional comments Wednesday morning.?

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio spoke during a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is facing backlash from Republicans after targeting U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance’s position on abortion in a national TV interview Tuesday morning.?

Following his speech to the Democratic National Convention the night before, Beshear appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to further discuss abortion rights and criticize positions taken by former Republican President Donald Trump and his running mate Vance of Ohio.?

“Think about what some people have had to go through because of these laws. J.D. Vance calls pregnancy resulting from rape ‘inconvenient.’ Inconvenience is traffic. I mean it’s — make him go through this,” Beshear said. “It is someone being violated, someone being harmed, and then telling them that they don’t have options after that. That fails any test of decency, of humanity. But here’s the thing — it also shows they don’t have any empathy at all. And a president and a vice president has to have empathy.”?

Vance, who has family ties to Eastern Kentucky, was asked in 2021 if victims of rape or incest should have access to abortion and said, “It’s not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, it’s whether a child should be allowed to live, even though the circumstances of that child’s birth are somehow inconvenient or a problem to the society.”

Beshear has campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris since she launched her presidential bid earlier this year, including in other TV interviews and on the campaign trail. Much of his Monday speech focused on reproductive rights, which became a theme of his 2023 reelection campaign in Kentucky.?

Republicans are interpreting the governor’s comments as a suggestion that a member of the Vance family be raped. The senator asked, “What the hell is this?” along with a clip of the Beshear interview in a post on X, formerly Twitter.?

“Why is @AndyBeshearKY wishing that a member of my family would get raped?!?” Vance said. “What a disgusting person.”?

One of the Trump campaign’s X accounts, @TrumpWarRoom, shared a clip of Beshear and said the governor “wishes for a member of JD Vance’s family to become pregnant due to rape.”?

Andy Westberry, a spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said in a statement that Beshear’s frequent references to the Parable of the Good Samaritan “rings hollow when you condone vile attacks.”?

“Rape is an abhorrent crime that no one—no one—should ever endure, including Senator Vance’s family,” Westberrry said. “Andy Beshear should be ashamed for suggesting that any human being, let alone a political opponent, deserves such trauma. He must immediately retract this disgraceful remark and publicly apologize to the Vance family.”

Republican state Sens. Shelley Funke Frommeyer of Alexandria, Adrienne Southworth of Lawrenceburg and Lindsey Tichenor of Smithfield called for Beshear to “put his shameless and embarrassing political ambitions aside, issue an unconditional apology to those he has insulted, and reassess his role as the governor of our commonwealth” in a joint-statement Tuesday afternoon.?

“As he basks in his dimming spotlight, he not only brings unfavorable publicity to our commonwealth but also refuses to take responsibility for his careless words,” the lawmakers said.?

Beshear appeared again on MSNBC Tuesday morning to respond to Vance and clarify his comments. The governor said he was not implying that a member of Vance’s family be raped and called the insinuation “ridiculous” and a “deflection.”?

“As a man, J.D. Vance will never have to face any of this personally, but it’s sad that he lacks the empathy to be able to put himself in a different position and to understand why having exceptions, having reproductive freedom is so important in the first place,” Beshear said.

Beshear and Vance have had recent feuds in media coverage and public appearances while Beshear was under consideration as a possible running mate for Harris. She ultimately chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ahead of the DNC.

Editor’s note: This story was updated Tuesday afternoon with additional comments.?

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear walks onstage before speaking during the first night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear took the stage at the Democratic National Convention Monday night to speak on abortion rights, how to bridge the divide created by “anger politics” and back Vice President Kamala Harris for president.?

In a roughly five-minute speech, the 46-year-old governor repurposed some of the campaign trail for his 2023 re-election campaign for a country-wide audience. Beshear was introduced on stage by Hadley Duvall, an Owensboro abortion rights advocate who appeared in a pivotal ad for Beshear last year and has since gained national prominence in Democratic politics.?

Beshear began by praising Duvall as “one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.” She began sharing her story about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and has spoken against Kentucky’s abortion ban. Beshear said Kentucky voters showed support for reproductive freedom last year when they re-elected him against former Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

“In Kentucky, we put reproductive freedom on the ballot last November and I beat Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell’s handpicked candidate by more than five percentage points,” Beshear said to cheers from the crowd. “This November, we’re going to beat them again. Elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and protect reproductive freedom.”?

Beshear was among a shortlist of possible running mates for Harris, but she ultimately picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ahead of the DNC.

In his speech, Beshear attacked the GOP ticket of former President Donald Trump and running mate U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance for their stand on abortion, saying they back policies that “give rapists more rights than their victims” —?a line he’s used to describe Kentucky’s abortion ban passed into by Kentucky Republican lawmakers.

The governor then shifted from having empathy for women who face difficult medical choices like abortion or lacking access to one to having empathy for all.?

“How we treat people transcends party lines. It goes right to the heart of who we are. My faith teaches me the golden rule — that I am to love my neighbor as myself. And the parable (of) the Good Samaritan says we are all each other’s neighbors,” Beshear said. “So I want anyone watching tonight, Republican, Independent, Democrat, to know that you are welcome here.”

Beshear regularly refers to the Good Samaritan, including during his State of the Commonwealth address earlier this year. Toward the end of his convention speech, Beshear also made a reference to another reelection message to overcome division by calling to “end anger politics once and for all.” The governor said Harris “knows we must move beyond anger, extremism and division, that everyone has dignity and deserves respect.”

“That’s how Joe Biden and Kamala Harris lead. They both called to ask how they could help Kentucky in recovering from natural disasters,” Beshear said. “They helped us improve our roads, our bridges, and invested in our people. They didn’t ask me who Kentuckians voted for. They asked me what Kentuckians needed —?and folks, they delivered.”?

Beshear’s remarks came during the convention’s opening evening in Chicago. The governor followed a joint-speech from Americans affected by abortion bans across the country, including Kentuckian Hadley Duvall. She appeared in a pivotal ad for Beshear during his 2023 re-election campaign and has been stumping for Democrats this election season.?

The governor also addressed the crowd ahead of notable Democratic Party leaders U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden.?

Duvall appeared alongside Amanda and Josh Zurawski of Texas and Kaitlyn Joshua of Louisiana. They each spoke about how losing access to abortions in their states affected them. Duvall said Harris intends to sign a law to restore abortion rights if she is elected this fall.?

“She will fight for every woman and every girl, even those who are not fighting for her,” Duvall said of Harris.?Speaking at convention can be a pivotal moment for a politician’s national prospects later on. President Barack Obama addressed the DNC as an Illinois state senator in 2004. Some credit that address with putting him on the path to the presidency four years later. Harris herself addressed the DNC as California’s attorney general in 2012 before she accepted the vice presidential nomination in 2020.

Gov. Andy Beshear waves to the crowd after winning reelection, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Old Forrester’s Paristown Hall in Louisville. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will take the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Monday night.?

In a Monday morning post on X, formerly Twitter, Beshear tweeted a short video with his son, Will, in front of the stage. He indicated his remarks will focus on “my message of hope, freedom and unity.”?

“I’m going to be speaking tonight at the Democratic National Convention from this stage with a full arena, talking about how we’ve got to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States,” Beshear says in the video.

Since Vice President Kamala Harris launched her presidential bid this summer, the 46-year-old governor was among a shortlist of potential running mates for her following President Joe Biden ending his bid for a second term. Harris ultimately selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and much of the convention is expected to rally around them.?

In an interview with the Kentucky Lantern last week, Beshear said to “stay tuned” when asked if he will be speaking from the DNC stage. He added that the convention will mostly focus on Harris and Walz and campaign issues, but having “somebody from Kentucky on the stage at the Democratic National Convention is a big deal.”?

Beshear’s remarks will be on the convention’s opening night. According to a press release from his PAC, In This Together, Beshear is set to take the stage during the 10 p.m. Eastern hour. He will be introduced by Hadley Duvall, an Owensboro woman who has gained national attention as an abortion rights advocate. She appeared in a pivotal campaign ad for Beshear’s 2023 re-election campaign.?

Other Monday speakers include Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.The DNC’s evening programming block is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week. Speeches are expected to be aired on the DNC’s YouTube page.

Editor’s note: This story was updated Monday afternoon with additional information.

Gov. Andy Beshear says the media spotlight on him when he was considered a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, has the potential to make a difference for Kentucky if Harris is elected. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has said he’s keeping his focus on Kentucky for the remainder of his second term following speculation that he could join Vice President Kamala Harris’ ticket. And while he stresses that the spotlight was good for the Commonwealth, some political observers say it was also good for the governor and that his time in national politics likely isn’t over.

Beshear is term-limited in his current office and if he wants to stay in politics, he must look upward.?

In a recent interview with the Kentucky Lantern at the Capitol, the 46-year-old governor said he’s “not going anywhere” at the moment when he was asked about his future role in national Democratic politics, such as a cabinet position in a Harris administration should she defeat former Republican President Donald Trump this November.?

“I love this job,” Beshear continued, “and even throughout this process, I remember touring Eastern Kentucky for the two-year anniversary of the flood, and looking around, knowing in my heart that this is where I’m supposed to be, that Kentucky is a part of my DNA, and my resolve to get the job done and rebuilding in Eastern Kentucky and in Western Kentucky.”?

While Beshear was on Harris’ shortlist for potential running mates, she ultimately chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.?

Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky, said he wouldn’t “read too much” into signals Beshear may send through state media outlets right now about his prospects in a possible Harris administration. Through the running mate speculation, he had direct contact with her campaign and was auditioning to become her running mate through press coverage at the time.?

“He did in his answer stick to the focus on Kentucky theme,” Voss said. “That’s really not that different from what he was saying initially when asked about his openness to the vice presidency.”?

Voss likened “Beshear’s current disavowal of national ambitions” to answers he gave during Harris’ running mate selection process. When asked if he would like to join Harris’ ticket in a late July MSNBC interview, Beshear said the “only way I would consider something other than this current job is if I believed I could further help my people and to help this country.”?

As a relatively young politician, Democratic strategist Will Carle said “the sky is the limit” for Beshear’s future career. Carle predicted Beshear could be considered for a cabinet position within a possible Harris administration but added that Beshear could be a viable candidate for a U.S. Senate seat.?

“He’ll be part of the next generation of leaders for the national party no matter what he does — even if he doesn’t go right back into electoral politics or a cabinet position,” Carle said. “But his success in our state really demonstrates that he has the ability to connect with voters that normally have not been aligning with Democrats, and that’s going to be something that will be incredibly valuable to the national party as we move forward into the midterms.”?

Tres Watson, a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said Beshear would probably consider a cabinet position to move into federal politics if Harris wins. Otherwise, Beshear must figure out a way to stay relevant if he wants to campaign for national office in 2028, Watson said.?

Beshear said in the Lantern interview that the national attention on him was a positive for Kentucky, and hoped that it would give the state “a seat on the national stage, whether that’s the ability to be in the room with those that are going to make decisions on grants, or the ability to talk about an issue that’s very important — and maybe even particular to Kentucky — and hopefully get positive movement or change related to it.”

Watson disagreed with the governor’s notion that the speculation had benefits for Kentucky. Watson added that he gave props to Beshear’s team because “they took someone who really, realistically, had no actual shot at getting the vice presidential nomination” and put him “into the conversation and raise his profile nationally.”?

Carle acknowledged that the national attention on Beshear shone a “big light on the great work that he’s done” in terms of economic development, supporting public education and expanding health care, but thought the governor was right it saying it could help Kentucky recruit businesses and added that it also could persuade prospective college students to consider Kentucky.?

“These are priority wins that people from around the country will get to see — that Kentucky is a welcoming place, that we care about our people, and that we’re an economy on the move,” Carle said. “So it puts us in a place where we’re an emerging state, and Gov. Besher being able to be on the national stage like that just highlights the kind of leaders we also elect here, or at least some of them.”?

Carle added that he does believe the speculation around Beshear will give Kentucky Democrats a boost heading into November elections. Democrats, including Beshear, are rallying against a Republican-backed constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools. Additionally, Kentucky voters will decide legislative races around the state.?

Two candidates Carle is working for had fundraising events during Harris’ running mate vetting process with “overwhelmingly large crowds” and he credited the speculation around Beshear to that.?

The governor and the General Assembly

Beshear told the Lantern he wants to “lay the groundwork for more important changes we need” such as raising pay for educators and implementing universal pre-K. Those have been issues the governor has long called for and included in the budget proposal he submitted to the Republican-controlled General Assembly this year.?

The governor and Republicans in the legislature have a “fundamental disagreement” about how to raise teacher pay, Watson said. In response to Beshear on raising teacher salaries, Republican lawmakers pushed for salary changes through Kentucky’s Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) formula and to for them to be determined by local school boards and superintendents. The governor called for direct raises.

Watson said Republican lawmakers allocated extra funding toward one-time projects, such as infrastructure or water projects, rather than recurring cost like teacher raises or universal Pre-K.?

He added the governor and Republican lawmakers can work together when Beshear “comes to the table with an idea that is realistically something that Republican legislators would be interested in,” such as investing in economic projects like manufacturing plants for vehicle batteries. However, Beshear “tends to push things that are ‘pie in the sky’” that won’t gain support with Republican lawmakers and can say on the campaign trail “‘Look at these things I promised you that Republicans wouldn’t give you,’” Watson said.?

“It’s disingenuous. Republicans in the legislature are very frustrated by it, and I don’t see that changing,” Watson said. “You’re talking about changing ingrained behavior in three years. That’s probably not going to happen.

To implement his priority policies, Beshear will have to “take it to the court of public opinion,” Carle said. Beshear has long supported public educators and families who need child care and want to get a head start on education, Carle added.?

“I think if the governor makes a compelling case — which he often does — there will be pressure on the legislature to start to enact some of the policies that we know invigorate economies, that create safer, stronger, healthier communities and that provide relief for parents and give their children an opportunity so that they can compete in a world where education will be the deciding factor on how far they go in life,” Carle said.?

If Beshear wants to have policy influence for the remainder of his term as governor, it could mirror the actions of his father, former Gov. Steve Beshear, Voss said. That would include taking advantage of the legislature not being in session most of the year and using the discretionary influence of the governor’s office.?

Voss said the odds that Beshear could turn a new tide in his relationship with Republican legislative leadership is “pretty small,” and pointed to GOP criticism of Beshear during the Harris’ running mate consideration process. After Walz was selected, the Republican Party of Kentucky issued a statement saying it was “no surprise Kamala Harris took a pass on Andy. His years of controversy and lack of policy wins made choosing him a liability.”?

While some Republicans might have been excited about the possibility of Kentucky’s highest ranking Democrat leaving the state, Voss said, Republicans added to the criticism of Beshear, which shows “that the bad blood runs a little too deep.”

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville. (LRC Public Information)

A Kentucky Democratic lawmaker wants to dismiss an ethics complaint filed against him by House Democratic leadership that alleges inappropriate behavior and communications.?

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, a freshman legislator from Louisville, is arguing the complaint filed with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission is “meritless” and an “misuse of the ethics complaint system,” according to a Friday press release issued by his attorney, Anna Whites. His motion to dismiss has been filed with the KLEC, Whites said, but she added they are “exploring the possibility of legal action” and so is at least one businessman named in the complaint.?

In a Friday afternoon statement, House Democratic leaders said they planned to honor the confidential nature of the investigations in light of “Rep. Grossberg’s attorney’s desire to litigate this in the press with misrepresentations rather than through proper confidential channels.”?

Grossberg has been removed from his interim committees following allegations of inappropriate actions toward women, including behavior and text messages. The Lexington Herald-Leader first reported allegations against Grossberg. At the time, he denied “any impropriety” in a statement to the newspaper.

Under state law, the commission’s proceedings, including complaints and other records related to a preliminary inquiry, are confidential until the commission makes a final determination. But Grossberg’s response on Friday offers insight into five allegations raised in the complaint.?

The first is the purchase of a used car that he says was “thoroughly investigated and debunked by KLEC.” The release also says the new complaint “names and accuses a prominent Louisville businessman who is a member of a minority of ‘healthcare fraud and interference in the Certificate of Need process’ all of which is supposedly somehow based upon this used car purchase.”

Grossberg also argues against allegations made around a fundraising call, where a restaurant owner, who, he says, is also a member of a minority community, asked ??how he could apply to be on a state catering contractor list while the representative was making fundraising calls for the House Democratic Caucus.?

“As shown in the texts appended to the Complaint, Rep. Grossberg asked the House Minority Chief of Staff how a restaurant could apply, and shared the information given with the business owner,” the release said. No impropriety is shown in the texts. No improper discussion was had. No quid pro quo arrangement occurred. No ethical misconduct has occurred or has even been coherently alleged.”?

Additionally, Grossberg addressed issues raised around assisting another freshman legislator with “unwanted communications” and advice. Grossberg said he offered to connect the legislator with a law enforcement branch that aided him after he received harassing communications. He calls House Democratic leadership’s characterization of the exchange to show “control or involvement in the harassment” as an “outrageous suggestion” without evidence.?

Another issue Grossberg refutes is the appropriateness of a letter from him and his spouse, a teacher, to students they chaperoned abroad. The letter was reviewed by LRC staff before sending and would likely be “a treasured keepsake for any high school student,” Grossberg’s release said. His response also admonished House Democratic leaders for including the name and address of a high school student.?

Finally, Grossberg refutes text messages highlighted in “a newspaper article.” Grossberg says the House Democratic leaders’ complaint does “not include a copy of any allegedly inappropriate texts,” but includes texts about party business, preventing antisemitism and other legislative actions.?

“??The only text that discusses inappropriate communications is a reference by a thirty party to that third party hearing rumors about inappropriate communication from other unnamed third parties at some unnamed time,” the press release said. “Rumors have no place in a fact-based hearing.”?

Grossberg’s response said that the complaint cites a newspaper article that discusses allegations of questionable texts, which “do not constitute sexual harassment.”?

The Herald-Leader reported that the texts shared with the newspaper “often came late at night,” and Grossberg remarked on the receiver’s physical looks.” The newspaper later reported the representative had invited two women in a text to a “lesbian-themed movie night.”

Grossberg concludes by saying the complaint uses “rumor, inuendo [sic] and their own apparent animus toward Rep. Grossberg to make the unsupported allegations herein. This is unethical and inappropriate in the extreme, particularly for leaders of a caucus.”?

In a statement Friday afternoon, House Democratic leaders said they must “take allegations of inappropriate conduct among our membership seriously, to protect those brave enough to come forward, and to ensure the appropriate agencies investigate their allegations.”?

“As previously stated and per a vote of the Caucus, we have reported multiple serious allegations against Representative Grossberg to the proper legislative oversight bodies for consideration,” the statement said. “These investigations are designed to be confidential to protect those who come forward with their accounts of impropriety.

“We continue to honor that intent as best we can given Rep. Grossberg’s attorney’s desire to litigate this in the press with misrepresentations rather than through proper confidential channels.”

The House Democratic leaders added that they are taking new information, “including additional texts, first-hand accounts, and calls from an outside organization for Rep. Grossberg’s resignation seriously.” Because investigations are ongoing and to protect “all parties involved,” the leaders declined to comment further at this time.?

Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional comments Friday afternoon.?

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville. (LRC Public Information)

A Kentucky Democratic lawmaker has been removed from his interim committees following allegations of inappropriate actions toward women, including behavior and text messages.

Rep. Daniel Grossberg, who represents the 30th House District in Jefferson County, was suspended from the House Democratic Caucus following a vote and a request from his colleagues that the Legislative Ethics Commission conduct an investigation. The Lexington Herald-Leader first reported allegations against Grossberg a couple weeks ago. At the time, he denied “any impropriety” in a statement to the newspaper.

“In light of new information Leadership received from LRC officials it was deemed appropriate to relieve Rep. Grossberg of his committee responsibilities during the interim,” House Democratic leadership said in a statement Thursday. “Many committees do not cast votes during the interim and Rep. Grossberg’s constituents will not be impacted by this decision.”

Anna Whites, an attorney representing Grossberg, said in an email to the Kentucky Lantern that the Legislative Research Commission conducted “a brief investigation several weeks ago” and gave results to Grossberg and Democratic House leaders.?

“No sexual misconduct was found or shared with me or Rep Grossberg, and that was the end of it,” Whites said. “I am not aware of any LRC investigation and do not believe one is ongoing.”?

As for removing Grossberg from his committees, Whites said Democratic House leaders “gave no reason to him and no ‘new evidence’ has been provided to him or to my office by either LRC or the House Minority leaders. I have no reason to believe LRC is involved in this decision.”?

Whites said removing Grossberg from his interim committees is not only “unprecedented,” but also “an unconstitutional disenfranchisement of approximately 46,000 citizens who are being told by Democratic Minority Leaders — ‘You don’t get a voice in Frankfort.’” Democratic leaders in the House have “effectively denied an entire House District, and his is one of the most diverse in the state, a voice in government,” she said.?

The General Assembly has several interim committees dedicated to various topics that study issues between legislative sessions. Information discussed in these meetings often serves as the basis for legislation debated and passed when lawmakers reconvene in Frankfort.?

“Some of the most important legislative work is done between sessions,” Whites said. “That is the only real opportunity for legislators to hear from state agencies, the public, counties and cities, and businesses about the issues that are affecting them. The legislators can workshop those and share knowledge, and think about what bills should be proposed in the upcoming session.”?

Whites added that “appropriate voter protection legal options” are being explored.?

LRC Public Information Manager Mike Wynn said in an email that “LRC is reviewing information on this matter as it becomes available and communicating with legislative leaders.”

“But as a neutral, non-partisan administrative office, we do not comment on possible investigations or actions that may involve legislators, including committee assignments,” Wynn added.

Editor’s note: This story was updated Thursday afternoon with additional comments.?

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to a crowd at the Iowa Democratic Party’s Liberty and Justice Celebration event in July. (Photo by Jack O’Connor/ Iowa Capital Dispatch)

FRANKFORT —?While he was not ultimately selected as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said the national attention put a positive spotlight on his home state.?

Beshear, 46, was among a shortlist of potential running mates for Harris shortly after she mounted her presidential campaign following President Joe Biden’s exit from the race. Last week, Harris’ campaign announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would join the ticket.?

In an interview with the Kentucky Lantern at the Capitol Wednesday, Beshear said that with about three and a half years left in his second term, his focus remains on doing his job and keeping Kentucky’s momentum on economic development.?

When asked if he thought he may have a future role in national Democratic politics, potentially even a cabinet position in a possible Harris administration, the governor said: “I’m not going anywhere.”?

“I love this job,” Beshear continued, “and even throughout this process, I remember touring Eastern Kentucky for the two-year anniversary of the flood, and looking around, knowing in my heart that this is where I’m supposed to be, that Kentucky is a part of my DNA, and my resolve to get the job done and rebuilding in Eastern Kentucky and in Western Kentucky.”?

Beshear toured Eastern Kentucky at the end of July, and dedicated homes to residents built on higher ground in the mountainous region. The record 2022 floods killed 45 victims. Before that, Western Kentucky was the site of devastating tornadoes in 2021, which had a death toll of more than 70. The natural disasters were key moments of Beshear’s first term.?

“With that said,” Beshear said, “I do hope that the vetting process and the national attention gives us as Kentucky a seat on the national stage, whether that’s the ability to be in the room with those that are going to make decisions on grants, or the ability to talk about an issue that’s very important — and maybe even particular to Kentucky — and hopefully get positive movement or change related to it. I see the benefit of going through this process as hopefully benefiting Kentucky and our needs.”

The governor’s also looking toward Election Day this November. He said he will continue to work toward supporting the Harris-Walz ticket, focusing on sending candidates he supports to the U.S. House and Senate as well as the state legislature, which has a Republican supermajority. A particular issue he plans to focus on is “making sure we defeat” a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools. He said he will travel the state to campaign against Amendment 2.?

“So while that sounds like a lot, I both ran the governor’s office and an election last year, and so everybody out there can be assured that they’re going to get the best out of me every single day as governor. I recognize that this is a dream job — an important job — and don’t take any moment for granted.”?

Beshear called it “an honor” to be considered as a choice for Harris’ running mate, and noted “massive national coverage of all of the positive things going on in Kentucky.” He said that the attention may also position Kentucky to do more in its future, adding that prospective employers that were not otherwise considering the state had reached out to his administration. Plus, rumors about Beshear’s 2024 election prospects swirled while he was abroad in Japan and South Korea to discuss economic development.?

When asked if he will highlight Kentucky as a speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week, Beshear said to “stay tuned.” He added that the convention will mostly focus on Harris and Walz and campaign issues, but the possibility “to have somebody from Kentucky on the stage at the Democratic National Convention is a big deal.”

Looking ahead to the next legislative session, Beshear said his administration plans to work on addressing unfunded mandates, or laws that may have passed but were not funded during this year’s budget session. Recently, Beshear and Republican lawmakers have been going back and forth about funding for a new law to provide financial relief for grandparents and other kinship caregivers who are raising children in Kentucky.

The governor said he also wants to focus on laws that were not changed but are “frustrating” to implement.?

“Certainly, I want to lay the groundwork for more important changes we need, both in educator pay and in universal pre-K. I also want to spend some of this session looking at how other states invest in economic development,” he said, adding as an example that South Carolina has more overseas offices than Kentucky to address foreign direct investment. South Carolina has four international offices, while Kentucky has two.?

However, Beshear must seek to accomplish those goals with a legislature dominated by his opposing party — meaning any veto of his can easily be overridden. Legislation he backs also begins at a disadvantage in the General Assembly. Beshear’s budget proposal earlier this year, which were in bills carried by Minority Floor Leader Derrick Graham, were not assigned committees for reviewing.?

The Kentucky Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case between the Jefferson County Public Schools board and the Attorney General's Office over possible special legislation, Aug. 14, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT —?Kentucky Supreme Court Justices heard oral arguments Wednesday morning in a case that could determine if the board of the state’s largest school district is subject to a law aimed at curbing the board’s powers.?

The 2022 legislation at the center of the case is aimed at changing the relationship of the Jefferson County Public Schools board and its superintendent. Senate Bill 1, backed by Republican lawmakers, had a host of administrative and academic changes, including provisions directed at the management of JCPS.?

While JCPS is not named in the legislation, an appellate court last year found that the law would only apply “in a county school district with a consolidated local government,” and cited Section 59 of the state Constitution. “The only school district which meets this description is that of Jefferson County,” the opinion stated.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Matthew Kuhn, solicitor general in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, argued that because the law focuses on a class of counties with a “consolidated local government,” the law was not special legislation, as that class can change as local governments evolve and can then be subject to the law. However, David Tachau, an attorney representing the board, countered that the law at present applies to a particular school district — JCPS — and is a violation of the state’s constitution.?

Justice Kelly Thompson, who represents the 2nd Supreme Court District, said while questioning Tachau: “This is not just a ‘locale,’ which I believe it violates 59, but … this is direct legislative interference, directly to the school,” referring to the section of the Kentucky Constitution that says the General Assembly “shall not pass local or special acts,” including related to the management of public schools.?

Thompson added that agencies like the Department of Education can also provide due process to school boards and give powers before he asked for examples of other statutes that direct boards to give superintendents more powers. Tachau said he was not aware of any such other statutes.?

Parts of the law affect all Kentucky schools

The JCPS board immediately challenged the law after the General Assembly passed it. In October, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled that the law was unconstitutional, saying it singled out JCPS for special treatment. At the time, the Attorney General’s Office, then led by Republican Daniel Cameron, said it planned to appeal the decision.?

In front of the Supreme Court, Kuhn said that while only Jefferson County fits into the class of localities with a consolidated local government, the class is not closed to just that county in the future.?

“Senate Bill 1 does not apply to a particular locality, but to an open class of localities,” Kuhn said.

Parts of the law that would affect JCPS included limiting meetings of the board to once every four weeks, assigning broader power to the superintendent, requiring a two-thirds vote of the board to overrule any action of the superintendent and requiring the board to let the superintendent authorize purchases up to $250,000.

However, some sections of the law would affect curriculum in all Kentucky schools. The law established guidelines on addressing controversial topics related to public policy or social affairs. It also required schools to teach about 24 historical documents, many of which were already taught, like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, but added what some considered more political documents such as former Republican President Ronald Reagan’s 1964 speech, “A Time for Choosing,” which elevated his future in the GOP and is widely considered to have re-energized the Republican Party.?

Justices also asked several questions about the legal standing of the parties in the case. In lower courts, the Attorney General’s Office argued that the board did not have standing in the case because the superintendent, Marty Polio, was not named as a party in the case, but Kentucky’s education commissioner was.?

Thompson asked Tachau if the court “kick(s) the can down the road,” would the case come back to it. Tachau said some members of the board would likely still be interested in challenging the case.?

Attorney General Russell Coleman said in a statement after oral arguments that the “General Assembly took strong action to advance these goals, and our Office has defended this law all the way to the Commonwealth’s highest court.”

“Every Kentucky student – from the largest school system to the most rural – deserves a quality education. Hardworking teachers also deserve the support of an administration empowered to lead a large and complex organization,” he said.

Republicans in Frankfort have been looking to increase oversight of the management of JCPS. This interim session, a legislative task force has meetings scheduled to examine the school district’s governance and is made of politicians and citizen members. Any recommendations from the group must be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission by Dec. 1, ahead of the 2025 legislative session.?

Created by a House resolution, the group must review school districts with enrollment above 75,000 students. JCPS is the only one in the state that meets that criteria with an enrollment of almost 94,000 students.?

Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter said the court will render an opinion in the case as soon as possible.?

Signs hoisted by members of the Fancy Farm audience on Aug. 3, 2024, express conflicting views on the school funding amendment that Kentucky voters will decide in November. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

FRANKFORT — Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, a former attorney general, said he would be “curious” to see if a recent Attorney General advisory warning school districts to not use tax dollars to advocate for or against a constitutional amendment would have been rendered in response to a lawmaker discussing the same issue.?

“I’m curious whether it would have been issued if a state legislator had used their public letterhead or an official Twitter or Facebook account,” the governor told the Kentucky Lantern in an interview Tuesday. “If we are going to put out opinions like this, it has to be content neutral, and it has to apply to more than just a school district fighting for its funding.”?

Pulaski County Schools, a public school district seated around Somerset with more than 7,500 students, has faced backlash from Republicans regarding a post on its Facebook page and school websites advocating against Amendment 2. It’s since taken down the post and replaced it with a new message from Superintendent Patrick Richardson, who said the district will comply with a Tuesday advisory from Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman “until it is overruled.”?

If passed, Amendment 2 would allow the Kentucky General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools, such as private or charter schools. Advocates against the amendment say the change could cut into funding for existing public schools.

Beshear, who has been among Kentucky Democrats speaking against Amendment 2 since the Republican-controlled General Assembly approved putting it on the ballot, said that he’s been the subject of similar efforts to control his messaging. Last year, the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled a 2022 piece of legislation that aimed to stop the governor from spending public funds to challenge legislative actions was unconstitutional.?

“We went to court, and we won that because that’s part of my job,” Beshear said. “When you look at Pulaski County, they stand to lose a significant amount of funding, and none of that funding will stay in that region. That is a public school district advocating for its own funding and just being honest with people that if that constitutional amendment passes, it will cut them significantly.”?

The attorney general’s advisory, which was “to remind those entrusted with the administration of tax dollars appropriated for public education that those resources must not be used to advocate for or against” proposed Constitutional Amendment 2, came after Republicans claimed Pulaski County Schools violated state law by using tax dollars to advocate against the amendment.?

Richardson said in his statement that he didn’t agree with Coleman’s advisory, but removed the posts from the district’s official Facebook page and school websites in response to it.?

“I have advised district employees to not use district resources or use their time during school hours to oppose or encourage people to ‘VOTE NO on Amendment 2’, the voucher amendment,” Richardson said.?

The superintendent added that the school district was not contacted by the Attorney General’s Office before issuing the advisory and called it an example of “partisan politics at its worst.”?

“When elected officials work to silence people, that is a red flag that we should all take notice of what is going on,” Richardson said. “I do encourage my staff to work diligently for our students during the school day and, in view of this advisory, to only work outside of school hours and with their own resources and time to make everyone informed about Amendment 2 and its impact on public school funding in Pulaski County.”

A teacher waves to her students as they get off the bus at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville on Jan. 24, 2022, in this file photo. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

One Kentucky public school district is speaking against a proposed constitutional amendment that would affect school funding — raising questions about what school districts can say on political issues.?

Pulaski County Schools, a district seated around Somerset with more than 7,500 students, shared a message advocating against Amendment 2 on its official Facebook page Friday. Similar images were on the websites of each school within the district as of Tuesday morning. Some Kentucky Republicans, including Congressman Thomas Massie, suggested the posts “blatantly” broke state law.

Meanwhile, the district released a Tuesday statement that said nothing prevented it from sharing the posts, adding: “The Pulaski County Board of Education is not intimidated by the threats of politicians and advocates of Amendment 2,” which it called “an attempt to siphon off public school money for private schools, particularly Charter Schools.”

The school district’s online messages cited data specifically about how the amendment would affect the district from a recent Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KyPolicy) report.?

If passed, Amendment 2 would allow the Kentucky General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools, such as private or charter schools. Advocates against the amendment say the change could cut into funding for existing public schools.?

KyPolicy, a progressive think tank, estimated that Pulaski County Schools could lose between 8% to 16% of its current budget based on two possible models from other states if the amendment passes.?

Superintendent Patrick Richardson shared a statement from the school district with the Kentucky Lantern via email. The statement says school board members have received open records requests “for their private cell phone and devices for texts or emails discussing this issue” and acknowledged a call for the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office to investigate the posts.

“Pulaski Board members have been threatened and intimidated by some on social media for speaking against this and for exercising their First Amendment rights,” the statement said. “The US Supreme Court said long ago that those rights are not surrendered at the school house gate.”

The school district cited a landmark Kentucky Supreme Court decision, Rose v. Council for Better Education, saying that state law gives the district’s school board “the power to do ‘all things necessary’ to carry out its duties and responsibilities.” The district added that Amendment 2 focuses on school funding.

“The Pulaski County Board and Superintendent have a legitimate and legal right to protect public school money that should properly be spent on the public education of children in Pulaski County,” the statement said. “Nothing prevents the Board from taking a public position on this issue that goes to the very heart of the existence of the Pulaski County Public Schools. This is an ‘educational issue’ and a ‘school funding issue.’ The Pulaski Board Members and Superintendent have a right to speak against Amendment 2.”

Jennifer Ginn, communications director for the Kentucky Department of Education, said in an email that public schools and their leaders “may engage in conversations with their communities to educate community members on public school funding and measures that may impact funding to Kentucky’s public schools.”

“With knowledge of how public schools in their own communities may be impacted, individual community members may make informed decisions on matters impacting Kentucky’s public schools,” Ginn said.

Kentucky law has some limits on how school employees can engage in political activities, such as school board elections. State law also says that public funds cannot be used “against any public question that appears on the ballot.” However, there is disagreement as to whether the law applies to a school district.

According to guidance from the Kentucky School Boards Association, school district employees may have limited political speech during work hours. KSBA, which officially opposes the amendment, says in its guidance that school boards may discuss the amendment during public meetings and board members can share their personal opinions on the topic.?

“Districts always strive to stay within the bounds of policy and meet every letter of the law,” said Joshua Shoulta, the communications director for KSBA. “There is gray area between the use of public funds for lobbying — which is legal — versus use of public funds for what statute refers to as ‘political activity.’ Amendment 2 is a perfect example, as districts seek to inform their communities on the potential consequences of granting lawmakers broad new authority to divert public tax dollars to private schools.”

Pulaski County Schools’ posts has gained criticism from Republicans, including Massie, who represents Kentucky’s fourth congressional district. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Massie said the school district “is blatantly breaking the law by using public resources to campaign against a ballot initiative.” Pulaski County is in Kentucky’s fifth congressional district.?

T.J. Roberts, the GOP candidate for the House 66th District seat in Boone County, said on X that he was “extremely concerned” about the school district’s online posts and called for an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office.?

“The people of Kentucky deserve to know whether their tax dollars are being used illegally to undermine parental rights and school choice,” Roberts said. “This kind of unlawful activity cannot be tolerated, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”?

Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman issued an advisory Tuesday evening “to remind those entrusted with the administration of tax dollars appropriated for public education that those resources must not be used to advocate for or against the” proposed constitutional amendment. Coleman’s advisory highlighted the section of state law prohibiting tax dollars from being used to campaign for public questions.?

“This prohibition on the use of tax dollars to campaign on either side of a ballot question necessarily extends to the use of any public resources paid for by those tax dollars to campaign either in support of or in opposition to the question,” the advisory said.?

The advisory said the Attorney General’s Office will continue monitoring reports about this topic and is “prepared to take any necessary action within its authority to ensure these constitutional and statutory limitations are upheld.”

In a Monday press conference at the Kenton County Courthouse, Coleman said he was aware of the post, which he called “pretty crystal clear.”

“If indeed there’s a violation of state law, we know what the facts are,” Coleman said. “We’re looking at the law. We will act with our partners accordingly.”?

The proposed constitutional amendment was a priority for many GOP lawmakers earlier this year, despite a small group of Republicans in the House and Senate ultimately voting against it. Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear, have strongly voiced opposition to it.?

Kentucky voters will decide to reject or adopt the amendment this fall on Nov. 5.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional comments Tuesday evening.?

about 15,000 former inmates reenter Kentucky society annually, said Kerry Harvey, an advisor to the governor. (Getty Images)

A new Kentucky law that makes it a felony to own a child sex doll could strengthen cases against predators, a local prosecutor says.???

Rob Sanders, the commonwealth’s attorney for Kenton County, said in a Monday press conference the law might have changed the outcome of a court case involving the shipment of child sex dolls into the county. Sanders said his office was prosecuting lawsuits against three individuals, all who had “child sexual assault materials” on electronic devices, but one case was dismissed because of a suppression motion.?

Sanders said defense attorneys argued that “it was not illegal to have a child-sized sex doll.”?

“We shouldn’t have to litigate this hard to prove to a court that we know that someone that has a child-sized sex doll will also be preying upon children, will also have child pornography in their possession,” Sanders said. “We know it’s there. We just have to legally be able to go get it.”?

Sanders joined Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman and Northern Kentucky GOP lawmakers who sponsored the legislation earlier this year at the Kenton County Courthouse to discuss how the new law and other recent initiatives give law enforcement officers across the state tools to counter child exploitation.?

Rep. Stephanie Dietz, of Edgewood, had previously introduced a version of this year’s House Bill 207 but it was not successful in 2023. Sanders said he reached out to her after working on the cases in his office.?

The legislation was revised during the interim session. The bill gained bipartisan support in the General Assembly and was ultimately signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Coleman advocated for the bill during the legislative session.?

The law makes it a Class D felony to knowingly own or sell a child sex doll, which is defined as? a doll, mannequin or robot that is intended for sexual stimulation or gratification and that has the features of, or has features that resemble those of, a minor. It also criminalizes using artificial intelligence to create child pornography.?

Sanders said “??it’s really given us the tools we need” at the local level to counter exploitation of children.?

Dietz said she felt that she and her colleagues had made a difference after learning that a Metcalfe County man had been charged with possession of a child sex doll last month.?

“There is nothing more important than protecting our kids,” Dietz said. “And I know that this is a tool in the toolbox for our law enforcement, those on the front lines and for our prosecutors.”?

Coleman, who was elected as Kentucky’s attorney general in November, said his office has introduced other recent initiatives to counter child exploitation across the commonwealth, including adding a K9 officer to the Department of Criminal Investigations to detect electronic devices that could contain child sex abuse material and creating a deputy commissioner position to counter child exploitation.?

Coleman told reporters that while they were discussing “a dark topic,” leaders like Dietz and Sanders are taking steps to prevent child exploitation. He also encouraged parents and guardians to engage their kids in conversation about dangers online. Coleman highlighted resources published by his office and by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.?

“I cannot emphasize enough the need to be diligent,” Coleman said. “It’s impossible to stay looking over your kids shoulders at any time. It’s a real challenge.”

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 13, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

In the hours after President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign, Brian Clardy, historian and Kentucky delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, worried that a divisive fight for the nomination could spell electoral disaster for Democrats in November.

“Democrats cannot afford to go into this thing split. They just cannot afford to do it. History has proven that when Democrats are divided, Democrats lose,” Clardy, a professor at Murray State University, said in an interview with the Lantern Sunday evening.?

Twenty-four hours later, any chance of a spirited open contest had all but evaporated as Democratic delegates, including those from Kentucky, unified behind Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s choice to succeed him as president.

Fresh off endorsing Harris on national television, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear spoke Monday morning to a virtual meeting of Kentucky’s delegates who will head next month to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Beshear, on a short list of ?potential running mates for Harris, urged the state’s delegates to come out in support of the vice president, which they did almost unanimously.?

“She’s ready to lead, and so there was not much debate at all,” said delegate and state lawmaker Reggie Thomas, who was in the meeting and chairs the Kentucky Senate Democratic Caucus. ”We support Kamala Harris and we’re ready for her to become our nominee and to take on and defeat Donald Trump,” Thomas said.

Only one of Kentucky’s 59 delegates dissented, saying she didn’t yet know Harris’ stand on a ceasefire in Gaza, according to someone who attended the meeting but did not remember the dissenting delegate’s name. Kentucky Public Radio also attributed the dissenting vote to concerns about Israel’s war in Gaza.

First-time delegate Robert Kahne of Louisville said he is impressed by the speed with which Democrats have coalesced around Harris, including potential rivals who have endorsed her. “My personal opinion is Democrats are mostly about one thing: defeating Donald Trump. Not having to talk about each other — and talking about Donald Trump — is better,” said Kahne.

Kahne is realistic about the unlikelihood in Kentucky of any Democrat defeating the former Republican president. Trump has carried the state twice by wide margins. No Democrat for president has won Kentucky since Bill Clinton in 1996.

But Kahne says the rejuvenated Democratic ticket at the top of the November ballot could help Kentucky Democrats turn out voters in state legislative races, especially in suburban districts. “If you give up now you’re never going to win,” he said.

Kahne, who hosts “My Old Kentucky Podcast,” also predicts that abortion will be a major issue in the first presidential election since the fall of Roe v. Wade and that voters’ perception of the economy could break for Democrats “at just the right time.”

In 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, Kentuckians, to the surprise of many, defeated an anti-abortion constitutional amendment; voter worries about the loss of abortion rights also contributed to disappointing results for Republicans in midterm congressional races that year. Nonetheless, courts in Kentucky have allowed the state’s near-total ban on abortion to stand. And attempts by Democrats and Republicans to loosen the restrictions have gotten nowhere in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Ona Marshall, founder of the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund, sees Kentucky at a “critical crossroads” and says “one of the major ways that we can have a path forward here is to get federal protections.”

Marshall says Harris has been a more outspoken advocate for reproductive rights than Biden. “She’s been fighting all along to restore rights and protect reproductive freedom in every state.”?

A spokesperson for Kentucky American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) told the Lantern the chapter is “encouraged by VP Harris’ record on abortion access.”

Among the delegates “enthusiastically” endorsing Harris was Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, who also praised Biden and said his presidency would be “historic for cities like Louisville” and the country.?

Greenberg told reporters? he is looking forward to the convention. “I’m excited to get together with folks from around the country to talk about what we can do to continue to make historic investments in cities like Louisville,” Greenberg said. “We need to make sure that we continue to partner with the federal government to make Louisville safer, stronger and healthier. I know Vice President Harris is committed to that, Gov. Beshear is committed to that and I look forward to working with mayors and other elected officials across the convention on plans to continue to do that in the coming years.”?

Lots of talk about Beshear’s shot at vice president

Speculation about Beshear’s chances of becoming Harris’ running mate dominated political talk in Kentucky Monday as Democrats touted the governor’s electoral appeal and Republicans voiced more skepticism.

Kahne, the Democratic convention delegate, dismissed the conventional wisdom that candidates should pick a running mate who can help carry a swing state as obsolete and said it “very rarely works out in that way.”?

Kahne says Harris and Beshear would complement and balance each other. “Andy Beshear would make a great contrast to Kamala Harris. And they also have a lot in common. They were both attorneys general and state politicians deeply loved by their bases.”

Tres Watson, former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said being tapped as vice president would be great for Beshear but a “horrible move” for Harris, who would gain neither an electoral or fund-raising advantage from putting Beshear on the ticket.

Watson also predicted that Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance would “run circles around” Beshear in a debate. “I think other than being a white guy, what does Andy Beshear bring to this ticket? Nothing,” Watson said.

During his Monday morning appearance on MSNBC, Beshear took swipes at Vance, who wrote about his Eastern Kentucky family roots in his bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.” ?

“I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like, because let me just tell you that J.D. Vance ain’t from here,” Beshear said.

Later in the day, according to CNN, Vance responded with a swipe at Beshear. “It’s very weird to have a guy whose first job was at his dad’s law firm and inherited the governorship from his father to criticize my origin story.” Vance added that “nobody gave me a job because of who my father was. I’m proud of that.”

Republican Trey Grayson, a former secretary of state, said Beshear, a three-time (counting attorney general) elected Democrat in a red state, could bring a “middle American presence” to the Harris ticket.

“I’m not convinced he’s going to get it, but I understand why he would certainly be on the list,” Grayson said, adding there’s “no downside” for Beshear in pursuing what could be a path to raise his political profile and put him in line for a cabinet position or even the presidency.

Grayson said Republican Vance, whose memoir recounts a childhood made turbulent by his mother’s addiction and family dysfunction, has a more interesting life story than Beshear, the son of a prominent elected official and two-term governor. But Beshear has more political experience than Vance.

Also, running mates are often asked to go on the offensive, which is not the Beshear brand, although Harris might be looking for something different in a running mate, Grayson said.

Beshear joining the Harris ticket would not put Kentucky in play, Grayson said. “We’re just too Republican. Trump’s too popular.”

Thomas, the Democratic state senator, was more optimistic about a Democrat’s chances of winning Kentucky’s eight electoral votes with Beshear on the ticket. “That’s not going to be an easy task. … I wouldn’t go as far to say that Kentucky will turn blue overnight, but I think Kentucky will get behind him should he be on the national ticket,” Thomas said.

Conventions past

In an interview with the Lantern, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, a Democrat, also stressed the advantages of a? harmonious convention. Patton cited 1972 when Kentucky Gov. Wendell Ford and most of the the state’s delegates supported Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson. The convention nominated Sen. George McGovern, who lost in a landslide to incumbent President Richard Nixon.

Clardy, the history professor, cited the tumultuous Democratic convention from four years earlier in 1968 as what the party should avoid. After President Lyndon B. Johnson, weakened by popular opposition to the Vietnam War, chose not to seek reelection, Nixon won the White House.

Patton said he supports Harris or any Democrat who can oppose Trump. Patton said he has “serious doubts” that Trump, if he wins, would abide by the constitutional limit on presidents serving only two terms.

One big advantage Harris brings over other would-be Democratic nominees: Money. She can argue that her position on what was the Biden ticket qualifies her campaign to tap the $96 million already in Biden’s war chest at the end of June, though Republicans will almost certainly challenge that view.

Harris would be the first Black woman to become president — though not the first Black woman to run for president, a distinction that belongs to Shirley Chisholm, also the first Black woman to be elected to Congress. Clardy said passing over Harris, a graduate of the historically Black Howard University, would have produced “deep resentment” among Black voters, potentially causing them to sit out the election and handing the presidency to Trump.?

Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman during the 143rd Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Democratic Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman will not be attending the Fancy Farm Picnic because she will be attending an event to support cancer survivors — a cause she says is personal to her because of a recent medical diagnosis.?

The Graves County church picnic has become a Kentucky politics highlight over its decades-long history. Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed with organizers last week that he also will not attend this year.?

“Fancy Farm is a uniquely Kentucky event, and sadly, I will miss the barbs and bbq due to a commitment I made on the heels of my health diagnosis earlier this year,” Coleman said in a statement to the Kentucky Lantern.

Instead, Coleman will be at a Horses and Hope’s Race Day in Henderson with cancer survivors, a cause that “has become very personal to me,” she said. Horses and Hope was started in 2008 by former First Lady Jane Beshear, the current governor’s mother, along with the Kentucky Cancer Program and University of Louisville with additional support from the Pink Stable.?

Coleman underwent a double mastectomy in December after she and Beshear won reelection. She said in a previous interview with the Lantern that she did not have cancer but was unsure until after pathology results came in after the surgery.?

“While I’ll miss seeing friends and supporters, I was just in Graves County on Thursday dedicating a home to a family who lost theirs in the 2021 tornado,” Coleman said. “Every time I’m there it is a reminder of what a special place west Kentucky is, and how important the people are to Team Kentucky. I look forward to being back very soon.”

Coleman was among politicians who attended last year’s picnic. Among those confirmed to be attending are state-wide Republican officers Attorney General Russell Coleman, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and Treasurer Mark Metcalf.

The Fancy Farm Picnic is set for Saturday, Aug. 3, and political speakers will begin at 2 p.m local time. Father Jim Sichko, of Lexington, will be this year’s emcee.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman speaks to an attended at a Louisville event for a childcare center. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE — Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman told reporters Monday that her job is to be ready to lead Kentucky should Gov. Andy Beshear ascend to a higher office.?

Beshear is being floated as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now seeking the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden ended his candidacy. Speaking in Louisville after a childcare center ground breaking, Coleman likened the possibility of her becoming governor to Harris moving up the ticket.?

“This happens all over the country all the time as governors are appointed or move on to different offices and the reason that they pick a lieutenant governor is to have that succession plan in place and they pick someone they believe is ready,” Coleman said. “And I wouldn’t have accepted if I didn’t think I was ready. And I don’t think the governor would have asked me if he didn’t think I was ready.”

Beshear deflected questions about joining Harris as a vice presidential pick on MSNBC earlier Monday morning but gave his full endorsement to Harris for president. Coleman said she is joining Beshear in supporting the vice president.?

“I’m really actually very excited to see a woman at the top and that’s something we need more of,” Coleman said. “And I’m really grateful that we have the opportunity to elevate that a little bit with her.”?

The lieutenant governor said she spoke with the governor Sunday night and he “didn’t mention” the possibility of being Harris’ running mate. Coleman also said she was unaware of communication between Harris’ office and the governor’s.?

Coleman also expressed gratitude for Biden’s leadership. She said she saw that he was “a good man” up close during the aftermath of floods and tornadoes in Kentucky.?

“So often we forget that these elected officials and these candidates are people and they’re humans, and he’s a good man and I got to see that firsthand,” she said of Biden. “And I’m grateful for his leadership.”?

In office, Coleman has repeatedly expressed support for public education issues; she is a former teacher and administrator. Her father is Jack Coleman Jr., a former state representative who represented Kentucky’s 55th House District.

Michon Lindstrom, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office, previously told the Kentucky Lantern that if a governor were to leave office, the lieutenant governor would become acting governor for the remainder of the term, according to the office’s interpretation. As acting governor, the lieutenant governor could not appoint a new lieutenant governor.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on MSNBC on Monday morning endorses U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. (Screenshot via YouTube)

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear offered his full endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in a national TV interview Monday morning and fielded questions about his interest in becoming her running mate.?

Throughout his comments on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Beshear contrasted Harris with the GOP ticket —?former Republican President Donald Trump and newly minted running mate J.D. Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio. Beshear, who has been rumored as a possible running mate choice for Harris, criticized Vance unprompted and called speculation on joining a Harris ticket “flattering.”?

Beshear was repeatedly pressed on if he would like to join Harris as her running mate pick. He did not answer directly but said he would consider any opportunity to help Kentuckians and Americans and would listen if she called. Some media reports say they did have a phone call on Sunday.?

“I love my job. I love serving the people of Kentucky. The only way I would consider something other than this current job is if I believed I could further help my people and to help this country,” Beshear said. “I also think whether I’m asked for that or not that it’s important to be out there contrasting the vice president and those that she is running against.”

The vice president, who is now seeking the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden ended his candidacy Sunday afternoon, is “smart and strong” but also is “kind and has empathy,” Beshear said in the interview. Those are values he wants in a future president.?

“The contrast between her and those running on the other side couldn’t be clearer,” Beshear said. “As a prosecutor, as an attorney general — like I used to be — she prosecuted rapists, domestic abusers, stood for victims and put away those abusers. Now look at the other side, where J.D. Vance calls pregnancy arising from rape ‘inconvenient.’ No, it’s just plain wrong.”?

According to a recent fact-check from Poynter, Vance said in a 2021 interview that “society should not view a pregnancy or birth resulting from rape or incest as ‘inconvenient.’”

“(Vance) suggests that women should stay in abusive relationships,” Beshear continued. “Listen, a domestic abuser isn’t a man. He’s a monster, and no one should support anyone having to stay in those relationships.”

Beshear was apparently referring to comments highlighted during Vance’s 2022 run for Senate. The governor himself has called on the Republican-controlled General Assembly to add exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion ban in cases of rape and incest and supports the standard set by Roe v. Wade. The issue of abortion has been key for Democrats this presidential election cycle.?

Beshear also went after Vance’s depiction of Appalachians. Vance has some family ties to Kentucky, which he highlighted in his book, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He grew up in Middletown, Ohio, north of Cincinnati, where Vance’s grandparents had migrated. The family returned often to Breathitt County in southeastern Kentucky where Vance also spent time during summers and owns land.

“I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like, because let me just tell you that J.D. Vance ain’t from here,” Beshear said. “The nerve that he has to call the people of Kentucky — of Eastern Kentucky — ‘lazy.’ Listen, these are the hardworking coal miners that powered the Industrial Revolution, that created the strongest middle class the world has ever seen, powered us through two world wars. We should be thanking them, not calling them lazy.”

When asked on CNN earlier this month about joining a Harris ticket, Beshear said he has a “good relationship” with Harris” and the two have worked on initiatives like decriminalizing marijuana.?

In the days following Biden’s poor debate performance against Trump, Beshear told reporters that he would support Biden “as long as he continues to be in the race.” Beshear was also among Democratic governors who joined a meeting at the White House to discuss the election.?

Since his reelection last November, Beshear was already taking steps to elevate his national profile, such as launching a political action committee, In This Together, aimed at supporting candidates across the country. He will be the keynote speaker for an Iowa Democratic Party dinner this weekend.

U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

WASHINGTON — Kentucky’s lone Democrat in the U.S. Congress joined nine of his Democratic colleagues Friday in calling on President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid, the most in a single day since a poor debate performance shook confidence in his ability to win November’s election.

U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, said Democrats need a nominee who can “defeat Donald Trump, flip the House, and protect the Senate.”

In a statement shared on social media, the first-term congressman said “critical issues at stake” include the future of the U.S. Supreme Court, health care, climate change and “a woman’s right to choose.”?

Increasing the pressure on Biden to withdraw from the race, the 10 Democrats on Friday — the day after former President Donald Trump officially accepted his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee — brought the total to 31.

While no member of congressional Democratic leadership has publicly called for Biden to step down, several top Democrats who were either involved with handling Trump’s impeachment trials or with investigations into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol have raised their concerns, citing the former president’s threat to democracy.

California Rep. Adam Schiff, who was the lead impeachment manager in Trump’s first impeachment trial, called on Biden to drop out, saying in a statement that he had “serious concerns” about the president’s ability to win a second term.

And Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was a member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, stopped short of explicitly calling on Biden to step down, but urged the president to reconsider whether he should remain in the presidential race.

Biden remained at home in Delaware with no public events scheduled after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday evening.

In an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” early Friday, Biden campaign co-chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said the president remained “absolutely” in the race, even as a growing number of Democrats voiced unease about his ability to defeat Trump.

“Absolutely the president is in this race, you’ve heard him say that time and time again,” she said. “He is the best person to take on Donald Trump.”

But reports also surfaced Friday that Vice President Kamala Harris, a potential replacement for Biden if he takes the unprecedented step of withdrawing from a race less than four months from Election Day, was scheduled to speak by phone with top Democratic donors in the afternoon.

Harris did not respond to reporters’ questions at an appearance at a Washington ice cream shop Friday, according to a pool report.

And 10 more congressional Democrats, including more senior members than had previously broken ranks with the president, said Friday that Biden should step aside.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois wrote an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.

Reps. Jared Huffman of California, Marc Veasey of Texas, Jesús “Chuy” Garcia of Illinois and Mark Pocan of Wisconsin wrote a joint open letter to Biden that they posted on social media.

The quartet represents important constituencies in the House Democratic Caucus.

Veasey is the first member of the influential Congressional Black Caucus, which has been among Biden’s staunchest Democratic backers, to join the call for him to step down. He is also a member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition.

Pocan is the co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and a former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Garcia is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Reps. Greg Landsman of Ohio, Zoe Lofgren of California also released their own statements. Betty McCollum of Minnesota told the Star Tribune newspaper she wanted Biden step aside and allow Harris to lead the ticket with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate.

The calls came a day after Sen. Jon Tester, in a difficult reelection race in Montana, said in a statement to the Daily Montanan that Biden should withdraw.

Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who was one of few Democrats who called on Biden to step down two weeks ago, expanded on his view in an op-ed Friday.

Moulton wrote in the Boston Globe that when he went on a June trip to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the president didn’t recognize him, despite their decade-long relationship.

“Of course, that can happen as anyone ages, but as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem,” Moulton wrote. “It was a crushing realization, and not because a person I care about had a rough night but because everything is riding on Biden’s ability to beat Donald Trump in November.”

Gov. Andy Beshear greets Sen. Mitch McConnell on the stage of last year's 143rd Fancy Farm Picnic. Beshear will not be attending this year. No word yet from McConnell. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Organizers of the annual church fundraiser held in Graves County said in a Friday afternoon email that the governor had said he is not attending the August event and “no reason was given.”?

Fancy Farm organizers added that Republican State Auditor Allison Ball will not attend due to a conflict with a wedding that weekend.?

Both Beshear and Ball attended the political speaking event last year. Over the course of 140 years, the Fancy Farm Picnic has become a Kentucky politics highlight, as candidates for office make a pitch to enthusiastic voters — Republicans on the right and Democrats on the left — who are ready to cheer for their favored politicians while loudly booing their opponents.?

Beshear’s decline to participate comes as he gains national attention. A two-term Democrat in red-state Kentucky, the governor is being eyed as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris should President Joe Biden drop out of the race, according to recent media reports.

Over the last couple of weeks, Beshear has still signaled support for the president, but was among Democratic governors who attended a White House meeting called after Biden’s poor debate performance against Republican former President Donald Trump.?

Ahead of the meeting, Beshear said in a televised CNN interview that the governors wanted to hear more about how the president is doing and seek clarification on his health.?

Before last year, Beshear had not participated in the picnic since 2019 when he was challenging Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. He did not attend in 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, nor in 2022, initially because of a trip to Israel which was later canceled after devastating floods hit Eastern Kentucky. Political speeches were canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.?

As for other Kentucky politicos that could head to West Kentucky, responses from U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams are still “pending,” organizers say.?

Those attending include both candidates in the 1st Congressional District — incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer and Democratic challenger Erin Marshall —?as well as Chase Oliver, a Libertarian candidate for president. The picnic organizers are still in talks with surrogates from presidential campaigns about a possible appearance.?

Lisa Payne Jones and Jason Shea Fleming, candidates for the Kentucky Court of Appeals, will both attend.?

State-wide officers who will be in attendance are Attorney General Russell Coleman, Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell and Treasurer Mark Metcalf. All are Republicans.?

A proposed constitutional amendment to allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools will also be discussed. Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Suzanne Miles, of Owensboro, and Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, of Lexington, are set to speak on Amendment 2. Miles was the primary sponsor of the legislation for the amendment and Stevenson has been critical of it.?

Others set to speak include Mayfield Republican Rep. Richard Heath, Murray Republican Sen. Jason Howell and Kim Holloway, a GOP representative-elect who primaried Heath earlier this year.?

The Fancy Farm Picnic is set for Saturday, Aug. 3, and political speakers will begin at 2 p.m local time. Father Jim Sichko, of Lexington, will be this year’s emcee.?

Hadley Duvall speaks in a campaign ad for Democratic President Joe Biden called "They Don't Care." (Screenshot)

A Kentucky woman who talked about abortion in a pivotal campaign ad for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear last year is now up on airwaves supporting President Joe Biden on the same issue.

Hadley Duvall, an Owensboro native who is now in her early 20s, told the Kentucky Lantern last year that she began sharing her story about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.?

Woman in Beshear’s abortion ad says she wants to give voice to victims

In the ad for the Biden reelection campaign, text appears between clips of Duvall applying makeup in a mirror to tell the viewer that she was was raped by her stepfather as a child. At the age of 12, she became pregnant by him. She later miscarried.?

“When Roe v. Wade was overturned, immediately I just thought about being 12, and first thing that was told to me when I saw that positive pregnancy test was, ‘you have options,’” Duvall tells the viewer. “And you know, if Roe v. Wade would have been overturned sooner, I wouldn’t have heard that. And then it had me thinking that there’s someone who doesn’t get to hear that now.”?

She then calls out Biden’s opponents, former Republican President Donald Trump and running mate Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance.?

“Trump and J.D. Vance don’t care about women. They don’t care about girls in this situation,” Duvall says. “They will continue to take our rights away. In this election, we have a choice.”?

The ad is similar to the one aired by Beshear’s reelection campaign last year about two months before the 2023 election. In it, Duvall pushed Beshear’s Republican opponent, then-Attorney General Daniel Cameron on his stance on abortion access.?

Cameron said in September as governor, he would support adding exceptions in cases of rape and incest to Kentucky’s abortion ban? —?if the General Assembly would approve them. He had previously signaled support for the current state law as it is, without exceptions.?

Beshear on the other hand has a history of supporting the standard set by Roe v. Wade. The governor has said the Republican-controlled General Assembly has “given rapists more rights than their victims.” Lawmakers approved a “trigger law” in 2019 that went into effect immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling.?

Kentucky’s law has very narrow exceptions to save the life of the mother. It only allows abortions up to six weeks of pregnancy and does not include exceptions in cases of rape and incest.?

On election night, Beshear thanked Duvall in front of a crowd of supporters in Louisville after defeating Cameron. The following day, Beshear called on the legislature to add exceptions to Kentucky’s abortion ban in cases of rape and incest. While Republican and Democratic lawmakers did file bills to do so, they did not get a committee hearing during the 2024 legislative session.?

Recently, Duvall has appeared in an MSNBC interview alongside Biden’s running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and at a campaign event with First Lady Jill Biden.

Rebekah Bruesehoff, a transgender student athlete, speaks at a press conference on LGBTQI+ rights, at the U.S. Capitol on March 8, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Bruesehoff spoke out against a proposed national trans sports ban being considered by Republicans on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

A federal appellate court has upheld blocking central parts of new Title IX rules from the Biden administration and granted an expedited hearing in October.?

A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday to block the rules from taking effect Aug. 1, shortly before most schools begin their academic year. The rules, created by the U.S. Department of Education, were aimed at protecting students from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.?

Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote in the majority opinion that all judges on the panel agreed the central parts of the rules should not take effect on Aug. 1.?

“It is hard to see how all of the schools covered by Title IX could comply with this wide swath of new obligations if the Rule’s definition of sex discrimination remains enjoined,” Sutton said. “Harder still, we question how the schools could properly train their teachers on compliance in this unusual setting with so little time before the start of the new school year.”?

Judge Andre Mathis wrote in a dissenting opinion that he would grant a partial stay, as requested by the Department of Education.?

“I am cognizant of Plaintiffs’ argument that the benefits of enacting the Rule’s unchallenged provisions are outweighed by the expense or confusion of phased implementation,” Mathis wrote. “But most of the expense is attributable to provisions that Plaintiffs neither directly challenge nor cite as a source of harm.”?

The lawsuit was filed by Republican attorneys general in six states — Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia.?

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said in a statement that Title IX, which was established more than 50 years ago, “created equal opportunities for women and young girls in the classroom and on the field.” The Sixth Circuit ruling, he added, made it the first appellate court “to stop President Biden’s blatant assault on these fundamental protections.”?

“This ruling is a victory for common sense itself, and it’s a major relief for Kentucky families,” Coleman said. “As Attorney General and as a Dad, we’ll keep up the fight for my girls and for women across Kentucky so they can continue to fulfill their potential for the next 50 years and beyond.”

Madelyn Spalding, who works with the Kentucky LGBTQ+ youth-focused Louisville Youth Group and is a facilitator with the Kentuckiana Transgender Support Group, said it was “clear that the attorney general doesn’t care about these kids” who are part of the LGBTQ+ community in K-12 schools. She also added that as a transgender adult, she’s worried Coleman will use the arguments against the Title IX rules “as a roadmap to go after transgender adults.”

Spalding said blocking the Title IX rules would “create conditions that ostracize, exclude, erase, silence these youth with no repercussions.” Spalding added that adults who could speak up for students in these situations might lose school administrations’ support.

Spalding called it “disingenuous and harmful” to suggest that transgender kids are taking opportunities away from cisgender women or girls.

“I worry for the opportunities that are being taken away from women who are trans or cis(gender) being able to equally compete in ways that don’t boil down to essentially just their sex,” Spalding said. “It’s going to limit opportunities across the board and create social hierarchies, and what they’re doing is ingraining those — they’re enshrining those right now in the schools to keep down a certain type of student and show them there’s no place for them at the school.”

In June, Chief Judge Danny Reeves of the U.S. District Court in Eastern Kentucky sided with Coleman and the other five GOP attorneys general. The judge said the Department of Education “seeks to derail deeply rooted law” with its proposed Title IX rules.?

“At bottom, the Department would turn Title IX on its head by redefining ‘sex’ to include ‘gender identity.’ But ‘sex’ and ‘gender identity’ do not mean the same thing,” Reeves wrote. “The Department’s interpretation conflicts with the plain language of Title IX and therefore exceeds its authority to promulgate regulations under that statute.”?

Established in 1972, Title IX was created to prevent “discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance,” according to the Department of Education.

Coleman’s office said in a press release that K-12 schools that failed to comply with the new Title IX rules would have risked losing federal funding. Kentucky’s public and private schools received a total of $1.1 billion in federal funding last year.

The Biden administration introduced the rules to “build on the legacy of Title IX by clarifying that all our nation’s students can access schools that are safe, welcoming, and respect their rights,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona previously said in a statement. The rules also would have rolled back Trump administration changes that narrowly defined sexual harassment and directed schools to conduct live hearings, allowing those who were accused of sexual harassment or assault to cross-examine their accusers.

The Lantern has sought comment from the U.S. Department of Education on the latest ruling.

This story was updated with additional comments.?

Kentucky Capitol (Arden Barnes)

FRANKFORT — For almost 90 minutes on Tuesday, Kentucky lawmakers who tried to ban diversity, equity and inclusion in Kentucky’s colleges were told why such programs were needed in higher education. Yet, one legislator said DEI programs “segregate” students.?

Among presenters were two university presidents — Northern Kentucky University President Cady Short-Thompson and Morehead State University President Jay Morgan —? said they want their universities’ graduates to be part of a global workforce in presentations about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and policies at their respective institutions.?

In her presentation, Short-Thompson highlighted the more than 200 diverse student organizations NKU students have the option to join. They include religious, social, multicultural and academic groups.?

Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, asked Short-Thompson how her son, who will soon go to college, could feel welcomed at NKU when there are no organizations for white students.

“I see there’s African-American alumni that come and participate, which is great. I see Black Student Unions. I don’t see white anything. No mention. I see Black male-female events. My son, what would he relate to on your campus?” Callaway said. “And how is this inclusive? And how is it promoting unity while you segregate Black, white? Well, we’re assuming there’s some whites that go there. We don’t know because there’s no mention of any activities for whites. So I’m having a problem understanding what the justification is when we use the terms of diversity to exclude, very specifically, my son.”?

In her response, Short-Thompson said having multicultural organizations is akin to the General Assembly having a Black Legislative Caucus — some people find value in those but not all attend them.?

Short-Thompson, who has three children who went to college, said her children enrolled and joined various organizations based on their different interests.?

“That’s an education — where you have the opportunity to learn about other people and other groups, and you have the opportunity to study abroad, and you have this great chance to meet people who come from other parts of the state or other parts of the country or around the world,” Short-Thompson said.?

According to NKU’s website, 77% of its student population was white in Fall 2022, compared to 9% African-American, 4% Hispanic and 3% classified as two or more races.?

The committee’s focus on DEI in higher education comes after legislation to end DEI programs and offices in public postsecondary institutions failed to pass during the legislative session earlier this year.

The Interim Joint Committee on Education will hear from remaining public universities during its September meeting, said co-chair Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris.?

Short-Thompson also told the committee that NKU has a diverse student body that includes students from all walks of life, giving them a chance to learn from and interact cross-culturally with students who are different from themselves. She added that the university does not have institutionally funded scholarships based on DEI attributes, does not have DEI criteria in its admissions and diversity statements are not a condition of employment, promotion or other kind of benefit.?

NKU does have 45 academic programs that are externally accredited, such as its education and nursing programs, on criteria that includes DEI curricular requirements.?

Short-Thompson said NKU wants to prepare graduates to be part of a “global economy,” which means learning and interacting with people who come from different backgrounds and perspectives.?

Morgan, in his presentation, said MSU has similar goals and wants its graduates to be “culturally competent.” More than half of the students at MSU come from low-income backgrounds, Morgan said. Therefore, more resources are spent on serving students in those areas.?

“Morehead State University values the diversity of our students, the diversity of our workforce, our overall people,” Morgan said. “We respect all people, and we want our students and our faculty and visitors to feel like they have a sense of belonging on our campus.”?

Morgan said that the university does not require DEI training for employees and does not require applicants to submit diversity statements.?

Travis Powell, vice president and general counsel for the Council on Postsecondary Education, said Kentucky was one of several states’ with a racially segregated higher education system that violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act decades ago. Since 1982, Kentucky worked to remedy that by implementing a desegregation plan, which included improving recruitment and retention of Kentucky’s Black college students. The state was released from the plan in 2008.?

Powell said CPE adopted a 2016 DEI policy that was integrated into the council’s strategic agenda.?

Tim Minella, a senior fellow at the Goldwater Institute’s Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy, said CPE’s DEI policies are “a barrier” to “ensuring access and opportunity” for Kentucky students. Minella was previously part of the Lewis Honors College faculty at the University of Kentucky.?

Minella said the Goldwater Institute, a conservative think tank, suggests that Kentucky lawmakers abolish “DEI bureaucracies” that allow students to be treated differently because of race and prevent colleges from requiring DEI courses for graduation and prevent colleges from requiring DEI courses for graduation.?

Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas, who is from Lexington and has family members who attended UK, asked Minella if his intention was to “return UK to the 1950s,” as that’s around the time the university first allowed Black students to enroll at the institution. Thomas said a report from Minella provided to the committee was “quite critical” of the university.?

“The intent is to prohibit racial discrimination in public institutions of higher education — both in admissions and hiring,” Minella said.?

During the 2024 legislative session, two Kentucky lawmakers introduced bills aimed at curbing DEI in higher education that moved but did not get final passage. Republican Whip Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green, originally filed Senate Bill 6 to prevent public postsecondary institutions from requiring employees and students to “endorse a specific ideology or political viewpoint” as part of graduation or hiring practices.?

That bill passed the Senate, but was overhauled in the House to include measures from House Bill 9 from Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy. Her legislation would have ended DEI offices and programs at public universities.?

The Senate did concur with a House floor amendment to a postsecondary funding bill to prohibit the use of “any race-based metrics or targets in the formulas” for the higher education funding model.?

The Kentucky proposals followed a nationwide trend of conservative politicians rolling back DEI measures at colleges and universities.

Editor’s note: The spelling of a name was corrected in this article Wednesday morning.?

Sen. Michael J. Nemes, R-Shepherdsville, is co-chair of a legislative task force examining the Jefferson County Public Schools. (LRC Public Information)

Jefferson County Public Schools officials appeared Monday before a new legislative task force that will examine the governance of Kentucky’s largest school district.?

Led by Marty Pollio, the district’s superintendent, the officials laid out information about the district’s enrollment, financial records, governance structure and more to the Efficient & Effective School District Governance Task Force. Monday marked the group’s first meeting, which was nearly two hours long.?

Created by a House resolution, the task force includes lawmakers and citizen members. The group will review school districts with enrollment above 75,000 students and JCPS is the only one in the state that meets that criteria. Its enrollment is almost? 94,000.?

“The only purpose of this task force is to find ways to better educate our children,” Co-chair Rep. Michael Nemes, R-Shepherdsville, said at the start of the meeting. “If you think that they are doing fine and they’re at the top, we want to make them better. If you think they’re struggling and at the bottom, we want to help them to do the best they can do.”?

Pollio, who had opposed the task force a few months ago, said the officials were providing data requested by the Legislative Research Commission (LRC). He said Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), like other school systems, has faced issues in recent years that stem from the coronavirus pandemic, including addressing chronic absenteeism among students, catching up on learning loss and dealing with? staffing issues.?

“In education right now, it’s one of the most difficult times in our industry — across this nation, in this commonwealth — in many, many years,” Pollio said. “And so during the time that I’ve been superintendent, major challenges have occurred that are occurring in almost all districts, but some that are specific to us as well. “?

According to information presented, JCPS attendance rate is now 88%, down from 93.2% in 2019. Its chronic absenteeism rate is 38.4%, up from 22.8% in 2019. Chronic absenteeism is defined by students who miss more than 10% of days in a school year. Its graduation rate has improved from the 2017-18 school year to present —?81.6% to 87%.?

The school district has more than 18,025 employees and a total budget of more than $1.985 billion.?

While the committee did not take any action other than asking questions of the presenters on Monday, it will meet throughout the legislative interim. The next meeting is July 29.?

The task force is required to submit any recommendations to LRC by Dec. 1.?

The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy analyzed what effect voucher programs in other states would have if adopted in Kentucky. (Getty Images)

Kentucky’s public schools could take a big hit to their state funding if voters approve a constitutional amendment this fall allowing the General Assembly to begin funding private schools, a progressive think tank and several school leaders warned Monday.

The new report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KyPolicy) estimates that if Kentucky were to adopt an educational voucher system like Florida’s, it would cost Kentucky $1.19 billion annually, enough to pay for nearly 10,000 public school teachers and employees. Florida’s voucher system is the largest of its kind.?

The think tank also analyzed a smaller model, comparable to states like Arizona, and found it would cost Kentucky $199 million annually. That’s about 1,650 Kentucky public school employees.?

But first voters would have to approve Constitutional Amendment 2.

Jason Bailey, the executive director of Berea-based KyPolicy and one of the report authors, said in a Monday press briefing that the report reviewed existing funding data from other states’ voucher programs to predict what a Kentucky system could look like if Amendment 2 is approved.

“Amendment 2 would provide a blank check to the legislature to allow them to fund private schools for the first time,” Bailey said.?

The Republicans who control the legislature did not approve any enabling legislation showing what laws they would enact if voters approve the amendment. “Since the General Assembly did not include accompanying legislation showing how they plan to implement the amendment — as is typically the case with constitutional amendments — and since the proponents have been reluctant to talk about what they will do if the amendment passes, we must look … to what similar states are doing.”

Jim Waters, president of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, told the Kentucky Lantern in an interview that KyPolicy’s report was not “extremely relevant to the amendment.” The institute is supportive of voucher programs and charter schools as a way to increase education opportunities for students.?

“The amendment doesn’t create any ‘school choice’ program. It doesn’t create a voucher program. It doesn’t create a public charter school program. It doesn’t create an education savings account or a tax credit scholarship,” Waters said. “It simply allows the legislature to come back and debate that issue and decide that taking all of the factors into account — if the amendment passes.”?

Voucher programs give families money to be used toward paying private school tuition.

KyPolicy reports that “recent experience of other states shows that 65%-90% of voucher costs go to subsidize families already sending their children to private schools or planning to do so — a group whose average household income in Kentucky is 54% higher than public school families. Providing vouchers to that group will easily cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars based on the number of Kentucky students already in private school.”

The report says Kentucky’s existing private schools are in its wealthier areas. Three counties — Jefferson, Fayette and Kenton — are home to 52% of the state’s private schools. Jefferson County has the most at 33% while Fayette and Kenton counties have 10% each. Nearly half of the state’s 120 counties have zero private schools.?

Yet, a voucher system could disproportionately impact poorer rural counties where property values are low and therefore generate less property tax revenue for schools than in districts with more valuable real estate, KyPolicy found.

Kentucky’s wealthiest public school district — Anchorage Independent — would have to reduce its budget by 6% under the Florida model. Meanwhile, eight county school districts and six independent school districts would have to cut their budgets by at least 20% under the same model, the report says.

Rural districts, racial minorities fear amendment’s impact

Carter County Schools, a district in northeastern Kentucky, would have to reduce its budget by about 19% under the Florida model. Paul Green, Carter County superintendent, said Monday in the press briefing that his district already had a $750,000 deficit in its operating budget during the last fiscal year because of a “significant loss of enrollment” during the coronavirus pandemic. Carter County is also trying to figure out how it can afford salary increases for employees.?

“The majority of our funding comes from state sources. And as you get into the more rural, the more low-socioeconomic, the more land-poor districts rely more heavily on the state for revenue for schools,” the superintendent said.?

Green also expressed concerns about possible funding for homeschooled students, likening the amendment to “Pandora’s box” since it’s unclear what laws and policies would be implemented if the amendment is passed. If a system is created that allows funding to follow students not just to private schools, but also to homeschool programs, that could be an incentive for families to keep students at home, he said.

“Imagine you take a low-income family with three school-aged children, and you offer them $5,000 a year to homeschool their children,” Green said. “That could be $15,000 a year in cash money to a family to not educate their children or not put those children into school, and they then become schooled in a homeschool environment, which is unregulated with no way of anybody to check to make sure these things are happening in a way that actually educates our youth. That is a huge concern.”?

Casey Allen, the superintendent of Ballard County Schools in West Kentucky, said there “really isn’t a great reason for anyone” in his county to support the constitutional amendment. There are no private schools in the district, and under the Florida-model, Ballard County is predicted to lose 14% of its budget.?

Some Ballard County families do have students in private schools but must transport them to private schools in Paducah, the superintendent said.?

“The people that are currently seeking private school education will continue to seek private school education,” Allen said. “Families that leave our community will take with them the funding, and thus the jobs. … Other communities will benefit from our tax dollars. Employees of those institutions and retirees will live and spend their money in other communities.”?

Waters said in response to the superintendents’ concerns about losing state funding that creating competition between public and private schools could lead to better educational results.?

“The money is to educate the student, and our (state) Constitution says it’s supposed to be done in an effective and efficient way,” Waters said.?

Additionally, the KyPolicy report says there are “major disparities in the racial makeup of public and private school students.” As a whole, 78% of Kentucky students in public schools are white compared to 86% of students in private schools.?

Rev. Rhondalyn Randolph, the president of the Owensboro chapter of the NAACP, said the constitutional amendment would allow private schools to be more selective in the students they admit. Public schools often provide supportive resources for all students, such as afterschool programs and needs through Family Resource Centers.?

“If this ‘voucher amendment’ passes, it will only worsen the problem that we already have, and it will also further stifle the ability for public schools to be able to meet the needs of the students that are in need — of high risk students,” she said.?

Waters said that charter school laws typically include a first-come, first-serve policy and described that type of school as “public schools that deliver education in a more innovative way or in a different way.” Some also have a lottery system in situations when more students want to attend a charter school but there is not enough space.?

He also added that such schools only exist because parents are choosing them.?

“If parents choose not to send their children there, there’s not going to be any school,” Waters said. “So what greater accountability to answer a lot of these issues do you have than that?”

The amendment has been quickly swept up in partisan politics, as it was priority legislation for many Republican lawmakers during the last legislative session and Democrats, including Gov. Andy Beshear, have strongly voiced opposition to itAccording to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, three issue committees have formed to campaign about the amendment. Two are for approving the amendment while one is against it.?

The amendment is GOP lawmakers’ answer to courts striking down charter school, voucher and tuition tax credit legislation in the past based on the Kentucky Constitution. As it is now, the Constitution bars using tax dollars to fund any but the state’s “common schools” (or public schools), and courts have cited the Constitution when striking down the legislative attempts to fund private or charter schools with public dollars.?

The Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort on Feb. 27, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Gov. Andy Beshear said he hopes his administration and state Auditor Allison Ball’s office “can work through” access issues around a database in a Thursday press conference.?

Earlier this week, Ball, a Republican, sent a “demand letter” to Beshear, a Democrat, and Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander over access to the database, iTWIST, which includes abuse and neglect reports and cabinet case files. She said the cabinet refused to allow the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman access to records in the database.?

When asked about the letter Thursday, Beshear said the issue “isn’t some dramatic disagreement that has any type of political tones at all” and arose after changes to the ombudsman’s office. In 2023, the legislature created the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman, an independent office attached to the auditor’s office, effective July 1. It replaced the Office of the Ombudsman and Administrative Review, previously part of the cabinet.?

Beshear said statutes about what access the previous office had access to were not updated to reflect the new office, limiting access to what can be shared with someone outside of the cabinet.?

“I’m sure the General Assembly intended for the ombudsman to be able to do what they need to do, and I support them having the access, but we have a written statute that is on the books that says we can’t provide certain access,” Beshear said. “And I don’t think the General Assembly is going to tell me that if you think that you know what we wanted you to do, then you can ignore the other statutes that we passed on the books.”?

The governor said the ombudsman’s office wants full access to the database, but the cabinet feels “like they’d be violating the law.”?

“This is something that I hope we can work through in a way that works until January, and then ultimately, we can get a statutory — either revocation for the limitations or a change that helps us to get this done,” Beshear said. “But it would be an interesting precedent if different chairmen or chairwomen of the General Assembly told me I can ignore certain statutes on the books because of what they were trying to do.”?

Joy Pidgorodetska Markland, communications director in the auditor’s office, wrote in an email to the Kentucky Lantern Thursday that Beshear’s administration had “never raised this specific statutory concern despite going through two legislative sessions and numerous meetings with our office and sponsoring legislators” in the past two years. Markland added that the auditor’s office has not received a response from Beshear or the cabinet to the letter sent this week and it “is disingenuous to say that he is working with us.”?

“The statute that governs this transition clearly states that all files and records must be made available to us,” Markland said. “The Cabinet is misconstruing a law in the juvenile code that actually permits our access to the database. Moreover, the juvenile code would have no bearing on adult records that are contained in the database, and therefore, all of those should be made available to us immediately. The Governor wants to say this is a dispute about the law, but it is actually about his decision to obstruct us from protecting children and other vulnerable Kentuckians. On this point, our office continues to receive complaints about the Cabinet everyday.”

Gov. Andy Beshear, right, surveys storm damage from storms in May. (Gov. Andy Beshear)

Gov. Andy Beshear gave updates on how Kentuckians affected by recent severe weather can receive assistance and how damages are being assessed.?

In his weekly press conference, Beshear said Louisville Metro Emergency Services is working with local government officials and first responders to assess damage and assist victims of an EF-1 tornado that hit Jefferson County on July 4.. Beshear visited the site along with Kentucky Emergency Management (KEM) officials on Friday.?

Beshear said another tornado touched down in Union County Tuesday night as Kentucky experienced storms that were remnants of Hurricane Beryl. Beshear said KEM is monitoring the situation and is offering assistance to county officials as requested.?

“As the National Weather Service begins to conduct surveys, we expect other tornadoes will be confirmed,” Beshear said. “The damage mostly impacted agricultural areas, and one home has reported damage.?

Assistance for previous weather events

Beshear gave updates on assistance for survivors of a few severe weather events in recent months.?

The governor said that the Small Business Administration is offering disaster assistance for businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations affected by severe storms and tornadoes on March 14 and 15. Kentucky counties Trimble, Carroll, Henry and Oldham were affected at the time.?

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery, inventory and other business assets damaged or destroyed during the storms. Homeowners may qualify for loans up to $500,000 to repair or replace real estate damaged or destroyed in the storms or up to $100,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property.?

The deadline to apply for physical property damage applications is Aug. 26 for the March storms. To apply, visit sba.gov/disaster, call 800-659-2955 or email [email protected].?

For early April severe storms that affected 11 Kentucky counties, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has distributed more than $1.3 million in individual assistance to 902 survivors, Beshear said.?

President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the storms in May. The counties affected were Boyd, Carter, Fayette, Greenup, Henry, Jefferson, Jessamine, Mason, Oldham, Union and Whitley.?

“Remember, it’s tough to apply for individual assistance,” Beshear said. “We met it for this set of storms because so many people submitted their damage. Even if they didn’t need individual assistance, they were helping us account for the damage so those who needed it could get it.”?

To apply for FEMA assistance, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by use the FEMA app.?

Beshear said Kentucky has not received a federal disaster declaration for severe weather damage during late May events, but KEM is working with FEMA to assess damage and direct survivors toward assistance. The governor said those impacted by damage should contact their local emergency manager.?

A teacher waves to her students as they get off the bus at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville on Jan. 24, 2022, in this file photo. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Five citizens have been selected to join a legislative task force that will examine Jefferson County Public Schools’ governance.?

The General Assembly passed House Concurrent Resolution 81 to create the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force during the last legislative session. The task force will review school districts with enrollment above 75,000 students. JCPS is the only school district in the state that meets that criteria.?

Citizens could submit applications to join the task force, with the exception of the person designated by the JCPS superintendent. The selections by the Legislative Research Commission are:?

• Angela Masden-Wilson and Brittany Abdelahad as resident-parent members. They met requirements such as being taxpayers within the school district, having children either attending JCPS or are a recent graduate, and not being a school district employee.?
• Jody Wurtenberger is the business member. To be eligible for this position, Wurtenberger had “experience in the finance, management, and operations of large businesses that operate in the commonwealth.” Wurtenberger recently wrote an opinion column published by the Louisville Courier Journal supporting a proposed constitutional amendment for “school choice,” which would allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools.?
• George Nichols is the teacher member. To qualify, this person must be a current employee and have worked in the district for at least five years. He teaches at Iroquois High School and is the treasurer of the Jefferson County Teachers Association.?
• Rebecca Nicolas is the principal member. She was chosen out of a list of three principals selected by the superintendent. She is the principal of Fern Creek High School.?

The task force’s first meeting will be held on Monday, July 15. The meeting agenda includes a presentation by Marty Pollio, the JCPS superintendent.?

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear had vetoed the legislation, calling it in his veto message “unconstitutional special legislation” aimed at one school district and “the General Assembly’s latest attempt to set the framework for the legislature to divide” JCPS — a decision that should be a local decision and not a legislative one, the governor argued. His veto was overridden.?

Six lawmakers are on the task force. Rep. Kim Banta, R-Fort Mitchell, and Sen. Michael J. Nemes, R-Shepherdsville, are the co-chairs of the task force.

Discussions about artificial intelligence during the legislative interim are likely to guide action in Kentucky's next legislative session starting in January.?(Getty Images)

Kentucky lawmakers on the General Assembly’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force learned Tuesday about how states are using artificial intelligence and possible legal frameworks for the technology.

During the task force’s first meeting, lawmakers heard presentations from technology and government experts about the history of artificial intelligence (AI), ways state governments use it and legislation in other states. Discussions held in the interim sessions about AI are likely to impact legislation in Kentucky’s next legislative session starting in January.?

Ryan Harkins, senior director of public policy for Microsoft, told lawmakers about the history of developing artificial intelligence and legislation surrounding it. Harkins said generative AI, which creates texts, images or other content, can be used to summarize texts, go beyond traditional keyword searches, create coding and more.?

Harkins said that while tech companies like Microsoft have adopted ethical principles to guide its AI use, some bad actors may exploit AI. That’s where laws come in.?

“We need law and regulation to play its appropriate role, to ensure that everyone in the marketplace — that everyone in the ecosystem — is abiding by certain basic safety and security standards to ensure that we are mitigating any potential risks of harm,” Harkins said.?

That ongoing “robust conversation” about what the rules should be includes those in the technology industry, policymakers, elected officials, academics and other members of civil society, Harkins added.?

Doug Robinson, the executive director of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), spoke about the various ways that states currently use AI in their operations, such as translating government websites into multiple languages. In some cases, using AI saves time to complete these once “laborious” tasks.

Robinson said legislation about AI was introduced in 40 states this year. During Kentucky’s legislative session, two Lexington lawmakers — Republican Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe and Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. Reggie Thomas — sponsored a bill aimed at limiting the use of “deep fakes” or deceptive AI to influence elections in Kentucky. The legislation died in a House committee. The bill would have allowed political candidates appearing in manipulated digital media to bring legal action against the sponsor of the media.

Bledsoe is a co-chair of the AI Task Force and Thomas is a member of it.?

The issue of AI interference in elections has also come up at the federal level. In May, the U.S. Senate Rules Committee advanced three bills that would address the use of AI in elections.?

States surveyed by NASCIO reported concerns about the use of AI for disinformation, biased outputs from AI, inadequate data privacy and security.

“Without that understanding, without a policy framework, without a set of enterprise directives coming out of the office of the CIO (chief information officer), which we’ve seen from many states, then you have to be concerned about how these tools are being used, and what the impact might be on the citizens and the actual trust in government,” Robinson said.?

The lawmakers on the committee had several questions about the advancement of AI and how it can be regulated at the state level.?

Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Veron, who is also a co-chair of the task force, asked if AI could be used to improve state government functions in cases like addressing the unemployment services backlog built up during the coronavirus pandemic. He also raised concerns about fraud increasing under an AI system.?

Robinson said he viewed that as a “double-edged sword,” as AI is being used in some cases to detect fraud, but adversaries could use generative AI in cybersecurity attacks.?

“I think states in the future will be deploying these capabilities to reduce fraud,” he added.?

The task force’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 13. Bledose said lawmakers on the task force have a lot to discuss during the interim session.?

“This is not a small topic, as you can tell, and it has widespread implications in the private and public sectors, and I think we’re going to do our best to be mindful of both,” she said.?

Kentucky State University. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT —?A year into his presidency, Koffi Akakpo is optimistic that Kentucky State University will enroll significantly more students this fall.

In a recent interview, Akakpo said Kentucky’s only historically black public university is on its way to overcoming problems that put KSU into crisis a few years ago.

“We’re still working on it, but I’m pleased where we are,” he said. “Policies have been updated. People have been held accountable.”

Akakpo, previously president of Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, said his vision is to move KSU toward sustainability while supporting academic programs “that meet the needs of our region, the state’s and our country.”

He pointed to new science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs at KSU. The university has received approval to begin bachelor’s programs in manufacturing engineering technology, cybersecurity and biological and agricultural engineering.?

“That doesn’t mean we will neglect our liberal arts mission, but as things evolve throughout the world, we also need STEM to be part of what we do,” Akakpo said.?

Last fall, the university’s total enrollment was 1,689. Akakpo said this fall’s goal is 3,000. He predicted KSU will either meet that number or be very close to it.?

In 2022, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation that required the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to oversee a management improvement plan for KSU and allocated $23 million to offset the university’s budget shortfalls.?

A previous administration had misused funds , and KSU had received a warning from its accreditation body.?

Travis Powell, vice president and general counsel for CPE, said KSU has “made a lot of progress” since the management plan was implemented, but “there’s a lot to be done.” KSU representatives recently told a legislative committee KSU had completed 53 of its 130 improvement plan objectives.?

Powell said CPE has seen improvements in revising policies and procedures and increased and more accurate financial reporting by KSU. KSU had a general operating budget of about $32 million, according to a budget overview for the 2023-24 fiscal year,.?

“There’s definitely a path forward for them, and we’re pleased with the progress we’ve seen today,” Powell said.?

CPE’s final report for the 2022 legislation is due to the General Assembly in November 2025, Powell said. While KSU technically has until then to complete the list of deliverables, CPE outlined a schedule to complete them by the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, giving a few months to make final evaluations.?

Akakpo has brought stability and a vision for KSU to the institution over the past year, Powell said. The confidence has also permeated through the university’s staff and hires he’s made, Powell added.?

“He’s very strong in his position that KSU can thrive and be a shining star in the state of Kentucky,” Powell said of Akakpo.?

Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson, also praised Akakpo’s leadership. Wilkerson was on KSU’s presidential search committee. The mayor said that Frankfort and KSU have had a long history; KSU was founded in the state’s capital in 1886, more than 130 years ago. This time period will likely be remembered as a “watershed moment” for KSU.?

“I think he has the right mentality to change the mindset of the university, to start thinking bigger and to expect more,” Wilkerson said of Akakpo.?

Wilkerson said he hopes KSU continues to focus on programs that benefit the region’s workforce, particularly in nursing, agriculture, computer science and cybersecurity, and support 21st century careers that will be in demand.?

“What’s good for Kentucky State is good for Frankfort,” Wilkerson said. “Their success is our success, and I’m optimistic for the future.”?

Akakpo said he’s felt support from local, state and federal leaders since joining KSU.?

“Everybody wants to see KSU do well,” Akakpo said.?

‘Look at the future’

As KSU improves, Powell said the institution could become something the General Assembly wants to invest in from a strategic standpoint to move Kentucky forward.?

No money to build new nursing school raises old question: ‘When will it be Kentucky State’s time?’

“I think KSU expects to be funded fairly based on the students it serves and its size. But as far as any additional support beyond that, it’s always welcomed,” Powell said. “And I think if it does happen, it’ll be based on individual initiatives that come up over time, and who knows what those will be.”?

During this year’s? legislative session, the General Assembly set aside $60 million for KSU to use for campus maintenance and repairs in legislation earlier this year, along with $5 million for the design of a health science education building.

Powell said if KSU can focus on building a strong base in the short term, that can help with sustainability moving ahead. While it’s one of Kentucky’s smallestr public postsecondary institutions, it can focus on being high quality at the opportunities it offers students.?

“What I see for KSU is just being that really strong HBCU partner in Frankfort institution that is super high quality,” Powell said. “It’s never going to be for everybody. Some people are going to want that big school experience, but you’ll get that small school experience at a state school price at a really high quality level. I think that’s the ultimate future for the institution.”?

Akakpo said that at the moment, KSU is being pulled in different directions as it continues to complete goals under the management plan and review documents for its accreditation body, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). KSU is scheduled to give an update to SACSCOC in October.?

In August, the Board of Regents will review the institution’s five year plan during its retreat, Akakpo said.?

“Once all this is done, then we’re going to sit down together and look at the future and see how we can work in the greatest integration and work to make KSU one of the best HBCUs in the nation,” Akakpo said.

Andy Beshear (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will be among Democratic governors meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House Wednesday evening.?

The meeting, set to take place at 6:30 p.m., according to Biden’s public schedule, comes after the Democratic governors pushed to hear more from the White House after the president’s poor debate performance last week against former Republican President Donald Trump.?

Beshear said on CNN Tuesday evening that he and his fellow Democratic governors want to know more about how the president is doing.?

“When you see somebody, one of the first things you ask is, ‘How are you doing?’ And oftentimes we get way too much information in that response,” Beshear said. “It’s something that we are used to talking about. Now, that’s part of our culture. So, I don’t think it’s an attack on the White House or an attack on the president — who is a good man and a nice man — to just say, ‘Tell us a little bit more about how you’re doing.’”

Other governors who are confirmed to attend the meeting include California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, according to media reports. A spokesperson for Beshear said his attendance will be in person.?

Earlier this week, Beshear pledged to continue supporting Biden as long as he remains the Democratic candidate in the race.?

Biden’s debate performance on CNN last week sparked questions about his age, 81, and fitness for office in a second term. Biden spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave somewhat confusing answers throughout the night. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, repeated falsehoods, such as election fraud resulting in his 2020 loss.

Calls to replace Biden as a candidate have grown since the debate, with Texas U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett becoming the first congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to withdraw from the race.?

Over the weekend, Beshear made several shortlists from national media outlets as a possible replacement for Democrats, along with Newsom, Vice President Kamala Harris and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In a possible matchup against Trump, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found Beshear polling at 36% to the Republican president’s 40%. However, about 70% of the Democrats polled said they had never heard of Beshear.?

In the CNN interview, correspondent Pamela Brown suggested allies of Harris have eyed Beshear as a possible running mate for her should she move up the ticket. Beshear said the national attention is a reflection of what’s happening in Kentucky.?

“We have Democrats and Republicans working together. We have record job growth, record exports, record tourism. We’ve seen low recidivism. We’ve seen our drug overdose deaths go down two years in a row, which means we’re taking care of our people better,” Beshear said. “And so while it’s nice to hear your name and things like that, I’m just proud of what we have done as a state, and the president and the vice president have been very helpful in making a lot of that happen.”

Correspondent Pamela Brown interviews Gov. Andy Beshear on CNN Tuesday.

Gov. Andy Beshear says his fellow Democratic governors want to know how President Joe Biden is doing.?

In a Tuesday interview on CNN’s “The Situation Room” with correspondent Pamela Brown, Beshear said seeking clarification about the president’s health isn’t an attack on his candidacy, but something Americans would respond to positively.?

Biden will meet with Democratic governors Wednesday, multiple news outlets have reported, in hopes of shoring up support after his poor performance in last week’s presidential debate.

CBS reports that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, and some governors plan to be at the White House, while others will attend virtually. A spokesperson for Beshear confirmed Wednesday morning that the governor will attend the meeting in person.?

On CNN, Beshear noted he and Brown, the daughter of the late Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr., are from Kentucky, where southern hospitality includes asking someone how they are doing out of concern.?

“When you see somebody, one of the first things you ask is, ‘How are you doing?’ And oftentimes we get way too much information in that response,” Beshear said. “It’s something that we are used to talking about. Now, that’s part of our culture. So, I don’t think it’s an attack on the White House or an attack on the president — who is a good man and a nice man — to just say, ‘Tell us a little bit more about how you’re doing.’”

Beshear’s comments come on the heels of the governor telling reporters on Monday he plans to support Biden, 81, as long as he remains in the presidential race. The White House and Biden campaign have continued to fend off questions about the president’s debate performance on CNN last week against former Republican President Donald Trump, 78. Biden spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave somewhat confusing answers throughout the night. Meanwhile, Trump repeated falsehoods, such as election fraud resulting in his 2020 loss.?

Over the weekend, speculation about replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee heightened, with Beshear making some national media shortlists as possible alternatives, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

On CNN Tuesday, Beshear said Biden has been good to Kentucky, particularly on infrastructure funding. The governor also warned against a second Trump presidency, saying “the idea of an angry, or even a vengeful, president is very concerning, and is something that we should not allow to happen.”?

Beshear said that both Trump and Biden are “the age of grandparents” and for parents the choice comes down to: “If you’ve got two separate grandparents that you can leave your kids with — one is kind and has been good to them, maybe stiffer, may have had a bad debate, and one is angry and talks about getting revenge on people — who are you going to trust your kids with? And should we entrust the country with any less?”

Beshear repeated that the attention he’s received as a possible replacement or a potential running mate for Harris should she move up the ticket is a reflection of Kentucky’s success.?

“We have Democrats and Republicans working together. We have record job growth, record exports, record tourism. We’ve seen low recidivism. We’ve seen our drug overdose deaths go down two years in a row, which means we’re taking care of our people better,” Beshear said. “And so while it’s nice to hear your name and things like that, I’m just proud of what we have done as a state, and the president and the vice president have been very helpful in making a lot of that happen.”

Beshear said he has a “good relationship” with Harris” and the two have worked on initiatives like decriminalizing marijuana.?

Beshear said the governors hope to have a “direct and candid conversation” with Biden in their meeting and talk strategy. Beshear added that the governors are “very vested in this election,” particularly when it comes to abortion rights.

Kentuckians will be voting this fall on two constitutional amendments. This is the view approaching the Sugar Maple Square polling site in Bowling Green, May 21, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

A grassroots advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against Kentucky election officials alleging the state’s process for removing voters from rolls violates federally protected voting rights.?

The state’s top election official responded that undoing the law during a presidential election year would “sow chaos and doubt.”?

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) filed the lawsuit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams and the State Board of Elections, which includes Republican and Democratic members.?

The complaint alleges that Kentucky’s election law, which was changed in response to the coronavirus pandemic and became permanent in 2021, violates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. KFTC says the federal act requires registered voters who have moved to receive notice in writing to confirm their address and have time to respond before they are removed from voter rolls. Kentucky’s law “flagrantly violates these requirements,” KFTC argues, by not giving voters notice before removal.?

Adams issued a statement Tuesday saying he plans to defend the law in court. The 2021 changes, known as House Bill 574, were signed into law by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.?

“Kentucky’s elections are a national success story,” Adams said. “Three years ago, Kentucky enacted a bipartisan law to prevent voting in more than one state in a presidential election. Now that a presidential election is underway, a fringe left-wing activist group is trying to undo that law and sow chaos and doubt in our elections. We believe voters should vote in only one state, and we expect to prevail in court.”

In addition to the removal process, the 2021 state law also has provisions for no-excuse in-person early voting and updates to regulations for absentee ballots.?

The secretary of state also said that 4,362 individuals had been removed from the voter rolls in June. Of that group, 3,030 were deceased, 603 were convicted of felonies, 554 had moved out of the state, 78 voluntarily deregistered, 52 were duplicate registrations and 45 were adjudged mentally incompetent.

KFTC is asking the court to permanently enjoin election officials from canceling voter registrations without following provisions required by federal law.?

The group’s lawsuit also says it registered more than 2,000 new voters during last year’s governor’s race and plans to “directly register even more prospective voters due to the presidential race.”?

KFTC will hire 15 people across the state for this year’s voter registration program, which includes field training and webinars.?

Founded in 1981, KFTC’s mission is to “challenge and change unfair political, economic and social systems by working for a new balance of power and a just society.”

Read Kentuckians for the Commonwealth v. Michael Adams

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and his vice presidential prospects had been the center of speculation in his home state for weeks. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT — Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said that as long as President Joe Biden remains a candidate in the presidential election, Beshear will continue to support him.?

Beshear, 46, a two-term governor in red-state Kentucky, has been floated as a potential Democratic nominee should Biden step aside. However, the governor on Monday pushed back at questions about getting into the race now.?

Speaking to reporters, Beshear said he would echo what he said when asked about the possibility of appointing someone to replace Republican U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell in office (which has not come to fruition): “The president says he’s staying in, and I believe him.”?

Biden’s performance in the CNN debate against former Republican President Donald Trump sparked questions about the president’s ability to lead in a second term. Biden, 81, spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave somewhat confusing answers throughout the night. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, repeated falsehoods, such as election fraud resulting in his 2020 loss.

Beshear made several shortlists over the weekend of possible replacements for Democrats, including nods in the New York Times and Washington Post. Other names that gained attention were Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Beshear said he left a watch party shortly before the debate began Thursday night that was attended by Whitmer and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker but heard “it was tense afterwards.” CNN reported the watch party was in Los Angeles and Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, also attended.?

Beshear added that Biden has “admitted that it was a rough night.” ?Beshear said, “My hope is that there’s more information forthcoming, that he’ll speak to the American people and to the leaders around the country.”

“The debate performance was rough,” Beshear said. “It was a very bad night for the president, but he is still the candidate. Only he can make decisions about his future candidacy. And so as long as he continues to be in the race, I support him.”?

Kentucky Democrats recently selected their delegates to the Democratic National Committee’s convention slated for August. Beshear, who is among voting delegates heading to the convention, said he is “positive that our delegates will support” Biden. Because nearly 18% of Kentucky Democratic voters cast uncommitted ballots in this year’s primary election, Kentucky Democrats will have a handful of uncommitted delegates.?

When asked about his reaction to being touted as a replacement should Biden step aside, Beshear called it “flattering” and said it was a positive reflection on Kentucky, particularly in areas like economic growth.?

“I think the rest of the country turns to us and says how can a Democratic governor (and) a Republican General Assembly create really good results? And I think the answer to that is everything is not partisan. And people are tired of the clashes day in and day out,” Beshear said. “So when they look at what we have done in Kentucky, they see a better future that’s beyond some of the back and forth that we see on the federal level.”?

Beshear signaled support for Biden’s candidacy last October in an editorial board interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader. Beshear has also taken steps to increase his national profile since his reelection last fall. The governor launched a political action committee, In This Together, and will be the keynote speaker for an Iowa Democratic Party dinner later this month.

Beshear spoke to reporters after addressing a crowd outside the Old State Capitol in Frankfort to honor Kentucky State Parks’ 100th anniversary.?

In a statement responding to the governor’s comments, Republican Party of Kentucky spokesperson Andy Westberry said Beshear “clearly sees this as an opportunity for his political future, but his insincere attempt to deflect from the issue won’t make it go away.”?

“Andy Beshear needs to stand up and show real leadership by telling the truth: Joe Biden is not fit to serve as President today, let alone for another four years,” Westberry said.?

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie posted photos of himself and his wife, Rhonda, as he announced her death. (Posted on X)

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky announced his wife, Rhonda, has died.?

In a Friday morning social media post on X, the congressman expressed thanks for “prayers for our family in this difficult time.”?

“Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven,” Massie wrote.?

The congressman, a Republican who represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, met his wife at Lewis County High School in Northeastern Kentucky in the 1980s. They both went on to earn degrees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and launched a business, SensAble Technologies. They later sold the business and moved back to Lewis County.?

The Massies have four children. No information about the cause of death has been released.?

Several Kentucky Republicans offered their condolences Friday morning. Fellow Congressman Andy Barr said on X that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Rhonda Massie’s death.?

“Rhonda’s warmth, kindness, and dedication to her family and community touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” Barr said. “During this heartbreaking time, my thoughts and prayers are with Thomas, their four children, and the entire Massie family.”?

State Auditor Allison Ball, who became the first statewide officer in Kentucky to give birth while in office as treasurer, shared on X that she sought parenting advice from Rhonda Massie on several occasions.?

“I am saddened to hear of the passing of Rhonda Massie,” Ball said. “Rhonda was always so wonderful to me. She encouraged me through my first pregnancy and made the best homemade pies. Asa and I are praying for Congressman Massie and the Massie family.”

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said on X he and First Lady Britainy Beshear were “deeply saddened for U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie and his family at the tragic news of the passing of his wife, Rhonda.”

“Please join us in sending prayers of peace and comfort,” the governor said.

Kentucky State University. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

FRANKFORT —?Kentucky State University has been awarded a $7 million grant from the National Science Foundation for an agricultural research incubator that has partners across the state.

With the dollars, KSU plans to establish a statewide research network that focuses on agriculture, climate change and access to fresh food called Driving AgTech Research and Education in Kentucky (DARE-KY). Other partners on the project include the University of Pikeville, Bluegrass Community and Technology College, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and FoodChain Inc.

The project will focus on soilless food systems for more sustainable agriculture. The systems will be hydroponic and use fish waste as fertilizer to grow produce.?

KSU President Koffi Akakpo said the grant was a historic announcement for the university.?

“This project emphasizes impact — the impact on the commonwealth by Kentucky State University and partners, the impact on the economy, on education and on the future,” Akakpo said. “I could not be more proud.”

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and U.S. Rep. James Comer attended a ceremony on campus Thursday afternoon. Frankfort and Franklin County officials, Education and Labor Cabinet personnel and state lawmakers were also present.?

The Kentucky General Assembly set aside $60 million for KSU to use for campus maintenance and repairs in legislation earlier this year, along with $5 million for the design of a health science education building. Two years ago, legislators passed a law to give KSU $23 million to offset budget shortfalls and required the Council on Postsecondary Education to oversee a management improvement plan.?

While the university has faced numerous controversies in recent years, such as an accreditation warning and misused funds under a previous administration, current officials told lawmakers earlier this month KSU has completed 53 of its 130 improvement plan objectives.?

CPE President Aaron Thompson said Thursday that the NSF grant is “the kind of grant that gives you the base to build on other possibilities and outcomes.” He said such achievement signaled more good things to come.?

“We will get the enrollment. We will have the student success,” Thompson said during the ceremony.” We will have the innovative programming and we will have many more of these.”

Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel has resigned. (Louisville Metro Police Department)

Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel has resigned after being placed on administrative leave amid an investigation of her handling of sexual harassment allegations within the department.?

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Tuesday that the chief’s resignation was effective immediately. He appointed Acting Chief of Police Paul Humphrey, who had been leading the department while Gwinn-Villaroel was on leave, to serve as the interim chief.?

In a statement, Greenberg said Humphrey “is fully empowered to make the decisions necessary to reduce gun violence, improve public safety, manage the department, take disciplinary action and implement the policy and priority changes we agree are necessary, particularly surrounding sexual harassment and police misconduct.”?

The mayor also thanked Gwinn-Villaroel for her service.?

“The people of Louisville expect all of us in public service to work together with integrity to make our city safer, stronger and healthier, and I am confident Interim Chief Humphrey and his team at LMPD will do that,” Greenberg said.?

Gwinn-Villaroel was suspended less than two weeks ago as a harassment allegation became public. While she was not involved in the alleged conduct, an attorney representing the initial accuser Maj. Shannon Lauder said the chief became aware of her complaint against Maj. Brian Kuriger during a command staff meeting.?

In the days following, Sgt. Lauren Carby filed a lawsuit against LMPD and alleged sexual harassment from Lauder and her husband, Lt. Jeff Lauder. Another lawsuit was filed by officer Christine Silk, who accused officers Justin LeMon and Dale Cottongim of sexually harassing her multiple times.?

Greenberg and Humphrey said immediate changes would be made to LMPD’s sexual harassment policies and procedures to more clearly define sexual harassment, improve and expand the reporting process, implement new training and add support systems for employees who report sexual harassment.?

Greenberg said it was “the beginning of what I expect to be major improvements and transformative reforms at LMPD” and more announcements will follow.??

“Let me be abundantly clear: LMPD will not tolerate sexual harassment. We are implementing significant policy updates. We have begun enhanced training and are revising and improving our reporting and handling processes,” Humphrey said. “Additionally, a variety of support systems are available for employee wellness including through our Summit Wellness Center. We are committed to accountability and fostering a safe work environment that is welcoming where all employees feel comfortable and secure.”

Gwinn-Villaroel became the permanent chief in 2023 after serving as interim chief of the department. LMPD has had six different leaders since 2020.?

In that time frame, the department has gained national criticism for various incidents, including the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, while officers were serving a no-knock warrant and, more recently, arresting professional golfer Scottie Scheffler during the PGA Championship but the charges have been dismissed.?

The City of Louisville earlier this year began negotiating a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice to correct civil rights violations by the LMPD.

Gwinn-Villaroel joined the department in 2021 as deputy chief. She previously worked at the Atlanta Police Department.?

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell takes photos with attendees of a Greater Louisville Inc. luncheon, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LOUISVILLE — U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell told a group of Louisville business leaders that no matter who wins the 2024 presidential election, the country’s allies must “know that America is strong.”?

McConnell, Kentucky’s senior senator, spoke about domestic and international politics, including his thoughts on the U.S. election and his continued support for Ukraine against Russia at a Capitol Connection luncheon hosted by Greater Louisville Inc., the local chamber of commerce.?

Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump are set for their first 2024 debate Thursday. McConnell remarked that it will “be interesting to see.”?

The senator, who endorsed Trump after he swept Super Tuesday primaries in March, repeated his frequent criticisms of the Biden administration, including federal spending to support the economy after the coronavirus pandemic that McConnell says fueled inflation and policies at the U.S.-Mexico border. Those “unforced errors” could be the reason Biden loses in November, McConnell said.?

“The other problem the president has — something I’m familiar with — is how old he is.”?

McConnell’s age — he’s 82 — and health became concerns last year after he suffered a concussion in a fall and twice appeared to freeze up in front of reporters, including once in Northern Kentucky.?

Some voters have expressed skepticism about the presidential candidates’ fitness for office based on their ages. ?Biden is 81; Trump is 78. “As you can imagine, it’s not my favorite issue,” McConnell said. “But the two candidates are almost the same age, so it’s going to be really interesting to see how they play off each other.”

Heading into the debate, McConnell said Trump is “very confident” as he holds political rallies while Biden is preparing at Camp David. McConnell and Biden served in the U.S. Senate together for about 25 years.?

“I know Joe Biden pretty well,” McConnell said. “He’s a good guy. I like him personally. I never thought he was a moderate in the Senate.”?

McConnell added that Biden “pretty much signed up with the far-left of the Democratic Party” after becoming president.?

The senator? opened his remarks by briefly talking about bipartisanship in Washington, D.C., particularly the support for transportation funding that will build a Brent Spence companion bridge across the Ohio River and improve the Interstates 71-75 corridor connecting Northern Kentucky with Cincinnati. McConnell and Biden attended a ceremony celebrating the funding in January 2023 with Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.?

Pivoting to international politics, McConnell quoted former Republican President Ronald Reagan’s motto, “Peace through strength,” like he has in other recent Kentucky stops. McConnell reiterated that the U.S. must keep its adversaries at bay through building up its defense and admonished the Biden administration for not raising its defense budget requests of Congress “enough to even keep up with inflation.”?

“That won’t get the job done,” McConnell said. “The only way to deal with the Chinese, the Russians, the Iranians and the rest is to be strong. That’s the greatest deterrent, is to be strong. That’s what we learned from Ronald Reagan. It was true then. It will be true now.

Protesters rallied in the Kentucky Capitol against anti-trans legislation, March 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to review a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth could have implications for a similar law in Kentucky.?

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review the Tennessee law after a ruling by the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. That same appellate court overturned a district judge’s decisions and also allowed Kentucky’s law to take effect last year.?

Like Kentucky’s law, the Tennessee law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. The Supreme Court will consider if Tennessee’s law violates the Equal Protection clause in the 14th Amendment.?

Kentucky’s Republican-controlled General Assembly easily passed its law in the 2023 legislative session, overturning a veto from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. In addition to the ban on gender-affirming care for minors, the law included directing local school districts to make policies keeping people from using bathrooms, locker rooms or showers that “are reserved for students of a different biological sex” and placing restrictions on sex education in public schools.?

The Biden administration also requested the Supreme Court review the Tennessee case.?

In a statement, the ACLU of Kentucky said that while the court’s review does not formally include the Kentucky law, the outcome could impact Kentucky. ACLU-KY and the National Center for Lesbian Rights represent parents who are challenging Kentucky’s law.?

“Our legal team is pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to consider reversing the Sixth Circuit’s decision upholding these cruel and unconstitutional laws,” said ACLU-KY Legal Director Corey Shapiro. “Our clients and their doctors simply want to provide the best medical care that is necessary for these amazing youth. We remain optimistic that the Supreme Court will agree and ultimately strike down these bans.”

According to SCOTUSblog, a decision could come from the Supreme Court in the summer of 2025 after arguments are heard in the fall.?

Hadley Duvall, left, a Kentucky woman who has emerged as an abortions rights advocate, and Vice President Kamala Harris discuss abortion access on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. (Screenshot via MSNBC)

An Owensboro woman who appeared in a pivotal campaign ad for Gov. Andy Beshear’s reelection appeared on national television with Vice President Kamala Harris Monday morning.?

Hadley Duvall, who has emerged as an abortions rights advocate, sat next to the vice president to discuss abortion access in an exclusive interview that aired on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. ?

“Women today, if they’re walking in the shoes that I was in, which was pregnancy from rape, then they don’t have any option in a lot of states, and they’re at risk for having no options after the election,” Duvall said. “And that’s very terrifying.”?

Duvall and Harris spoke on the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a decision that ushered in near-total abortion bans in 14 states, including Kentucky.

After her campaign ad for Beshear aired last fall, Duvall told the Kentucky Lantern she initially wanted to share her story to help other survivors of abuse. At the age of 12, she was raped by her stepfather and became pregnant, but latered miscarried. She said at the time that she immediately began “thinking about your options” after looking at a positive pregnancy test.?

“Think about what these extremists are saying to a survivor of a crime of violence to their body, a survivor of a crime that is a violation of their body, and to say to that survivor, ‘And you have no right or authority to make a decision about what happens to your body next,’” Harris said. “That’s immoral.”?

Harris said Duvall is “doing such important work to be a voice” on this topic.?

The interview aired ahead of the first 2024 presidential debate scheduled for this Thursday on CNN. Democratic President Joe Biden will face former Republican President Donald Trump, who recently said states should make decisions on abortion policies.?

Beshear, who is increasingly stepping onto a national stage, appeared with Duvall at a reproductive rights event in Nashville over the weekend and decried “extremism” in state abortion bans.?

Duvall then appeared with First Lady Jill Biden at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Kentucky’s “trigger law” immediately went into effect and banned most abortions in the state. While there are no exceptions in the law for cases of rape or incest, there are very narrow exceptions to save the life of the mother. Kentucky voters later rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to specify the state constitution does not include the right to an abortion.?

Senate Democratic Whip David Yates, of Louisville, filed a bill to add exceptions in cases of rape and incest to Kentucky’s abortion law earlier this year, but the measure did not pass. He called it “Hadley’s Law” in honor of Duvall.

Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at the Mike Miller Memorial Bean Dinner, part of the Fancy Farm political celebration, August 2023. He'll be speaking next month at a Democratic Party event in Iowa, a testing ground for those with presidential aspirations. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

FRANKFORT — Democrats’ long control of the Kentucky Capitol crumbled in the 21st century. Republicans won veto-proof supermajorities in the legislature and surpassed Democrats in registered voters.?

And, yet, four of this century’s six races for governor have been won by Democrats — named Beshear.?

Whether that Beshear success can be transferred to Democratic candidates for legislature and replicated in other states are questions this year’s election season will help answer.

Gov. Andy Beshear, top Democrat in a red state, is also getting attention from those who think he could be a candidate for national office.

Next month, the governor will be the keynote speaker for an Iowa Democratic Party dinner. While the Democratic National Committee moved South Carolina’s primary ahead of Iowa’s caucuses in the presidential election cycle, Iowa still plays an outsized role in nominating future presidents.?

Speculation on a 2028 presidential run for Beshear began shortly after his second gubernatorial win in November. He has repeatedly ruled out running for Republican U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell’s seat when it’s on the ballot in 2026.?

Beshear has taken steps to elevate his national profile, such as launching a political action committee, In This Together, aimed at supporting candidates across the country. It’s raised more than $300,000.

Another clue to watch: discussion of the governor at the Democratic National Convention this August in Chicago.?When asked in a recent interview with the Kentucky Lantern if he was speaking at the national convention, Beshear replied: “Don’t know.”?

“If they’ve already announced the speakers, then no, but I don’t think they have,” he added.?

The 2020 speakers were announced about a week before the convention.?

Beshear did speak at the Kentucky Democratic Party’s Forward Together Dinner in Louisville last week, receiving a warm, energized reception. The event bore a name that is a nod to Beshear’s second inauguration theme. Beshear predicted Democrats “are going to pick up seats in our state legislature.”?

While his first obligation is being governor of Kentucky, Beshear told the Lantern he is supporting in-state Democratic candidates and candidates in “some critical races across the country.” His PAC has endorsed four Democrats in other states and one candidate in a nonpartisan race, Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Pamela Goodwine for the Kentucky Supreme Court.?

“??I’m not getting involved in any race across the country. We’re only getting involved in the tough races. Some people out there might want to jump on races that are going to win anyways. If I’m going to spend the time away from Kentucky, it’s got to be to make a big difference.”

Stephen Voss, a University of Kentucky political science professor, said Beshear can’t neglect Kentucky Democrats while focusing on national ambitions. If Kentucky Democrats are in collapse, that’s not good public relations for an ascending Beshear.?

“If he can succeed at helping Democrats claw back some of that legislative territory after a Republican redistricting round, it adds to his trophy case when he’s trying to portray himself as a successful crossover leader,” Voss said.?

Beshear said Democrats must remain focused on “where people are” and “their biggest concerns and worries.”?

“Those are not the issue of the day in D.C. that we’re all supposed to get mad about that day. It’s having a good job and being able to afford things for your families,” Beshear said. “It’s being able to afford your next doctor’s appointment, and that’s both for yourself, your kids and your parents. It’s the roads and bridges that you drive each day, public education and public safety. And when we can make progress on those, you help every family and they start seeing it.”?

Kentucky Democrats now

Morgan Eaves, who became the executive director of the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) in February, said the party and its candidates “really identify with (Beshear’s) overall message, which is we need to make a Kentucky that works for every family, and one that’s better for every family.” Building off Beshear’s reelection with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman is Democrats’ strong suit now, Eaves said. She added that people who maybe didn’t pay attention to the party before are now, such as high school students, young Democrats and others who might have been turned off from politics in the past.?

“I think a lot of southern states will tell you that their Democratic policies and beliefs are a lot different than what the GOP tries to paint us as, which are those California liberals, and we really care about those kitchen table issues. We care about what affects people every day when they wake up,” Eaves said.?

Tres Watson, a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said that Democrats have typically fared well in modern Kentucky governor races when their last name is Beshear.?

The current governor’s father, Steve Beshear, unseated Republican incumbent Ernie Fletcher in 2007 and was reelected in 2011. Andy Beshear made his political debut in 2015, winning an election for attorney general.

“If he was Andy Smith and the 2019 election was run again, Andy Smith’s not winning that,” Watson said. “Andy Smith was never attorney general because he lost to Whitney Westerfield. Yeah, I think the last name certainly mattered.”?

Watson added that the current governor also gained an advantage as an incumbent and a leader during the coronavirus pandemic, when he appeared daily in front of Kentuckians through livestreamed press conferences at the start of his first term.?

Both Beshear and Eaves talked about how Democrats’ message differs from Republicans. Eaves said that her party’s focus on everyday issues was highlighted by Republicans’ legislative actions. Kentucky Democrats have previously criticized GOP lawmakers in this year’s session for supporting a recent exemption on sales and use taxes for currency and bullion sales and House Bill 5, an omnibus tough-on-crime law.?“They’re more interested in the culture war issues which don’t help people but hurt and divide people,” Eaves said. “And we found our message and we’re going to stick with it and it’s one that impacts people every day.

Voss, the political scientist, said Republican lawmakers “have overplayed their hand on the red meat conservatism” in districts with more politically-aware voters, which tend to be more affluent suburban areas. Most voters overall, he said, do not have time to pay attention to the hot topics of the day in Frankfort, often involving social wedge issues like LGBTQ+ rights, civil rights, diversity and religion.

For the most part, such wedge issues haven’t had a ton of impact at the community level, Voss said. But there is an exception — abortion — a political issue that has a widely personal impact and gives an advantage to Democrats.?

“There’s some promising groundwork there, but you still need good candidates with good backing in order for them to exploit it,” Voss said.?

Watson said said both political parties face internal conflicts and “are on their way to a reckoning.”?

“The Democrats, their problem isn’t that much different than the Republicans,” Watson said. “It’s just here in Kentucky, the progressive ideology is just not going to win elections in large portions of the state.”?

Beshear said the Democratic Party in Kentucky has “an important future.”?

“I believe that when you get supermajorities regardless of the party, it can start moving a state towards extremism. And again that can happen on both ends of the political spectrum,” he said. “That it gets you away from compromise, and that could ultimately hurt policies for most people, which are somewhere in the middle. Now most people, again, care most about those everyday issues that I mentioned, and when you get supermajorities, it pushes more toward national or explosive or culture war type issues that might get people out in the next election, but don’t move anybody’s life forward.”?

The road ahead

Many of the speeches at KDP’s dinner focused on its candidates who will appear on the ballot this November. Party Chairman Colmon Elridge said those in the room and others back home “have never given up on our party and never given up on Kentucky” despite hardships over the years, like the coronavirus, floods and tornadoes.?

“So while it is not easy right now at times to be a Democrat, it’s not easy because we have been called in this moment not to do what is easy, but to do what is right,” he said.?

Recruiting candidates has been a challenge for Democrats in recent election cycles. According to reporting from the Louisville Courier Journal, 43 House races and eight Senate races had not drawn a single Democratic candidate this year. (The House has 100 seats and the Senate 38.)

Nevertheless, Eaves told the Lantern that she “inherited a really strong party” and spoke highly of currently elected Democrats at the local and state levels.?

“We recognize that while the governor is the face of the party, the party is a lot more than just the governor,” she said. “It’s about all those other other folks who are doing the work and going out there and talking to folks as well.”?

The party’s future includes highlighting those serving in office now and recruiting others to serve in the future, she said. Eaves has “absolute faith that we will be in the majority one day” and will make gains over the next few election cycles.?

As the Republican Party leans further right, Democrats could make gains with moderate voters, Eaves said.

“I am under no illusion that we will get to a majority tomorrow or even within the next few years,” Eaves said. “I think that the GOP played the long game, and they didn’t get discouraged. And I tell people every day around the state, they’re only in the game because they decided not to quit. And we can’t do that either.”

Kentucky Democrats “need to be reasonable in their ambitions,” Voss said. New leaders within the party need to build credibility with voters before jumping into elections. Beshear’s success came from building a brand over time, starting with his father’s success.?

Voss added that climbing the political ladder is a slow process, but the national identities of being a Democrat or a Republican could change again within the next 20 years.?

“Kentucky went from a Democratic-dominated state in the ’90s to a Republican-dominated state pretty soon after that — within less than a generation,” Voss said. “And if the politics of the country change again, we could move again just as quickly.”

Eaves said she views Kentucky as more of a “purple state” than a red one, particularly with Beshear at the helm.?

“I think Kentucky is always in play, particularly at the state level. I’m not going to argue that we’re in play at the federal level and certainly, maybe not in the presidential race,” she said. “But those state legislative and those state constitutional races, I think they are just as attainable — for Democrats as they are (for) Republicans. It’s just about putting in the work and investing in the infrastructure to get it done.”

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. (Photo by Getty Images)

The 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled against Biden administration guidance on how schools should protect students from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

The court ruled Friday that the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education is invalid, upholding a lower court ruling. Kentucky is among the 20 states that supported the challenge to the Title IX guidance. Former Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s office filed briefs supporting the plaintiffs.

Most of the states in the case, including Kentucky, have bans on transgender athletes competing on school teams corresponding to their gender identity. The federal rules could have been at odds with those state laws or regulations, the plaintiffs argued.?

Republican Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who was among the coalition of AGs, said the ban on transgender athletes “protects female students on the athletic field, as well as in bathrooms and locker rooms.”?

Earlier this week, a federal judge in Kentucky made a similar finding in a case brought by several GOP attorneys general, including Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman. That lawsuit is aimed at rules the Department of Education issued after issuing the guidance.

In a statement about that lawsuit, Coleman said the “ruling recognized the 50-plus years of educational opportunities Title IX has created for students and athletes.”?

Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield (Photo by LRC Public Information)

Experts and lawmakers continue to split over whether Kentucky should reform its controversial certificate of need process.?

Two Republican lawmakers on different sides of the issue — Sen. Stephen Meredith of Leitchfield and Rep. Marianne Proctor of Union — spoke Thursday during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations.

Meredith, who was previously a hospital executive, said that repealing certificate of need (CON) would create more competition among for-profit providers and would harm patients who rely on Medicare and Medicaid. He said the amount of dollars Americans spend on health care is already a “crisis that’s truly of biblical proportion.”?

As of 2022, Americans were spending more than $13,000 per person on health care. Meredith said he recently got a bill of $39,000 for an emergency room visit and hospital stay.

“We have to address the cost, but the problem is, what’s going to be presented today, I believe, will not address that issue. It’s going to be suggested that by implementing free market principles in health care, we can reduce costs and increase access to care,” Meredith said, adding that the opposite would happen in rural areas of the state.

However, Proctor argued that rural hospitals are already facing challenges. She said that since 2005, four rural hospitals have closed in Kentucky. Nationwide, 104 rural hospitals have closed since 2005, according to Becker’s Hospital CFO Report, including 14 in Tennessee and five in West Virginia.

In her Northern Kentucky district, Proctor said, constituents are “??clamoring for choices in their health care hospitals.” She added that she is concerned that dominant providers can “swoop in” communities and close rural hospitals, and gave an example of a Northern Kentucky provider, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, purchasing an Owen County hospital and then closing it.

She said Meredith had valid points but that under the certificate of need law, Kentucky imposes restrictions on health care providers that apply to no one else. “What other industry do we allow that?” she said. “But we’re doing it with our most important, which is health care.”?

Proctor appeared alongside Jaimie Cavanaugh, legal policy counsel for the Pacific Legal Foundation, a public-interest law firm that defines its mission as defending “Americans from government overreach and abuse.” Cavanaugh said that federal administrations — from Reagan to Biden — have repeatedly recommended that states repeal CON laws since the 1980s.

What to know about the certificate of need debate in Kentucky

Eric Friedlander, the secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, was set to testify Thursday, but did not appear because he had COVID-19, according to co-chairman Sen. John Schickel, R-Union.?

CON in Kentucky??

The certificate of need requirement is a mechanism for reviewing and approving or rejecting major capital expenditures by certain health care facilities, based on an area’s need, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).?

Kentucky health care providers defend certificate of need

Many legislative attempts to reform the CON process in Kentucky have failed in recent years. The Kentucky Hospital Association supports the current law, warning that without CON protections, out-of-state companies would come in and “cherry pick” privately-insured patients, leaving Kentucky hospitals even more dependent on lower-paying government insurance programs and rendering them no longer able to afford to provide unprofitable but needed medical services.

Sometimes called the “competitor’s veto,” certificate of need (CON) laws are in effect in 35 states and Washington D.C. As of Jan. 1, NCSL reports 12 states either repealed CON or allowed their state programs to “expire.”?

Last year, a legislative task force spent six months studying CON and concluded more study was needed. A resolution filed to reestablish that task force for the summer of 2024 did not pass in this year’s session. Schickel said he had spoken with legislative leadership about renewing the task force, but the leaders wanted to cut back on task forces and use established interim committees to review issues like CON.?

(Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky election officials on Tuesday told lawmakers they know of no instances of noncitizens having voted in Kentucky. Nonetheless, Kentucky is among a number of states where voters in November will be asked to ban noncitizens from voting in elections.?

The officials, including Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, also described existing safeguards to ensure that only U.S. citizens cast ballots. They spoke during a meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on State Government, whose main agenda item was “Kentucky Agencies and Illegal Immigration.”?

Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled General Assembly approved putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot specifying that noncitizens of the U.S. cannot vote in Kentucky. Similar measures will appear on the November ballot in Idaho, Missouri, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Republicans in Congress are pushing to require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Critics say the attention paid to something that rarely, if ever, happens is a political ploy to tap into anti-immigrant sentiment and motivate Republican voters.?

The proposed constitutional amendment to clarify that noncitizens of the U.S. cannot vote in Kentucky elections will appear on the November ballot alongside another — the amendment to allow the General Assembly to fund nonpublic schools, which was a Republican priority in this year’s legislative session.?

Though noncitizens can vote in few local elections, GOP goes big to make it illegal

Adams said election laws to prevent noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections have enjoyed “wide consensus.” He pointed to a law signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996 that prohibited noncitizens from voting in federal elections.

“Kentucky’s Constitution implies — although it does not state — that noncitizens cannot vote in Kentucky’s state and local elections,” Adams said.?

He added that in his time as secretary of state, he had “seen no evidence that noncitizens have voted or attempted to vote in our elections, but that does not mean we should not be concerned about this issue and fail to take proper precautionary measures.” Adams was elected to a second term last year.?

Taylor Brown, general counsel for the State Board of Elections, said there are various steps in the voter registration process that deter noncitizens from registering. Anyone checking a box saying they aren’t a U.S. citizen is redirected to not register. Someone who lies or provides false information could face felony perjury charges.?

“In sum, (the) State Board of Elections cannot report any known encounters when an undocumented immigrant has successfully made it through the voter registration application process to become an active voter here in Kentucky,” Brown said. “That is not to say that it is impossible though.”?

Brown said a recent law passed by the legislature requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide various agencies, including the elections board, with a monthly list of people excused from jury duty for not being a U.S. citizen. A noncitizen found to have registered to vote would be purged from the voter roll and law enforcement could pursue criminal charges, such as perjury.?

Grant County Clerk Tabatha Clemons, president of the Kentucky County Clerks Association, said the group surveyed its members about cases of noncitizens successfully voting in Kentucky, but found none.?

“We had one county who reported having a person show up to vote who could not produce identification, and in turn, they were offered to go get identification or to have a hearing with the county board of elections — neither of which took place,” she said.?

Speaking about the voter registration process, Adams told lawmakers that Kentucky’s photo ID law was the “best tool in preventing noncitizen voting.” He added that he would support future legislation to allow the State Board of Elections to cross-reference Department of Motor Vehicle records with voter rolls to identify legal immigrants who may have registered to vote.?

In Kentucky, legal immigrants can get a driver’s license and would have a Social Security number to do so. A Social Security number is also needed to register to vote.?

“American elections are for American citizens,” Adams said. “Each of us takes an oath to support the Constitution of this commonwealth, and even now that constitution evinces a desire to prevent noncitizens from voting in Kentucky elections.”?

FRANKFORT — A judicial watchdog is raising concerns about Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s endorsement of a candidate in a state Supreme Court race, an election that is supposed to be nonpartisan under Kentucky’s Constitution.?

The second-term governor will be the special guest at a fundraiser later this week for Supreme Court candidate Pamela Goodwine, a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge, according to an event flier. This November, Goodwine will compete with Erin Izzo, an attorney from Lexington, for the 5th Supreme Court District seat held by Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter who is not seeking reelection.?