Education
Former UK swimming coach formally denies sexual abuse allegations, asks judge to dismiss case
Former University of Kentucky swimming coach Lars Jorgensen has formally denied allegations of sexual abuse contained in a lawsuit brought by two former UK swimmers and assistant coaches. Nineteen weeks after a lawsuit was filed in federal court accusing Jorgensen of repeated rapes of Bridgette Alexander, a female swimmer who has since transitioned as Briggs […]
Kentucky State University, state public health department partner to bolster workforce
Kentucky’s Department of Public Health will now offer an internship program to Kentucky State University students who wish to get hands-on experience in the field while studying.? Employees of the Department of Public Health (KDPH) will also get tuition assistance for continuing their education at Kentucky State University (KSU). Such employees can take five or […]
Lexington middle school’s restroom design draws ire of Republican lawmakers in Frankfort
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 […]
University of Kentucky disbanding its diversity office, president announces
The University of Kentucky is disbanding its Office for Institutional Diversity effective immediately, President Eli Capilouto announced Tuesday.? No one will lose their job, Capilouto said in a Tuesday afternoon email sent to staff. Other offices will absorb people and services. That includes a new office called the Office for Community Relations.? “We share the […]
Beshear says he’s focused on Kentucky; others say his time in the national spotlight isn’t over
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 […]
U.S. Supreme Court won’t stop states from blocking Title IX changes
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected efforts by the Biden administration to temporarily put on hold a federal court’s decision that blocks a central part of new Title IX rules for schools from going into effect.? The order by the justices allows a decision made by Chief Judge Danny Reeves of the U.S. District […]
Kentucky justices question legislative interference in JCPS case against the state
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 […]
Beshear says school district speaking against Amendment 2 was ‘just being honest with people’
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 […]
Kentucky school district posts against Amendment 2 raise questions about political influence
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. […]
UK asks court to dismiss some claims against it in sexual abuse lawsuit brought by former swimmers
This story was updated Aug. 12 to include a statement from the plaintiffs attorney. One week after University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto issued a statement saying allegations of sexual abuse by a former swimming coach were “deeply distressing to all of us,” the university sought to distance itself from the case against Lars Jorgensen […]
Bipartisan bill aims to expand free school meals with more Kentucky-sourced food
Kentucky lawmakers from both parties are hoping to lessen childhood hunger while also supporting farmers with new legislation set to be introduced in next year’s legislative session.? The pre-filed legislation from Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, and Reps. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, and Scott McPherson, R-Scottsville, would establish the “Kentucky Proud School Match Program.”? In a […]
In West Kentucky, people like their schools, ponder ‘choice’ amendment’s implications
GRAVES COUNTY ?— Al Chandler, superintendent of Northside Baptist Christian School, the only private school in Graves County, plans to vote for Amendment 2 — but not because he thinks his local public schools are failing students or families. “We really have wonderful, wonderful schools. Mayfield and Graves (County) both in our county, are just […]