Author: Associated Press

Kentucky lawmakers struggle to finish transgender bill

Frankfort, Kentucky, USA with the Kentucky State Capitol at dusk.FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kentucky are struggling to wrap up a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors. Internal differences are complicating their push to beat Thursday’s deadline to complete the proposal. The Senate scaled back the bill on a narrow vote Wednesday night. But action then abruptly halted…

Kentucky lawmakers pass bill to make hazing a crime

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers have passed a bill aimed at creating a new crime to punish hazing. The bill is in response to calls for action following a university student’s death. The Senate voted 30-4 for final passage Thursday. The bill now goes to Gov. Andy Beshear. The bill would create a felony crime for hazing that results…

Is my money safe? What you need to know about bank failures

(CNN, POOL, STRINGR via CNN Newsource)NEW YORK (AP) — The recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which catered mostly to the tech industry, may have you worried about your money. They were the second- and third-biggest bank failures in U.S. history. There’s no need to worry if your money is in a bank insured by the Federal…

Kentucky prison supervisor convicted of covering up assaults

(Credit: Pixabay)LONDON, Ky. (AP) — A former supervisor at a federal prison in Kentucky has been convicted of writing false reports to cover up assaults on two inmates by corrections officers. Kevin Pearce was former federal Bureau of Prisons lieutenant. He was convicted on two counts of obstruction Monday. The 38-year-old was a former supervisor at the U.S. Penitentiary Big…

Former Kentucky lawmaker makes plea on gender-affirming care

Frankfort, Kentucky, USA with the Kentucky State Capitol at dusk.FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — For years, Jerry Miller was a fixture at legislative hearings in Kentucky. But this time was different. The Republican ex-lawmaker opened up about how his grandchild could be hurt by a bill to ban access to gender-affirming medical care for those under 18. Despite his pleas, the…

Medical marijuana proposal gains momentum in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky have achieved a breakthrough. Their bill cleared a Senate committee after years of running into a roadblock. And they had support from a member of state Republican leadership. Medical cannabis supporters applauded when Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer voted for the bill, after years of opposing marijuana-related legislation….

Kentucky passes cancer testing mandate for insurers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers have overwhelmingly passed a bill to require health insurers to cover “biomarker tests.” The testing can help determine the best cancer treatment plans for patients. The measure won final passage Monday. It goes to Gov. Andy Beshear. Supporters say the bill is a consequential step in a state long plagued by high rates of…

McConnell released from hospital, headed to inpatient rehab

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has been released from the hospital after treatment for a concussion and will continue to recover in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. McConnell’s office says his doctors discovered over the weekend that he had also suffered a “minor rib fracture” after he tripped and fell at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington last…

Biden tells US to have confidence in banks after 2 collapse

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden is insisting that the nation’s banking system is safe. The president sought to project calm after the collapse of two banks stirred fears of a broader upheaval and prompted regulators to offer emergency loans to banks to stave off additional failures. Despite the message from the White House, investors continued to dump shares…

GOP-led Kentucky Senate passes bill to limit drag shows

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have advanced a bill to put limits on drag shows. The measure won Senate passage on a 26-6 vote Friday after a free-wielding debate. Supporters tout it as a child-protection measure. Opponents call it an unconstitutional attack aimed at LGBTQ groups. The measure heads to the House with only a few days…