Author: Associated Press

New Kentucky distillery celebrates its opening

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — One of Kentucky’s newest distilleries has celebrated its opening in the state’s largest city. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman attended the recent grand opening for Brough Brothers Distillery in Louisville. The Black-owned distillery began production in 2020. Its first barrel of Brough Brothers bourbon was filled in December. Gov. Andy Beshear’s office says the craft distillery produces…

Coroner identifies diver lost during power plant inspection

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky officials have identified a diver who drowned while inspecting pipes in the Ohio River at an LG&E power plant on Thursday. A news release from the The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office says 19-year-old Jaxxyn Lee Wood, of Owensboro, died at 1:03 p.m. That’s when emergency officials say they were called after Wood’s onshore support lost…

Crews searching for missing diver near Louisville plant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Emergency crews are searching for a missing diver in the Ohio River who was working near a Louisville power plant. The diver was working at the LG&E Mill Creek Station in southwestern Louisville. Officials say they were called around 1 p.m. Thursday. A diver had been involved in an accident. The diver was working for a…

Kentucky contracts with Baptist-affiliated children’s agency

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky has reached a contract deal to continue placing youngsters with a Baptist-affiliated children’s agency. The agreement comes after the Democratic governor’s administration removed LGBTQ anti-discrimination language that the agency steadfastly refused to sign. The agreement continues the state’s long relationship with Sunrise Children’s Services. Sunrise is a foster care agency that also offers residential treatment…

Kentucky riverports get state funding for improvements

File PhotoFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Five Kentucky riverports are sharing $500,000 in state money for critical repairs. Gov. Andy Beshear’s office says the sites in Paducah, Eddyville, Hickman, Owensboro and Louisville are receiving grants that will be matched by the authorities that operate the ports. Beshear says the port improvements would move cargo more safely and efficiently. The money was…

Work to dislodge grounded riverboat to begin in Kentucky

CADIZ, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says operations to dislodge a grounded riverboat in Lake Barkley in Kentucky are scheduled to begin Friday. American Cruise Lines says its riverboat, American Jazz, became stuck on a sandbar last week while on a seven-night cruise between Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. The boat was carrying 120 passengers and 54 crew members,…

Kentucky auditor: More oversight needed for jail contracts

File PhotoFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky’s auditor says county jails routinely awarded communications contracts without competitive bidding. State Auditor Mike Harmon on Thursday urged legislative action to oversee the contracting. Vendors awarded the communication services contracts can provide video, email or text options for inmates to stay in contact with their families. Harmon says his office surveyed jails and examined…

EXPLAINER: Urging Kentucky renters to tap federal funds

File PhotoLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal freeze on most tenant evictions is ending on July 31. That leaves lingering questions about whether thousands of Kentucky residents will have trouble making rent. The state has set aside nearly $300 million to help with outstanding rent, utility payments and other expenses. Kentucky’s governor is urging renters to take advantage of federal…

Kentucky man says his anti-mask threats were misunderstood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man charged with threatening Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio over the district’s mask mandate says his comments were taken out of context. Bradley Linzy is accused of confronting Pollio as the superintendent was leaving the building, telling him his life was over. Linzy told WAVE-TV that he wasn’t threatening Pollio’s life but…

3 nominees chosen for Kentucky district court vacancy

(Credit: Pixabay)FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Three attorneys have been nominated to fill a vacant district court judgeship in Kentucky. The Judicial Nominating Commission announced the nominees on Wednesday to fill the vacancy in Warren County. The vacancy is being created by the retirement of Judge Sam Potter Jr. on Friday. The Supreme Court said the nominees are Jon Blakely Beliles,…