(AP) – Officials in Washington state say a person has died of COVID-19, the first such death in the United States. The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family and is a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Most COVID-19 infections result in mild symptoms, including coughing and fever,…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House has voted to create a loan program for struggling rural hospitals. The bill passed 80-0 Friday and now goes to the Senate. Hospitals situated in counties with fewer than 50,000 people would be eligible for the loans. The bill’s lead sponsor is Republican Rep. Danny Bentley. He says more than 60 hospitals are…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Authorities say two former Kentucky correctional officers have been sentenced for their roles in the beating of a handcuffed inmate and an attempt to cover up the assault. A statement from the Department of Justice says a federal judge sentenced David M. Schwartz and Donna K. Gentry on Thursday. Schwartz received 24 months of incarceration and…
COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky technology engineering firm plans to add at least 83 jobs with a $5.3 million expansion of its headquarters. Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said in a news release that STEP CG’s headquarters is in Covington and will move to a location on the Ohio River. The release said the new facility will provide nearly 7,000…
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Keeneland and Churchill Downs will enact safety reforms that include the race-day ban of the anti-bleeding medication Lasix for 2-year-olds along with mandatory veterinary inspections before workouts and race entry. The measures also include enhanced reporting of horses’ fitness for trainers and vets. The policy changes will take effect for spring meets at Keeneland and Churchill…
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has defended a photograph of him posing with drag queens at a recent gay rights rally. He’s accusing a Republican lawmaker of using homophobic tactics by displaying the photo at a recent campaign rally. The lawmaker accused Democrats of corrupting traditional values. Beshear is a Democrat. He said Thursday he would pose for the photo again….
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has refused to undo Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s action that reorganized the state school board. U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove on Thursday denied a request for a preliminary injunction. It was sought by several members of the former board that Beshear disbanded on his first day in office in December. The…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Courier Journal) — The Kentucky Senate has approved a proposal to restore voting rights for some felons who have completed their sentences. The Courier Journal reports the proposed constitutional amendment passed Thursday and heads to the House. If approved there, it would go on the November ballot. It would amend Kentucky’s Constitution to allow felons to have their…
(Credit: Pixabay)LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice is weighing in on a lawsuit filed by a Kentucky wedding photographer who is challenging a city ordinance. The ordinance in Louisville bans businesses from discriminating against gay customers. The Justice Department filed a “statement of interest” this week in federal court saying that the photographer, Chelsey Nelson, is likely…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky House panel has advanced a proposal aimed at giving local governments more latitude in generating tax revenue to keep up with demands for services. The proposed constitutional amendment won initial approval Thursday. It heads to the full House. If added to the state’s Constitution, it could eventually unlock tight restrictions on the types of…
