Author: Associated Press

Kentucky governor reaffirms support for teacher pay raise

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reaffirmed his support for a teachers’ pay raise in his first State of the Commonwealth speech to the Republican-dominated legislature. The state’s new Democratic governor told lawmakers on Tuesday evening that the budget he submits later this month will include his campaign pledge for a $2,000 across-the-board pay raise for teachers. Speaking to…

Bills seek to end ‘conversion therapy’ in Kentucky

(Credit: Pixabay)FRANKFORT, Ky. – Lawmakers from both houses of the Kentucky legislature are promoting a bill to effectively ban so-called conversion therapy. The legislators held a rally at the statehouse on Tuesday during which they and at least one student who had been through the therapy testified. Republican Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington is the lead sponsor of the…

Kentucky coal miners remain on tracks blocking coal shipment

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – About a dozen Kentucky coal miners remained on train tracks Tuesday, saying they haven’t been paid for producing the coal in the train cars. The tracks lead from Quest Energy in Pike County. American Resources Corp., which owns Quest, told news outlets that the miners will all be paid. The company disputed miners’ claims that they haven’t…

Kentucky clinic given OK to apply for abortion license

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky officials are inviting a Planned Parenthood clinic to apply for a license to perform abortions. Procedures at the Louisville clinic had been halted under Kentucky’s previous governor, Matt Bevin, in early 2016. If Planned Parenthood’s license is approved for the Louisville clinic, it would become only the second abortion provider in the state. Bevin and the…

Health advocates call for action to stem youth e-cig use

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Public health advocates have rallied at Kentucky’s Capitol to push for legislation aimed at reducing smoking and e-cigarette use among young people. A group called the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow on Tuesday urged Kentucky lawmakers to impose an excise tax on the sale of e-cigarettes. Another measure backed by the group would raise the minimum…

House votes Wednesday to send impeachment articles to Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is expected to vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was meeting privately Tuesday at the Capitol with Democrats. She suggested voting Wednesday, according to people who spoke about the closed-door meeting on condition of anonymity. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is also planning…

Iran announces arrests over downing of plane that killed 176

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran says authorities have made arrests for the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian passenger plane. The crash killed all 176 people on board. It also sparked protests in Iran demanding accountability, after officials initially concealed the cause of the crash. Iran’s judiciary said Tuesday that “some individuals” were arrested after “extensive investigations.” But he didn’t say…

Kentucky governor to give State of the Commonwealth speech

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is set to give his first State of the Commonwealth speech to lawmakers and a statewide television audience. The speech in the House chambers will be broadcast on Kentucky Educational Television. House and Senate members will convene at 7 p.m. EST for the speech. The Democratic governor will outline some of his…

Trainer sues California racing board over Justify drug test

LOS ANGELES – Trainer Mick Ruis has sued the California Horse Racing Board over Justify’s positive drug test in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby. Ruis’ lawsuit alleges the board intentionally failed to discharge its public duty when it hid and subsequently dismissed the drug test result. Ruis trained and owned Bolt d’Oro, who finished second in the race. Justify, who…