Latest Kentucky state government News

Republican supermajority unchanged in Tennessee Statehouse but Democrats don't give up ground

Nov. 06, 2024 17:04 PM EST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Republican legislative supermajority will remain unchanged after Democrats failed to flip seats in a handful of competitive races, but the minority party didn't give up any ground, either. Republicans will continue to hold 75 out of the 99 seats...

AP Race Call: Republican James Comer wins reelection to U.S. House in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District

Nov. 05, 2024 22:04 PM EST

Republican James Comer won election to a U.S. House seat representing Kentucky on Tuesday. Comer defeated Democrat Erin Marshall. As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Comer led House Republicans' investigations of Democratic President Joe Biden that delved into the Biden family's business dealings. The...

Kentucky voters defeat a measure intended to allow tax dollar support for private school education

Nov. 05, 2024 21:27 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky voters soundly rejected a ballot measure Tuesday that was intended to allow state lawmakers to allocate public tax dollars to support students attending private or charter schools. The defeat was a bitter setback for many Republican lawmakers and...

AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Kentucky on Election Day

Oct. 25, 2024 07:09 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kentucky voters will weigh in on five dozen races across the state in the Nov. 5 general election, including for president, U.S. House, state Legislature, state Supreme Court and two constitutional amendments. Six candidates appear on the presidential ballot in...

Kentucky awards the first business license for its startup medical cannabis program

Sep. 26, 2024 16:03 PM EDT

Kentucky awarded the first business license for its startup medical cannabis program on Thursday, selecting a laboratory that will be assigned to test the products before being offered to patients. Gov. Andy Beshear called it another step toward ensuring that Kentuckians suffering...

Kentucky's Supreme Court will soon have a woman at its helm for the first time

Sep. 23, 2024 16:22 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — For the first time, Kentucky's Supreme Court will have a woman at its helm, after justices on Monday selected Debra Hembree Lambert to serve as the next chief justice. Lambert, who is currently the deputy chief justice, will serve a four-year term at the top...

A Kentucky lawmaker has been critically injured in lawn mower accident

Sep. 16, 2024 12:46 PM EDT

HARLAN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky lawmaker was critically injured when the lawn mower he was riding plunged into an empty swimming pool at his home, authorities said Monday. State Sen. Johnnie Turner, a Republican from Harlan, was in critical but stable condition at the University of...

Schools reopen with bolstered security in Kentucky county near the site of weekend I-75 shooting

Sep. 12, 2024 16:04 PM EDT

Carol Hasty's grandchildren are back in school a few days after a gunman opened fire on a nearby highway in Kentucky but she's not happy about it — even with the increased police protection. Hasty said schools in Rockcastle County should have stayed closed, with students shifting...

Kentucky governor says lawmaker facing sexual harassment accusations should consider resigning

Aug. 29, 2024 18:31 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky Democratic lawmaker accused of sexual harassment by several women should give “serious thought” to resigning, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday as the first-term legislator has become increasingly alienated in his own political party. State Rep....

University of Kentucky to disband diversity office after GOP lawmakers pushed anti-DEI legislation

Aug. 20, 2024 20:13 PM EDT

The University of Kentucky will disband its office promoting diversity and inclusion efforts in response to questions from policymakers that its focus on identity has stifled political discussions, its president said Tuesday. The action on the Lexington, Kentucky, campus comes after...