Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear appointed his former senior adviser, Rocky Adkins, to the Kentucky State Fair Board, which is embroiled in controversy after the governor gained control of the board following a recent Kentucky Supreme Court opinion. Adkins, who left Beshear’s administration earlier this month amid speculation that he will run for governor in 2027, will replace […]
Author Archives: Kentucky Lantern
Posted inUncategorized
Adkins, senior adviser to Beshear, leaving Kentucky governor’s administration
Rocky Adkins, a former Kentucky Democratic House floor leader, has left his post with Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration. Adkins was serving as the governor’s senior adviser. His last day was Friday, July 10, a press release from the governor’s office said. “Rocky has been an invaluable part of Team Kentucky and our success, and I […]
Posted inPolitics
Kentucky politicians, mostly Republicans, confirm they will speak at Fancy Farm Picnic
A few Kentucky politicians — mostly Republicans — have confirmed they will be speaking at this year’s Fancy Farm Picnic next month. The annual barbecue picnic, a fundraiser for the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County held the first Saturday in August, has become a longstanding Kentucky tradition for elected officials and campaigning hopefuls. The 2026 picnic […]
Posted inNews
Weddle attorney says Beshear fundraiser destroyed evidence in campaign contribution case
The attorney for former London Mayor Randall Weddle says that in the spring of 2023 the chief fundraiser for Gov. Andy Beshear’s reelection campaign “destroyed vital evidence” in a pending criminal case against Weddle for making excess campaign contributions to Beshear. Weddle was indicted by the Laurel County Grand Jury on March 31 in an […]
Posted inNews
McConnell’s hospitalization continues as Kentucky officials, constituents demand transparency
As U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s hospitalization nears one month, people in his home state of Kentucky are raising questions about the seven-term senator’s condition and his fitness to serve. McConnell, 84, was hospitalized June 14 for an undisclosed condition. While his office has distributed a few updates, they’ve been vague, offering little information about his prognosis or […]
Posted inNews
Kentucky to get slice of national CashApp settlement
Kentucky’s General Fund is getting a nearly $400,000 deposit thanks to a national $45 million CashApp/Block settlement. Kentucky’s slice of the settlement is $556,445.47, according to a Wednesday judgement. After attorney fees of $183,626 for the attorney general, $372,819 heads to the state general fund. Attorney General Russell Coleman was part of a multi-state coalition to sue […]
Posted inNews
KY bill regulating kids’ social media had bipartisan support, AG backing. What killed it?
Bella Cornett sees a direct line between a social media influencer who posted videos of tricks with vaping smoke and the bullying she endured in her Kentucky high school. Cornett, 19, said her friend group at the time watched those social media videos as first year high school students and “thought that was so cool.” They started […]
Posted inNews
Judicial watchdog is wary of Beshear’s involvement in Kentucky Court of Appeals election
A Kentucky judicial watchdog group says it is concerned about Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s involvement in the upcoming Court of Appeals election. The Kentucky Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee said in a Saturday statement that Beshear has been fundraising for Court of Appeals Judge Will Moynahan, who is currently facing Fayette Circuit Court Judge Lucy VanMeter. Beshear appointed Moynahan to […]
Posted inNews
Most Kentucky opioid settlement money is not being spent, new report shows
Kentuckians living with addiction can call Kentucky’s help line at 833-859-4357. Narcan, which can help reverse overdoses, is available at pharmacies for sale and through some health departments and outreach programs for free. Local governments in receipt of opioid settlement dollars are sitting on most of the money, according to a Tuesday analysis from The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. The […]
Posted inNews
Groups urge Kentucky’s utility regulator to investigate affordability
A coalition of consumer advocacy, environmental and renewable energy groups is calling on Kentucky’s utility regulator to study various aspects of utility affordability for ratepayers, including the potential costs of data centers and fossil fuels. In a letter dated Sunday, the groups are asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission to investigate “the drivers of rising energy […]
