After decades of intense debate that led to about half of their churches in Kentucky leaving the denomination, United Methodist delegates voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to no longer forbid gay clergy and same-sex marriage. The vote by the delegates at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., was 692-51. The conference was the church’s first […]
Author Archives: Kentucky Lantern
Posted inPolitics
Massie, Greene say they will force vote next week on ousting U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson
Two House Republicans are pushing for a vote to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from the leadership office, despite the long odds of success, due to his bipartisanship and support from Democrats.
Posted inHealth
Is IVF protected in Kentucky? Depends on whom you ask.
Protections for in vitro fertilization in Kentucky were not passed this legislative session, leaving lawmakers and attorneys to debate the current state of protections for the process, with some believing HB 159 provides protection by default.
Posted inEducation
Kentucky attorney general leading GOP effort against new Title IX rules over gender
Kentucky Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman is leading a new multi-state lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over recent rules aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ students from discrimination in K-12 schools. The department released the regulations last week, which include updates to Title IX protections for discrimination “based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and […]
Posted inPolitics
Judge dismisses ethics violations against former Secretary of State Grimes
Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was cleared Monday by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd of charges by the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission that she improperly ordered the downloading and distribution of voter registration data from her public office while she was Kentucky’s secretary of state. “The court order is a complete […]
Posted inNews
Kentucky’s next education commissioner says building relationships across the state is a priority
Robbie Fletcher, the new Kentucky education commissioner, plans to build relationships and be present on campuses to implement his goals for the state’s public schools.
Posted inPolitics
Kentucky AG gets funding to fight Biden administration on climate, air and water pollution rules
When Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman told state lawmakers in January about the budget needs of his office, Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, asked if he needed more resources to address a “regulatory avalanche” regarding a “green agenda” coming from the federal government. Coleman, a Republican, said his office would welcome them, saying there was […]
Posted inNews
New federal rules aim to clean up toxic coal ash, including nearly a dozen sites in Kentucky
The EPA has expanded its regulations to cover coal ash landfills and impoundments at retired or inactive coal-fired power plants, aiming to prevent groundwater contamination and protect public health.
Posted inNews
Kentucky land conservation fund gets ‘new lease on life’ from lawmakers
The Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund, established in 1990 to provide a consistent source of funding for local governments, state agencies, nonprofits and universities to protect land for recreation and preserving wildlife, has put into conservation more than 95,000 acres across the state, but its funding sources have dwindled in recent years due to a decrease in the coal industry and budget sweeps.
Posted inHealth
‘Forever chemicals:’ Now that feds have acted, some say Kentucky should do more
Kentucky lawmakers have taken some steps to address PFAS exposure, including a ban on PFAS-containing firefighting foam and a resolution directing the Energy and Environment Cabinet to provide guidance about PFAS handling, but more needs to be done to protect the public from the harmful effects of the chemicals.
