Written by Liam Niemeyer for Kentucky Lantern A bill to give Kentucky’s bourbon industry a property tax break on barrels of aging whiskey — something distillers have been asking for and some local communities say will “devastate” their budgets — saw last-minute changes before passing the legislature on the last day of the session House […]
Author Archives: Kentucky Lantern
Posted inNews
Process for challenging “obscene” books, school programs becomes law without Beshear’s signature
Written by McKenna Horsley for Kentucky Lantern A bill that opponents warn could lead to book banning became law without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature after the governor chose not to sign or veto the measure. Secretary of State Michael Adams said Senate Bill 5 was delivered to his office without the governor’s signature Monday afternoon. The measure, which had an […]
Posted inFrankfort
Beshear vetoes solar decommissioning bill, saying it weakens local control
Written by the Kentucky Lantern’s Liam Niemeyer Renewable energy developers have surged into Kentucky in recent years, seeking to establish large-scale solar installations covering thousands of acres with panels to harvest energy from the sun. It’s what happens to these large-scale projects at the end of their lives decades from now that Republican lawmakers have […]
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Beshear outlaws tianeptine known as ‘gas station heroin’
Written by the Kentucky Lantern’s staff Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday issued an emergency regulation classifying tianeptine, known as “gas station heroin,” as a Schedule 1 controlled drug. In some countries the drug is prescribed in low doses to treat depression and anxiety. The drug is not approved in the United States and in higher doses produces opioid-like […]
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Bill making it harder to retire Kentucky coal plants heads to governor’s desk
Written by Kentucky Lantern’s Liam Niemeyer A bill backed by Kentucky’s coal industry that would make it harder for utilities to retire fossil fuel-fired power plants received final passage Thursday in the Kentucky House of Representatives, sending the legislation for Gov. Andy Beshear’s consideration. Senate Bill 5, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would […]
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Lofton’s Law, criminalizing hazing, clears both chambers of Kentucky legislature
Written by Mariah Kendell for the Kentucky Lantern The Kentucky House on Wednesday voted to make hazing that causes a death or serious injury a felony. Lofton’s Law – named after 18-year-old Thomas “Lofton” Hazelwood, a University of Kentucky freshman who died from alcohol poisoning at his fraternity house – was approved in the House […]
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A ‘shell’ bill to regulate Delta-8 THC rushes through Kentucky House
Written by Liam Niemeyer for the Kentucky Lantern After a court decision last year legalized an intoxicating compound derived from hemp, a bill to regulate Delta-8 THC sped through the House of Representatives on Thursday. Delta-8 THC can get a user “high” similar to the Delta-9 THC compound found in marijuana. Some hemp farmers have […]
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Bill could pave way for online news outlets to publish legally-required public notices
Disclaimer: LINK nky is a strong supporter of HB 534 and our management has been actively involved in the drafting of this legislation. We believe it represents the best possible public notice solution for our readers, local governments, and local journalism, while maintaining the transparency and accountability necessary for good government. Written by Kentucky Lantern’s […]
Posted inFrankfort, News, Politics, Top 3
CROWN Act stalls in legislature
Written by McKenna Horsley for the Kentucky Lantern Supporters gathered on the Capitol steps Wednesday to cheer on a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of braids, locks and twist hairstyles in Kentucky. Hours later the Senate passed over the bill for the fourth time. Senate Bill 63, also known as the CROWN […]
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Ky. lawmakers advance bill to keep coal on the power grid, cite reliability concerns
Written by Liam Niemeyer for the Kentucky Lantern Kentucky lawmakers are advancing a bill to try to keep coal-fired power plants on the state’s electric grid “for the foreseeable future,” pointing to concerns over rolling blackouts that some utilities implemented when arctic temperatures swept through in December. Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, […]
