A bill to ban slot-style gray machines passed the Senate and now heads to the desk of Gov. Andy Beshear. House Bill 594 would ban “gray machines” — often referred to by supporters of the machines as “skill games” — throughout the state. Those violating the law would be fined $25,000, with the money going […]
Author Archives: Mark Payne
Mark Payne is the government and politics reporter for LINK nky. Email him at mpayne@linknky.com.
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Posted inFrankfort
‘Anti-trans’ bill adds more restrictions, passes Senate committee
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. A bill that bans gender-affirming care for children passed the Senate Families and Children committee Tuesday, but not before lawmakers added a committee substitute that adds additional language seeking to place […]
Posted inFrankfort
Sports betting bill clears House, heads to Senate
A bill that would legalize sports wagering in Kentucky passed the House Monday evening and now heads to the Senate, where it’s expected to face a tougher fight. Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland) said that sports wagering is something the legislature has been considering for around four years — Northern Kentucky Rep. Adam Koenig formerly carried […]
Posted inFrankfort
The Frankfort LINK: GOP holds first gubernatorial debate
Welcome back to another episode of the Frankfort LINK. In today’s episode, we will discuss the first Republican gubernatorial debate held on March 7 at the Henry Clay Event Center in Louisville. Four Republican candidates took to the debate stage: Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, State Auditor Mike Harmon, and Somerset Mayor […]
Posted inFrankfort
House committee passes bill to prevent ‘harmful’ material in schools
The House Education committee passed a bill Monday that aims to prevent “harmful” material from being taught in schools — opponents say the bill would lead to banning books. Senate Bill 5 would create a mechanism for parents to file complaints against school material they find “harmful” or “obscene” — more specifically, material legislators say […]
Posted inFrankfort
Senate passes anti-drag show bill
This story mentions suicide. If you are considering suicide or self-harm or just need some help, please call 988, which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. The story also contains sexually explicit […]
Posted inFrankfort
Senate bill to make local elections partisan won’t pass this session
Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said he wouldn’t push the controversial Senate Bill 50 during the 2023 legislative session, meaning the bill won’t pass this year. “I still feel strongly voters deserve more information, and this is one way to get it to them,” Thayer said of the bill that would make it the […]
Posted inNews
Sen. Mitch McConnell hospitalized after fall in hotel
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized after a fall at the Waldorf Astoria in the nation’s capital. The details of McConnell’s condition are unknown, and it’s unclear how long he’ll stay in the hospital — or how long he’ll be away from the Senate. “This evening, Leader McConnell tripped at a local hotel during […]
Posted inFrankfort
Sports betting bill clears first hurdle
The sponsor of Kentucky’s new sports betting bill thinks that this is the year for the legislation to finally pass after it cleared its first hurdle Wednesday. House Bill 551 passed the House Licensing and Occupations Committee unanimously. The bill had one reading, and Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland) thinks the House could take up the […]
Posted inNews
Eric Deters: Guilty plea on menacing charge won’t affect run for governor
Republican gubernatorial candidate Eric Deters pleaded guilty to charges of menacing and harassing communications involving allegedly having a run-in with his juvenile nephew on a farm in Independence in October. The judge dropped one charge of trespassing, but Deters agreed to one charge of menacing and two counts of harassing communications. As part of his […]