What you need to know Northern Kentucky’s healthcare industry is still clawing its way back from the COVID-19 pandemic, several industry executives said during the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs ‘n Issues breakfast panel on Feb. 10. Moreover, the industry is facing challenges related to rising costs, a workforce shortage and federal policy changes […]
Category: Health
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Fewer Kentuckians covered by ACA health insurance plans as subsidies stall in US Senate
Fewer Kentuckians have health insurance through kynect after subsidies that helped millions of Americans afford health insurance expired late last year but the decline is not as drastic as advocates had feared. Overall, about 89,000 Kentuckians enrolled in an Affordable Care Act health plan for 2026, down from about 97,000 last year, according to Priscilla Easterling, the […]
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Ky. fixes still don’t ‘prioritize patient protection,’ says national optometry board
A national group that tests optometrists for licensure in all 50 states is blasting Kentucky’s licensing board, saying it is failing to protect the public or ensure that eye care providers are competent, as it seeks to address cases of optometrists who were improperly licensed. The state board’s efforts allow “invalidly licensed optometrists to continue […]
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‘Freedom’ versus public health: Kentucky House passes cigar bar bill
A bill exempting cigar bars from local smoking bans in Kentucky passed the House Tuesday 69-24 with bipartisan support and opposition. House Bill 194 would carve out an exemption in local smoke-free laws for businesses to operate as cigar bars if they meet certain requirements: Businesses would have to hold a valid alcoholic beverage license and make at […]
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Covington to vote on $2.3 million fire truck purchase
UPDATE: The Covington Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of the truck at the legislative meeting on Feb. 10, 2026.–LINK nky editorial, Feb. 11, 2026. Covington Fire is asking the city’s Board of Commissioners to approve a roughly $2.3 million purchase of a new fire truck. Covington Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Patrick Averbeck presented […]
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Covington to form committee on sidewalk snow removal
Covington Mayor Ron Washington informed the public and the Board of Commissioners Tuesday night that he’d asked City Manager Sharmili Reddy to form an internal committee of city staff members to consider solutions to the removal of snow on city sidewalks, especially in the face of ongoing snowfall in the region. “This is not an […]
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EPA, local conservation org investigate pollution in Banklick Creek
What you need to know Human waste may be the source of bacterial pollution in Banklick Creek, and a study is looking to find out whether failing septic systems could be the cause. A joint study between the EPA and the Banklick Watershed Council, a nonprofit focused on conservation efforts for the water system, is […]
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Donate blood, get NKU tickets this weekend in Fort Mitchell
The Fort Mitchell branch of Hoxworth Blood Center, located on Grandview Drive, is running a special incentive on Sunday, Feb. 1 and Monday, Feb. 2. Donors who give blood at the location during those dates will get two free vouchers for NKU Basketball tickets. Donor should register in advance at hoxworth.org/donors/locations/ft-mitchell.html.
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Christ Hospital to expand NKY presence with Union outpatient center
Union residents will have access to a new outpatient medical center in 2027, Christ Hospital Health Network announced Friday. Construction on a $16 million ambulatory outpatient center is set to begin in February, with completion planned for fall 2027. The new building will be located at the corner of U.S. Highway 42 and Mount Zion […]
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Kentucky lawmakers again try to make water fluoridation optional
A bill that would make water fluoridation optional in Kentucky, which supporters praise as a way to ensure local control, passed out of the House Local Government Committee Wednesday despite opposition from several health organizations. House Bill 103 would leave the decision on whether to add fluoride to water up to the local water systems’ governing […]