Kentucky Public Radio

Kentucky House OKs bill authorizing federal citizen verification for state elections A bill passed the Kentucky House adding more voter citizenship verification, okaying more partisanship in judicial races and letting federal officeholders show up twice on the ballot.

A bill passed the Kentucky House adding more voter citizenship verification, okaying more partisanship in judicial races and letting federal officeholders show up twice on the ballot. HB 534 passed by a relatively narrow margin, with 21 Republicans joining Democrats to vote no. #kyga26

Governor Beshear calls Senate PSC bill Republican 'shenanigans' Gov. Andy Beshear dismissed an attempt by lawmakers to expand the Kentucky Public Service Commission without the governor’s input.

Gov. Andy Beshear criticized an attempt by GOP lawmakers to expand the Kentucky Public Service Commission without the governor’s input. The bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday also limits the ability of advocacy groups to intervene in rate cases before the utility regulator. #kyga26

Kentucky Meat Shower 150th anniversary draws hundreds to Bath County Bath County, Kentucky, celebrated a historic occurrence, the meat shower of 1876.

150 years ago, newspapers across the country wrote about pieces of meat mysteriously falling from the sky on a Kentucky farm. Hundreds of people celebrated the "meat shower" anniversary in Bath County this week. From @weku.bsky.social

West Louisville data center approved despite opposition Development of a 1.6-million-square-foot data center in west Louisville is moving forward.

The Louisville Planning Commission approved revised development plans for a massive data center near Shively following a tense public hearing Thursday, where more than 20 people spoke in opposition over concerns about pollution and its expected drain on local water and electricity.

Sierra Club pushes back on bill to limit PSC role of advocacy groups in Kentucky Senate Bill 8 would limit the role of groups such as the Sierra Club in cases before the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

Senate Bill 8 would limit the role of groups like the Sierra Club in utility cases before the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Instead, it would limit advocacy on behalf of consumers to the attorney general. #kyga26

From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social

Kentucky Senate sends bill to fund $75 million nuclear site readiness program to House As the nuclear energy economy continues to accelerate across the United States, lawmakers in Kentucky are weighing a bill that would see the commonwealth invest tens of millions of dollars toward deve...

Senate Bill 57 would establish the Kentucky Nuclear Site Readiness Program, a $75 million grant initiative with the goal of accelerating nuclear energy developments in the state. #kyga26

From @doperle.bsky.social at @wkmsfm.bsky.social

'Feet to the fire': Preliminary plan for Franklin data center approved The Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a preliminary development plan for a proposed data center. TenKey LandCo, LLC wants to build three, 200,000-square-foot facilities with on-site...

The developer of a proposed Simpson County data center has won approval of a preliminary development plan, with certain conditions. The Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission voted for it in a raucous meeting where some local opponents were led out by law enforcement. From WKU:

Kentucky GOP leader wants to summarize constitutional amendments on voter ballots The proposed constitutional amendment would allow for summaries of future amendments instead of full text if voters approve.

The Kentucky Senate’s GOP leader is proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow for summaries of future amendments on the ballot for referendums instead of the full text of amendments. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org #kyga26

Kentucky superintendents group signals support for executive director accused of misconduct The Kentucky Association of School Superintendents suggests it will keep Jim Flynn in his role.

Leaders of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents are standing by their executive director, amid misconduct allegations against him recently highlighted by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. From @storiesbyjess.bsky.social

Kentucky GOP bill would rework Kentucky commission that sets electricity rates The makeup of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies, would change and the governor’s appointment power would be weakened under Senate Bill 8.

Groups that advocate for low-income Kentuckians and the environment would be largely barred from participating in cases over rising electricity costs and others put in front of the state’s utility regulators under newly filed Republican legislation. bit.ly/3Pdoic0

Kentucky Senate sends bill to fund $75 million nuclear site readiness program to House As the nuclear energy economy continues to accelerate across the United States, lawmakers in Kentucky are weighing a bill that would see the commonwealth invest tens of millions of dollars toward…

As the nuclear energy economy continues to accelerate across the United States, lawmakers in Kentucky are weighing a bill that would see the commonwealth invest tens of millions of dollars toward developing sites for reactors.

Kentucky GOP bill would rework Kentucky commission that sets electricity rates The makeup of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies, would change and the governor’s appointment power would be weakened under Senate Bill 8.

The makeup of the Kentucky PSC that regulates utility companies would change and the governor’s appointment power would be weakened under a new GOP priority bill. It would also limit the ability of advocates to intervene on behalf of Kentucky ratepayers. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org #kyga26

Kentucky’s congressional delegation reacts to U.S. attack on Iran The United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran over the weekend. Most of Kentucky’s congressional delegation has posted statements about the attack, ranging from support to condemnation.

Kentucky’s congressional delegation reacts to U.S. attack on Iran. From @weku.bsky.social

The Kentucky House just passed this machine gun conversion ban, though 25 Republicans did break off to vote against it. #kyga26

New $142M Carlisle County facility will convert ag byproducts into renewable natural gas An energy company is developing a $142 million facility in far western Kentucky that will take agricultural waste from local farms and businesses and convert it into a renewable form of natural gas.

An energy company is developing a $142 million facility in far western Kentucky that will take agricultural waste from local farms and businesses and convert it into a renewable form of natural gas. From @wkmsfm.bsky.social

'Morgan, today is for you': man charged for 1996 kidnapping, murder of Bowling Green child Morgan Violi was seven when she was abducted in Bowling Green and later found dead in Tennessee.

After a nearly 30-year investigation, a man has been charged in the 1996 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Morgan Violi in Bowling Green. From WKU:

State Republicans look to reshape Louisville’s Ethics Commission House Bill 607 would shake up the Louisville’s Ethics Commission and potentially threaten its independence.

Kentucky House Republicans have filed a bill to dissolve Louisville’s Ethics Commission at the end of this year, replacing all its members. Democratic Mayor Craig Greenberg has not commented on the bill. From @byrobertor.lpm.org

Mason County officials approve ordinance paving the way for potential large-scale data center The Mason County Fiscal Court approved an ordinance last week that would re-designate thousands of acres of land in northern Kentucky for data center construction.

The Mason County Fiscal Court approved an ordinance last week that would re-designate thousands of acres of land in northern Kentucky for data center construction. From @weku.bsky.social

Kentucky PSC approves Kentucky Power rate increase. Here’s how much you’ll pay The average residential electricity customer will see, starting in March, a nearly 6% increase, followed by a 1% increase next year.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved a modified settlement agreement on Kentucky Power’s rate increase proposal. The average residential electricity customer will see a nearly 6% increase in March, followed by a 1% increase next year. That’s about half what the company originally sought.

Me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org spent a couple weeks on this one, tracking down how illegal child marriages are still happening in Kentucky 👇 #kyga26

Murray State to begin seeking accreditation for proposed veterinary college Murray State University took yet another step Friday toward establishing what would be the first veterinary college in Kentucky.

Murray State University took yet another step Friday toward establishing what would be the first veterinary college in Kentucky. From @wkmsfm.bsky.social

Here’s how Kentucky and West Virginia are defying the DOJ over your voter registration data Top election officials in both states say they won’t give the federal government state voter rolls. It comes as the Trump administration makes unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.

Top election officials in Kentucky and West Virginia (both Republican) say they won’t give the Trump administration state voter rolls without a court order, despite a new DOJ lawsuit. It comes as Trump makes unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. From @justinhicks.lpm.org #kyga26

Week in Review: Kentucky bills advance on state budget, Medicaid, education tax credits Several important pieces of legislation advanced in the Kentucky General Assembly this week, including a $31 billion budget, a wide-ranging Medicaid bill and a new education tax credit.

Several important pieces of legislation advanced in the Kentucky General Assembly #kyga26 this week, including a $31 billion budget, a wide-ranging Medicaid bill and a new education tax credit. Listen to a rundown of this week in Frankfort from KPR reporters @sylviaruthg.lpm.org & @joesonka.lpm.org

Immigrants nationwide say Trump’s ICE jailed them illegally. In Kentucky, federal judges often agree A nationwide push to get immigrants out of jail is finding success in Kentucky.

KyCIR and WKU examined more than 60 habeas petitions for incarcerated immigrants that were resolved in the Western District of Kentucky during the Trump administration. Judges granted about 3 out of every 4 of the petitions, according to court files.

Kentucky banned child marriages in 2018. Here’s why they are still happening Kentucky Public Radio investigated more than a dozen cases of illegal child marriages in the state, how it happened and who is trying to stop it.

All session, we report on laws being passed and how they’ll impact Kentuckians. But just as important is looking to how those laws are (or arent) enforced

@joesonka.lpm.org and I investigated illegal cases of child marriage, despite a 2018 law that should stop them

www.lpm.org/news/2026-02...

Kentucky banned child marriages in 2018. Here’s why they are still happening Kentucky Public Radio investigated more than a dozen cases of illegal child marriages in the state, how it happened and who is trying to stop it.

Kentucky Public Radio investigated more than a dozen cases of illegal child marriages in the state that violated a 2018 law, how it happened and who is trying to stop it. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org and @joesonka.lpm.org #kyga26

Kentucky House passes $31B state budget bill, sends to Senate The two-year budget bill of the Republican supermajority outlining the spending of $31 billion in state tax revenue cleared the Kentucky House and now heads to the Senate.

The two-year budget bill of the Republican supermajority outlining the spending of $31 billion in state tax revenue cleared the Kentucky House on Thursday and now heads to the Senate. #kyga26

Kentucky House committee clears new GOP two-year budget bill spending $31B The latest version of the $31 billion GOP budget bill, which includes more money for education and Medicaid, passed a Kentucky House committee — before the public could read it.

The latest version of the $31 billion GOP budget bill, which includes more money for education and Medicaid, passed a Kentucky House committee Wednesday — before the public could read the 227-page bill. #kyga26

Mitchell cooling tower project cost may not be equal on Kentucky, West Virginia customer bills Kentucky Power customers will pay $3 more each month for a new cooling tower at the Mitchell plant than West Virginia customers will pay.

Kentucky Power customers will pay $3 more each month for a new cooling tower at the 50-year old West Virginia coal plant than West Virginia customers will pay. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social

Kentucky legislature moves to adopt federal ‘school choice’ tax credit A bill authorizing a federal tax credit for those who donate to K-12 scholarship funds is moving speedily through the Kentucky legislature.

A bill authorizing a federal tax credit for those who donate to K-12 scholarship funds is moving speedily through the Kentucky legislature, clearing the #kyga26 House Tuesday.

From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org