NKYian John A. Stephenson enters Alford plea in bilking life savings of elderly Vietnam veteran

By Jack Brammer
NKyTribune reporter
John A. Stephenson, the last person to serve as Kentucky’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, has entered an Alford plea in Boone Circuit Court related to stealing the life savings of an elderly Vietnam veteran.
Stephenson was accused in 2022 of manipulating Darris Beach, 78, into giving him access to his finances so he could steal $60,000 from Beach’s...
Two multi-sport athletes for Highlands are among latest inductees to N.Ky. Sports Hall of Fame

By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Two multi-sport athletes at Highlands High School are among the latest group to be inducted into the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame during a ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday at The Gardens of Park Hills.
Herb Hilgeman is a 1968 Highlands graduate who participated in basketball, baseball and track. Megan Arnzen-Krieg is a 1994 graduate who earned a total...
Kentucky Supreme Court to consider question of gerrymandered voting maps this week

By Michael Li
Brennan Center for Justice
On September 19, the Kentucky Supreme Court will become the latest state high court to consider the question of whether legal challenges to gerrymandered voting maps are justiciable under its state constitution.
The U.S. Supreme Court controversially ruled in 2019 that partisan gerrymandering claims were non-justiciable “political questions” under the...
Poll workers needed for upcoming election, sign up now online or with your county clerk’s office

By McKenna Horsley
The Kentucky Lantern
For several years, Gregory and Wynella Bethards have worked at the polls on Election Day in Jefferson County.
The Louisville couple said they enjoy being part of the process. Gregory said “it’s a civic duty, privilege and obligation to serve the community,” but there is some anxiety before voters come through the doors.
Vote — and sign up to be a...
Governor lauds grand opening of 80 Acres Farm in Boone County — a vertical, high tech operation

Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted further momentum within Kentucky’s agritech sector as he congratulated 80 Acres Farms on the grand opening of the company’s new vertical farming facility in Boone County, which will create 125 well-paying jobs with an investment of up to $95 million.
“Kentucky’s growth in the agritech sector is a key part of our Commonwealth’s surging and versatile economy, which...
NKU welcomes new president, Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, ‘back home’ with a standing ovation

By Jack Brammer
NKyTribune reporter
When an ebullient Dr. Cady Short-Thompson was introduced Wednesday as Northern Kentucky University’s new president, she said the scene for her was like “a beautiful full-circle moment.” She asked to savor it.
The first woman to become a permanent, not interim, president of NKU was referring back to her days as a communications professor and department chair...
Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is among the three finalists for the presidency of KCTCS

Staff report
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) has named three finalists for their new president — and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is among them.
KCTCS Board Chair Barry Martin announced the finalists Tuesday.
“We are overwhelmingly thrilled with candidates received in this search,” said Martin, “and we are excited to announce these extraordinary...
Northern Kentucky University regents plan to name university’s 7th president on Wednesday

By Judy Clabes
NKyTribune editor
Northern Kentucky University’s Board of Regents plans to name the university’s 7th president on Wednesday.
The announcement is scheduled for 10 a.m. and a live stream will be available.
The Board of Regents will be meeting Tuesday evening and will be continuing the meeting Wednesday morning, culminating in an expected announcement of the new president.
Bonita...
A reminder: Chamber annual dinner is Thursday for ‘Moving Forward as One’ and presentation of awards

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce celebrates “Moving Forward as One” at its Annual Dinner on Thursday, September 14, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. This is a reminder to register.
The region’s business community is invited to celebrate the past year’s successes, look to what’s ahead, and honor the people and organizations helping to lead the way – moving the region...
Flags will fly at half staff on anniversary of 9/11 as Beshear celebrates Patriot’s Day in Ashland

By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Gov. Andy Beshear will commemorate Patriots Day, the anniversary of 9/11, on Monday in Ashland, and has ordered flags to half-staff on that date to honor those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks.
He will join Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins and leadership of the Ashland police and fire departments for a memorial ceremony at the Delta Hotels by Marriott in downtown Ashland at...
Kenton County Parks seeking volunteers for Ohio River Sweep clean-up at Doe Run Lake September 16

Kenton County Parks & Recreation is hosting a clean-up at Doe Run Lake on Saturday, September 16 from 9 a.m.-noon, as part of the Ohio River Sweep.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring their kayak or hiking shoes and enjoy the park all while preserving nature. Garbage bags, gloves and waste removal will be provided.
Registration is not required.
However, volunteers may register by September 15...
Kentucky 4-H attracts largest summer camp attendance in state history, after 2-year hiatus

By Christopher Carney
University of Kentucky
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development’s Summer Camp program welcomed a record-breaking 13,600 participants.
Kentucky 4-H Camping, which is housed in the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and organized by local county extension offices, has four locations,...
Aviatra Accelerators announces the women entrepreneurs’ Flight Night Pitch competition winner

Aviatra Accelerators, the Greater Cincinnati non-profit accelerator dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and small businesses through education, connections, and essential resources, hosted its annual Flight Night Pitch competition recently at Newport Car Barn in Newport.
Jess Shelton, owner of CityScape Tiles (Photo by Aviatra)
The annual event spotlights local female-founded businesses that...
It’s National Preparedness Month, time for everyone to prepare for disasters, emergencies: ‘Take control’

By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual recognition set to remind everyone in America how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies that can happen at any time.
President Biden issued a National Preparedness Month proclamation, acknowledging the importance of building a nation more prepared and...