Kentucky determined to support its domestic violence shelters amid federal VOCA cuts
By Nadia Ramlagan
Public News Service
As federal Victims of Crime Act funding continues to impact Kentucky’s domestic violence shelters, advocates say they are applauding lawmakers decisions to include $6 million of the state budget’s general fund for shelter and program operations, alongside a one-time allocation of $7.1 million to offset the impact of VOCA cuts.
ZeroV’s CEO Angela...
Art Lander’s Outdoors: Introduced fish species have had both positive and negative effects in Kentucky
Editor’s note: This is the first article in a two-part series on fish that have been introduced into Kentucky waters.
Fish species introduced into Kentucky waters through the years have had a wide variety of impacts, some good, some bad, some ugly.
In a presentation entitled Aquatic Invasive Species in Kentucky, prepared by Jeffrey Herod, Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator for the Kentucky Department...
Kentuckians have less than one week remaining to register to vote before May primary election
By Nadia Ramlagan
Public News Service
Kentuckians have less than a week to register to vote in next month’s primary election.
If the April 22 deadline is missed, residents can still register to vote in the presidential election this fall.
Laura Weinstein, chair of the League of Women Voters of Kentucky, is encouraging people to take action now. Voters will need to bring photo identification to...
Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer ends 21 years in office, proud of accomplishments
By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
While several lawmakers from both the Kentucky House and Senate are retiring at the end of the year, without a doubt the most high-profile retirement is that of Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer.
The Georgetown Republican has served in the Senate since winning a special election in 2003 and has served as Majority Leader for more than a decade. His 17th Senate District...
As Kentucky’s child care crisis worsens, advocates highlight career pathways in effort to fill critical gaps
By Nadia Ramlagan
Public News Service
The shrinking supply of childcare workers continues to impact Kentucky, and advocates say helping more people receive a Child Development Associate degree could fill critical gaps in child care and early learning – especially in rural regions.
Jennifer Roe is an early-childhood coordinator with Save the Children’s Early Steps Program who’s currently...
New federal regulation closes loophole: sellers of guns at gun shows must be licensed ‘firearm dealers’
The Rural Blog
To deliver on gun control policy promises, the Biden administration has expanded the number of sellers who must register as federally licensed firearms dealers, reports Glenn Thrush and Erica L. Green of The New York Times.
“That means those sellers must run background criminal and mental health checks on potential buyers. . . . [The change] is the broadest expansion of federal...
Work Zone Awareness week begins Monday in advance of construction season across Kentucky
By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
As construction season’s orange cones and barrels spring up along Kentucky highways, state officials remind everyone to drive distraction free and slow down; safe driving practices that will reduce the dangers highway crews face in work zones and could save lives.
In 2023, Kentucky recorded 1,251 crashes in highway work zones where 247 people were injured and 17 lost their...
KDFWR’s online ‘Struttin’ in the Bluegrass’ returns with spring turkey hunting highlights April 13-17
Turkey hunting enthusiasts can experience the thrill of spring turkey hunting when “Struttin’ in the Bluegrass” returns for its fifth season, April 13 – 17.
Hosted by Kentucky native Bo McGuffey, the series will appear on the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Facebook (@kdfwr), Instagram (@kyfishwildlife) and YouTube (@FishandWildlifeKY) accounts the first five days of the...
Art Lander’s Outdoors: Lake Reba, in Madison Co., was impounded from Otter Creek in KY River Basin
Editor’s note: This is the nineteenth article in an occasional series on small lakes in central and eastern Kentucky.
Lake Reba (Photo courtesy Visit Richmond)
Lake Reba is east of Richmond, in Madison County.
Drive east on Ky-52 from Exit 90 of Interstate-75, then turn south (right) on Lake Reba Drive.
Lake Reba (Image from Apple Maps; click for larger image)
The lake has an interesting history...
Team Kentucky, KCDHH honoring those who’ve made contributions to deaf community throughout April
In recognition of April as Deaf History Month, Team Kentucky and the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are honoring the contributions of people in the deaf and hard of hearing community and raising awareness about the issues they face.
Deaf History Month commemorates important milestones that represent major progress for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including the establishment...
Study examining potential for hydrogen-powered truck operations in Kentucky released by state
By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s (EEC) Office of Energy Policy (OEP) announced Tuesday the results of a feasibility study on hydrogen-powered truck operations in the state.
The year-long feasibility study could help advance Kentucky’s hydrogen economy, reduce freight emissions, and support leadership in the manufacturing and transportation sectors.
H2-powered...
KBE accepting nominations for 2024 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education
The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education through May 17.
The KBE gives the award each year to a Kentuckian or a Kentucky organization to honor outstanding dedication to improving achievement for students with disabilities.
Criteria for the award include:
• Leadership or implementation of innovative practice in...
Bluegrass Wildlife: It’s time to turn our attention to conservation — and away from economics
By Howard Whiteman
Murray State University
The two photos on the screen spoke volumes, but the presenter and some in the audience interpreted them very differently. Both photos showed the understory of a forest, which are the plants growing in the shade of mature trees.
One had few plants, and the other had abundant shrubs. Many in the audience were thinking that the second photo was perfect habitat...
Kentucky State Parks celebrating 100th anniversary — here are the special events in April
Kentucky State Parks continue to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a series of events in April.
• On Monday, April 8, several state parks, including Blue Licks Battlefield, Rough River Dam, Cumberland Falls, Barren River Lake, Wickliffe Mounds and John James Audubon State Park, will host solar eclipse watch parties.
Guests can purchase solar eclipse glasses at the parks, and viewing areas are...
Kentucky voter registration continues to surge ahead of May primary, adding more than 8800 in March
The Secretary of State on Friday announced voter registration continues to surge ahead of the May primary, with 8,816 new voters registering in March.
“As we prepare for a potentially high turnout, I’d like to remind Kentuckians that the deadline to register to vote in the May presidential primary is April 22,” said Secretary of State Michael Adams.
In March, 4,839 voters were removed – 3,578...
