A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

KCTCS President Ryan Quarles to tour all 16 of school’s campuses; will visit Gateway April 1

By Tom Latek Kentucky Today Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) President Ryan Quarles has kicked off his Focus on the Future statewide tour, with stops being planned at all 16 community colleges. “With current workforce shortages and an enrollment cliff looming, it’s imperative that KCTCS lives up to its promise of being the biggest workforce development tool in Kentucky’s...

Kentucky Humanities accepting applications for Chautauqua living history presenters

Now is your chance to help Kentucky Humanities tell Kentucky’s story by portraying a person from the Commonwealth’s colorful past. Since 1992, our presenters have brought 80 Kentuckians to life as Kentucky Chautauqua characters. There are many more compelling stories out there — let us know which one you want to tell. Proposed Kentucky Chautauqua characters do not have to be famous, but their...

U.S. CBP at Port of Louisville intercepts shipment of counterfeit watches valued at more than $11.7 million

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville seized a de minimis shipment containing 35 counterfeit designer watches. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and if genuine, would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) over $11.7 million. (Photo from U.S. CBP) The...

KY House sends two bills (by NKY reps) to Senate for consideration: ‘Momnibus,’ easing teacher shortage

Staff report Two bills spearheaded by NKY representatives have been approved by the Kentucky House and are headed to the Senate for consideration. Most of the 1200-plus bills introduced in the legislature are still immersed somewhere in the system. So far, with just a few weeks of the 2024 session remaining, only three bills have become law, one of them as a result of an override of the Governor’s...

Frankfort’s Salato Wildlife Education Center opens Tuesday for 2024 season of animal adventures

Ready for an adventure? The Salato Wildlife Education Center reopens its doors for the 2024 season on Tuesday, March 12. Visitors can explore Kentucky’s diverse ecosystems and learn all about the commonwealth’s wildlife. From interesting indoor exhibits to outdoor animal encounters, Salato promises a memorable experience for the whole family. With more than 40 native animal species, including...

Kentucky County Clerks Association concerned over delays caused by new KAVIS system

The Kentucky County Clerks Association has important information for the public as they continue to work their way through the implementation of the state’s new vehicle registration system known as KAVIS. County Clerks are processing an increasing number of transactions each day, however, there are still significant delays and problematic transactions. KCCA leadership has expressed concerns and...

Art Lander’s Outdoors: The Red-winged Blackbird is a native species rarely observed up-close

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a native species found year-round in Kentucky. But, their occurrence is somewhat irregular since some birds move south for the winter, while others join large, migrating flocks of birds from the northern reaches of their range, moving around the region. According to The Kentucky Breeding Bird Atlas, the Red-winged Blackbird is “most numerous in western...

Angler catches new Kentucky state record yellow perch at Lake Barkley breaking 14-year-old record

A Tennessee angler fishing Lake Barkley over the weekend caught Kentucky’s new state record yellow perch. Lynn Bumgardner’s fish weighed 1.58 pounds on a certified scale, eclipsing the old record of 1.44 pounds set in 2010. Bumgardner, of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, caught his fish on the Trigg County side of the lake March 2. “We were trolling grubs for crappie in Linton Bay on Lake Barkley,”...

Governor issues first veto of legislative session: HB 18 dealing with access to avoidable housing

Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by Louisville Councilman Phillip Baker, who represents Metro Council District 6, as he vetoed House Bill 18, which would make it harder for many Kentuckians – including those with disabilities, senior citizens, low-income families and homeless veterans – to access affordable housing. The bill removes local government control and autonomy, with the General Assembly dictating...

Kentucky’s Kyra Watts gets gold ticket on American Idol — is going to Hollywood

By Keith Taylor Kentucky Today Kentucky native Kyra Waits is going to Hollywood. Kyra Watts, American Idol screenshot Waits, who is from Berea, earned a gold ticket to the 22nd season of “American Idol” Sunday night following her impressive audition in front of judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on ABC. Waits performed “Up to the Mountain,” made popular by Patty Griffin. Perry...

Appeals court sides with GOP constitutional officers on ethics commission power; Beshear to appeal

By McKenna Horsley Kentucky Lantern Republican constitutional officers celebrated a ruling from the Kentucky Court of Appeals that upheld a law allowing them to each appoint a member of the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.  Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who’s office has said it will ask the Kentucky Supreme Court to hear the case, filed a lawsuit in 2022 to block the GOP law that reduced his...

Outdoor recreation strong in KY with anglers, hunters and wildlife watchers spending $11.2 billion in 2022

A newly released report from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation shows that wildlife recreation continues to be a major socio-economic force in Kentucky. The survey estimates that more than 4.3 million people spent $11.2 billion on fishing, hunting or wildlife watching activities in Kentucky during the calendar year. Nearly 2 million visitors to the state...

Legislation ’24: Two bills signed by Governor; one exempts small farms from hunting, fishing licenses

So far, as the legislature is in the second half of its session, only two bills have been signed into law by the Governor, meaning only two have passed both houses of the legislature and made their way to the Governor’s desk for signature. A pivotal moment has been reached: The filing deadline passed, marking a significant phase in the legislative calendar. With over 1,200 bills introduced for...

Art Lander’s Outdoors: Creation of plastic worm lure revolutionized the sport of largemouth bass fishing

A guy cooking up plastic in his kitchen and then pouring it into steel molds in his basement revolutionized fishing for largemouth bass. The plastic worm, flexible, with a soft, flesh-like texture, traces back to Nick Creme, who created the first plastic worm at his home in Akron, Ohio, in 1949. The rest is history and bass fishing has never been the same. Nick Creme (Photo courtesy Creme Lure) A machinist...

Turfway Park to remain open for year-round training; summer stall applications due March 15

Officials from Turfway Park Racing & Gaming have announced the track will once again be open for year-round training, with summer stall applications due Friday, March 15. “There is once again significant interest from trainers to remain based at Turfway Park for year-round training,” said Gary Palmisano Jr., vice president of racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “Turfway is conveniently...