by Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times LEXINGTON, KY — A forthcoming presentation set for Tuesday promises to shed new light on the severity of homelessness in Lexington. According to the Catholic Action Center, the 2023 Street Survey is expected to reveal at least 2,410 homeless individuals in the community, a number far exceeding the…
by Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times Lexington, KY — As construction is set to begin this week on the contentious $211,588.03 Athens Boonesboro Welcome Sign, new information has come to light that further questions the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s (LFUCG) priorities. Minutes from the LFUCG’s Corridor Commission‘s August 17 meeting and a recent city…
by Jordan Hensley, Legislative Research Commission FRANKFORT — Last year, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation to collect statewide data on domestic violence. The Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center’s (CJSAC) inaugural report was released a few months ago. On Thursday, the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary discussed the report for the first time. The…
By Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times LEXINGTON, Ky. — In a move that could significantly impact the future of public spaces in Lexington, the Greenspace Trust is considering new avenues for revenue and a centralized approach to managing invasive plant species in the county. The Trust met on Wednesday to discuss these and other…
by Jordan Hensley, Legislative Research Commission FRANKFORT — Diapers are in high demand across Kentucky, and some families struggle to pay the cost. Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, shared her plan with the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue to file a bill next year that would make infant and adult diapers in…
by Nancy Royden, Legislative Research Commission FRANKFORT — The Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday heard from computer science advocates about ways this multi-faceted discipline could be expanded in Kentucky’s schools. The meeting coincided with Coding at the Capitol, a full-day event in which students shared robots, displays and experiments with state legislators.…
by Jordan Hensley, Legislative Research Commission FRANKFORT — Removing the certificate of need (CON) requirement for freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky is still being studied following the 2023 Regular Session. Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, and other stakeholders spoke to the Certificate of Need Task Force about the issue on Monday. The new task…
By Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times This article has been updated to clarify the nature of the Superintendent’s acknowledgement of AFT120. LEXINGTON, Ky. — A tumultuous saga involving Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) and labor union KY 120 United-American Federation of Teachers (AFT120) continues to play out. In a recent development, Superintendent Demetrus Liggins…
by Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times Lexington, KY — Amidst an ongoing opioid crisis, the newly established Opioid Abatement Commission convened its first special meeting on Friday. Mayor Linda Gorton, who spearheaded the creation of the commission, shared her vision for a thoughtful and sustainable strategy to use the upcoming opioid abatement funds, which…
by Laverne Zabielski An opioid addiction disease has taken over Lexington. The Opioid Abatement Commission recently appointed by Mayor Gorton and scheduled to meet this Friday, Sept. 15 has the opportunity to enact solutions. Citizens are suffering. People in Lexington don’t know how to deal with the sudden rise of addicts and homeless roaming…