Immaculate weather? A spring preview? We are absolutely holding our breath over here, kids. Even if that means next week could be unsettled and a little bit cooler. [WXorNot & YouTube]
A new bill introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives will allow voters to decide on decriminalizing cannabis possession. House Bill 199 aims to allow voters to decide whether to legalize recreational use for adults 21 and over, while the companion bill — Senate Bill 168 — would decriminalize possession statewide without the need for public votes. [WPSD]
Of course Frankfort found something urgent to tackle. A bill in the Kentucky Senate would require state and local law enforcement to work more closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Because when lawmakers say they are focused on “kitchen table issues,” sometimes they mean the kitchen table where campaign strategy gets planned. You can always count on Frankfort to know which conversations fire up a base — and which ones can wait. [WKU Herald]
This is some kind of fancy good old boy scandal that’s going to balloon out-of-control, isn’t it? A Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputy was fired today after being found guilty of eight policy violations, said Sheriff Brett Hightower. [WBKO]
The Kentucky Historical Society announced that it is providing free school trips in celebration of “America 250.” The Elizabeth Lloyd “Libby” Jones Student Scholarship Fund is providing support for the trips to the KHS campus. If you’re a teacher who is interested, you should immediately reach out to KHS to learn more or schedule a visit. [Kentucky Historical Society]
Child care in Kentucky is struggling. Frankfort legislators say they’ve been scrambling this winter to find solutions. We’ll let you be the judge about whether or not they actually do anything substantive. (Hint: They didn’t. Because Frankfort.) [Herald-Leader]
Do you know what journalists could do instead of bothsidesing this matter of he-said-she-said audit shenanigans in state government? They could do some actual reporting that proves something. Bothsidesing isn’t journalism and it does not serve taxpayers, our most vulnerable, our community or our Commonwealth. [WKYT]
Human trafficking isn’t just a problem in the big city – it also happens in Bowling Green. A group of activist organizations and concerned citizens came together to put an end to human trafficking in Kentucky. It’s a crime that is rapidly evolving in the digital age. [WAVE3]
Proposed legislation in Frankfort is about to absolutely obliterate state government’s employee health plan. More than 300,000 state workers and retirees are set to face astronomical increases and loss of coverage. That means teachers, bus drivers, health department nurses, the people processing your taxes and licenses, everyone. [House Bill 500]
Does anyone know what the disorder is called when you believe coal isn’t a dying energy source? With energy costs rising, state leaders and members of energy providers around the state gathered to discuss the future of energy in Kentucky and what can be done to prepare for the future. [WNKY]
Here’s what Kentucky’s Secretary of State had to say in a press release about January’s voter registration statistics. “Candidates’ appeals to date largely have been to donors, influencers, and other politicians, so voters are tuned out,” Adams said. “I’m hopeful that soon these campaigns will turn their attention to Kentucky voters and address the issues that everyday Kentuckians are most concerned about.” Oh, and Democrats continued to lose people – a drop of 1,122 in January alone, with absolutely no effort to register new voters. [Press Release]
A cool thing you can do if you have extra money? Go out to eat in Bowling Green, order takeout, grab lunch. It’s wildly important to support your local restaurants if you want them to continue to exist. [Buy Local BG]
Here, hit Ouiser! I SLAPPED OUISER BOUDREAUX! Hit her! The Ramsey Theatre Company is gearing up for its first ever touring show as its production of “Steel Magnolias” is set to kick off this weekend at SKyPAC before heading to Owensboro’s Riverpark Center on Feb. 28. [BG Daily News]
Glasgow is in a big, weird fight over real estate signage. The City of Glasgow hosted a town hall Thursday evening to hear from community members who may be affected by a proposed ordinance regulating signage within city limits. [Glasgow News 1]
Do you care about supporting veterans? Single mothers? The elderly? This is going to impact them to a severe extent – not just black, brown, immigrant, differently abled or LGBTQ people. Kentucky lawmakers are moving a bill to strip power from the state and local human rights commissions that enforce civil rights law for the public, instead directing aggrieved people to hire lawyers and file lawsuits. [More Herald-Leader]
Want to see how confusion gets dressed up as news? Watch how a major Louisville TV station covered the Human Rights Commission story. A little both-sides seasoning. No clear disclosure about who wrote what. Then a soft-focus glow that makes the legislation sound like it hands out puppies with every permit. No hard facts. No real breakdown. Just vibes. This is your reminder that media literacy is not optional anymore. Read beyond the headline. Check who benefits. And for the love of being properly informed, read more than one outlet. [WDRB]