A new Kentucky law aimed at curbing youth vaping is being challenged in court. The Kentucky Vaping Retailers Association, the Kentucky Hemp Association and four vape retailers filed a lawsuit last week in Franklin Circuit Court challenging the constitutionality of the bill, news outlets reported. It would require that any vape products sold have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or have a safe harbor certification." The administration has approved 23 vape product applications out of more than a million, so retailers argue that the requirement would make most of their stock il ..read more

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced Thursday the timeline for Kentuckians' access to medical marijuana has been shortened considerably. Beshear signed House Bill 829 on Thursday afternoon, which moves up the time when businesses can receive licensing for the sale of medical marijuana from Jan. 1, 2025 to July 2024. "This administration has been working to expedite the timeline for making medical cannabis available," said Beshear. "We worked with the General Assembly on a solution and by signing House Bill 829, I am pleased to report that my administration will now be able to issue license ..read more

Kentucky saw the highest number of deadly highway crashes since 2016, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. We dont want anyone to get a visit from law enforcement at 2 a.m. giving them bad news, said Bill Bell, KYTCs office of highway safety executive. In 2023, 813 people did get that bad news that a loved one was killed in a crash, according to KYTC data. In Northern Kentucky, that same data shows 53 people died in a crash. Its why KYTC added a Memorial Lane section to its website to honor those who died. Its also working to prevent future deaths. "Basically we're trying to work ..read more

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky on Friday removed the Democratic governor from any role filling future U.S. Senate vacancies a move supporters said was unrelated to recent scrutiny about the health of the state's senior senator, Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The GOP supermajority Legislature easily overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of the measure. The legislation calls for a special election to fill any Senate vacancy from the Bluegrass State. The special election winner would hold the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term. The people should decide who a United States senator is b ..read more

Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed House Bill 5, a wide-reaching crime bill sponsored by Republican lawmakers known as the "Safer Kentucky Act." The bill is designed to address violent crime across the state by adding stricter penalties for a number of offenses. Those include fentanyl trafficking, evading law enforcement, vandalism and attempted murder, among others. The act also includes a section addressing homelessness. In his veto message, Gov. Beshear said the bill had some good parts but that they were included with "dozens of other measures in one unwieldy bill that would criminalize homeless ..read more

The town of Milton is still recovering after an EF-2 tornado crossed the Ohio River and turned onto Route 36, hitting roughly 90 structures and causing nearly $2 million in damages, according to Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark. In the week since the March 14 storm, the community has worked feverishly to clear trees from roadways, shovel debris into large industrial dumpsters and attempt to repair their homes. Cheryl Roth spent Friday attempting to replace some of the windows that were left shattered when the tornado passed right over her home. "You could see the trees ..read more

Did you place a wager on March Madness games? Maybe a little money on your bracket? The first round is underway and for the first time, people in Kentucky can now legally bet on the tournament. Sports management professor Brandon Wright said sportsbooks make it very easy to get involved. You spend a small amount of money, but much like a lottery, can win a whole bunch, Wright said. And that's very, very attractive, it makes the games themselves more exciting. Northern Kentucky University student Will Grund agrees. It makes you pay attention to every little thing thats happening that much more ..read more

Jerry and Alana Farler havent left the hospital since their son, Bo, was admitted earlier this month. We have our moments, just one day at a time, Alana said of their emotional state of mind after spending nearly three weeks in the hospital, a little more than one hour from their Lawrenceburg home. Their first child was born on March 4 and sent home on March 6 with a clean bill of health. But that didnt last for very long. Less than two days later, they knew something wasnt right as he had no desire to eat. The family was sent to UK Hospital and, from there, told to go to Cincinnati Childrens ..read more

Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a state of emergency in Kentucky after severe storms, including a tornado, swept through the state Thursday. The storms, which contained heavy rain, large hail and strong winds, damaged multiple properties and infrastructure, Beshear said. The state of emergency will allow the commonwealth to further help the communities affected. The state plans to open General Butler State Resort Park, where 33 people are currently sheltering. "We have significant damage in Milton, in Trimble County," Beshear said. "Though, thankfully, every report we have received, up until now ..read more

Alabama's Supreme Court ruling that embryos critical for reproductive care were legally the same as children has had wide-reaching impacts including more than 500 miles away in the greater Cincinnati area where the Institute for Reproductive Health serves patients in Florence and Norwood. Medical Director Thomas Burwinkel said the ruling has caused concern among patients in Kentucky and Ohio that their treatments could be delayed or ended amid the uncertain climate created after the federal Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade. "Our patients are coming in and asking, 'Does this Supreme Court d ..read more