The Grayson Tourism Commission discussed finances at their February meeting. President Daniel White said that one thing that had been discussed was the cash balances on some tourism accounts, and how best to manage those balances. The balances of those accounts totaled approximately $1 million, White told the commission. Half of those funds were the sports park reserves, he said, with $170,000 in the tourism account.
The point, White said, was that these funds were currently sitting in non-interest-bearing accounts. Options exist for money market accounts, White told the commission.
“If we simply move the funds into a money market checking account, there can be a 0.5 to 2.5 interest based on fund balance,” White said.
White also made the commission aware that there were some restrictions on moving money into and out of those accounts. Another option White presented to the commission was a 3.6 interest rate CD for 13 months.
“That would tie that money up for the 13 months,” he said.
White said that as part of the discussion it might be a good option to pay down part of the current debt owed by the tourism commission, because the interest that could potentially be earned by the movement of funds into a money market account or CD would be less than the interest currently being paid on some debts. One existing loan the commission is paying on currently carries a 3.7 percent interest rate. Another carries a 5.5 percent interest rate.
Discussion centered around the amount of funds to be moved and into what type of accounts, with the general consensus that there could be a combination of CD and money market accounts. A motion was made to transfer funds from a maintenance account into a money market account, and was approved unanimously.
In other business, Todd Maynard, the Dean of the School of Business and Leadership at Kentucky Christian University, addressed the commission. Maynard approached the commission about sponsorship opportunities for the school’s upcoming Mission Minded Leadership Conference scheduled for April 15.
“Our program is in charge of the annual leadership conference,” Maynard told the commission. “And this is my first year over the conference.”
Maynard said that he was very excited about the program and that this year they were blessed with nationally recognized speakers for the event, which will be held at KCU’s Nash Chapel with a networking session afterwards at the school gym.
Maynard said that what his department was seeking for this year’s conference was a $5,000 sponsorship. For that sponsorship, he said, the tourism commission would have their logo prominently displayed on digital and marketing materials, and recognition for tourism and the City of Grayson as the event’s main sponsor. Maynard said the event is expected to bring 600 people into Grayson, and there will be a great draw for tourism based on the notoriety of the speakers.
Admission for the event is $35 per attendee, Maynard told the commission, and the pricing of tickets should aid in the drawing power of the event. The $5,000 donation would help defray the cost for the speakers, he said, as well as branding for the city and tourism. Maynard said there were other sponsorship levels available, but the $5,000 level would be the main sponsor for the event. The commission decided on further consideration before any decision was made.
Grayson City Council took the opportunity, during their February meeting, to announce the official retirement of Police Chief Tony Cantrell and celebrate his service to the city.
“Congratulations to you, Tony,” mayor Troy Combs told the now former police chief.
The mayor mentioned that the police department held an event for Cantrell earlier that day, but the city also wished to recognize his service and offer a heartfelt thank you.
Cantrell received several mementos of the city’s appreciation, including a gift of his service revolver. Mayor Combs also presented Cantrell with meritorious citations at the meeting. One was a citation from the Kentucky State Senate for his nearly thirty years of exemplary service and citing him as an ‘Officer of the highest caliber…’
“I would like to thank the Mayor and the Council for giving me the opportunity to be the chief of police,” Cantrell said as he received the citation.
He said he was humbled by their trust in him and wished that he had been able to remain in that position longer. Cantrell also said that he had every confidence that the incoming chief would do an amazing job and serve the City of Grayson with distinction.
Following Cantrell’s official retirement, the council voted unanimously to swear in acting chief Dean Ison, a veteran Grayson Police Officer and former assistant police chief, as the cities new chief of police.
The City of Grayson also recognized the heroic actions of two of its first responders at the February meeting. Carter County EMS Assistant Director Mike Wears and K9 Officer Justin Stone were recognized for their critical life saving measures for rescuing a Grayson resident from a burning home. Both were awarded citations from the State of Kentucky and an award for going above and beyond the call of duty by the City of Grayson.
In other business Gerald Haney, director of the Grayson Utilities Commission, presented his end of year report to the council. Haney reported on the previous year’s activities which included the number of new taps installed, new gas services, boil water advisories, and any outages. The utilities report also included other important figures such as water produced by the water treatment plant.
Haney’s report showed a reduction of water produced from the previous year by nearly eighty million.
“So, the water loss project we did really improved our ability to find leaks,” Haney said.
The project, which began in 2023, has also yielded other benefits such as a reduction of man hours and chemicals used in the treatment process. A reduction in water lost to leaks results in less water being ‘consumed’ and treated, which yields both an economic and ecological impact.
“Last January, for instance, before the downtown project,” Haney told the council, “We fixed six leaks just in that area. This year, we fixed zero because we took away about a mile of 100-year-old pipe in that area.”
In other business, Mark Denny from Pathways addressed the council. Denny told the council that Pathways Quick Response had been working closely with Boyd County, have moved into Greenup County, and would like to increase their presence in Carter County.
“What we do in the Quick Response Team is respond to overdoses through reports given to us by law enforcement and emergency management,” Denny said.
“We look at it as though every overdose we respond to is more than just a medical emergency. It is a potential turning point moment in someone’s life,” Denny said. “We meet people on their hardest day, and we also meet their families and children. We try to connect these people to treat through recovery support and mental health services.”
Denny said that he was addressing council to make them aware of a potential new program on the horizon from Pathways Quick Response.
“We plan to move forward with deflection,” Denny said. “We are trying to partner closer with law enforcement and emergency management in order to prevent overdoses.”
Denny explained that first contact is often when the substance abuser is caught for possession of narcotics and other illegal substances.
“They are put in jail and go through the courts,” Denny said. “And it becomes a cycle that is really hard for people to break.”
Denny said Quick Response is hoping to come together with cities like Grayson and Ashland and have a deflection agreement to mitigate that cycle. The proposed plan is that if a potential substance user is caught with an amount that would be considered ‘personal use,’ then Quick Response could be notified before the person is arrested. At that point they would be offered long term treatment in lieu of arrest, Denny said, facilitated by Quick Response.
“We know this would be something that would need to be worked out with individual police departments and the courts to make sure this was acceptable,” Denny said. “But in other counties and states that’s what QRT does. We keep one of our members available at all times to respond when anything like this happens. That way we can try to help people when we know it’s a substance abuse problem and not a criminal problem. That way we can get them connected with treatment, because that’s what they need.”
Denny said he wanted to make the council aware of the program so that an agreement might be made in the future. Quick Response Team, he said, is a national initiative and the goal is to bring that program into the Commonwealth while following all applicable rules and statutes.
“At the end of the day we want to be a tool for law enforcement,” Denny told the council. “We want to give them another option.”
Left to Right, Michelle Spriggs from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center and Amanda Kelly from SKEDC. (Photo by Charles Romans, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans Carter County Times
Grayson Chamber of Commerce Director Mike Nelson began the February meeting discussing upcoming projects the chamber has in store for 2026.
“It is time for us to get busy on Memory Days,” Nelson told chamber members. “This is year 55 for Memory Days in Grayson.”
Thresholds of that nature are extremely important and should be treated as such, he said.
“We have a lot of cool things planned for this year’s Memory Days,” Nelson said. “Obviously, we can’t do it without your support and help. There are different levels you can sponsor, and different benefits you get by those levels.”
Nelson said that getting sponsors early helps the chamber plan better for entertainment at the event. Currently Nelson said the band Sunday Best is confirmed for the Saturday of the event, with Dustin Burchett opening.
The featured speakers at the February meeting were Michelle Spriggs from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Amanda Kelly from Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKEDC).
“We are administered through the University of Kentucky,” Spriggs told chamber members. “We are funded in part through the Small Business Administration, and many other stakeholders.”
“We provide free business coaching services to all the clients we assist,” Spriggs said. “We do loan packaging, projections, feasibility analysis, marketing, and we do a huge amount of free training. We service all 120 counties throughout Kentucky, we have 10 centers throughout the state, and about 35 business coaches.”
Spriggs told the chamber she has been involved with SBDC since 2009.
“So, I have been doing this for a bit,” she said. “Things have changed a lot, and we have seen a lot of great things.”
The main topic of Spriggs talk to the chamber involved the Childcare Initiative, which she said came into play after a meeting she was part of with Truist Bank.
“I started thinking about the need we had,” Spriggs said. “We need more childcare centers and more childcare centers that provide better care for the ones that are already operating.”
Spriggs said she thought about what could be done, and how it could work with the CRA grants they have available. Spriggs said she realized she needed a stakeholder that could help her make this idea a reality, and someone she had trained with – Amanda Kelly – came to mind.
“She was the first person I called,” Spriggs said. “Because I knew she had the same passion and the same work ethic.”
Spriggs said Kelly’s response was an immediate yes.
“So, we wrote the first grant,” Spriggs said. “It didn’t get awarded, so we wrote the second grant.”
The second grant was funded, she said, and now they are currently in their third year of operation.
“It’s one of the most passionate things I have ever done at the Kentucky SBDC,” she said.
Spriggs said she has met many amazing, passionate people that are invested in the future of the children of Kentucky.
Kelly, who serves as Small Business Training Director for the SKEDC, also talked to the chamber about her and Spriggs’ project.
“We are a small business lender,” Kelly said of her organization. “We are located in Somerset, but we cover all of the Fifth Congressional District. So, we do loans throughout eastern and southern Kentucky.”
Kelly said she heads the technical department, so she deals directly with small businesses to help them get whatever they need to make them successful.
“With childcare business we realized pretty early on that childcare is a passion business you do because you love the children. And a lot of them are not seen as real businesses.”
“They absolutely are real businesses,” Kelly said definitively. “But they are not viewed that way. They are viewed more as a babysitting service, but that is so far from the truth. That’s not what quality childcare service is.”
Kelly said that she and Spriggs are involved in helping childcare business owners to start thinking like business owners. They hope to accomplish that by helping business owners to examine their profit margins and other financial concerns, and to understand other business needs such as payroll costs. Kelly said these things are crucial to any business, but especially childcare because it is regulated by the state.
“There is a cap to what you can make,” Kelly said. “The state tells you how many children you can have in that childcare center.”
Another challenge, she said, is that the vast majority of the children are funded by the state, and there is a limit to what the state will pay for each child. But, she said, the challenges can be managed. And her and Spriggs are there to help with that management, so she encourages everyone connected to childcare to reach out for training and potential business management.
Coach Cole Brammer converses with his team following the first quarter. (Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)
Colton McGuire (12) goes in for the shot. (Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)
Coach Cole Brammer converses with his team following the first quarter. (Photo by Brayleigh Boggs, Carter County Times)
By Brayleigh Boggs
Carter County Times
East Carter battled possession-for-possession Friday night, but a late surge by Lewis County proved too much to overcome, as the Raiders fell 66-54.
Despite early momentum and multiple second-half runs, turnovers and foul trouble hindered East Carter’s ability to close the gap. Lewis County capitalized on key opportunities throughout the night to secure the victory.
East Carter opened the night with early energy as the Raiders jumped out to a quick 3-2 lead over Lewis County. But from the opening tip, it was clear the Lions weren’t going to make it easy.
Lewis County’s Daylen Bivens (32) answered with a basket to give the Lions their first spark, while Caden Tussey (15) countered on the other end to keep East within reach. A steal by Lewis County’s Julian Puente (11) shifted the tempo, and although Grant Menix (10) fought for an offensive rebound, Lewis continued to capitalize. The Lions moved ahead 6-5 before William Burton (5) knocked down a three-pointer to briefly swing momentum back toward the Raiders.
Puente (11) responded with an and-one finish for Lewis County, and East’s Max Karle (11) stepped to the line for two free throws after drawing contact. Lewis County maintained control, stretching its lead to 13-10. The Lions continued to find success inside, while Menix (10) battled through contact for an opportunity of his own. Bivens (32) added another basket late in the quarter, and by the end of the first, Lewis County held a 19-14 advantage.
East Carter struggled with consistency to open the second quarter, turning the ball over and fighting to settle into rhythm. After a travel call on Lewis, the Raiders found life with a smooth backdoor pass to William Burton (5) for two. Jackson Steele (22) followed with a basket to narrow the gap to 22-18.
However, Bivens (32) struck again from beyond the arc, and Lewis County’s offensive chemistry continued to shine. A layup connection from Bivens (32) to Brody Detillion (15) widened the margin. Colton McGuire (12) grabbed a key rebound for East, and Puente (11) was called for a charge as the Raiders searched for momentum. Still, East Carter struggled to finish possessions. Lewis added another three-pointer, and although Thomas Burton (1) and Tussey (15) chipped in baskets, the Lions answered each push. Turnovers plagued both sides late in the half, but Lewis County maintained control heading into the break.
The Lions controlled possession at the start of the second half, wasting no time, heading straight for the rim and securing their first of many baskets in the third quarter. East Carter countered with their own pair of points, but it was no match for the seven straight Lewis had coming their way. Thomas Burton (1) kept the Raiders alive, along with Karle (11), who both brought in key shots for East.
The Raiders found a spark midway through the third with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a put-back from McGuire (12). Still, the defensive foul count began to climb, putting Lewis County back at the line. Tussey (15) fired up the home crowd with a long three-pointer, but Lewis answered dramatically with a clutch shot at the buzzer to close the third.
A turnover plagued East Carter’s offense to start the final eight minutes. On their next possession, McGuire (12) made a diving effort to keep the play alive, refusing to let momentum slip without a fight. With both teams struggling to find the net, Karle (11) and McGuire (12) continued attacking. A huge three-pointer from McGuire (12) brought the bench to its feet and cut the Lions’ lead to six.
With 3:47 left in the contest, Lewis County responded with a key basket and a momentum-shifting block to regain control. Back-to-back shots from Karle (11) kept the Raiders within striking distance, and missed opportunities by the Lions gave East hope late. But as the final seconds ticked away, the Raiders couldn’t overcome the deficit.
When the buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 66-54 in favor of Lewis County, as East Carter’s late push fell just short.
One of the things we are often in the dark about is knowing how many different kinds of organizers exist in the world today. I’m here to tell you that the selection is vast, and with a little research your eyes will be open to possibilities you never knew existed.
Finding where to look is the first start. To get a good grasp on the many styles, colors, and uses, you will need to research many stores and websites, but never fear all this research can change the way you organize your home. Once you know what’s available, new ideas for managing your things will give you a fresh approach to putting your home in order. To avoid becoming overwhelmed at the volume, research by category. For instance; search for in-home and outdoor storage items, baskets, drawers, shelves, etc. Shop by style.
You will also be pleasantly surprised at the cost. There are a variety of manufacturers, which allows you to compare and making spending easier on your wallet. Keep in mind your needs and budget your time to save on shipping if you are buying online. You will also want to be sure anything you are interested in needs to fit into your living space, that is unless you are willing to make other changes.
Here are some of the locations to begin that are either right in your own backyard or online.
Dollar stores
Walmart
The Container Store
Amazon
Hardware stores
Target
YouTube Channels
Home Organizer Tips
Uline
Organize-it
When looking for furniture, keep in mind that pretty isn’t always a space saver. The ideas are endless and investigating is fun.
The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Carter County Detention Center over the past week. This list includes local arrests only. It does not include federal inmates being housed at or transported through the detention center.
• Austin Benson, 27, of Olive Hill, arresting agency unavailable, on charges of providing a false report of an incident to law enforcement, and leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance, arrested and booked February 9. • Joseph Sackman, 42, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on two counts of failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked February 10. • Dustin Martin, 39, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, failure to wear seat belts, failure to yield right of way, no or expired registration receipt, and failure to produce an insurance card, arrested and booked February 11. • Amanda Henderson, 33, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on a charge of receiving stolen property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, arrested and booked February 11. • Kelli Keever, 26, of Ashland, of Carter County Sheriff, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and resisting arrest, arrested and booked February 11. • Kayla Lewis, 37, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance – second offense (aggravating circumstances), careless driving, license not in possession, and failure to produce an insurance card, arrested and booked February 11. • Danny Cline, 54, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of failure to wear seat belts, no or expired registration receipt, failure to maintain required insurance, operating a motor vehicle with an expired operator’s license, menacing, resisting arrest, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, arrested and booked February 11. • Robert Prichard, 56, of Ashland, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked February 12. • Thomas Boggs, 53, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of violating a Kentucky emergency protection order/domestic violence order, arrested and booked February 12. • Ashley Himes, 36, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of no or expired registration receipt, no tail lamps, improper equipment, failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana, arrested and booked February 12. • Rick Hargis, 58, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of fourth degree assault with minor injury, arrested and booked February 12. • Rebecca Elkins, 44, of Wurtland, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of trafficking in narcotics (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), first degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication on a controlled substance (excludes alcohol), first degree possession of a controlled substance (opiates), arrested and booked February 13. • Tylor Hampton, 31, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of tampering with physical evidence, possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor over 12 and under 18, and kidnapping of a minor, • William Church, 54, of Webbville, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked February 13. • Parish Hamm, 31, of Morehead, arrested by Carter County Circuit Court, on a hold for drug court, arrested and booked February 13. • Kevin Skaggs, 39, of Mazie, arrested by Elliott County Sheriff, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked February 14. • Donna Chinn, 40, of Vanceburg, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of violating a Kentucky emergency protection order/domestic violence order, arrested and booked February 15.
All of the charges listed are arrest charges only, and do not indicate an indictment or a conviction for the charges in question. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Information is compiled from publicly available sources, but may not be comprehensive.
Kentuckians, especially in rural areas, know what it feels like to take a day off work, spend money on gas and drive long distances just to renew a driver’s license. That frustration is real. It affects people across the state. We hear it every day when we talk with folks in our communities.
That’s why Senate Bill 7 was filed this session. As we said on the Senate floor, this bill is not a permanent fix. It’s a practical first step the Senate has taken to give Kentuckians relief now while we work toward long-term improvements in how the state delivers driver licensing services.
SB 7 gives local communities the option to help their residents with basic renewal services. It allows one of four local offices—circuit court clerks, county clerks, sheriffs or judges/executives—to take on renewals and duplicate licenses if they choose. If none of those local officials opt in, the county can enter into an agreement with a neighboring county to better serve its constituents. SB 7 gives people more access without taking anything away.
Under SB 7, if your county doesn’t offer local services, you can still renew online or by mail if eligible. Pop-up services may continue in many communities. The Senate proposal gives counties another tool to bring basic services closer to home.
The Senate quickly passed the bill, reflecting the concerns we hear daily from Kentuckians. It had 29 co-sponsors in a chamber of just 38 members. That kind of early support does not happen often. It shows how serious this issue is and how ready Senators are to act. The Senate quickly passed the bill, to the overwhelming approval of Kentuckians.
Some have argued that the bill doesn’t do enough, and we understand those frustrations. But we deal with the art of the possible, and Senate Bill 7 is more than possible. This year, the Senate put one forward in Senate Bill 7, a bill that carries significant momentum.
Some have called for all driver licensing services to return fully to Circuit Court Clerks. We understand that desire. However, that approach would require a heavy-handed mandate from Frankfort with no flexibility on implementation.
Facts matter, as do the realities of truly governing.
The issue came into focus in 2017, when Kentucky reluctantly moved to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. As implementation progressed, Circuit Court Clerks made clear they could not meet the new federal security and technology requirements, and that equipping all 120 clerk offices would place an overwhelming cost on local governments and ultimately our taxpayers. In response, clerks requested that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet become the sole provider of driver licensing services. That request led to House Bill 453, which Governor Andy Beshear signed into law in 2020 after it passed the House 81–19 and narrowly cleared the Senate 21–17.
SB 7 respects constitutional boundaries and confronts political reality with a reasonable proposal. It offers a voluntary step toward something better than we have now.
We also want to be clear. We share the public’s frustration with how long it has taken to fix Kentucky’s driver licensing system.
Since 2020, the General Assembly has approved funding, opened more regional offices and passed numerous reforms. We passed laws that allow mail-in and online renewals. We approved third-party renewals through organizations like AAA. To date, that change still has not been implemented.
SB 7 is only halfway through the process. The Senate moved quickly and passed the bill to respond to years of concern from our constituents. That action created momentum.
We strongly encourage our colleagues in the House to pick up the conversation the Senate started and move it forward. Kentuckians have long asked for change. Let’s aim for better, as perfection is not possible.
We respect the legislative process and the House’s role in it. We also believe now is the time to act.
Let’s give SB 7 a fair hearing. Let’s give Kentuckians the relief they need. Let’s keep working together to find solutions that reflect what good public service looks like: listening, taking action and delivering results for the people we represent.
As we close out week six of the 2026 Legislative Session, the work in Frankfort is moving quickly but my focus remains on what it means for families here in Eastern Kentucky.
Committees are meeting every day with full agendas, and legislation is steadily advancing to the Senate floor. More than 100 bills have now passed at least one chamber, a strong sign that the General Assembly is actively working on the issues that impact our mountain communities and rural counties.
While there’s still important work ahead, we’re making real progress on policies aimed at strengthening our local economy, supporting small businesses and family farms, addressing affordability, improving our schools, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring government operates with transparency and accountability.
Eastern Kentucky has unique challenges but we also have strong communities, resilient families, and tremendous opportunities. My commitment remains the same: making sure the voices of our region are heard and that the policies we pass in Frankfort deliver real results back home.
This week, the Senate approved the following measures.
Senate Bill 2 is intended to ensure fairness and balance in educator compensation by preventing school administrator pay raises from outpacing those of classroom teachers. The bill prohibits administrators from receiving a percentage pay increase greater than the average percentage increase provided to teachers within the same district, while still allowing for waivers under existing law. SB 2 also updates conforming language and removes outdated statutory provisions.
Senate Bill 4 Seeks to create a new statewide leadership training program for new school principals. Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, principals in their first five years on the job would participate in a structured, cohort-based practicum that provides mentoring, professional training, and peer support. The program is designed to better prepare principals for instructional leadership, school safety, accountability, and managing staff and student needs—without adding new financial burdens for school districts. Most participation costs would be covered by the state, and training hours could count toward existing professional requirements.
Senate Bill 71 SB 71 strengthens fiscal oversight and governance by expanding required training for local school board members. The bill establishes a structured in-service training framework that includes finance, ethics and open meetings and open records education, with requirements tailored to a board member’s length of service. It also adds training related to superintendent evaluation and requires boards to formally review budget roles and responsibilities with district leadership. SB 71 makes reforms to ensure school board members have a consistent understanding of financial responsibilities and public resource management. It aims to improve financial decision-making and accountability in public education.
Senate Bill 136 Updates Kentucky’s unemployment insurance fraud procedures by requiring the Education and Labor Cabinet to refer suspected fraud cases directly to the U.S. Department of Labor and local prosecutors. It removes the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and the U.S. Department of Justice from the referral process, streamlining investigations and clarifying lines of accountability. The bill also requires referrals to be made within 30 days of detecting suspected fraud and ensures no employment termination occurs without a legal finding of guilt under state evidentiary standards.
Senate Bill 183 Strengthens corporate accountability in Kentucky by requiring proxy advisory firms—companies that influence shareholder votes—to prioritize financial reasoning over political or ideological agendas. The bill builds on the 2025 bill of the same number by expanding the law’s standards to cover all publicly traded companies doing business in Kentucky, not just those incorporated here. If a proxy firm bases its recommendations on environmental, social or other non-financial factors, it must clearly disclose that information to shareholders, the company and the attorney general, explaining how those interests shaped its advice. SB 183 treats violations as deceptive business practices under Kentucky law and empowers companies, shareholders and state officials to take legal action. It also bars proxy firms from giving materially different advice to different clients without disclosure. By holding major players like ISS and Glass Lewis accountable, SB 183 ensures proxy recommendations align with sound financial judgment and protect long-term investor value.
Senate Bill 45 is my legislation to protect Kentucky’s agriculture community and ensure that a vital part of our economy is not undermined by overreach or radical activist efforts aimed at shutting down lawful operations.
SB 45 strengthens protections for agritourism and working-animal activities across the commonwealth by making clear that local governments cannot impose unreasonable or impractical restrictions on legitimate agricultural businesses. Kentucky’s farms and rural enterprises are already subject to health, safety, zoning, and animal welfare laws. This bill ensures they can continue operating within those existing standards without facing burdensome or politically motivated regulations.
The legislation clarifies and modernizes our agritourism statutes by formally recognizing activities such as farm tours, rodeos, livestock exhibitions, carriage rides, and other working-animal events when conducted in compliance with current law. It prevents cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from adopting rules that create undue obstacles for farmers and operators, while preserving full authority to enforce animal welfare, public safety, and criminal laws.
Kentucky agriculture is more than a tradition, it is a cornerstone of our economy and our way of life. Senate Bill 45 ensures that family farms, rural businesses, and responsible animal-related operations remain protected, competitive, and free to operate without unnecessary interference.
Senate Bill 118 Updates Kentucky law to establish clear consumer protections and regulatory standards for credit personal property insurance sold with closed-end loans, including coverage for financed collateral. The bill limits the amount and term of coverage, requires insurers to reflect a genuine risk of loss, and prohibits bundling or pricing practices that increase borrowers’ costs. It strengthens transparency by requiring timely disclosure of coverage and costs and ensures refunds of unearned premiums when policies are canceled early. SB 118 requires insurers to file policy forms and rates with the Department of Insurance while clarifying that vehicle financial protection products are regulated separately.
Senate Bill 145 Expands flexibility and modernizes licensing rules for alcoholic beverage caterers while improving efficiency at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The measure allows licensed caterers to sell alcoholic beverages at restaurants, removes outdated storage and Sunday sale restrictions and prevents the ABC from imposing arbitrary limits on event size or frequency. It prevents bureaucratic delays and provides greater certainty for Kentucky businesses by requiring the ABC to approve or deny all license applications within 45 days. The bill carries an emergency designation, which allows the changes to take effect immediately upon the bill’s filing with the Secretary of State’s Office.
Senate Bill 153 Strengthens accountability for contractors and protects homeowners from fraudulent and abusive practices, particularly following natural disasters. The bill targets deceptive marketing, damage inducement, improper financial relationships and unenforceable contract terms tied to insurance-funded repairs. It requires clear notice before assignment of insurance benefits and prevents contractors from collecting illegal or misleading fees. During declared emergencies, SB 153 authorizes the Attorney General to require contractor registration, limit aggressive in-person solicitation and require proof of registration at job sites while coordinating with local governments. The bill also strengthens enforcement by requiring prosecutors to refer suspected fraudulent insurance activity to the Department of Insurance for review. Recent enforcement actions, including court-ordered bans against contractors engaged in fraudulent conduct, underscore the need for stronger accountability tools to protect Kentucky families after disasters.
Senate Bill 155 Establishes a clear framework for responding quickly and effectively to animal health emergencies that threaten livestock, poultry or other domesticated animals across Kentucky. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture, in consultation with the state veterinarian, to declare an animal health emergency and take targeted action when disease outbreaks, severe conditions or supply disruptions put animal welfare at risk. SB 155 grants emergency authority to deploy veterinary services, order quarantines, restrict the movement of animals or equipment, waive transportation rules for feed and medicine and secure critical goods and services without delay. The measure supports coordination with local, state and federal partners to protect Kentucky agriculture, food supply chains and rural communities.
Senate Bill 158 Sets clear rules to protect consumers when buying optional financial products tied to vehicle purchases, such as debt cancellation or value protection plans. The bill makes sure these products are optional, clearly disclosed and priced separately from loan interest. It prevents lenders or dealers from requiring consumers to buy them as a condition of financing or a vehicle sale. SB 158 establishes consistent standards for contracts and applies to new agreements beginning Jan. 1, 2027, helping provide transparency and fairness for Kentucky vehicle buyers.
Senate Bill 160 Improves oversight of licensed child care centers while ensuring fair and consistent treatment for providers across Kentucky. The bill establishes clear standards the Cabinet for Health and Family Services must follow when reviewing violations and considering corrective action, suspension or revocation. It prevents a single violation of a corrective plan from automatically triggering license revocation unless the violation alone justifies that action, and it allows providers up to five business days to submit the requested documentation. SB 160 requires structured weekly support for new centers operating under preliminary licenses and limits violations during that probationary period, except in cases involving serious safety concerns. The reforms apply to pending licensing actions and take effect immediately, promoting accountability while preserving strong protections for child safety statewide.
Senate Bill 172 Known as the Fuel Surcharge Stability Act, SB 172 helps stabilize bills and improve affordability by allowing the Public Service Commission to extend the period during which utilities recover fuel costs, reducing sudden rate spikes for consumers. The bill requires coal severance taxes to be considered during fuel adjustment reviews and gives regulators flexibility to smooth fuel cost recovery when requested by a utility. The measure includes an emergency clause to take effect immediately, supporting greater rate stability for Kentucky households and businesses.
Senate Bill 72 The Health Care Heroes Recruitment and Retention Act seeks to address Kentucky’s health care workforce shortage by protecting the rights of medical professionals and health care institutions to decline participation in specific procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious, moral or ethical beliefs. The bill prohibits retaliation or discrimination against doctors, nurses and other providers for exercising conscience protections while preserving federal requirements related to emergency medical treatment and sexual assault evidence collection. SB 72 clarifies key definitions, strengthens due process protections by requiring timely notice and response to complaints, and establishes enforcement tools for violations. By reinforcing conscience protections alongside patient safety standards, the bill aims to retain experienced providers and attract new health care professionals to the commonwealth.
Senate Bill 110 Modernizes Kentucky’s vehicle titling and registration system by continuing the transition to secure electronic processes that reduce paperwork, improve efficiency and better serve vehicle owners, lenders and county clerks. The bill requires lienholders to use the electronic lien system beginning in 2027 and ensures the state’s electronic titling and centralized lien systems are fully operational before broader implementation. It allows vehicle titles to be stored electronically with an option to request a printed copy, expands the use of email or text notifications for registration and tax notices and authorizes the Transportation Cabinet to set certain titling and registration fees through administrative regulation beginning January 1, 2027. SB 110 also streamlines county clerk operations, eliminates outdated requirements and codifies current best practices to make vehicle transactions faster, clearer and more reliable for Kentuckians.
Each of these bills now move to the House for consideration.
Several important measures also cleared Senate committees this week and are now headed to the full Senate for a vote.
Natural Resources and Energy
Senate Bill 57 Advances a new Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program designed to accelerate nuclear energy development in Kentucky by supporting early federal permitting and structured partnerships between the state, utilities and private-sector partners. The legislation allows the state to invest up to $25 million per project while incorporating strict accountability measures, milestone requirements and financial safeguards to protect taxpayers. Projects will be evaluated based on site suitability, regional economic impact and geographic diversity, with final approval retained by the General Assembly. The proposal positions Kentucky to compete for advanced nuclear investment as a part of our energy portfolio and provide long-term economic growth.
Committee passage is a notable step in the legislative process. It allows subject-matter experts and stakeholders to weigh in before measures reach the Senate floor.
As we move into week seven, floor action will continue to increase and our attention will begin turning more toward budget discussions and key priority legislation.
I remain committed to working hard on behalf of the people of the 18th District, so your voice is represented in every vote taken.
If you have questions about legislation or would like to share your thoughts on an issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
Lena Deloris Perry Henderson, age 78, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Life Care Center in Morehead, Kentucky.
She was born Tuesday, December 16, 1947, in Carter County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Austie and Mary Inez Stevens Perry.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and high school sweetheart, Azel Lavern Henderson; special brother, David Marlin Perry and infant sisters, Shirley Mae Perry and Vonda Sue Perry.
She attended Olive Hill Wesleyan Church and loved going to church. She enjoyed traveling on bus trips with her sisters, shopping and spending time with her family.
Lena is survived by two daughters, Annette (Vaughn) Dyer of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Bethany (Ronald) Graham of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; two grandchildren, Gabrielle (Brock) Murphy of Morehead, Kentucky, Christopher Graham of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; two brothers, Donnie (Faye) Perry, Eugene (Alice) Perry, of Olive Hill, Kentucky; five sisters, Wilma (Allen) Wells of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Loretta (Dwight) Cimino of Waldo, Ohio, Linda (Doug) Tackett, Nellie (Robert) Perry, Barbara (Troy) Brickles all of Olive Hill, Kentucky; a host of nieces and nephews, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Bobby Day officiating. Burial will follow 1 p.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
Friends may visit after 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2026, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel.
Family and Friends will serve as pallbearers.
Globe Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the family of Lena Deloris Perry Henderson.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) secured a $7.54 million Community Project Funding earmark for the Morehead State University (MSU) Space Science Center. The federal funding will provide payload operations for government and commercial space stations, allowing students to continue aerospace education and engineering in partnership with NASA and private space science companies.
“Students at Morehead State University not only have a front row seat to NASA’s lunar missions and deep space pioneering, but they also get to participate in these missions through coding and engineering, as a result of key investments like this Community Project Funding,” said Congressman Rogers, a cardinal member of the House Appropriations Committee. “MSU launched this flagship mission more than 20 years ago, and today, students are working first-hand with the nation’s leaders in aerospace technology for American space missions. I’m incredibility proud of our students and the innovative opportunities they have right here at home in the mountains.”
The funding was included in the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 6938) that President Trump signed into law on January 23, 2026.
“At Morehead State University, we are incredibly proud to lead the way for space exploration and aerospace engineering, alongside the nation’s premiere private space tech companies and NASA. Thanks to Congressman Rogers’ continued support and success in securing federal funds for student programs, we now expanding capabilities and opportunities in our state-of-the-art Space Science Center,” said Dr. Jay Morgan, President of Morehead State University.
NASA recently selected MSU to track the historic Artemis II mission, which is scheduled to launch in March. Artemis II represents the first human mission to the Moon in 50 years and will carry humans farther away from Earth than any mission in history. Congressman Rogers secured a $10 million Community Project Funding earmark in 2024 for MSU’s Space Science Center to upgrade the university’s antenna on campus to support tracking operations.
“This additional federal funding provides a significant gateway for our students to be an integral part of future historic space missions. Without the previous support we would not have had the capability to support Artemis II. With Congressman Rogers’ new support, MSU will be advancing our payload operations capabilities. We will upgrade our Mission Operations Center to support space-based payloads operations for multiple missions simultaneously for both NASA and commercial ventures,” said Dr. Benjamin Malphrus, Executive Director of the MSU Space Science Center. “We are leading the way for our students to do more research from the Appalachian Mountains with more advanced technology, alongside government and commercial leaders in aerospace.”
In 2024, the NASA Administrator applauded MSU Space Science students and faculty for saving the public-private lunar mission after communications failed with the Odysseus Lander “Odie.”
Congressman Rogers secured a total of $142 million for 14 Community Project Funding earmarks that have been signed into law for fiscal year 2026. Every county has the opportunity to apply for federal Community Project Funding in each congressional district.
Click the links below to review the awards for Kentucky’s Appalachian Region:
February is National Pesticide Safety Education month. This is a time to carefully examine current best safety practices with pesticide use. Pesticides are key tools used to manage a diverse group of pests, diseases, and weeds. Pesticide safety is just as important with pesticides used around homes as it is on farms and businesses.
In Kentucky, pesticides are defined quite widely and include any substance or mixture of substances to prevent, destroy, control, repel, attract, or mitigate any pest; any substances used as plant regulators, defoliants, or desiccants; or any substance used as a spray adjuvant, once they have been mixed with an EPA registered product. Recently, new laws and regulations for pesticides were approved by the Legislature that affect core competencies expected of pesticide applicators as well as updated training and certification requirements.
Safe use of pesticides does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all solution, but here are some basic pesticide safety principles – a starting point for safety from purchase to disposal.
Read the entire pesticide label before purchase and use. You are legally required to read and follow everything on the label except the information about crops or sites that you are not going to treat. Labels are periodically updated, users need to review the label even when they purchase materials they have used in the past.
Follow all applicable federal, state, tribal, and local laws and regulations concerning the use of pesticides and personal protective equipment.
Wash your reusable PPE with soap and water after use.
Seek competent advice if there is something you don’t understand on the label or in other applicable laws and regulations.
Transport pesticides in the car trunk or truck bed, separate from passengers, groceries or animal feed, and secure the containers to prevent spills.
Store pesticides in original containers in a locked cabinet or secure area, away from food, feed, or personal protective equipment.
Follow all applicable Worker Protection Standards information exchange, notification, posting, and other requirements.
Measure and mix pesticides in a well-ventilated area away from children, pets, toys, and food.
Calibrate and maintain application equipment so that the amount of pesticide applied will be accurate, uniform, and legal.
Keep pesticides on target – use untreated buffers if necessary or delay the application if conditions favor off-target movement due to wind or water.
Identify sensitive areas and organisms that could be affected by the application and take all necessary precautions.
Do everything possible to prevent spills and leaks; always have absorbent material, such as cat litter or sawdust, readily available.
Wash slightly contaminated work clothes separately before re-use; follow all directions on care and disposal of personal protective equipment.
Dispose of pesticides properly, as well as any excess spray mixture, empty containers, and contaminated cleanup material and clothing.
Always read and follow all pesticide label requirements as well as all applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding pesticide use.
Written by Ric Bessin, Entomology Extension Specialist, and originally published on February 3, 2026 in Kentucky Pest News. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.
Upcoming Events:
Berry Plant Orders Due – Deadline extended to February 12th
Northeast Area Livestock Association Meeting – February 24th @ 6:00 PM; Topic: USDA Programs
Beef Quality Care & Assurance Training – February 27th @ 10:00 AM; Call 474-6686 to register.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska www.kaboompics.com on Pexels.com
By: Tommy Druen Guest Columnist
Years ago, I was channel surfing when I stumbled across an old movie called “Murder in Coweta County.” Johnny Cash played a Georgia sheriff, and Andy Griffith—yes, that Andy Griffith—played the villain, a wealthy landowner named John Wallace who thought he was above the law.
I couldn’t look away.
Here was Sheriff Andy Taylor, America’s beloved small-town lawman. Here was Matlock, the folksy defense attorney who always got to the truth. And he was playing a cold-blooded killer who murdered a man and tried to cover it up with the arrogance of someone who’d gotten away with everything his whole life.
The most unsettling part? He was brilliant at it. And it just seemed wrong.
We do this with actors all the time—lock them into boxes based on the roles for which we know them. John Wayne playing Hamlet? Unthinkable. Meryl Streep in a Marvel movie? We’d probably assume we walked in the wrong theater. Once we’ve decided who someone is, we resist seeing them any other way.
But here’s the thing: we don’t just do this to actors. We do it to everyone.
The teacher is always the teacher, even at the grocery store. The boss is always the boss, even at their kid’s baseball game. The clerk, the coach, the pastor, the parent—we see them in their roles and forget there’s a whole person underneath, someone with dimensions we’ve never considered.
I think about Marcel Marceau. Most people knew him as the silent performer in the striped shirt and white face paint. But during World War II, he was a Jewish teenager whose father was captured by the Gestapo and died at Auschwitz. Marcel joined the French Resistance with his cousin and brother, and together they rescued Jewish children across France, leading them to safety in Switzerland.
While he wasn’t a mime yet, he used his innate gift to keep those children calm and silent during the dangerous journey. When they were frightened, when they wanted to cry out, he made them smile without making a sound. The same talent that later made him famous on stages around the world first saved lives in the darkness of war.
We only knew him as the mime. He was so much more. His silence saved them before it ever entertained us.
I remember a moment closer to home that taught me this lesson as well. Two friends, Sarah and Amanda, saw my dad one afternoon. He was a middle school social studies teacher and principal, and Amanda only knew him in that context—dressed in jacket and tie, standing in school hallways, speaking with that particular authority teachers carry.
But Sarah knew him differently. Her father owned the local general store, and she’d seen my dad there countless times in his farm clothes—worn jeans, work boots, and stained shirt.
That day, he was dressed for the farm. Amanda was genuinely surprised. Sarah was not. I heard about it the next day.
Same man. Different contexts. Both equally real.
We see people only as they appear to us in our limited interactions. We forget they go home to full lives we know nothing about. The stern principal coaches his daughter’s soccer team with patience and laughter. The quiet clerk writes poetry. The intimidating boss volunteers at an animal shelter every weekend.
Walt Whitman wrote, “I contain multitudes.” So do all of us.
Andy Griffith could play both the gentle sheriff and the ruthless killer because he contained multitudes, like all of us do. Marcel Marceau was both the entertainer and the hero. My dad was both the principal and the farmer.
The next time you see someone in their uniform—literal or otherwise—remember: you’re watching one scene from a movie you walked into halfway through. The rest of the story might astonish you.
Maybe we need to slow down. Maybe instead of just seeing people, we need to truly know them—to remember that everyone we meet is living a story far bigger and more complex than the single chapter we happen to witness.
Yes, I’ve teased members of the Kentucky General Assembly in the past about trying to fix things that aren’t really broken but the 2026 legislative session already has produced an opportunity to help ease a growing social problem — homelessness.
House Bill 333, a bipartisan measure with a co-sponsor from each party, received unanimous support last week from the House Local Government Committee and now moves to the full House for consideration.
The bill would enable religious institutions to build small-scale, affordable housing units for short-term occupancy on property already owned by such organizations.
Rep. Michael Pollock, R-Campbellsville, is the primary sponsor of the bill. He said the Sisters of Loreto, a Roman Catholic religious congregation of women, had asked him and Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, about a plan to renovate an empty structure into short-term housing.
Pollack told his fellow committee members that he came away from that conversation with an understanding of both the need and opportunity here in Kentucky for affordable temporary housing.
HB 333 would allow faith-based organizations to build up to 24 small-scale affordable housing units on a parcel or contiguous parcel owned by the institution within a half mile of the proposed site.
The developer of such housing would be required to guarantee that the units remain affordable for at least 15 years.
Additionally, the bill would expand a religious institution’s ability to operate modestly-sized homeless shelters, including cooling or warming centers, in industrial zoned areas. Such facilities would be required to follow health and safety regulations.
Rep. Sarah Stalker, D-Louisville, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. She noted that creating rental housing on church-owned property would return it to the property tax base.
More than a dozen Kentuckians died as a result of the snow and ice storms which recently ravaged most of the U.S. Some of them were homeless, no doubt.
That means enlightened legislation like House Bill 333 would be a lifesaver and definitely should become law.
Flaring midterm election tensions among Kentucky Republicans were on display over the weekend after a microphone was taken away from U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie during a Lincoln Day Dinner.
Meanwhile, Republican Massie, who faces a Trump-endorsed challenger, took the Republican president to task on national television Sunday for posting a racist video and criticizing Massie’s wife.
As Kentuckians prepare to vote this year for members of Congress, including electing a successor to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican president’s eagerness to defeat Massie is casting a national spotlight on the Kentucky GOP. It’s also seeping into the U.S. Senate race as Republican candidates vie for an endorsement by Trump who easily carried Kentucky in all three of his elections.
Videos that have gone viral on social media show state House Speaker David Osborne taking the microphone away from the congressman, who is seeking reelection against a primary challenger recruited by President Donald Trump. Massie was speaking at the Oldham County Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner.
Massie, who spoke for about eight minutes, said he wanted to take “a little extra time to defend” his wife, Carolyn Grace Moffa, after Trump attacked her online last week. Trump said on Truth Social that Moffa was “supposedly a Radical Left ‘flamethrower.’”
She is a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, another Kentucky Republican, and has voted for Trump three times, Massie previously said.
“This will be the first and last time I respond to the president’s tweet, and I wouldn’t even respond to it if Ed Gallrein hadn’t retweeted it,” Massie said during the Lincoln Day dinner. “I feel like a woman needs defended, and I’m going to defend her here tonight.”
Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL and Shelby County farmer, is Massie’s Trump-backed Republican opponent.
Osborne can be seen stepping toward Massie in the videos around the six-minute mark. Massie continued to talk and was critical of Gallrein, who also attended the dinner. Eventually, another person walks up from a table in front of the lectern.
“Come up here and hug me,” Massie said to the person and Osborne while holding his arms out before returning to his remarks. Osborne then takes the microphone from the lectern.
According to one video of Massie’s speech, shared by Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Faris, someone in the crowd said after Massie leaves the lectern, “Welcome to the snake pit, baby!”
The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that Massie left the dinner with some of his supporters after his speech and they got drinks at a local restaurant.
Spokespeople for Massie did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.
Lincoln Day Dinners are annual fundraisers for county Republican parties. They often draw candidates who hope to speak directly to the party faithful. After the dinner, the Oldham County Republican Party said on Facebook that all campaigns were “given explicit instructions on how long they were permitted to speak well in advance of the event to allow them to prepare for the opportunity.” The post did not list the exact minutes allotted to the candidates. Osborne, who represents Oldham County in the Kentucky House, was “entrusted with enforcing these rules,” the party said.
Massie represents the 4th Congressional District, which includes Oldham County.
The county party’s statement also said that Massie, Gallrein, and U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris “all went over their allotted time and were ushered from the stage when they continued past their time limit.”
When asked for additional comment, a spokesperson for Osborne referred the Lantern to the Oldham County Republican Party’s statement.
Gallrein posted a clip on X of Osborne taking the microphone away with the caption “Massie Meltdown!”
A spokesperson for Gallrein referred the Lantern to the X post on Monday and declined to give additional comment.
Trump effect in Kentucky
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, one of three Republican frontrunners for U.S. Senate, endorsed Gallrein against Massie last week. Barr posted on X a photo of himself with Gallrein at the Oldham County Lincoln Day Dinner. Morris quickly followed suit, also endorsing Gallrein against Massie.
Massie again took issue with the Republican president over the weekend. Massie has split with Trump by pushing for release of government files on the investigation of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and criticizing Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela.
In a Sunday interview on CNN, Massie criticized Trump’s posting of a video on social media that depicts former President Barack Obama, the first Black president, and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
“He should absolutely apologize. He’s gone too far,” Massie said. “I mean, he’s attacked my wife recently online, and I do think there are limits,” Massie told host CNN journalist Manu Raju.
Barr slams DEI in new television ad
Also over the weekend, Barr began airing a new ad that shows the congressman disavowing DEI programs, which he said means “Dumb, Evil, Indoctrination.” The acronym is shorthand for diversity, equity and inclusion.
“It’s not a sin to be white, it’s not against the law to be male, and it shouldn’t be disqualifying to be a Christian,” Barr said in the ad. “I’m Andy Barr and I approve this message to give woke liberals something else to cry about.”
According to a Monday press release from Barr’s campaign, the commercial is part of a $1 million ad buy on broadcast, cable and digital platforms. The press release highlighted the “unhinged tweets from woke liberals across KY and the country” that were in response to the ad. Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Charles Booker and Amy McGrath were among those criticizing the ad.
Booker’s and Barr’s campaigns had a back and forth about the commercial on X.
“It’s not a sin to be white. It should be a sin to be this desperate though,” Booker said in one of his posts about the ad.
McGrath wrote on X that “Kentuckians don’t wake up worried about culture-war acronyms,” but are concerned about “bills, jobs and health care.”
Kentucky’s primary election is May 19.
Originally published at Kentucky Lantern, republished under Creative Commons license.
“I feel like I’m at a Chili’s at midnight in the suburbs.”
Being at a Super Bowl party with a bunch of comedians is an exercise in patience. Everyone’s firing off jokes, and if you want to survive, you’d better keep pace. One-liners only. No long setups. Meanwhile, the game itself was a snooze fest—milquetoast football that made the Bears vs. Rams look like a tent revival. So, out of morbid curiosity, we flipped on the Turning Point USA halftime show.
Holy crap.
What was that supposed to be? What did anyone get out of it? A performance that felt like it was hosted in a local VFW hall, where Kid Rock didn’t even wander onstage until Bad Bunny was already done, only to lip-sync so poorly it didn’t line up with his own mouth. Then it ended with some weird, deflated bummer song, like a funeral for internet comment section relevance.
My dude, Jesus was not in the building. He wasn’t even in that parking lot.
Watching the Turning Point goat rodeo felt like witnessing your friend’s tacky mom order Mexican food in broken Spanish—“Quay-sa-dillas”—then giggling like she nailed a punchline while everyone else quietly dies inside. That’s the energy. That’s the Turning Points vibe. Secondhand embarrassment with a light dusting of entitlement.
Now, on the actual official side of the ball: Bad Bunny’s performance ruled.
And I say that as someone who does not like his music. At all. Whatsoever. Actually, I can’t stand it. But I can recognize when something rips. His set was a celebration of family, culture, and people. It was joyous. There was movement. Smiling. Dancing. It felt alive. It felt like America as it actually exists, not the hollow cardboard cutout version sold to people who think “values” means vibes and vibes mean red hat, cult exclusion.
Meanwhile, over in Erika Kirk’s Weirdoville, the TPUSA show was a soulless performance staged in a dark box that felt more like the gulag than entertainment. If I were Charlie Kirk’s ghost, I’d be so mad that this is how they chose to honor me. They got Cardi B twerking with a margarita, and you got Lee Bice? Damn, homie, they did you dirty.
Republicans couldn’t stand that the Super Bowl halftime show wasn’t made for them—couldn’t stand that a performance centered on culture instead of catering—so they took their toys and went home. All this outrage over a fifteen-minute spectacle that has always been one big pop-culture commercial. That’s the whole point. It’s pageantry. It’s branded excess. It’s not meant to validate performative identity politics; it’s an Apple Music commercial. That’s such a fragile take in the face of a whole lot of people smiling and all the Right can talk about is the performance not being in English.
Kid Rock doesn’t have that kind of ingénue firepower. He’s not an icon. He’s not a social disruptor. He’s a two-bit huckster in boat shoes and a fedora, yelling about America while doing the fried Oreos circuit. This wasn’t a rebellion; instead, it was nostalgia cosplay. Trump’s America is a depressing box, and Bad Bunny’s is filled with people smiling. That sounds way better to me. And I don’t even like his music – I’m more of a Rage Against the Machine kinda guy. But boy, did we have fun cracking jokes about Brantley Gilbert performing at the opening of a new strip mall. Bad Bunny won’t be there; he’s probably going to be on a world tour. Contact the us at news@cartercountytimes.com
(File photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By: Charles Romans Carter County Times
The Grayson Chamber of Commerce has begun planning for their 2026 Memory Days event. Director Mike Nelson said that the popular event, which showcases Grayson businesses with live music, vendors, and food trucks, has been going on every year for over half a century.
“Memory Days was put together by the Chamber of Commerce as a tribute to Memorial Day,” Nelson explained. “It started as just a weekend festival, and as it grew, we added on additional days leading up to Memorial Day. Traditionally we don’t have events actually on Memorial Day, though last year there was a car show on that day that we publicized.”
Nelson himself has been involved with Memory Days since he came on board at the chamber, which is about four years, he said. He works closely with the Memory Days Coordinator, Michelle Boggs, to help make the event a success, he said.
“She (Boggs) takes care of everything,” Nelson said, quick to give credit where credit is due. “And I sort of approve it through the chamber.”
“Memory Days is a way for the Chamber of Commerce and its members to honor those who have gone on,” Nelson said of the event. “The businesses back the events that happen, with a lot of the businesses actually putting on the events themselves. Everything from ice cream socials to offering cotton candy.”
Some people attending the event even dress in clothes from bygone days, honoring the memory of Grayson’s past and those who built the city.
Nelson said many of the businesses in Grayson get more involved in the event, with some businesses even moving some of their inventory outdoors in the style of a sidewalk market so that people can browse through the downtown area. This helps local residents enjoy what the city has to offer, as well as bringing others in from out of town.
“The City of Grayson has a lot to offer,” Nelson said. “And we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.”
The best way to keep up to date on what is being planned for Memory Days 2026 is to visit the event’s Facebook page or the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, Nelson said. Currently the event is in the advanced planning stage where they accept sponsors and vendors, and plan talent. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor should apply now, he said, and numerous levels of sponsorship are available.
“The events that we do, especially the entertainment we have each night, does cost money,” Nelson said. “So, to put on these things we reach out to our chamber members to help support them.”
But even if you aren’t a member of the Chamber of Commerce, you can still help sponsor the event, he said. The chamber accepts small donations for the event, but at certain levels of sponsorship the name of the donor is placed on a t-shirt or on banners.
“There is even what we call a corporate level sponsorship. That’s where you can basically sponsor an entire day of entertainment,” Nelson said.
“Without the sponsors helping us out, we couldn’t have the events we do,” Nelson added.
Sponsors help to get the entertainment that draws people to the event, he said. Nelson said that anyone interested in sponsoring Memory Days, or seeking more information about the event, can call him at the chamber office, or email him at graysonchamber41143@gmail.com. The website also has an electronic sponsor form available, which can be submitted through the webpage or sent to the email address if you prefer.
“We are looking for merchandise vendors,” Nelson said. “Everyone loves looking at handmade items. And we are also looking for food trucks that would like to participate.”
Vendors and food truck operators can contact the chamber and apply in the same way as potential sponsors.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska www.kaboompics.com on Pexels.com
Editor,
I have done as much research as I possibly could in the last five days on House Bills 398 and 535. I am not an expert on energy policy, nor do I claim to be. What I will say is that, as a concerned constituent, legislators are either not being fair and transparent about these bills, or they refuse to speak up when they know it will hurt their constituents. Legislators are forgetting who they were sent to Frankfort to represent.
These bills work hand in hand. HB 398 makes sure that when a plant is closed the cost of decommissioning, retirement, and the overall cost of closure, can be put on the ratepayer’s bill even when no new plant is scheduled or planned to open in the region and provide energy to its customers.
However, HB 398 does require the PSC to approve this closure, which I believe is a good aspect of the bill. The issue lies in moving the cost on consumers
HB 535 allows utility companies to purchase securities, which is a fancy way of saying they’re going to refinance the debt. It removes the provision that utility companies prove to the PSC that these refinancing opportunities could save ratepayers money.
HB 398 locks in a cost to customers, and HB 535 stretches it out, so it doesn’t look as bad. Just because it doesn’t look bad, doesn’t mean that it isn’t bad. These bills have the potential to make our energy affordability crisis worse, not better.
I’ve spoken with constituents about their electric bills and their usage. Most speak of times when they wish they could have done something. Whether it’s holding utility companies or legislators accountable. Most didn’t because they were unaware the legislation had been filed or the PSC meetings took place.
This week, I’m putting my political opinions aside, and I’m traveling to the capitol. While there, I will attempt to speak with any legislator or official that will listen to my concerns. I will be asking legislators if they support the PSC’s authority to verify savings, whether they believe that the risk is balanced between utility companies and ratepayers, and whether energy burdens in East KY have been considered while writing these bills.
If you are just as concerned as me, and have questions or suggestions, follow my personal page. I’ll be providing an update after my day with legislators soon. Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, should be concerned because…
Has someone ever asked you what you were thinking about? Maybe you said something like, “Oh, my mind has been all over the place!” We can be very stressed by our overthinking. Some days our mind feels at peace. Other times our mind may think about many things in a day’s time. Maybe you have had days that your mind was on a certain project, event, or good or bad news for days. Did you know that the Bible speaks about different “minds” and even what we should think on?
The condition of our mind shapes our choices, our peace, our relationships, and our walk with Jesus. Scripture shows us that not all “minds” are the same. Some lead to life, others lead to bondage. Through Christ, our minds can be renewed, which is great news!
RIGHT MIND. Mark 5:15 says, “This is the man who had been possessed by demons, now sitting clothed and in his right mind.” This man’s mind was no longer ruled by torment, but he was now stable and clear minded in peace.
SOBER MIND. Titus 1:8 says, “…but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy and self-controlled.” He was alert, not being ruled by his fleshly desires or emotions. He began to live with an alert, watchful mind, being disciplined.
SPIRITUAL MIND. Romans 8:6, “to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have known the mind of Christ.” We should be thinking God’s thoughts, not just of things on earth.
ANXIOUS MIND. Luke 12:29 says, “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.” That is a mind that is consumed with worry and fear about a lot of things. We forget God is our Provider.
DEBASED/REPROBATE MIND. Romans 1:28 says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind.” This mind set has rejected the truth of God so much that their hearts become hardened. They continue to resist the commands of God.
CARNAL MIND. Romans 8:6-7 says, “The carnal mind is death…it is enmity against God.” This mind set is saying, “I want what I want and not what God wants.” Our fleshly desires are causing us to resist God as it is more pleasurable to live for ourselves.
Philippians 4:6-8, says, “Be careful for nothing; …the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” We are to renew our minds daily in the Word. Jesus said if we keep our minds stayed upon Him He would give us our perfect peace. There is hope for a troubled mind. Get into the Word of God!
Amen! So be it!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
The Carter County Fiscal Court approved the purchase of three new transport vans for the Carter County Detention Center on Monday, February 9. The jail is currently operating its transport with vehicles that are over ten years old, and all of those vehicles have experienced major maintenance issues. Two of the vehicles have needed engines replaced and the jail has also had to purchase replacement transmissions.
Carter County Jailer R.W. Boggs told the fiscal court that the transport vans currently in use had been purchased in 2014 and 2016, and the vehicles had reached their limit.
“We have broken down seven times this year,” Boggs said, referring to the issues the vans had experienced since the beginning of 2016.
There were three instances, he said, where the vehicles had effectively stranded them while working for the US Marshall Service.
Boggs voiced his apprehension that consistent breakdowns and/or delays might compromise that contract, which currently brings in around $2 million per year for the county jail. He presented the fiscal court with quotes for new cargo vans, the cheapest being from Mark Porter Chevrolet in Ashland, at a cost of $35,000 per vehicle. As is the case with most official service vehicles, Boggs told the court they would need to be ordered soon because of the delay in delivery.
One of the three vehicles, Boggs said, might arrive fairly quickly but he was not given a time frame for delivery of the remaining two vehicles. That delivery might be up to six months, he said. Fortunately, however, the jail would not be out a re-equipping fee for changing radios and cages because jail employees would be able to handle that conversion themselves.
Boggs also mentioned to the court that he had spoken with Kentucky Deferred Comp about a retirement supplement that could be made available to county employees.
“It’s kind of like the health departments in the state systems use,” Boggs said. “They allow for the counties to participate in that, and all we have to do is have a resolution stating that we want to participate.”
They program runs a 401K and a 457B deferred compensation for county employees who choose to sign up. The program allows employees to designate a portion of their payroll to the account before taxes, and the county, if it chooses to do so, can match those funds, but it is not required to do so. The program, Boggs said, was designed as a supplement to the county employees’ pensions. The court voted to approve a resolution (No. 450) that the county wished to participate.
In other business, the court voted to renew the interlocal agreement with the Carter County Public Library. The agreement, which has a two-year term, lists the fiscal court’s support of the public library (along with the City of Grayson and the City of Olive Hill) in the amount of $27,000 per year.
The court also accepted the recommendation from Mindy Click to appoint Olive Hill teacher Diane Stephens to replace Aaron Baldwin, who resigned from the Carter County Library Board. The court has the right to appoint one board member to the Library Board, Click explained, and Baldwin was the last member appointed by the court.
