WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last year, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell inserted language in the agriculture appropriations bill that would implement a near-total ban on all intoxicating hemp products. Now, his cross-state colleague is seeking to put that decision in the hands of the states. U.S. Sen. Dr. Rand Paul has introduced the Hemp Safety Enforcement Act, which would allow states and tribal governments to opt out of the ban by enforcing their own standards. The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). “Half the states have already set up their own smart rules, THC […]

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Those interested in politics are primarily focused on this year’s local elections, and the race for Kentucky governor is more than a year away, but it received its first major candidate today. Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced she intends to take over from Gov. Andy Beshear, once his term ends in December 2027. “I spent the last two years meeting with Kentuckians, asking them what they are looking for in their next governor,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “It’s crystal clear: they want someone who will show up, listen and focus on the issues that truly matter […]

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LONDON, Ky. — Two weeks after one of the owners of a defunct Pikeville pain management clinic pleaded guilty to a federal drug conspiracy charge, his partner has seen her case has been set for trial. Brandy Melissa Meadows, 47, of Pikeville, a former owner of the Kentucky Mountain Health clinic, entered a not guilty plea in London federal court on Thursday. Earlier this month, her partner, Bryce Layne May, 58, of Ashville, N.C., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. In his plea agreement, he admitted that after a doctor left the company, Kentucky Mountain […]

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HINDMAN, Ky. — A Knott County sex offender has been charged with not maintaining his registration requirements. Stevie Shepherd, 62, of Hindman, was charged with failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements back in November, when the state was unable to verify his address. He wasn’t arrested until Monday, when he was pulled over for traffic violations on the Mountain Parkway in Wolfe County. Shepherd pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sodomy of a 10-year-old in 2000. He was sentenced to three years in that case. He now faces a sentence of 1-to-5 years in prison if […]

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The Broadway Education Alliance has announced that Pikeville teen Aria Ferguson has been cast in the Camp Broadway Ensemble. The ensemble will perform with The New York Pops at their 43rd Birthday Gala at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Monday, April 27. The New York Pops acclaimed Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke will direct The New York Pops’ world-renowned 78-member orchestra at an all-star concert event celebrating Grammy, Academy and Tony Award-winning composer, Stephen Schwartz. Camp Broadway Ensemble Artistic Director Theo Lencicki cast and will direct the 60-member ensemble that features talented tween and […]

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