March 14, 2023
On the calendar today is International Ask a Question Day. You have questions? The Lexington Herald-Leader has answers to those questions and more; read on for the latest news and headlines.
Politics
A newly-aggregated omnibus anti-transgender bill denying health care to minors is moving through the Kentucky General Assembly, winning approval from a legislative committee Tuesday morning.
House Bill 470 from Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Shelbyville, passed the House last week as a ban on gender-affirming health care for Kentucky trans kids and teenagers.
Decker’s newly-sewn Frankenstein bill, approved by the Senate Families and Children Committee in a 6-3 vote Tuesday morning, now includes parts from some of the Legislature’s heftiest anti-LGBTQ proposals this session.
The Herald-Leader’s Alex Acquisto has more on that story here.
And hope is growing for medical marijuana in Kentucky with committee vote and key Senate flip. Here’s reporter Austin Horn with the details.
Today is shaping up to be a busy day in Frankfort. Follow us on Twitter, @BGPolitics, for the latest. And if you want the top headlines and political insights in the commonwealth delivered to your inbox every week make sure to sign-up for our Bluegrass Politics newsletter.
More on the politics front:
Nearly $300 million in federal funds earmarked for Eastern Kentucky counties hit by flood
‘Not elected by the distilleries.’ Bourbon barrel tax cut passes House despite pushback
McConnell discharged from hospital, heads to therapy after concussion, fractured rib
Lexington
The attorney for suspended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Principal Marlon Ball filed an amended lawsuit Monday against Fayette County Public Schools claiming the district is trying to keep Ball on administrative leave until his contract expires and then refuse to renew his contract.
Herald-Leader reporter Valarie Honeycutt Spears has the details on this ongoing story.
For at least the second time in a year, parents are telling the Fayette County school board the district has forgotten its promises to a magnet program, ignoring overcrowding and other shortcomings in its temporary building.
Here’s what else is happening in Lexington:
More biscuits, more gravy and more mimosas: New Lexington restaurant opening
Hey Lexington, here’s the menu and restaurants for Crave Taco Week
Sports
The Kentucky Wildcats will have plenty to occupy themselves with this week without looking around at other parts of the NCAA Tournament bracket.
UK is still dealing with injuries going into its first-round game against Providence on Friday night, and the Cats are in search of their first March Madness victory in four years following a canceled tournament in 2020, an abysmal season in 2020-2021, and the shocking end to the 2021-22 campaign.
The NCAA Tournament never lacks for good storylines, and there will be plenty this year directly and indirectly tied to the Kentucky Wildcats. Read more from the Herald-Leader’s Ben Roberts.
Don’t miss out on anything from the NCAA Tournament, sign up for our March Madness newsletter here.
The annual UK HealthCare Boys’ Sweet 16 state basketball tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington is a celebration of high school hoops in Kentucky.
But the 2023 edition of the Sweet 16 is highlighted by a trio of top college basketball recruits — all in different age groups — who have helped lead their respective schools to the biggest stage in Kentucky high school basketball. Here’s what you need to know about Jasper Johnson, Travis Perry and Reed Sheppard.
Scroll on for more news, sports and opinion from the Herald-Leader. See you back here tomorrow, same time and same place.
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