Piper Hansen
@piperjhansen.bsky.social
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Kentuckian. Reporter
@kentucky.com
. Beep me:
[email protected]
. she/her
reposted by
Piper Hansen
Sarah Ladd
3 days ago
The 2026 Frankfort Press Corps + Women’s Press Corps* *Minus a few people who couldn’t make it
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
abraconagra
4 days ago
Just had a full body matrix-style memory of what it Feels Like to be in Louisville Kentucky. people who have not lived in Louisville Kentucky cannot understand this
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maybe the real sine die was the friends we made along the way
#kyga26
4 days ago
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Piper Hansen
Adrian Paul Bryant
6 days ago
Over time, we've gotten a lot of reader questions about the big bonuses, big salaries, and big restaurant bills under VisitLEX, the city's tourism bureau. Here's what they had to say about their finances and work, with our hero, oir savior
@piperjhansen.bsky.social
.
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Lexington’s tourism agency spends big on bonuses, expenses. Does it pay off?
VisitLEX’s funding largely comes from people visiting Lexington, rather than those living here. Here’s how.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article314905874.html?giftCode=8d95d5215385c33615c6c1f2fa16fb93cc7a4816093087fc836b34c2ddc016eb
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the bill, filed monday, gives local governments the ability to use bonds and other incentive tools in order to support large residential developments in their communities as well as their infrastructure and utility needs
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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KY cities could have more options to incentivize affordable housing under new bill
The bill is a byproduct of the Kentucky Housing Task Force that identified practical solutions to the state’s housing shortage.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314547240.html#storylink=cpy
3 months ago
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the ky house formed an impeachment committee and met for the first time yesterday to discuss rules to review petitions filed against elected officials for their removal. it's having its second meeting right now and has been in closed session for over an hour
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Impeachment petitions for Supreme Court justice, others under review by KY House
In the committee’s first meeting, it accepted petitions, including one against Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314414486.html#storylink=cpy
3 months ago
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we have the first bill from the ky senate to be sent to the house of representatives for consideration: a proposal allowing counties without a regional licensing office the option to run driver’s license renewal and duplication services. more from today's vote:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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KY Senate hits the gas on sending driver’s licensing services to local offices
The Kentucky Senate passed its first bill of session, proposing driver’s license renewal services be returned to localities.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314337668.html#storylink=cpy
3 months ago
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though carrying out immigration law typically falls to federal officers, some kentucky lawmakers want to see local law enforcement enter agreements in order to aid ICE. updated with comments from gov. andy beshear:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Kentucky police would be required to work with ICE under GOP-backed bills
Several bills filed in the early days of the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly aim to require local participation in immigration enforcement.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314333972.html#storylink=cpy
3 months ago
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wrote about a proposed policy that would allow the state to award eligible applicants enough money to cover one-third of the cost of applying for federal permits for a kentucky nuclear site:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Proposed KY grant program would pay for nuclear permitting, application fees
The Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Program could curb the cost of applications and permitting for nuclear energy facilities in Kentucky.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314323704.html#storylink=cpy
3 months ago
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i am finally back to writing about housing policy. three still-to-be-filed bills aim to close the state’s affordable housing gap, improve access, continue economic development. more on each, who is sponsoring, etc. watch this space, as they say:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Three bills expected to be filed by GOP lawmakers to address KY’s housing needs
The slate of still-to-be-filed bills aim to close the state’s affordable housing gap, improve access and jumpstart economic development.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314309149.html#storylink=cpy
3 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Ryan Van Velzer
3 months ago
A couple hundred folks out in Louisville tonight to protest the ICE killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot while trying to drive away from authorities in Minneapolis last night.
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in his first team kentucky update of the year, ky gov. andy beshear took a stance on ice and described the fatal shooting of a minnesota woman by on of the agency’s officers yesterday “foreseeable,” “preventable” and “tragic.” more:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
3 months ago
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also new from me: a bill to protect medical privacy and prevent criminalization of those who seek reproductive care outside the commonwealth was filed this week the same day a kentucky woman was indicted for fetal homicide after taking abortion medication
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Democrat’s bill would prevent prosecution of Kentuckians who seek abortions
A Democratic Kentucky state representative filed a bill to protect medical privacy and prevent criminalization of reproductive health care.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314235367.html
3 months ago
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ky gov. andy beshear’s state of the commonwealth speech doubled as his final budget address, which sounded a lot like the governor - now half way through his second term - already has his eyes on what’s next. some key takeaways from last night:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Andy Beshear teases his political future during State of the Commonwealth speech
KY Gov. Andy Beshear gave his seventh State of the Commonwealth and last budget address. He joked it’s the last budget address “in this job”
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314242137.html
3 months ago
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hey y'all, i'll be in frankfort this session aiding in coverage
@kentucky.com
of
#kyga26
, budget talks and daily goings on at the capitol. i'm eager to take on the task. send tips, advice, say hi, add me to your press list:
[email protected]
3 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Austin Horn
3 months ago
In November, I submitted an open records request for Gov. Andy Beshear's past schedule. Today, the H-L sued over their denial (citing an old appellate ruling classifying gov schedule as "preliminary") of that request. Read the full lawsuit & story here.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Herald-Leader sues Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his schedule
The lawsuit also seeks the calendars of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Beshear’s senior adviser Rocky Adkins.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314119173.html
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Tessa Duvall
3 months ago
We're suing Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his calendar.
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Herald-Leader sues Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his schedule
The lawsuit also seeks the calendars of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Beshear’s senior adviser Rocky Adkins.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314119173.html
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The joint venture’s end means BlueOval SK will cease operations at the Hardin County plant and all employees will be terminated on or shortly after Feb. 14.
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Mass layoffs of more than 1,500 workers at BlueOval SK to start February 2026
The joint venture’s end means BlueOval SK will cease operations at the Hardin County plant and all employees will be terminated.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article313893876.html#storylink=cpy
4 months ago
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attempted to summarize what’s happened to/at/with blueoval in the past week. hope it’s helpful:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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What’s next for KY Ford plants, employees after end of BlueOval partnership?
Mass layoffs are anticipated at Kentucky’s BlueOval SK plant as Ford Motor Co. takes over and repurposes the EV battery facility.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article313745343.html
4 months ago
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major job loss incoming at blueoval sk in kentucky as ford announces a pivot to ... using the facilities in glendale for battery energy storage systems instead of ev batteries. 'tis developing, i may have more soon but for now, new from moi:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Ford to lay off 1,600 as it repurposes BlueOval SK for energy storage in KY
Ford Motor Co. is planning to repurpose its battery manufacturing capacity and facilities in Kentucky.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article313723819.html
4 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Tessa Duvall
4 months ago
The South Korean battery maker SK On that had partnered with Ford Motor Co. for U.S. production of parts for electric vehicles, including in Kentucky, is ending the joint venture. New from
@piperjhansen.bsky.social
:
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Companies behind BlueOval SK end joint venture to make EV batteries in KY
South Korean battery maker SK On said it will end its joint venture with Ford Motor Co. for United States-based battery production.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article313615213.html#storylink=cpy
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South Korea-based SK On and Ford Motor Co. said Dec. 11 the businesses will break apart their agreement to collaborate and will instead run their BlueOval SK battery plants separately.
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Companies behind BlueOval SK end joint venture to make EV batteries in KY
South Korean battery maker SK On said it will end its joint venture with Ford Motor Co. for United States-based battery production.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article313615213.html#storylink=cpy
4 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Ryan Van Velzer
4 months ago
We've got a new audience editor at The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. Andrew Henderson, formerly of McClatchy, will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
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5 questions with Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s new audience editor
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s latest hire will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-12-11/5-questions-with-appalachia-mid-south-newsrooms-new-audience-editor
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The investment is part of a larger $912 million announcement across five of the automaker’s American manufacturing plants that will add a total 252 jobs in Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri and Mississippi, to increase hybrid vehicle capacity.
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Toyota adds $200M, 80+ local jobs to its largest global plant in KY
As part of a long-term investment in manufacturing hybrid cars, Toyota is putting more than $204 million and 82 new jobs in Kentucky.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article312962788.html#storylink=cpy
5 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Adrian Paul Bryant
5 months ago
I'm happy to share that I've joined
@kentucky.com
as their new Lexington Government Reporter! It's a big change, but familiar territory - I am way too committed to this beat to go too far. If you have any news tips, story ideas, or just want to chat, please reach out at
[email protected]
.
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The tenured full professor in UK’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law, told the Herald-Leader Friday this instance of his speech comes from research conclusions about Israel and colonization.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
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UK professor sues school for violating free speech rights over Israel comments
A University of Kentucky professor is suing the school after it reassigned him in July following comments he made related to Israel.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article312915574.html#storylink=cpy
5 months ago
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“I think we did hit the triggers in Kentucky, and even if we didn’t — but we did — we should, we need to reduce the taxes anyway.”
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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‘Collision course to zero.’ GOP starts early back-and-forth on income tax cut
Reducing individual income tax to 0% in Kentucky has been a priority for the state’s Chamber of Commerce and the GOP-led legislature.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312875758.html#storylink=cpy
5 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Tessa Duvall
5 months ago
Everyone will be shocked to know Grok is spreading misinformation.
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UPS plane crash: No, Grok, Gov. Andy Beshear’s photo isn’t from 2021 tornadoes
The AI-powered chatbot amplified an inaccurate claim that a recent photo post by the Kentucky governor was from a previous disaster.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312807350.html
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kentucky's largest power company can move forward with a plan to spend $3 billion on two gas plants for future data centers, the state's regulators said in a more than 200-page order i read so you don't have to
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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LG&E and KU can build power plants for KY data centers, regulatory board says
The pair of power plants will support an influx of high-energy demand customers, namely data centers for artificial intelligence.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article312676579.html
6 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Tessa Duvall
6 months ago
Journalists of Bluesky: The Lexington Herald-Leader is looking for a new Kentucky government and politics reporter to join our team. This person will be our lead reporter on all things General Assembly and Gov. Andy Beshear. Interested? Drop me a line. Listing:
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https://mcclatchy.rec.pro.ukg.net/MCC1008MCLTC/JobBoard/ff11d963-22db-4278-a2b7-709f3b882262/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=078ded65-a116-41b8-83ce-0361e42419d4
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Sylvia Goodman
6 months ago
Latest from me: The Jefferson County Republican party has selected a candidate for a special election in Louisville’s South End that railed against the women of his generation through online posts, using vulgar epithets.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
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GOP candidate for Kentucky Senate defends, then deletes ‘rant’ against millennial ‘skanks’
The Jefferson County Republican Party has selected a candidate for a special election in Louisville’s South End that railed against the women of his generation through online posts, using vulgar epith...
https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-10-24/gop-candidate-for-kentucky-senate-defends-then-deletes-rant-against-millennial-skanks
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“In a current world economy when people don’t know what the trade policy of the US is going to look like tomorrow ..., (it’s important to) be a governor that can sit across the table from an international CEO and say, ‘We will make sure that you are successful.'"
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Beshear calls economic development trip to Europe ‘one of the most effective’
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and his administration met with business leaders and trade officials in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article312600004.html#storylink=cpy
6 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Tessa Duvall
6 months ago
One of Kentucky’s largest for-profit residential addiction care treatment providers, which has been the subject of an FBI investigation for more than a year, is being sold, administrators confirmed Wednesday. New from
@aacquisto.bsky.social
&
@taylorsixhl.bsky.social
:
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Embattled Kentucky addiction treatment provider to be sold to Ethema Health
ARC and Ethema Health signed an initial intent to sell on Wednesday. It is unclear how much Ethema paid.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article312603298.html#storylink=cpy
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
The Rev. Col. Kirsten
6 months ago
I just parallel parked SO WELL a stranger unrolled his window to holler his admiration That’s that DuPont Manual education for you, baby.
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my latest is a 700 word story about how kentucky and peanut butter and jelly are the center of the universe and a recent legal dispute over crimped edges and product packaging
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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PB&J maker with KY facility sues popular grocery chain over sandwich dupe
The parent company of Lexington’s peanut butter factory is suing Trader Joe’s for violating trademark on a product made in Kentucky.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article312542112.html
6 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Bluegrass Politics
7 months ago
The Lexington Herald-Leader has been chosen for a competitive partnership with an award-winning national publication.
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Herald-Leader chosen by ProPublica for Local Reporting Network partnership
Reporter Alex Acquisto will spend the next year on a statewide investigative project that will have wide ramifications for Kentuckians.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article312306022.html
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girl formerly afraid of space writes again about local company designing very cool science experiments to study the very thing she used to be scared of. incredibly cool stuff, hope you think so, too:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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What happens to our bodies in space? A KY-based experiment wants to know
Automated systems made by a Lexington-based company are collecting data from miles above earth’s surface.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article312229264.html
7 months ago
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half a billion dollars' worth of thoroughbred horses were sold at keeneland's recent auction. i delved into why that matters, how it happened and what's likely to come next
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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New record set at Keeneland’s two-week auction of young thoroughbreds
In a two-week-long auction at Lexington’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale, more than 3,000 horses sold, totaling more than $530 million.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article312257064.html
7 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Joe Sonka 😐
7 months ago
Reminder for who needs reminding: Government officials only answering one question from you, once a week, in person, is not transparency.
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it was an 11-vote margin, and some ballots are being challenged but the uaw is claiming victory in kentucky's growing electric vehicle battery industry. the labor union says it was a hard fought win to represent workers at blueoval. more/to be updated:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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UAW claims BlueOval battery plant victory. Some ballots are being challenged
One of the country’s largest labor unions is claiming a narrow victory in Kentucky’s growing electric vehicle battery industry.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311883057.html
8 months ago
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School district officials would not say Wednesday afternoon why they were waiting a day to share the fund balance with the public. Liggins told the Herald-Leader in an interview earlier this month that he needed to be a better communicator. Read more at:
www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
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FCPS delaying release of updated figures that show extent of budget problems
The beleaguered district’s superintendent and his finance team did not immediately release updated budget figures Wednesday.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article311869417.html#storylink=cpy
8 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Bluegrass Politics
8 months ago
KY Politics Insider: Rand Paul for president in 2028? Kentucky's GOP Senate candidates hit Fox News & more
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311763601.html#storylink=cpy
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KY Politics Insider: Rand Paul 2028? GOP Senate candidates hit Fox News & more
Sen. Rand Paul: “I’m definitely going to run for reelection. The presidential thing? We haven’t decided.”
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311763601.html#storylink=cpy
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some interesting bits and bobs from andys beshear and barr toward the end of my latest about electric vehicle battery production starting at blueoval yesterday in glendale:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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One of Kentucky’s largest electric vehicle battery plants begins production
Commercial production of electric vehicle batteries is underway at the BlueOval SK plant in Kentucky’s Hardin County.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311759608.html
8 months ago
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in the past week, three global companies have made high dollar investments, btwn ~$500m and ~$3b, to reshore some of their manufacturing operations in kentucky. the latest is ge appliances which is moving some of its washing machine production lines to louisville
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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GE Appliances’ $3B manufacturing investment includes KY. Here’s where, how much
The appliance maker is investing in US manufacturing across five states, creating 1,000 jobs by 2030, company officials said Wednesday.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311687588.html
8 months ago
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ford, the automaker that employs about 12,000 people in kentucky, released its electric vehicle strategy today. the ceo called it a model t moment and a huge bet on itself. made a final round of updates on this, now’s a good time to read:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Ford puts $2B into Louisville Assembly Plant for new, midsize, electric truck
The automaker said Monday it was investing $5 billion total in its new electric vehicle platform, assembly process and new midsize truck.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311657770.html
8 months ago
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reposted by
Piper Hansen
Aura Bogado
9 months ago
Local reporting uncovered Amazon was behind the water-guzzling data center slated for the desert. Residents fought against the data center. Today, the city council unanimously voted against Project Blue. If you care about local journalism that drives impact, consider donating to
@azluminaria.org
!
add a skeleton here at some point
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recent announcements from the feds and private investors along with local support in paducah send a strong signal to data center companies and utility providers the western kentucky city is keen to welcome nuclear again
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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‘Atomic city of the future’: Uranium enrichment facility signs lease in Paducah
Once complete, it will be the first U.S.-owned, privately developed uranium enrichment facility in the country.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311595946.html
9 months ago
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employees at kentucky's blueoval sk battery plant will vote aug 26 and 27 to join the united auto workers union, according to a thursday labor board announcement. workers there are going to make batteries for ford's electric vehicles. here's how we got here:
www.kentucky.com/news/busines...
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Whatever happened to the effort by workers to unionize KY’s EV battery plant?
Workers at the under-construction plant are committed to having a free and fair union vote despite recent stalls in the process.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article310211245.html
9 months ago
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linda gorton is the first mayor in the history of the merged urban county government, which recently celebrated its 50th birthday, to run for a third term
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Lexington Mayor Gorton will seek a third term. Why it’s historic
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton won her second term by a landslide in November 2022.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311519041.html#storylink=cpy
9 months ago
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eight months after the state program’s launch, medical marijuana sales still haven’t begun in kentucky. lots of really great detail and data here:
www.kentucky.com/news/state/k...
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KY’s medical marijuana program is 8 months old. But patients are still waiting
More than 11,500 Kentuckians are medical cannabis card holders. But they can’t purchase products here.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article311334050.html#storylink=cpy
9 months ago
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