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A quick rundown on new KY Laws taking effect Jan. 1

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A quick rundown on new KY Laws taking effect Jan. 1


BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – With the new year here, several laws have taken effect in Kentucky.

A major question on the 2024 ballot was deciding whether or not to allow medicinal cannabis businesses to operate in the commonwealth.

Governor Beshear signed the program into law in 2023, in part so “patients have access to medical providers and treatment for qualifying conditions.”

Through a license lottery, four dispensaries in the South Central Kentucky area were chosen to offer medical marijuana starting this year. Officials picked Zeus Agoraios in Franklin and three locations in Bowling Green: AR-MO-KY-MS Cannabis Ventures LLC, Promo Pulse LLC and Flower Radar LLC.

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These are qualifications people must meet in order to receive a medical marijuana card:

  • You must be a resident of Kentucky.
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must have a qualifying medical condition such as cancer, chronic pain, muscle spasms or PTSD.
  • You need a written certification from a licensed medical practitioner confirming your condition.
  • You cannot have a felony record.

“I think any time you you’re dealing with a new agency that’s handling a new government type of medical option it’s going to be a little difficult, but we’ve been trying to work really hard to navigate with the patients and give them a step by step form of papers so that they understand this whole process,” Stacia Staples, an APRN who is on the eligible practitioner list, said.

Another law starting Jan. 1 is a new limit to vape shops. In an attempt to curb the youth’s use of nicotine, only nicotine vapes sold under an approved U.S. Food and Drug Administration list are legal to sell. Those not approved or certified must be off shelves by the first.

“All of those things, my hope is that the new law will affect what our vape stores are selling. They’re popping up all over the city and, you know, you see young people in and out buying vapes,” Bowling Green Attorney Hillary Hightower said. “What’s in those vapes is not regulated, a lot of them come from China; they’re not tested.”

On the flipside, some businesses are distraught over the new law.

“We’ve been railroaded, and it feels bad. It’s just a real **** deal, and none of the politicians seem to care,” Vette City Vape co-owner Cordell Gary said. “Here we are, four days from when this takes effect, and Kentucky keeps saying, ‘Oh, we’re going to approve some products. It’s not going to be as bad as it looks. We’re going to do it.’ Well, people are closing their doors right now.”

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Another new law will require Kentucky drivers to take a vision screening when renewing their driver’s license or permit. The new legislation aims to improve driver safety. Warren County Sheriff Brett Hightower said the screening will only take a few minutes, at most, and will help identify potential health issues.

The screening is free and can be done during your renewal appointment. Drivers who don’t pass will be referred to a vision specialist for further examination.



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Ronald Exantus being transported back to Kentucky

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Ronald Exantus being transported back to Kentucky


OCALA, Fla. (WKYT) – The man convicted in the stabbing death of a 6-year-old who was arrested in Florida while serving mandatory re-entry supervision is headed back to Kentucky.

In a press conference on Tuesday that included Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, officials announced that Ronald Exantus is being transported back to Kentucky.

Ronald Exantus was charged with stabbing and killing Logan Tipton in 2015. While he was found not guilty of the child’s murder by reason of insanity, Exantus was convicted on three assault charges for stabbing other members of Logan’s family.

The court sentenced Exantus to a combined 20 years in prison.

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Ronald Exantus(WKYT)

On October 1, The Department of Corrections released Exantus on mandatory re-entry supervision, overriding the parole board’s recommendation that he complete his full sentence behind bars. Exantus chose to service his mandatory re-entry supervision in Florida.

Exantus was arrested in Marion County, Florida on October 9. In a release, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Exantus failed to register as a felon with the sheriff’s office within 48 hours as required by law.

WKYT is working to learn more details about the situation.

This is a developing story.

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Andre Woodson, Mike Hartline help Cutter Boley break through at Kentucky

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Andre Woodson, Mike Hartline help Cutter Boley break through at Kentucky


It hasn’t been pretty for the Kentucky Wildcats on the football field this season, but one obvious bright spot comes in the form of a 6’5″ redshirt freshman quarterback out of Hodgenville in Cutter Boley. He entered the game late vs. Ole Miss and has started every outing since with one win and four losses, but steady growth leading to a breakthrough against Tennessee this past weekend.

Boley racked up 330 yards and five touchdowns on 26-35 passing with 31 rushing yards on seven carries, hitting marks matched by only four other SEC quarterbacks in the last 30 years. Tim Couch is the only other Kentucky gunslinger to throw for at least 330 yards and five touchdowns on 74-plus percent passing in a single game.

“He’s really done a phenomenal job with his presence in the pocket, and each and every week, he’s getting more and more confident in that,” Mark Stoops said during his call-in show Monday evening. “The other thing I think he’s really doing at a high level right now is he’s been exceptional at throwing the ball with accuracy on the move. Under duress, he’s gotten way better since the first game of the year this year that he started, and then in trusting that he’s going to have some protection. …

“He’s been hanging in there when he has to hang in the pocket, but he’s escaping at times, and then he’s been remarkably accurate when he’s on the move.”

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Seeing so many quarterbacks torch the Kentucky defense this year, along with coming up with game plans for all of the opposing greats to come and go over the years, Stoops is grateful to have an elite one on his sideline that others have to figure out.

“Cutter is a tough young man, and he’s getting bigger and stronger. He has a very good feel for that pocket right now. That’s been fun because, as a defensive guy, to coach a lot of defenses, that’s very aggravating when you feel like you got things matched up really well and pretty decent pressure, and you escape and make something happen.”

What if I told you not one, but two former Wildcats are helping Boley in that ongoing breakthrough?

Andre Woodson, who threw for 9,360 yards and 81 touchdowns as a two-time All-SEC selection in his four-year career in Lexington, has built a relationship with the redshirt freshman as he’s found his footing. From one in-state kid to another, the Radcliff native has been in Boley’s shoes and wants to help him live up to that superstar potential in the blue and white.

“I know Andre reached out to him and talked to him, and I appreciate that. With Andre — you know, these guys care about Kentucky. They care about how we play and want to see a guy like Cutter develop. It’s been good.”

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It’s not just Woodson, though. In fact, there is a former player in that building taking Boley under his wing as a hands-on mentor — the guy who actually followed No. 3 in Lexington, suiting up from 2007-2010. Mike Hartline, who threw for 5,680 yards and 38 touchdowns during his time at Kentucky, is now an offensive quality control coach on Stoops’ staff.

What Bush Hamdan doesn’t have time for as offensive coordinator, Hartline steps in to do the heavy lifting with Boley’s development. Without him, we don’t see the current on-field success for the kid from Hodgenville.

“Another one that has made a big difference for him is Michael Hartline,” Stoops said. “I tell you, Michael does a really good job. Bush has a lot on his plate and a lot to work on, and we’re up there all hours, day and night, but a lot of times when Cutter comes in, he spends one-on-one time with Michael. He’s really done a good job, he’s been a great addition to our staff.

“It’s another UK guy that cares about this place, and I’m very impressed with him. He’s a great coach, and he’s really helped us, and he’s helped Cutter.”

Two great Kentucky quarterbacks, but can Boley be better? He’s already up to 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns with five games to go as a redshirt freshman — then three more years of eligibility.

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Things are starting to stick for the kid.



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LSU fires Brian Kelly, owes $53 million buyout

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LSU fires Brian Kelly, owes  million buyout


The dominoes are falling in the SEC, the latest potentially impacting Kentucky in terms of candidates should the Wildcats move on from Mark Stoops. LSU has fired head coach Brian Kelly, according to On3’s Pete Nakos, coming off the Tigers’ 49-25 loss to Texas A&M to fall to 5-3 on the season.

It’s been an all-day back-and-forth leading to the breakup Sunday night, conversations taking place earlier regarding staff changes and a potential parting of ways, Nakos ultimately reporting Kelly’s status was “in limbo” and “in flux” in Baton Rouge. Those “high-level discussions” included officials within the athletic department, executives at the university, and even Gov. Jeff Landry.

Kelly was in his fourth season at LSU after signing a 10-year, $95 million deal back in 2021. With a combined record of 34-14 and 19-10 in the SEC, including 10-win seasons in each of his first two seasons, he will be owed a $53 million buyout — the second-largest in college football history, behind only former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.

He joins James Franklin (Penn State) and Billy Napier (Florida) as Power 4 coaches fired during the 2025 season with 12 total FBS jobs already open.

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What does that mean for Kentucky, now 2-5 on the year and 0-5 in conference play coming off an embarrassing 56-34 loss to Tennessee? Lane Kiffin has been a rumored target for not only Florida, but also LSU — the latter potentially more of a threat to reel him in from Oxford. Where would the Gators go from there? Franklin and Kelly are free agents, but Louisville’s Jeff Brohm is a name that has been tossed around. Would Oregon OC Will Stein return home to coach at his alma mater as a former Card? That would take a big-time target for the Wildcats off the table. Where does Jon Sumrall fit into all of this? Does UF go after the Tulane head coach? Does he replace Kiffin at Ole Miss?

Needless to say, the coaching carousel is spinning out of control with Kentucky potentially in the market for a new leader.



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