Kentucky
Fayette County school board chair, KEA sue to block Kentucky law that would oust current members
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy and the Kentucky Education Association have filed a lawsuit challenging a newly enacted Kentucky law that would overhaul the governance structure of Fayette County Public Schools and force all current board members out of office at the end of 2026.
The lawsuit names the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Fayette County Board of Elections and Fayette County election officials as defendants.
At the center of the legal challenge is Senate Bill 4, which lawmakers passed over Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto earlier this year.
Under the law, the seven-member Fayette County Board of Education would be reduced to five district-based seats, the lawsuit reads. The terms of all current board members would end Dec. 31, 2026, and new elections would be held for the restructured board.
The lawsuit argues the law is unconstitutional and asks the court to block its implementation, including any election-related actions tied to the measure.
Court filings contend the legislation unlawfully targets a single school district and interferes with the terms of duly elected local officials. Plaintiffs also argue the law violates provisions of the Kentucky Constitution governing local elections and public officeholders.
Attorneys included exhibits detailing criticism of Murphy and Fayette County Public Schools leadership from state lawmakers, including a petition seeking Murphy’s removal and a letter from state Sen. Chris McDaniel calling for the resignations of Murphy and Superintendent Demetrus Liggins.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the law is invalid and requests expedited review from the court due to upcoming election deadlines.
No hearing date had been announced as of Wednesday.
The lawsuit comes as Fayette County Public Schools continues to face scrutiny over budgeting decisions, district spending and governance issues that have drawn attention from state lawmakers over the past year.
In a statement, Representative Matt Lockett criticized Murphy as he highlighted what he stated are district failures under Murphy.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the disaster that Fayette County Public Schools is under Tyler Murphy’s leadership as board chair. Under his watch, the district has spiraled into a financial crisis so severe that it is now seeking to borrow up to $110 million simply to keep the lights on and make it through the school year. Students have been failed. Families have been failed. Teachers and staff have been failed. Taxpayers have been failed. And the Lexington community has been left paying the price for years of mismanagement and poor oversight.
Rather than taking responsibility for the district’s financial failures and focusing on what is best for students, he has chosen to file a lawsuit challenging a law that was duly passed by the General Assembly and enacted through the constitutional process. He may be emboldened by recent rulings by activist judges, but there are no legitimate grounds for overturning a duly enacted statute simply because you can’t do the right thing by this community. The General Assembly has both the authority and the responsibility to establish standards for public offices and governance structures across the Commonwealth.
At a time when Fayette County schools are facing unprecedented financial turmoil, the focus should be on accountability, transparency, and fixing the problems that have brought the district to this point. The only filing Fayette County taxpayers should be expecting from Mr. Murphy is his resignation.”
KENTUCKY – The Kentucky Department for Public Health is investigating 100 reported cases of cyclosporiasis statewide, 61 of which have been confirmed.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora; the highest risk of infection is for people living in or traveling to subtropical regions.
Foodborne outbreaks are associated with various types of produce, such as raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and mixed greens.
Symptoms typically begin two to 14 days after exposure.
The most common symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is commonly treated with a combination of antibiotics.
Public health experts are urging people to follow food-safety guidelines to reduce the risk, such as washing hands with soap and warm water after handling produce, cleaning food preparation areas and tools with soap, and water and washing all fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky State Police seeks public vote for national cruiser contest
Published 3:12 pm Monday, July 13, 2026
FRANKFORT – Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police are calling on Kentuckians to help power a statewide push in a national competition that celebrates the most eye-catching police cruisers in the country.
KSP has entered the 2026 Best Looking Cruiser Contest, held annually by the American Association of State Troopers (AAST). The contest consists of the public voting on their favorite cruiser photo, with the winning image earning the cover of the association’s 2027 calendar.
“The men and women of the Kentucky State Police represent the very best of public service,” Beshear said. “I encourage every Kentuckian to show their support by voting in this national contest.”
This year, KSP is highlighting the dedication and training required to be a trooper by featuring a 2024 Mustang GT cruiser outside of the KSP Academy in Frankfort, Ky. Beyond its striking design, the image also serves as a tribute to fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Kentucky State Police have 39 troopers, officers and patrolmen who lost their lives in the line of duty. Among them was Trooper James W. McNeely who drowned during a rescue mission on the Kentucky River in 1972 and his body was never recovered.
In 2015, the KSP unveiled a nearly 10-foot-tall bronze statue, titled ‘The Trooper’, which is in front of the Academy Building. This statue was created in Trooper McNeely’s likeness and depicts a trooper walking towards the future to serve the citizens of Kentucky.
“This year’s contest photo symbolizes what it means to be a Kentucky State Police trooper, by showcasing the devotion, hard work, commitment and sacrifice that our troopers give to their local communities daily,” stated KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “We would be humbled and honored to have your vote and support on social media.”
KSP has placed in the top five in the past eight years, taking home back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022. While the Florida Highway Patrol won the competition last year, Kentucky is ready to take the top spot and needs your help to win it all.
Kentuckians are encouraged to vote for KSP’s entry now through Friday, July 10, at 12:00 p.m.
4th of July celebrations in Louisville begin early at Locust Grove
To celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, organizers set out to acknowledge as many cultures and nationalities at Historic Locust Grove
CYNTHIANA, KY ― Pam Abnee voted for Donald Trump in 2024. Susan Bramel, her friend of 50 years, did not.
As the nation commemorated its 250th birthday this month amid a hyperpartisan election season, these politically opposed women sat next to each other on a bench outside the Harrison County Courthouse in Cynthiana on the Fourth of July.
Over the course of that week, the small town in Kentucky’s north central Bluegrass region hosted historical walking tours, a community mural painting, a day of prayer and a chance to sign a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, culminating in the county’s bicentennial time capsule unearthing on that special Saturday.
Abnee and Bramel made sure to find each other outside the courthouse. And they avoided talking about their biggest source of disagreement.
“I’m putting politics aside and I’m looking at the history of 250 years and all that we have gained in that 250 years,” Bramel, 69, said. “We agree on that.”
“That’s one thing we have in common,” Abnee, 73, added. “The history.”
Like most of rural Kentucky, Harrison County skews heavily conservative. More than 69% of the county voted Republican in the past three presidential elections, according to the Kentucky Board of Elections. But like other small county seats across the commonwealth, Cynthiana attracts enough liberals to create a palpable level of friction.
Every Monday, the Cynthiana Peaceful Resistance, a small progressive grassroots movement, gathers on the courthouse lawn to protest the Trump administration’s stance on abortion, immigration, war, LGBTQ+ rights, or the latest dust-up emerging from Washington, D.C.
“We’re very conservative here, so I would like to think the next generation is moving more toward the progressive side,” said Beth Tucker, 60, a retired teacher who runs a farm and sells mules. “I think there’s some hope with them. I think they’re going in that direction. The LGBTQ+ kids are feeling more at home here.”
Jaylou Lewis sees the division while driving through the city delivering DoorDash orders and turning onto streets with Trump and anti-Trump lawn signs crowded on the same block.
“It’s to the point today where it’s not even Democrat or Republican,” he said. “It’s either Trump or anti-Trump.”
Yet Lewis, who moved to Cynthiana in January with his wife, Shay Lewis, and their 2-year-old son, Rayshawn, recalled with amazement how people all over the city came together recently when a woman’s house burned down. Her daughter posted about the destruction on Facebook and people sent donations.
“Even though people are politically divided, as human beings, they united,” the 34-year-old said.
That unity was seen on July 4 as folks like Tucker, Bramel and Abnee flocked to the courthouse lawn to witness the capsule unearthing and celebrate the nation’s historic anniversary.
Surrounded by the thick July heat, Mayor Isaac Dailey delivered a speech before the digging commenced. The 28-year-old, who was born and raised in Cynthiana, implored residents to reflect on what future generations will recall of the legacy being carved out today.
“I hope they remember that we loved our neighbors, that we cared for one another in times of hardship, that we celebrated together in times of joy and that, despite our differences, we never forgot that community is built one relationship at a time,” he said.
Cynthiana natives Mary Ann Lee and John Allen Lee believe residents’ willingness to have conversations, share meals and open doors for each other, regardless of their political affiliations, is what sets their town apart from the animosity of larger cities.
“You don’t see the cancel culture here,” John, 85, said underneath the shade of a maple tree. “Just because they don’t see politics the same as I do, that doesn’t mean he isn’t my friend or she isn’t my friend.”
On the courthouse lawn, city officials, children, parents and seniors pushed shovels into the ground and — with the help of a John Deere backhoe — dug out the 75-gallon, flag-adorned, steel container that was buried on America’s 200th birthday.
They placed it on the ground, cracked it open and gingerly combed through church letters, newspapers, photos, a buckeye ring, a pair of Dr. Scholl’s sandals and a Playboy magazine.
Later that evening, residents migrated to Flat Run Veterans Park for fireworks and a performance by Kentucky native Sam L. Smith, a country singer who competed on “American Idol.”
But not all residents of Cynthiana felt the same sense of patriotism. Amid the squeals of children scampering through the splash pad, Zachary King recalled what it was like growing up gay in Cynthiana.
He experienced bullying at Harrison County High School, which led him to drop out during his sophomore year and complete his diploma online. Today, the 25-year-old is a personal care medical technician.
King didn’t attend the capsule unearthing because he was working, and he believes taxpayer money would be better spent expanding parking, housing and inclusive events for minorities sponsored by the city.
“I’m pretty sure we didn’t have nothing done in the month of June for LGBTQ people, other than some lights on the courthouse,” he said. “I think we’re bigger than the lights on the courthouse.”
Sitting beside him on a metal picnic table, Lewis, King’s brother-in-law, chimed in.
“There was no Juneteenth or nothing,” he said.
Lewis shares in many of the challenges faced by people throughout Cynthiana, Kentucky, and the country as a whole, including the mounting costs of gas, groceries and rent. But he also appreciates the moments of unity he sees in his community. Above all, he’s grateful to live somewhere where he can support his family, while giving his son a shot at a better future.
“Obviously, we’re still struggling as a country, but it’s still a great country, you know?” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t want to live nowhere else.”
This article is part of a collaboration between The Courier Journal and Boyd’s Station, a Kentucky non-profit that provides emerging artists and student journalists a rural place to hone their craft. Nikole Valiente received the 2026 Mary Withers Rural Writing Fellowship grant at Boyd’s Station.
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