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Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100. Remember his visits to Kentucky

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Former President Jimmy Carter dies at 100. Remember his visits to Kentucky


Former President Jimmy Carter has died, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at age 100.

Carter was the 39th and longest-living president in U.S. history. He served a single term after defeating former President Gerald R. Ford in 1976. He was also a Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 2002, although the Nobel Committee chairman believed he deserved the distinction since 1978 when he negotiated a peace deal between Egypt and Israel.

The Carter Center announced Feb. 18, 2023, that Carter had entered hospice care after several visits to the hospital. Center officials said in a statement the former president expressed he did not want to spend his remaining days in a hospital setting, instead spending time with his family and care team.

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His wife, Rosalynn Carter, a longtime mental health care activist, died Nov. 19, 2023 at their home in Plains, Georgia.

“Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Carter said in the statement. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

During his life, he visited Kentucky many times. Here are some of the moments he spent in the Bluegrass State:

Candidate Carter meets with former Gov. Julian Carroll in Frankfort in 1975

Carter hosted a news conference and visited former Gov. Julian Carroll in Frankfort two weeks after his term as Georgia governor ended and as he started his campaign for his Democratic nomination, according to Courier Journal archives.

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State Sen. William Sullivan flew Carter across the state Jan. 28, 1975, and hosted a reception for him in his home in Henderson. Although Sullivan said they were friends, he didn’t endorse his presidential run during the event.

Former Lt. Gov. Wilson Wyatt Sr. hosted a luncheon for Carter at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville which included attendance from former Gov. Bert Combs.

Presidential fundraising at the Galt House Hotel in 1976

Carter returned to the Galt House on April 16, 1976, to host a fundraiser ahead of Kentucky’s presidential primary May 25 of that year. Carroll endorsed fellow Democrat Carter at the time.

Carter spoke to the media, donors and crowds of supporters that stood on the Belvedere between Fourth and Sixth streets in downtown Louisville, reportedly telling the people: “I don’t intend to lose. I think you’re looking at the next president of this country.”

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President Carter visits, talks energy in Louisville in 1979

Carter gave a speech about energy security outside of the Cane Run Generating Facility in Louisville on July 31, 1979, according to records at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.

During his visit, Carter was reviewing the plant’s scrubbers, the nation’s first sulfur-dioxide removal systems.

Carter witnesses Sunny Halo’s victory in 1983 Kentucky Derby

Carter attended the 109th Kentucky Derby in 1983 as the Derby guest of Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. and Kentucky First Lady Phyllis George Brown. Carter also attended a Derby Eve luncheon at former Louisville Mayor Harvey Sloane’s house.

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Carter attends Louisville fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity in 1997

Carter visited Louisville in 1997 with his wife Rosalynn for a fundraising dinner for Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds houses for low-income people.

Carter returns to Louisville to promote ‘Christmas in the Plains’ in 2001

Carter’s final visit to Louisville came in 2001 to promote his book “Christmas in the Plains” at the former Hawley-Cooke Booksellers store on Shelbyville Road. Michael Veirs wrote in The Courier Journal’s reader forum that Carter signed 600 books of people with passes and stayed to signed more copies of his then-latest book.

“Carter’s humble and friendly manner was immediately evident to all who were fortunate enough to meet him,” Veirs said.

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Reach Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez at abrinez@gannett.com; follow her on Twitter at @SoyAnaAlvarez.





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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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Leaders condemn hate speech flyers found in central Kentucky cities

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Leaders condemn hate speech flyers found in central Kentucky cities


FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Authorities across Kentucky are investigating after Ku Klux Klan (KKK) propaganda was found in several cities of the Bluegrass, including Lexington.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift announced on Oct. 22 that hundreds of the racist flyers had been scattered downtown, in neighborhoods, and even at a local school.

Vandegrift called the flyers- spreading hateful messages toward people of color – disturbing and completely out of line with Midway’s values.

Investigators asked anyone with information to come forward. Around 6 p.m. on Thursday, the Versailles Police Department posted on Facebook, announcing to community members that officers stood firmly against racism and discrimination in all forms.

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“We remain committed to respecting and protecting the safety, rights, and dignity of all people,” Versailles officers wrote.

Gov. Andy Beshear posted on social media Thursday after learning about the racist propaganda to condemn the acts of spreading hate.

“These messages have no place in Kentucky,” Beshear wrote. “Our commonwealth is a place where we lead with love, and we will not tolerate hate.”



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