FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky House voted Friday to choke off funding for diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public universities following an impassioned debate that had a GOP lawmaker dismissing DEI efforts as a failure and Democrats defending them as pillars of support for students from underrepresented groups.
Kentucky
GOP Kentucky House votes to defund diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public universities
The effort to roll back DEI initiatives in Kentucky is part of a much broader Republican campaign featuring bills in several states that would restrict such initiatives or require their public disclosure.
In Kentucky, the House-passed version would ban race-based scholarships and defund DEI offices and staff positions. It would prohibit the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, which oversees public universities, from approving degrees that require courses containing “discriminatory concepts.”
And it would hold public universities accountable to “dismantle the misguided DEI bureaucracies,” said Republican state Rep. Jennifer Decker, who shepherded the new version to House passage.
“This bill would put an end to the failed, expensive and discriminatory DEI initiatives at our public post-secondary schools in Kentucky,” Decker said at the outset of the hourslong debate.
While she insisted the bill would foster a culture that’s “inclusive and welcoming to all,” Democrats said it would hurt minority students on campuses. That includes racial minorities and LGBTQ students but also can be people who are disabled, from rural areas or from low-income families.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are about creating and sustaining environments that support students and faculty who have been traditionally underrepresented on our college campuses, that make them feel safe and welcome,” said Democratic state Rep. Nima Kulkarni.
The sweeping bill also threatens to stifle concepts that professors can teach, opponents said.
“It would disallow the teaching of how oppressive governments create systems of inequality through laws and policies that are structured to marginalize minority groups,” Kulkarni said. “Our students deserve to know our history. They deserve to fully explore all of the progress that we have made.”
Democrats said the backlash to the anti-DEI bill could include economic boycotts, students leaving the state for college and perhaps hurt efforts by Kentucky’s university’s to recruit Black student-athletes.
In condemning the bill, Democratic state Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson warned that it sends the message to prospective recruits that “we don’t want you to learn about your heritage” but “we’re sure going to use your athletic abilities to further our institutions.”
In a recent letter to the NCAA’s president, the NAACP said Black student-athletes should reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida. The letter was in response to the University of Florida and other state schools that have eliminated their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. It was also addressed to current and prospective student-athletes.
“This is not about politics,” the letter read. “It’s about the protection of our community, the progression of our culture, and most of all, it’s about your education and your future.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year ending affirmative action at universities has created a new legal landscape around diversity programs in the workplace and civil society.
Republican lawmakers have proposed about 50 bills in 20 states that would restrict initiatives on diversity, equity and inclusion or require their public disclosure, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural.
Kentucky state Rep. Tina Bojanowski, a Democrat, said such bills pose a threat.
“The threat from authoritarians who use phrases like ‘evil DEI bureaucracy and indoctrination’ to limit academic freedom while imposing their world view upon institutions of higher education cannot be overstated,” she said. “A cornerstone of democratic societies is the survival of the institution of higher education, free from political interference and the ideological agenda of autocrats.”
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Ky. (WXIX) – Liberty Trees are being planted across Kentucky in celebration og America 250.
FOX19 NOW’s Philip Krinsky went down to Campbell County, where a Liberty Tree dedication took place.
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.jpg?disable=upscale&width=1200&height=630&fit=crop&ssl=1 "2026 Kentucky Derby: The Sporting Event Expanded Its Partnerships")
LOUISVILLE, KY.—Jockey Jose Ortiz rallied long shot Golden Tempo from way back in the pack to claim the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, beating his older brother Irad Ortiz Jr. by a neck and making Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Derby winner.
Held at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Ky., this year’s race averaged 19.6 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-viewed Run for the Roses on record since Nielsen began tracking average audiences in 1988.
In the week leading up to the first Saturday in May, Churchill Downs hosted a full roster of events, including 502’sDay, Winsday, Thurby, and the Kentucky Oaks (when fans watch 3-year-old fillies compete), which, for the first time, was contested in primetime and on network television.
As part of the racetrack’s ongoing renovations, the sixth-floor space, 10,000-square-foot ultra-VIP space known as The Mansion opened its private doors, revealing a $30-million refurbishment. There were improved amenities in the Finish Line Suites this year as well.
But that wasn’t the only newness happening. This year introduced several firsts, including the Derby’s first-ever beauty partnership with L’Oréal, an MLB activation where fans were able to put their pitching skills to the test, and a limited-edition Graeter’s ice cream flavor, Bourbon Backstretch Cherry.
Returning partners also evolved their experiences for 2026, including Old Forester serving up a new signature cocktail with a fruity twist called the Perfecta and Red Bull expanding its lounge area in the Infield, which included a custom Ford F150 DJ booth with custom Red Bull cocktails.
This updated partnership strategy is part of the racetrack’s efforts to attract younger fans and the Gen Z demo. “Reaching new and younger audiences is how the brand stays relevant after 152 years,” said Casey Ramage, senior marketing and partnerships consultant for Churchill Downs Racetrack.
“Churchill Downs does this by offering onsite fans brand experiences such as beautiful photo moments around our iconic Twin Spires and partner collaborations and merchandise brands that are relevant to this audience such as vineyard vines, lululemon, and Aviator Nation,” she said.
For the fans at home, the Churchill Downs team also turned more to social media to educate the viewing audience. This year, the Derby’s social media accounts saw a 59% increase during Derby Week, Ramage added.
As for the L’Oréal partnership, Ramage said it just made sense. “With fashion being one of the first things you think about for the Kentucky Derby experience, Churchill Downs has always wanted to partner with a beauty brand, and L’Oréal Paris is the perfect fit,” she explained.
The brand was the presenting partner of the Derby’s Green Room, where celebrities and VIPs were able to touch up their makeup and hair before walking the red carpet. L’Oréal also produced activations in the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza fan zone with product giveaways and surprise-and-delight makeup moments in the ladies’ restrooms.
Keep scrolling to see more from the 2026 Kentucky Derby and the brand activations and parties surrounding the historic event…
L’Oréal produced activations in the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza fan zone with product giveaways as well as surprise-and-delight makeup moments in the ladies’ restrooms. Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack
Because of Churchill Downs’ strong partnership with NBC, the racetrack also highlighted the network’s new relationships with both the MLB and WNBA. The MLB hosted an interactive pitch activation, where fans were challenged to test their fastball and track their throwing speed in real time. Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack
Attendees posed inside a WNBA bespoke photo moment. Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack
The WNBA logo was made out of red and white roses, as a nod to the Derby race. Photo: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Racetrack
Apparel brand vineyard vines marked its 16th year as the Official Derby Style with on-site activations, including a fully branded stage in the Infield, featuring live entertainment and giveaways such as its fan-favorite whale hats, sunglasses, and more. Photo: Courtesy of vineyard vines
Fully wrapped F-150s and Broncos in a vineyard vines print were located at the track’s “First Turn.” Photo: Courtesy of vineyard vines
Sports Illustrated Resorts’ Club SI hosted guests across both Oaks and Derby Day at Churchill Downs. The exclusive hospitality suite offers a view of the paddock and paddock runway. SI Swim model Camille Kostek hosted Oaks Day, while commentator Nate Burleson led Derby Day. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
Guests received custom caricature illustrations in the hospitality suite. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
Sports Illustrated, in partnership with J Wagner Group, closed out Derby weekend with its third annual late-night celebration, Revel at the Races presented by DraftKings, which was headlined by Tiësto and held at Ice House. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
As the official apparel partner, Ted Baker presented a branded photo moment. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
Verizon served as the exclusive wireless partner, offering expedited entry via a dedicated fast lane and ticket access through Verizon Access. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
As the official bourbon partner, Maker’s Mark served up premium cocktails. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
HydroJug provided on-site custom engraving, delivering a personalized takeaway for guests. Photo: Courtesy of Authentic Live, a Division of Authentic Brands Group
The Derby experience starts long before the bugle sounds at Churchill Downs, so Delta turned the journey to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport into a spirited ride. On May 1 and 2, in partnership with Brown-Forman, Delta offered travelers in the Atlanta and JFK Delta Sky Clubs a bespoke Mint Julep syrup. Once onboard their flights, passengers could pair it with Woodford Reserve bourbon to craft a cocktail. Photo: Courtesy of Delta
The airline also surprised travelers with arrival and departure goody bags on April 30 and May 3 at the Louisville airport. Photo: Courtesy of Delta
Crew members donned fascinators to close out the weekend. Photo: Courtesy of Delta
Herradura returned with its official cocktail, the Horseshoe Margarita. The brand also collaborated with Q Mixers on a new track-wide cocktail featuring Herradura Reposado called the Paddock Paloma. Photo: Courtesy of Herradura
As we continue to go position group by position group and project what each unit will look like for the 2026 Kentucky Wildcats, we will now look at the safety room. This position is led by two of the most experienced safeties in the conference with Ty Bryant and Florida transfer Jordan Castell. The safety position is heavily relied upon in defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s scheme. Having experience is paramount for this group, as Coach Bateman will call creative looks for disguised coverages which will create plenty of safety rotations pre-snap and post-snap.
Starters
I think it is safe to assume that the new staff made it a priority to retain Ty Bryant and Willie Rodriguez more than any other returning players on the roster. Bryant was voted second team All-SEC by coaches last season and is one of the best safeties in the conference. He was the team’s leading tackler a year ago with 76 total and led the SEC with four interceptions. Bryant is a do-it-all safety that has a nose for the football and is expected to be the leader of the defense this fall.
Jordan Castell transferred over from the Florida Gators, where he started over 30 games in his career. Castell is a long, rangy safety that knows what it takes to play at an SEC level. He started as a true freshman at Florida and earned freshman All-SEC honors in 2023. Over his three seasons with the Gators, Castell has totaled 169 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions.
If things go as planned, these two will rarely come off the field this season. Bryant has natural playmaking ability on the back end as a ball hawking safety and is coming off the best season of his career. Castell has ideal length for the position and has shown the ability to make big time plays in this conference. Bryant and Castell form one of the best safety tandems in the SEC and will be a key to the defensive success in 2026.
Backups
- Dyllon Williams
- Jesse Anderson
Dyllon Williams is a 6’2, 191-pound redshirt freshman that got his feet wet last season in limited snaps. Williams only saw action against Eastern Michigan, Florida and Vanderbilt a year ago. Ideally, I don’t expect him to see much of an increase in playing time this season but it will be interesting to see how he progresses when he does get on the field. Coach Bateman does like to throw three safety looks at opposing offenses, but that will likely be manned by the slot corner position group.
Jesse Anderson is a transfer from Pitt that brings some experience to the depth of this room. In three seasons at Pitt, he has received snaps in 23 games as a rotational safety. I wouldn’t expect his role to change, he will be a rotational guy in this group as well and brings much needed experience in a backup role. Anderson is on the smaller side at 6’0, 186-pounds.
Like I previously mentioned, Coach Bateman likes to keep offenses off balance with three safety looks in coverage. However, I expect the slot corners to be heavily involved in those formations, which will be Aaron Gates and Jaden Smith. We will group the slot corners in with the cornerbacks when we preview that position group. Overall, this safety room is a strength of the team although it is hinged on the experienced duo of Bryant and Castell.
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