Kentucky
Income tax cut expected to be a top priority as Kentucky lawmakers convene for a 30-day session
Kentucky’s Republican-dominated legislature convened Tuesday to start a 30-day session expected to include action to reduce the state’s individual income tax rate. GOP lawmakers also will resume efforts to curb diversity, equity and inclusion practices on college campuses.
While their constituents back home were digging out from a massive winter storm, the House and Senate gaveled into session at midday amid the usual opening day pomp. New lawmakers were welcomed and stacks of bills were introduced in both chambers. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear will present his priorities in his State of the Commonwealth speech, set for Wednesday evening.
With supermajorities in both chambers, Republican legislators will set the agenda and determine the outcome of legislation. They wield enough clout to override any gubernatorial vetoes.
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Priorities will include a measure to reduce the individual income tax rate to 3.5% from 4%, to take effect in 2026. Top GOP lawmakers announced last year that the state had met the financial conditions needed to set in motion another cut in the tax rate.
Since Republicans passed a tax overhaul in 2022, the personal income tax has gradually been reduced by increments of a half-percentage point, conditioned on meeting benchmarks that ensure revenues are sufficient to meet state spending needs.
Lawmakers also will focus on unfinished business from a year ago, including the push to limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public universities. Anti-DEI legislation died last year i n Kentucky amid a House-Senate impasse — resulting in a rare setback for the GOP on a priority, hot-button issue. It reflects a broader conservative quest in GOP-led states to curb DEI initiatives.
The prospect of DEI legislation resurfacing in 2025 had an impact on some campuses. The University of Kentucky announced last August that it was disbanding its office promoting diversity and inclusion efforts in response to questions from state policymakers. The university’s president stressed that the school’s core values remained intact — to protect academic freedom and promote a “sense of belonging” for everyone on campus, regardless of background or perspective.
Lawmakers could also debate whether to bolster oversight of Medicaid — a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for low-income Kentuckians and people with disabilities.
Spending on Medicaid accounts for a significant portion of the state budget and the program covers more than a third of Kentucky’s population, Republican state Rep. Adam Bowling said recently.
“We have a deeply vested interest in ensuring that the program is operating effectively and efficiently for both those who depend on it and the taxpayers who pay for it,” Bowling said.
Lawmakers’ biggest responsibility — crafting a state budget — won’t be on the agenda this year since they passed a two-year budget in 2024. But they could choose to reopen the budget this year to make adjustments or insert new spending items.
Lawmakers will meet this week and then head home until early February, when the 2025 session will resume. The session will wrap up in late March.
Kentucky
Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
Kentucky
Missing Kentucky girl found in Montgomery County after 2 month search – WTOP News
A 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.
A 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.
Montgomery County police said in a release Saturday afternoon that Wynter Wagoner, 13, was located in a Silver Spring home in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive.
The Rockcastle Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that Wagoner was last seen in Orlando, Kentucky, on Oct. 14.
Her father, Dusty Wagoner, had pleaded for her to reach out in the weeks leading up to her discovery. The family offered a $5,000 reward for any information that would lead to her safe return.
At an Oct. 22 news conference, officials said Wagoner was picked up early from school by her foster parents and when her parents went to check on her, they discovered she was gone.
Police and U.S. Marshals arrested 37-year-old Christian Alexander Delgado in connection with the case. The Rockcastle Sheriff’s Office is charging Delgado with kidnapping.
He’s awaiting extradition to Kentucky.
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