Kentucky
Kentucky lawmakers advance stricter version of anti-DEI bill. Here’s what it would ban
FRANKFORT — Savannah Fernandez Searcy, a senior at the University of Louisville, said part of the reason why she studied abroad is because of a scholarship specifically for the Latino population.
She’s worried those scholarships could now be in jeopardy as Kentucky lawmakers push a bill that would limit diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at colleges and universities.
Senate Bill 6, also known one of the “anti-DEI” bills in this year’s session, passed out of the House Education Committee Thursday afternoon after over an hour of testimony.
The bill almost unrecognizable from the Senate version of the bill, though, after a House committee substitute.
The Senate’s version of the bill prohibits colleges and universities from requiring students and faculty to “describe the attitude or actions in support of or in opposition to specific ideologies or beliefs” to receive admission, employment, promotions or graduation.
But the House’s committee substitute is a condensed version of House Bill 9, which comes down harder on DEI polices.
The committee substitute, which has not yet been posted online, bans race-based scholarships and defunds DEI offices and officer positions. It also prohibits the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary education from approving degrees that require courses containing “discriminatory concepts.”
The bill could be heard by the full House of Representatives as early as Friday.
As of Thursday morning, Rep. Kevin Jackson, R-Bowling Green, said SB 6 sponsor Sen. Mike Wilson didn’t know the changes that had been made to his bill.
Supporters of the bill said it is supposed to promote critical thinking and constructive dialogue and promote intellectual and viewpoint diversity.
Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, said that the bill is supposed to hold colleges and universities accountable.
“It would ensure the post-secondary system in Kentucky is held accountable to dismantle systems in Kentucky that have misguided DEI bureaucracies that have cost Kentucky taxpayers an unknown amount, but at least tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, over the past 13 years — a time period in which our campuses have also experienced a dramatic drop in overall enrollment in students,” Decker said.
Gavin Cooper, a community and leadership development student at the University of Kentucky, said he supported the bill because he believes it will protect academic freedom.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have professors that truly push the bounds of debate in our classrooms, but I know from students and professors with which I’ve talked that is not the case across campus” Cooper said. “No one on campus should feel fear that they will be punished for their thoughts in the classroom.”
Kentucky is following a part of a larger trend of conservative states striking down DEI policies at colleges and universities. More recently, Florida banned its colleges and universities from using state and federal funds for the programs.
In an opinion issued on Thursday, the Kentucky Attorney General said public universities that have certain DEI policies violate the U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act.
Attorney General Russell Coleman said in the opinion that it’s unconstitutional to use underrepresented minorities as a metric for funding college.
The legislation lacks support, though, from some Kentucky colleges and universities.
University of Kentucky’s president took a rare step and spoke out against the bills that curb DEI inclusion efforts on campus. Meanwhile, the University of Louisville released a statement in support of DEI programs. Both institutions have a dedicated office for DEI initiatives and program offerings.
Fernandez Searcy said supporters of the bill misunderstand DEI.
“It’s both upsetting and also infuriating to me personally, because I think DEI, especially in Kentucky, has become synonymous with discriminatory, and this idea of whatever people think reverse racism may be,” Fernandez Searcy said. “But, in actuality, it’s about lifting up these underrepresented groups, empowering them and making sure that they have access to the same opportunities that the entire student body has.”
During the education committee hearing, other critics of the bill said it will bring unintended consequences for minority students.
Travis Powell, vice president and general counsel for the Council of Postsecondary Education, said the council opposes the bill because it could potentially hurt recruitment and support of underrepresented students at colleges and universities.
“We simply can’t afford to leave anybody behind at any of our campuses, and we’ll do everything we can in order to help them be successful,” Powell said. “We fear that this legislation may limit that in some form or fashion, even if those resource centers still exist.”
Felicia Nu’Man, director of public policy for policy and justice for the Louisville Urban League, said the bill will claw back on progress that’s been made in Kentucky and make students less educated and competitive compared to peers at other universities.
The bill passed out of committee on a 13-3 vote. Jackson and Rep. Scott Lewis, R-Hartford, passed on voting.
Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.
Kentucky
Demetrus Liggins disputes Fayette County board’s claim he resigned, attorneys allege misconduct
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The attorneys for Dr. Demetrus Liggins issued a press release Friday alleging the Fayette County Board of Education publicly announced a resignation that never happened, cited the wrong Kentucky statutes to justify placing him on administrative leave, and installed a replacement superintendent without legal authority to do so.
The press release, dated June 19, 2026, gives FCPS a four-day deadline to rescind the administrative leave, withdraw the replacement-superintendent designation, and correct the public record. If the district does not comply, Dr. Liggins’ legal team has reserved the right to pursue contractual, statutory, constitutional, defamation, false-light, civil-rights, and tort claims.
According to the press release, Dr. Liggins proposed discussions toward a possible separation agreement — he did not submit an unconditional resignation. His attorneys allege he expressly corrected the Board’s characterization before the Board acted, yet the Board publicly announced a “resignation notice” anyway.
The press release also notes a striking internal contradiction in the Board’s own June 11 letter: the document’s letterhead continued to identify “Superintendent: Demetrus Liggins, PhD” even while the body of the letter announced an “Acting Superintendent.”
Dr. Liggins’ attorneys argue the Board’s June 11 leave letter cited KRS 160.160 and KRS 160.370 — neither of which, according to counsel, expressly authorizes a board to indefinitely suspend a contracted superintendent, bar him from communicating with district-affiliated persons, exclude him from all school property, and install a substitute officeholder.
Counsel argues the Board deliberately avoided KRS 160.350, the statute that specifically governs superintendent terms, vacancies, acting appointments, and removal for cause, according to the press release.
The press release also invokes Lexington-Fayette’s unique status as Kentucky’s sole urban-county government under KRS Chapter 67A, arguing the Board’s legal framing is further flawed because Fayette County is not governed by the special Chapter 67C school-governance provisions applicable to a consolidated local government such as Louisville–Jefferson County.
Attorney Amos N. Jones issued a direct on-the-record statement in the press release.
“This is not administrative leave in any meaningful sense. They announced a resignation that never happened, displaced the lawful superintendent, installed another superintendent, silenced Dr. Liggins inside his own system, and then hired investigators to determine whether the result already imposed should be imposed. Kentucky law does not allow a school board to manufacture a vacancy, perform a removal first, and search for a justification afterward,” Jones said.
According to the press release, Dr. Liggins’s contract runs through June 30, 2029. His attorneys allege the Board’s actions breach that contract by stripping him of his office, authority, professional standing, and future-career value while continuing to pay his salary. The contract reportedly prohibits reassignment without Dr. Liggins’s express written consent.
The press release notes that any litigation or settlement arising from this dispute could carry significant financial consequences for Fayette County taxpayers.
The press release places individual Board members — not just the institution — on notice of potential personal legal exposure. Attorneys cite what they describe as a false resignation narrative, the alleged creation of a fictitious vacancy, concerted displacement, and a false-light portrayal of Dr. Liggins. The notice also warns Board members that attorneys retained by FCPS may not represent their individual interests and that they should have received Upjohn warnings about privilege and conflicts.
According to the press release, counsel has demanded preservation of all communications, drafts, closed-session materials, media contacts, video records, investigative instructions, succession discussions, and communications with public officials, unions, employees, activists, and outside counsel. The inclusion of “media contacts” and “communications with public officials” in the demand suggests Dr. Liggins’ legal team believes there may be involvement by parties beyond the Board itself.
As of Friday, June 19, 2026, the four-day deadline issued to FCPS is running. If the district does not comply, Dr. Liggins’ legal team has indicated it will pursue legal action.
Summer practice is full underway for the 2026-27 Kentucky men’s basketball squad. And while the on-court teaching is critical to the offseason, what’s happening off the floor is equally as important.
Earlier this week, head coach Mark Pope and the entire team made a trip to the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, where they helped put together Father’s Day goodie bags, built toys, played board games with the kids, and shared laughs all around. Watching Franck Kepnang, Mason Williams, and Jerone Morton smile ear-to-ear while losing in a board game will make your heart full.
This was more than just a quick stop, though. This was about building real relationships and putting smiles on the faces of kids who deserve it. Returning center Malachi Moreno even reconnected with one of his new friends.
“There was a kid I’ve actually kept in touch with for a while. His name’s Jackson,” Moreno said Thursday. “Took some of my teammates in to meet him. I met him at Dance Blue. We’ve been playing Fortnite together. Got his PSN (PlayStation Network) tag and we’re going to play some Fortnite. Me, him, Kam (Williams), and Trent (Noah), we’re gonna play some Fortnite together.
“He’s such a cool kid. I think the guys really took in what it means to be at this brand. We walk in any room, we’re gonna brighten someone’s day. They might not be as fortunate as us but we’re taking time out of our day to go see them, and we’re having fun with it. I just wanted them to realize how much fun these kids are having with us.”
Judging by the video that UK put out on Thursday (which you can watch below) , it sure looks like everyone was having a blast. Some things are bigger than basketball.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Severe weather across the Commonwealth has led to downed trees, traffic impacts and thousands of power outages.
Extensive coverage will be available on air and on WKYT+, where people can stay updated on the latest storm threats and impacts.
Franklin County Damage
A house fire was caused by lightning striking the attic space above two bedrooms, the Franklin County Fire Department reports.
A child was reportedly awakened by smoke, and alerted the residents to danger. Everyone was able to get out of the home safely before fire crews arrived.
Crews say they were able to contain the fire to the attic, which reduced further damage to the home.
Grant County damage
The Grant County Judge Executive Chuck Dills declared a state of emergency for Grant County due to severe weather damage.
Mason County damage
The Washington Fire Department says crews have been busy with storm damage reports from early morning storms.
The Mason County Judge Executive Owen McNeill says most of the damage seems to be west of US 68 within or near the Maysville city limits. McNeill says trees and debris are in roads county wide, with several power lines down.
Jessamine County damage
Jessamine County Emergency Management posted on social media that multiple weather-related incidents and power outages Thursday morning have taxed their Emergency service teams
Officials say crews have responded to multiple flooded out roads, downed trees and at least four damaged structures including some commercial occupancies that had collapse of roof or structures.
If you experienced any damage, you are asked to message Jessamine County Emergency Management or submit a damage assessment report.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 7 said KY 1267 at Cushingberry Lane in Jessamine County is closed due to a downed tree on a phone line.
Following severe weather, Ollie’s bargain outlet’s roof partially collapsed in Jessamine County according to emergency management. Emergency management is on the scene handling the situation.
The whole strip mall is closed due to a water leak and potential gas leak.
Show us your photos
Viewers are encouraged to submit any photos and videos of storm damage and impacts to WKYT. People can submit entries below.
Power outages
As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, over 4,000 customers in Fayette County are without power, and over 57,000 customers are without power throughout Kentucky, according to Kentucky Power Outages.
In a social media post, Woodford County said it was monitoring outages and was in coordination with utility partners to work to restore power.
The main transmission line that provides power to Falmouth was damaged, leading the city to be without power according to Pendleton County Emergency Management. An LG&E crew is reportedly enroute to fix the problem, but Falmouth will have no power until the damage is repaired.
Road Conditions
Garrard County Emergency Management says several state and county roads are being covered in water due to the weather conditions. They advise for anyone travelling to use extreme caution and be aware of flooded areas.
If encountering a water covered road, turn around and don’t drive through it, Garrard County Emergency Management says. An alternate route is the safest option.
Rolling Acres is closed between Bender Drive and Rancho Drive in Frankfort due to storm damage according to the Frankfort-Franklin County Office of Emergency Management. Utility crews are making preparations for repair onsite.
U.S. 127 Business at mile point 1.4 in Anderson County was closed due to a downed tree, according to KYTC, and Midway Road is closed between Old Frankfort Pike and US 60 in Woodford County.
KYTC reports a downed tree at mile point 3.1 on Bryan Station Road in Fayette County. The road is currently blocked. Information will be provided as updates become available.
Old Frankfort Pike is also closed between Pisgah Pike and the Fayette County line due to a tree on utility lines, KYTC said.
The Harrodsburg Police Department says that the road at Moberly Road and Scooter Avenue is not drivable due to high water, and barricades are in place to prevent drivers from attempting to cross.
KYTC encouraged drivers to use caution while traveling and watch for roadway hazard, including downed trees, debris and powerlines.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
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