Kentucky
Kentucky lawmakers lead effort to protect white oak trees
WASHINGTON — Before it makes it to your glass, bourbon is aged in barrels made of charred new oak, helping give Kentucky’s signature spirit its flavor and color.
White oak trees grow in Kentucky and surrounding states, but environmental advocates said action is needed to protect them.
“Forest inventory analysis data from the Forest Service shows that while there are a lot of mature white oak trees out there across the eastern United States, there are not very many seedlings growing, and that’s primarily because sunlight’s not reaching the forest floor,” said Jason Meyer, executive director of the White Oak Initiative. “We’re not managing forests like we used to.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., have introduced bipartisan legislation, the White Oak Resilience Act of 2024.
It directs research, calls for pilot projects focused on the white oak and would allow for private funding of restoration efforts.
Many species of wildlife depend on the trees and the decline of the mature white oak could happen in the next 20-30 years, Meyer said.
“While we have white oak-dominated ecosystems right now, in the future, those ecosystems are going to disappear if we don’t do something about it,” he said.
Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, and Rep. James Comer, R-Tompkinsville, co-sponsored companion legislation, which recently passed the House as an amendment to a separate bill.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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