Kentucky

Kentucky lawmakers lead effort to protect white oak trees

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2024

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.

What You Need To Know

White oak trees shelter wildlife and provide the wood used to age Kentucky bourbon, but environmental advocates said action is needed to protect them

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., have introduced bipartisan legislation

It directs research, calls for pilot projects focused on the white oak and would allow for private funding of restoration efforts

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

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.

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Kentucky

Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats

Published

12 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats

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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Kentucky

Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Texas A&M at Saint Marys

Mar 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Saint Mary’s (CA) Gaels forward Paulius Murauskas (23) takes a shot during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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Kentucky

Kentucky gets some potentially good news concerning Donnie Freeman

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky gets some potentially good news concerning Donnie Freeman

Time is of the essence if you’re Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats right now. With the transfer portal set to close in just a few days, chaos reigns as programs and players scramble to secure their next opportunities. Among the fray is Kentucky, which finds itself navigating a tumultuous landscape in search of elite talent. With many of the Top 25 players already committed, the urgency for the Wildcats to land a game-changing recruit has never been more at the forefront following this season.

One of Pope’s primary targets is Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman. The 6-foot-9 rising junior made waves during his time at Syracuse, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 47.4 percent from the field last season. His potential is undeniable; many experts predict Freeman will be a future first-round NBA draft pick, making him a coveted asset for any program.

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