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.
A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.
After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.
When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.
With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.
As for the Aggies, the only name on the report is Mackenzie Mgbako, a one-time Kentucky target who remains out for the season after undergoing foot surgery. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMilan said today that Mgbako will return next season, which would be a big boost for the Aggies before the offseason begins.
Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report
COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.
Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.
“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”
The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)
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Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.
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