Kentucky

‘Racism is alive and well’: 4 takeaways from a discussion on civil rights in Kentucky

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

‘Racism is alive and well’: 4 takeaways from a discussion on civil rights in Kentucky

Kentucky has come a long way since 10,000 people marched to the state capitol in 1964, demanding an end to segregation at businesses statewide. But 60 years later, the struggle against racism is still alive and well.

That was the theme that emerged during a panel discussion Thursday, where several people involved in the historic March on Frankfort reflected on the event and what it means to keep fighting discrimination in 2024.

The discussion was part of the Frazier History Museum’s Bridging the Divide Series, in partnership with the Courier Journal and Louisville’s Office of Equity.

Below are a few highlights from the conversation − available to watch in full on the CJ’s YouTube page.

March on Frankfort had a rippling effect

The March on Frankfort − led by Martin Luther King Jr. and retired baseball player Jackie Robinson − was organized as a call to action for state lawmakers who were debating two civil rights bills proposed in the house and senate.

The bills would have made it illegal for businesses and other public accommodations to discriminate against Black people. And while neither won approval in 1964, the march set the stage for the passage of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act in 1966.

The passage made Kentucky the first southern state to institute such a bill, and it also gave teeth to the state’s commission on human rights, which until that point did not have legal authority to rule on complaints of discrimination, said John J. Johnson, who served as executive director of the commission for 13 years.

Today, the commission investigates discrimination complaints for all protected classes, including age, sex, religion and disability.

“All of that would have never been in place had it not been for the march in 1964,” Johnson said.

No national figure has replaced Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1964, King was the drawing power for thousands of Kentuckians who wanted to hear the acclaimed activist speak. But 60 years later, no one person wields the same influence in the ongoing fight for racial justice, several panelists said.

“There is no one to compare with Martin Luther King, who could galvanize the whole civil rights movement around him,” said Raoul Cunningham, president of the Louisville Branch NAACP.

Johnson said many individuals and groups continue to work to improve the lives of Black people, however. And the question now is “are we supporting them?”

“We can talk about how Martin King is not with us, but what stops me from doing what I can, doing my part?” he said.

Kentucky, U.S. are in a time of ‘reaction’

Throughout history, every positive step toward reducing racial inequalities has been followed by a negative reaction, said Sen. Gerald Neal, a member of the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus.

And following the racial justice protests of 2020, the U.S. and Kentucky are now “in a period of reaction.”

“A sophisticated reaction. A targeted and intentional reaction,” Neal said, referencing several proposed state bills filed by Republican lawmakers that could have harmful repercussions for Black residents.

“You’ll find interaction between the same players on these bills,” he said. “It’s very intentional. And what’s happening toward Louisville is part of that. … Racism is alive and well.”

Education is important to overcome discrimination

Chaka Cummings, executive director of the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky, said more discussions like Thursday’s panel are needed to honor Black heritage and to show people that anyone can help make a change.

“There’s a lot of Black legacy in this state, and that doesn’t always get explored in classrooms the way that it should be explored,” he said.

Lamont Collins, founder of the Roots 101 African American Museum, added that Black history is American history, and “it should not be taught 28 days a year.”

“What would it mean for a young Black boy to hear that he’s the descendent of kings and queens, that his history forged philosophy, mathematics, science,” Collins said. “Would he not walk different? Would he not talk different? That’s why history is so important.”

Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore.

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Kentucky

Boar’s Head, Locatelli brand items sold in Kentucky recalled over listeria risk

Published

8 hours ago

November 26, 2025

Press Room

A third-party manufacturer, The Ambriola Company, has recalled some pecorino romano cheese products over listeria concerns.
The recall affects certain cheese items sold under the Boar’s Head and Locatelli brands.
Affected Boar’s Head products were sold at Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana, while Locatelli items were sold at retailers including Big Y, Sprouts, and Wegmans.
No illnesses have been reported, and consumers are advised to dispose of the recalled products.

A third-party manufacturer that distributes some products under brands including Boar’s Head and Locatelli has recalled cheese items sold in some states, including Kentucky, over concerns of possible listeria contamination.

The Ambriola Company issued a recall for some of its pecorino romano cheese products, including two produced under the Boar’s Head brand, according to a Nov. 24 recall notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Another pecorino romano grated cheese product manufactured by the Ambriola Company and sold under the brand Locatelli was also recalled, according to retailers Big Y, Sprouts and Wegmans. The FDA has not yet issued a notice for that product.

The two products labeled under Boar’s Head that may contain the recalled cheese include pre-packaged deli salads and wraps sold at some Kroger grocery stores, the recall notice said.

The affected items may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria commonly known as listeria. No illnesses or consumer complaints have been reported, the notice said.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Boar’s Head said it is “committed to delivering safe, high-quality foods that consumers can enjoy with confidence.”

“Boar’s Head took immediate action to halt the purchase of these products from The Ambriola Company, notify retail partners and ensure that the affected products are being removed from distribution nationally,” the statement said.

USA TODAY has reached out to The Ambriola Company and Locatelli for comment. Here’s what to know about the recall:

The recalled Boar’s Head-branded items, which include a six-ounce container of pecorino romano cheese and two pre-packaged products containing pecorino romano cheese, were sold at Kroger stores in Kentucky and Indiana, according to the recall notice.

The recalled items can be identified by their barcode number, known as the barcode UPC, or their best by date:

Boar’s Head Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese – 6 oz container
- Case UPC: 042421-05858
- Sell-by Dates: 11/21/25-3/12/26
EverRoast Chicken Caesar Salad (contains grated pecorino romano cheese)
- Barcode UPC: 850042244142
- Best by date: 11/9/2025-11/22/2025
EverRoast Chicken Caesar Wrap (contains grated pecorino romano cheese)
- Barcode UPC: 85004224455
- Best by date: 11/9/2025-11/22/2025

Out of an abundance of caution, Boar’s Head also withdrew its other cheese product supplied through Ambriola Company, although it’s not part of the recall, the notice said.

Pre-cut Pecorino Romano
- Item Code: 15160
- Case UPC: 042421-15160
- Sell-by dates: 11/25/25-5/11/26

The impacted Locatelli products are containers of grated pecorino romano cheese, according to Big Y, Sprouts and Wegmans. It’s unclear whether the impacted products were also sold to other retailers.

Big Y:
- UPC: 41793-82493
- Size: 8-ounce container
- All sell-by dates
Wegmans:
- UPC: 2-77580-XXXXX-7
- Any product sold from 11/14/25 and 11/22/25
Sprouts:
- UPC: 0-41793-41292-2
- Size: 4-ounce container
- Sell-by dates 05/03/2026, 05/10/2026

What to do with recalled Locatelli, Boar’s Head-branded cheese products

Anyone who has one of the recalled products should dispose of it and not consume it.

For questions, contact Ambriola Company at info@ambriola.com.

New recall comes after deadly 2024 Boar’s Head listeria outbreak

While the products in this latest recall were manufactured by Ambriola and not Boar’s Head, the Boar’s Head brand was involved in a deadly listeria outbreak in 2024 linked to its deli meats.

The 2024 outbreak sickened 61 people across 19 states, resulting in 60 hospitalizations and 10 deaths, though it is likely the actual number of sicknesses was higher.

Boar’s Head’s Nov. 25 statement to USA TODAY emphasized that the latest recall is an isolated incident related to The Ambriola Company and no other Boar’s Head products manufactured at any other facilities are impacted by this recall.

“This supplier produces several products for a variety of different companies and brands, including Boar’s Head,” the statement said.

Listeria is a type of bacteria spread through food that can cause serious infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms of listeria infections depend on the person, but can include:

Fever
Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue
Headache
Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Seizures

Infections are more likely to harm pregnant women, newborns, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Listeria is the third leading cause of foodborne illness death in the United States, according to the CDC.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Kentucky

Kentucky man accepts plea deal in baby’s death

Published

1 day ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Kentucky man accepts plea deal in baby’s death

BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – A judge has accepted a plea deal for an Eastern Kentucky man who was indicted in connection with the death of a baby.

Harvey Gollahan was charged with murder and three counts of first degree criminal abuse for the July 2023 death of 17-month-old Elena Hembree.

According to WRIL, Gollahan pleaded guilty to three lesser charges of second degree criminal abuse and his murder charge was dismissed.

Gollahan was sentenced to five years for each of those counts, which will run consecutive to one another.

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Kentucky

Kentucky VB Tops Tennessee 3-1, Advances to SEC Final

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Kentucky VB Tops Tennessee 3-1, Advances to SEC Final

In a heated SEC Tournament semifinal in Savannah, Georgia, No. 1 seed Kentucky volleyball took down No. 4 seed Tennessee once again 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-23) to advance to the championship match and play for yet another SEC title.

Kentucky’s win was strung together behind several standout performances across the board. Brooklyn DeLeye led her team with a match-high 22 kills on .370 hitting and 10 digs, while Eva Hudson posted 18 kills, four digs, and three monster blocks. On the frontline, Lizzie Carr had one of her best outings of the season, tallying nine kills on .364 hitting and a team-leading five blocks, and setter Kassie O’Brien orchestrated the offense with 46 assists, eight digs, and three blocks. Anchoring the defence was Molly Tuozzo with an outstanding performance, posting a career-high 25 digs to help her team seal the deal. Off the bench, Jordyn Dailey provided a spark with four kills and two blocks, while Brooke Bultema added three kills and two blocks to assist their team in their all-around complete performance.

Kentucky opened the first set with Hudson swinging confidently, keeping the Cats in it through ties at five, eight, and 11 as O’Brien directed traffic with poise. However, after 10 ties and numerous lead changes midway through the set, Tennessee finally sparked a 4-0 run to take a 14-11 lead. The Cats answered with their own 4-0 run, though, forcing the Vols to regroup before momentum switched once again. A service error by Tuozzo led Tennessee’s defense to step up, help their frontline catch fire and tally back-to-back blocks on DeLeye. Another 5-0 surge by the Lady Vols pushed their lead to 23-18, forcing another Kentucky timeout as the Cats couldn’t find a rhythm. A late 2-0 push from the Wildcats forced a Tennessee timeout at 24-20, but the Vols closed the opening set to take it 25-20.

The second set swung in both directions before Kentucky managed to grasp some control. After Tennessee held an early 4-3 lead followed by a tie at five, a huge dig by Carr and a pair of monster kills from Hudson ignited a 4-0 run from the Cats to take a 10-7 lead, forcing a Vols’ timeout. Carr kept the energy high with a thunderous kill to make it 12-9, but Tennessee strung together a 3-0 run to pull within one, prompting a Cats timeout at 17-16. From there, Kentucky caught fire behind a massive dig from Berezowitz, sparking a 5-0 run to stretch their lead to 22-17 before DeLeye hammered home an explosive kill followed by a huge block from Carr. Tennessee answered with a 3-0 run to force a Kentucky timeout, but a service error by the Vols led Kentucky to take it 25-22, evening the match at one apiece.

The Cats’ trademark volleyball finally roared back to life in the third set, sparked by DeLeye finding every seam on the court. After a 2-1 Vols lead, a long rally kept alive by a tough Berezowitz dig ended by Hudson with a huge kill tied it at three, and Deleye followed with back-to-back perfect placement kills. A 6-1 Wildcats run helped them stretch their lead to 10-6, forcing a Tennessee timeout. DeLeye added a huge dig to fire up the Cats, sparking a 16-9 burst, followed by a powerful Carr block as Kentucky’s backcourt defence caught fire. Another timeout from Tennessee at 17-10 didn’t stop the Cats’ momentum, with Dailey delivering a monster kill followed by a huge block to stretch the lead to 23-14. Another Vols service error closed the set in favour of Kentucky 25-15, with the Cats completely dominating the third set in the Wildcats’ true brand of volleyball.

Kentucky came out full steam ahead in the fourth set, with Hudson scorching the floor from the start and Carr stuffing a monster block to take a 6-2 lead. DeLeye and Hudson continued to throw punches, and an ace by Ward helped the Wildcats push their lead to 11-7. However, Tennessee answered with a 4-0 surge to tie it at 11, grabbing momentum to take a 13-12 advantage as the Wildcats struggled with errors. The Vols rode that energy to a 19-16 lead, forcing Kentucky to call a timeout after yet another 3-0 run. After the break, the Cats rallied behind two monster kills from Bultema and a perfectly placed kill from DeLeye to tie it once again at 19, causing a Vols timeout and flipping the pressure back to them. A tough set from Tuozzo led to a huge kill by DeLeye to push the Cats ahead 22-21 before Hudson set up match point with back-to-back bombs. Hudson sealed it with one final kill, and Kentucky took the set 25-23, capturing the match 3-1 to send them to the SEC Tournament Championship.

The Cats take the court once again, less than 24 hours later, at 7:00 p.m. ET in Savannah, Georgia where they will face the winner of No. 2 Texas A&M vs. No. 3 Texas.

Kentucky carries all the momentum heading into the SEC Tournament title game. The Wildcats once again proved why they are one of the nation’s most elite teams, combining lockdown defense, powerful hitting, and perfect execution down the stretch to stay perfect in SEC play. All eyes will be on the Cats Tuesday night as they look to finish their SEC Tournament run with another championship.

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