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Some Ky. lawmakers push to expand free meal programs

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Some Ky. lawmakers push to expand free meal programs


FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – While Kentucky lawmakers are not currently in session, that does not mean the Capitol is at a standstill.

Lawmakers are pushing to expand free meal programs to students in the upcoming session, and they say farmers will also benefit.

“We might have different ideas on how to educate and how to pay for that education, but we know that we want to feed our children, we know to educate them they need a full stomach first,” said Rep. Shawn McPherson (R-Scottsville).

Legislation to address food needs for Kentucky students, tied with the needs of Kentucky farmers, is already in the works for next year’s legislative session.

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“If you can work for the schools and for the farmers and education and tie education and the farmers together, then I think that’s just a win-win for everybody,” said Rep. McPherson.

The bipartisan legislation is being sponsored by Rep. Chad Aull (D-Lexington) and Rep. McPherson in the House of Representatives and Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville) is planning to file a similar bill in the other chamber.

“Everyone recognizes that agriculture is really important in Kentucky and anything we can do to support our small farmers is a really, really good investment of our state dollars,” said Sen. Chambers Armstrong. “Our hope is that by introducing this legislation, hopefully passing this legislation this year, we can get more folks on board and more folks excited so that when we roll out the program a year from now, everyone is really geared up and ready to take full advantage of it.”

The proposed bill looks to fill in gaps left by federal free and reduced meal programs. Schools are asked to pair up with local farmers to fill the stomachs of students, while growers harvest their treasured crops.

“We just want to give them a stable environment to say, ‘if you grow your product, we can get it from your field to their mouth’,” said Rep. McPherson.

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Since the upcoming legislative session is not a budget-passing year, sponsors of the legislation say their hope is to get the framework passed so it can be included in the state budget that will be passed in 2026.



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Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report

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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.

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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.



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

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


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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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 has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

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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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