Kentucky

What bills has Beshear vetoed? Conversion therapy, DEI measures make the list

Published

12 months ago

March 24, 2025

What bills has Beshear vetoed? Conversion therapy, DEI measures make the list

The 2025 Kentucky legislative session is its final stretch — with more than 100 bills sent to Gov. Andy Beshear for approval.

The session entered a veto period on March 15, during which Beshear can sign bills into law, veto them or let them become law without his signature.

Wednesday marks the last day for Beshear to make his decisions. Lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Thursday and Friday for the final two days of the session.

The General Assembly is dominated by Republicans, and state legislators will likely override Beshear’s vetoes — putting their bills into law with or without an OK from the Democratic governor.

Here’s are the bills Beshear has vetoed so far.

House Bill 495: Overturning conversion therapy ban

In a social media post late Saturday, Beshear said he vetoed a measure that would nullify an executive order on conversion therapy that he issued last year.

“Conversion therapy is torture, and that’s why I signed an executive order banning it in Kentucky,” Beshear said in the post on X, formerly Twitter. “Legislators seek to overturn those protections with HB 495, which I vetoed at the Fairness Dinner.”

House Bill 495 was amended just before it received final approval to also prohibit transgender Kentuckians from receiving gender-affirming care through Medicaid.

The bill passed both chambers with widespread support from Republicans and strong opposition from Democrats.

According to HB 495, sponsored by Republican Rep. David Hale, Medicaid funds can not be expended on:

“Cross-sex hormones in amounts greater than would normally be produced endogenously in a healthy person of the same age and sex.”
“Gender reassignment surgery to alter or remove physical or anatomical characteristics or features that are typical for and characteristics of a person’s biological sex.”

House Bill 4: DEI ban at colleges and universities

Last week, Beshear vetoed a measure that bans diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Kentucky public colleges and universities.

He said in a social media post that the bill “isn’t about love” but instead “is about hate.”

HB 4, sponsored by Republican Rep. Jennifer Decker, prohibits Kentucky colleges and universities from spending money on DEI programs. The measure also requires schools to eliminate all DEI offices and positions and prohibits them from requiring students or staff to attend DEI training sessions, among other things.

The bill has some exceptions, including for Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX requirements. It defines DEI initiatives as policies, practices or procedures “designed or implemented to promote or provide differential treatment or benefits to individuals on the basis of religion, race, sex, color, or national origin.”

Beshear has defended DEI measures in the past and said Kentucky “should be embracing diversity, not banning it” when he announced his veto.

House Bill 216: Department of Agriculture grants

House Bill 216, sponsored by Republican Rep. Myron Dossett, would let Department of Agriculture employees apply for and receive grants and loans run by the department through the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy’s Agricultural Development Board or Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation.

In Beshear’s veto message, he said the measure allows conduct that “always has been unethical and unlawful under the Executive Branch’s Ethics Code.”

He cited two advisory opinions issued to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, where the Executive Branch Ethics Commission confirmed the state’s laws prohibit executive branch employees from accepting grants from programs “run by the agency they work for.”

“As written, House Bill 216 would even allow employees who work directly on the grant and loan programs to select themselves,” Beshear said. “This puts farmers who are not department employees at an unfair disadvantage when competing with department employees for grants and loans.”

Senate Bill 245: Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission

Under Senate Bill 245, members who are reappointed to the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission would not be able to serve unless they receive Senate confirmation.

According to the bill’s language, “a member whose reappointment is not confirmed by the Senate while it is in session shall vacate his or her seat upon the date of sine die adjournment of the session in which the confirmation was declined.”

SB 245 was sponsored by Republican Sen. Brandon Smith.

Under current law, only new appointments from Beshear are subject to Senate confirmation. In his veto message, Beshear said the Senate has “refused to confirm seven members whom the sportsmen and sportswomen have nominated” the past four legislative sessions. He also pointed out the Senate still has to confirm the reappointment of the “first ever Black member of the commission.”

“The bill and the Senate’s refusal to confirm creates a scenario where there could be multiple vacancies on the Commission at one time, while the part-time General Assembly is out of session (most of the year), threatening the Commission’s ability to fill its quorum,” Beshear said in his veto message.

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.

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Kentucky

Game time set for Iowa State vs. Kentucky in March Madness second round

Published

28 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Game time set for Iowa State vs. Kentucky in March Madness second round

Iowa State men’s basketball will play Kentucky in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, on Sunday, March 22.

The No. 2-seed Cyclones (28-7) are coming off a 108-74 win over Tennessee State. The No. 7-seed Wildcats (22-13) are coming off a thrilling 89-84 win over No. 10-seed Santa Clara, which featured a buzzer-beating logo 3-pointer by Kentucky to send the game into overtime.

Check below for the need-to-know game information for Iowa State’s first-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament:

Buy Iowa State NCAA tournament tickets vs. Kentucky

When is Iowa State vs. Kentucky in Men’s March Madness?

Date: Sunday, March 22
Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri

What time does Iowa State play Kentucky in 2026 NCAA tournament?

Time: approximately 1:45 p.m. CT

What channel is Iowa State vs Kentucky in March Madness?

TV: CBS
Stream: FUBO (free trial)
Can’t watch? We’ll have live updates on DesMoinesRegister.com

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Kentucky

Kentucky basketball vs Iowa State prediction, pick for NCAA game

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky basketball vs Iowa State prediction, pick for NCAA game

Kentucky basketball will face Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament second round after both teams earned victories Friday in St. Louis.
Iowa State dominated Tennessee State after UK escaped Santa Clara in overtime, but Cyclones star Joshua Jefferson left the game with an injury.
Who has the edge with a Sweet 16 berth on the line? Here’s our prediction.

ST. LOUIS — Kentucky basketball survived. And advanced.

Thanks to its 89-84 overtime victory over Santa Clara on Friday, UK sealed a spot in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

But the challenge for coach Mark Pope and the Wildcats is about to get considerably tougher.

The next opponent for seventh-seeded Kentucky (22-13) is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, Iowa State. The Cyclones had far less drama in their first-round matchup than the Cats. Iowa State trounced Tennesseee State, 108-74, in the game immediately following UK/Santa Clara at the Enterprise Center.

The Cyclones are one of the country’s best teams. They enter Sunday’s matchup 28-7 in 2025-26. ISU went 12-6 in the Big 12 during the regular season. Its conference tournament ended in agonizing fashion, however, falling at the buzzer to Arizona in the semifinals.

The winner of Sunday’s game between UK and ISU will clinch a spot in the Sweet 16. And pack their bags for Chicago, where the Midwest Region’s Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games will be contested next week at the United Center.

Watch Kentucky vs. Iowa State on Fubo (free trial)

Here’s what to know about Kentucky’s second-round battle against Iowa State:

The Cyclones began the 2025-26 campaign 16-0. Not only was that the program’s best-ever start to a season, but it doubled as the longest win streak in school history. Iowa State also notched 25 wins prior to the postseason for only the third time in the program’s annals.

But if the Cyclones are to set a single-season school standard for wins, they’ll need to win out. The current record holder is the 1999-2000 club, which had 32 wins. To reach 33, Iowa State must win the national championship.

In just five seasons at the helm, T.J. Otzelberger has carved out plenty of space for himself in Iowa State’s record book.

He enters today with an overall record of 123-52. That’s the most wins for any ISU coach in the first five seasons of a tenure. Otzelberger was the quickest in program history to 100 victories, needing only 145 games. He also holds the Cylcones’ mark for wins over Associated Press top-25 foes (30).

His overall winning percentage (.714), conference winning percentage (.587) and home winning percentage (.874) also are No. 1 among Iowa State coaches. And Otzelberger’s six NCAA Tournament wins are two more than any other coaches the Cyclones have had.

He’s fourth on the school’s all-time wins list, trailing Johnny Orr (218), Louis Menze (166) and Glen Anderson (142).

It’s a safe bet that if Otzelberger stays in Ames, Iowa, long enough, he’ll also be atop that list in the future.

Joshua Jefferson is averaging 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.9 and 1.7 steals per game this season. That’s a stat line no Big 12 player ever has averaged in a single campaign. And, per the Cyclones’ official game notes, only five players in Division I history have done so since steals began being tracked in 1974-75. It’s a list that includes Larry Bird and Penny Hardaway.

But Jefferson’s status for Sunday is unclear.

He injured his left ankle in the first half of Friday’s rout and did not return. Jefferson made it to the team’s bench in the second half using crutches, with a boot on his left foot.

If he’s unable to take the floor Sunday, other Cyclones will have to step up.

Two of his teammates fit the bill.

Forward Milan Momcilovic is arguably the deadliest 3-point shooter in college hoops. He already has Iowa State’s single-season mark in that category, with 130 entering Sunday. Prior to Friday’s games, his 127 were tied for first nationally alongside Samford’s Jadin Booth.

More remarkably, his volume hasn’t adversely affected his accuracy. At 49.6% on the season, he also paces Division I in that category.

In the backcourt, senior guard Tamin Lipsey averages 13.3 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per outing. He’s among the top 20 in the country in both assist-to-turnover ratio and steals per game.

If that’s not enough, he’s also the Cyclones’ career leader in steals (308) and games started (135).

Buy Kentucky NCAA Tournament tickets vs. Iowa State

Iowa State 71, Kentucky 68: With a healthy Joshua Jefferson, the Cyclones likely would be close to a double-digit favorite. But if he’s hobbled, that hurts Iowa State. And if he’s not able to play at all, that’s even tougher. Yet it’s not as if the Wildcats don’t have injury issues of their own. Starting point guard Jaland Lowe has been out since January. And forward Jayden Quaintance would need a miracle to be cleared Sunday.

Kentucky used up more energy — physically (going to OT) and emotionally (barely keeping its season alive) — than Iowa State.

It’ll be a bare-knuckled fight Sunday.

But Iowa State will eke out a narrow victory to bring down the curtains on Kentucky’s second season under Mark Pope.

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

Who are Northern Kentucky’s returning boys, girls tennis qualifiers?

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

Press Room

Who are Northern Kentucky’s returning boys, girls tennis qualifiers?

The boys and girls tennis season for the Kentucky High School Athletic Association is underway and several players who made postseason runs, including a state champion, are back on the court for 2026.

To get back into the action, take a refresher and read about the returning Northern Kentucky tennis players who reached the 2025 KHSAA state tournament singles and doubles.

Note: Some doubles teams from 2025 are grouped together if both returned in 2026. They may not necessarily be doubles partners again this season.

Northern Kentucky boys tennis returning state qualifiers

Shayaan Ahmad, Villa Madonna

Ahmad was the runner-up in the Ninth Region tournament, retiring in the second set to Covington Catholic’s Alex Yeager, who would win the KHSAA state title. Ahmad reached the Round of 16 in the state tournament.

Blake Hussey, Covington Catholic

The junior has had postseason success as both a singles player as a freshman and last year in doubles when he teamed with Kalei Christensen to win the doubles state championship.

Jacob Kramer/Will Tribble, Covington Catholic

These sophomores paired for doubles competition last season, finishing as regional runner-up to their state-champion teammates. At the state tournament, they reached the semifinals.

Finley Mackay, Walton-Verona

A freshman for Walton-Verona this season, Mackay made the KHSAA state tournament as an eighth-grader last season, winning his opening match. In the Eighth Region tournament, Mackay reached the finals and finished as runner-up to North Oldham’s Samuel Gurevich.

Colin McClure, Dixie Heights

McClure reached the state tournament in doubles for the second time last year with now-graduated partner Griffen Derry. The pair reached the semifinals in the Ninth Region tournament and the Round of 16 at state, where they fell to the state champions from Covington Catholic.

Neel Reddy, Beechwood

Reddy qualified for the KHSAA state tournament last season in singles after finishing as a semifinalist in the Ninth Region tournament. He won his first two matches at the state tournament before falling in the Round of 16.

Navneeth Selvaraju, Ryle

Ryle’s Selvaraju, as a junior last year, was a semifinalist in the Ninth Region tournament, qualifying for state. In the state tournament, Selvaraju reached the third round with a win coming against Walton-Verona’s Finley Mackay in round two.

Cameron Wells/Christopher Wells, Campbell County

Now seniors, the Wells boys were finalists in the 10th Region tournament to qualify for the KHSAA state meet in 2025.

Northern Kentucky girls tennis returning state qualifiers

Gabrielle Browning, Simon Kenton

Browning was teamed up with Hope Dupin for doubles in the postseason last year. Browning returns after being a semifinalist in the Eighth Region and winning the state tournament opener to reach the Round of 32.

Malia Christensen/Isabella McElwee, Notre Dame

The Panda pair were just sophomores last season when they finished as Ninth Region semifinalists, qualifying for the KHSAA state tournament. At state, Christensen and McElwee got as far as the Round of 16.

Annika Derks, Simon Kenton

Derks, now a senior, reached the state tournament last year in a doubles grouping with the since-graduated Natalie Lukey. The pair qualified for state by reaching the semifinals of the Eighth Region tournament.

Cassidy Derry/Isabella Norvell, Dixie Heights

Derry, a junior, and Norvell, a senior, were doubles partners last year when they finished as Ninth Region runners-up before the state tournament, where they went 1-1.

Kayla Johnson, Cooper

Last season, Johnson repeated as the Ninth Region singles champion, beating Beechwood’s Sadie Jones in the finals. In the state tournament, she won her first two matches before falling 6-2, 6-2 in the Round of 16 to eventual state champion Sydney Zakic of Scott County.

Avery Love/Niveditha Selvaraju, Ryle

Love was a junior last year and Selvaraju, just an eighth-grader, when the pair prevailed as Ninth Region champions, beating Derry and Norvell of Dixie Heights 6-2, 6-1 in the finals. They won their opening two rounds at state before falling 6-4, 7-6 (12-10) in a hard-fought Round of 16 match.

Kaylin Lovell, Scott

Lovell was a junior in 2025 when she reached the finals of the 10th Region tourney where she was the runner-up after a 6-4, 6-1 match. She won her first match at the state tournament before exiting in the Round of 32.

Rylee Ritter, Campbell County

Ritter was a semifinalist in the 10th Region tournament in 2025, falling to the regional winner, Aysha Garza of Bourbon County. Ritter battled in her state opener before falling 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4).

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