Divya Karthikeyan

Divya Karthikeyan is the Capitol Reporter at Kentucky Public Radio. Originally from Chennai, India, she’s reported for national and international outlets on politics, climate change, gender and caste inequality in India. She started out in the US as a graduate student at NYU’s Arthur .L. Carter Journalism Institute and interned at The New Republic and Gotham Gazette.

Pay and employment gaps persist, hitting Black and Hispanic workers in Kentucky

In Kentucky, recent research finds Black and Hispanic workers record lower median hourly wages than white workers.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Safer Kentucky Act, which punishes homelessness, will take effect soon

The Safer Kentucky Act, which penalizes people experiencing homelessness for camping outside, will take effect next week. Some service providers in Louisville say it’s going to make homelessness worse.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Bill targeting SNAP benefits would also impact Kentucky farmers, nonprofit says

House Bill 367, which is currently stalled in the Kentucky Senate, would make it harder for residents to qualify for SNAP benefits. An opponent says it could affect farmers’ businesses and livelihoods.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Here’s what is next for legalizing medical cannabis in Kentucky

If the proposal becomes law, it will only take effect in 2025. That gives lawmakers time to set guidelines and framework for a statewide medical cannabis program.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Kentucky lawmakers filed 8 medical marijuana bills in current session

Advocates are optimistic medical marijuana could pass this year because more conservative leaders have been open to the idea.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Rape and incest would be exceptions to Ky. abortion laws in a Republican-led bill

The proposal is the third abortion-related bill filed by Republicans so far this session, but the first to introduce new exceptions to current abortion restrictions.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Kentucky lawmaker proposes murder charges against people getting illegal abortion

Some Kentucky Republican officials spoke out against the bill after it was filed on Tuesday.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Experts ask legislators to address pregnancy-related deaths in Ky.

According to experts, 91% of maternal deaths in 2018 were "potentially preventable."

By Divya Karthikeyan

Kentucky to purge 127,000 from voter rolls

In recent years, election officials have sent out postcards to the addresses of “inactive” voters to verify if people are still eligible.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Ky. lawmakers are back in session. Here’s what’s on tap.

Other issues before legislators include legalizing medical cannabis and banning TikTok on state devices.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Bill in Kentucky legislature would require partisan races for city councils, school boards

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, a Republican from Georgetown and sponsor of the measure, said adding partisan affiliations would give voters a clearer choice.

By Divya Karthikeyan

Voting rights, CROWN Act are legislative priorities for Kentucky ACLU

Many of the proposals include policies that haven’t gotten traction in the Republican-led legislature in recent years.

By Divya Karthikeyan