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Jamie Lucke

Jamie Lucke is editor in chief of Kentucky Lantern. She has more than 40 years of experience as a journalist. Her editorials for the Lexington Herald-Leader won Walker Stone, Sigma Delta Chi and Green Eyeshade awards. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.

‘Kind and generous,’ Gurney Norman, Kentucky writer and teacher, dies at 88

Norman’s work, especially “Kinfolks,” depicted Appalachia in ways more alive and vivid than common stereotypical treatments.
By Jamie Lucke
Gurney Norman, writer and teacher, has died at 88. (University of Kentucky photo)

Price spikes set to leave thousands of Kentuckians without health insurance, advocates say

Democrats demand action now to ease health care costs. Republicans say reopen the government, then we’ll talk.
By Jamie Lucke
Health care costs. Stethoscope and calculator symbol for health care costs or medical insurance.

Transparency on the line, KY Supreme Court told in case involving public officials’ texts

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over whether public business conducted on a private device should still fall under the state’s open record laws.
By Jamie Lucke
Audience members watch from above as the Kentucky Supreme Court hears oral arguments at Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts in Danville. The justices convened at the college as part of its effort to make proceedings accessible to the public. (Administrative Office of the Courts photo)

Kentucky Republicans in Congress hail passage of bill the state’s hospitals call ‘devastating’

An independent analysis found that Kentucky will suffer the biggest hit of any state — a decline of $10 billion in Medicaid payments to rural providers over 10 years as 130,000 rural Kentuckians are expected to lose their Medicaid coverage.
By Jamie Lucke
Injection with hospital sanitary gloves on.

‘They’ll get over it,’ McConnell reportedly assures GOP colleagues about Medicaid cuts

U.S. Senate proposals would shutter some Kentucky hospitals, warns state hospital association chief.
By Jamie Lucke
Mitch McConnell

KY’s race for U.S. Senate — and Trump’s nod — are on as second Republican announces

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr joins former Attorney General Daniel Cameron in the Republican primary to succeed Mitch McConnell.
By Jamie Lucke
andy barr speaking to audience

As tariffs loom, Kentucky relies on trade more than any other state, says new study

Both of Kentucky’s U.S. senators — Republicans Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul — have broken with the Republican president to oppose his new tariffs.
By Jamie Lucke
bourbon barrels in distillery

‘No Kings on Presidents Day’: Anti-Trump protestors rally at Kentucky Capitol

The event was part of protests around the country organized by the 50501 Movement which first held anti-Trump protests in all 50 states on Feb. 5. 
By Jamie Lucke
Anti-Trump protesters gather in front of the Kentucky Capitol for the second time in two weeks as part of the 50501 movement, Feb. 17, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Jamie Lucke)

State revenue is forecast to decline as Kentucky lawmakers prepare another income tax cut

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers on Saturday said continuing to reduce the individual income tax rate — this time from  4% to 3.5% — remains the Republican supermajority’s No. 1 priority in the upcoming legislative session.
By Jamie Lucke
Restoration work at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort is ongoing. (Kentucky Today photo)

AG Coleman joins Kentucky farmers in challenging Biden protections for foreign farmworkers

A federal judge in Georgia earlier this year blocked the Biden administration from enforcing the rule in 17 other states.
By Jamie Lucke
tobacco

Commentary: You call that conservative?

The price tags on legislation  — known as fiscal notes — have largely been removed from public view, writes Kentucky Lantern editor Jamie Lucke.
By Jamie Lucke
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers speaks to Speaker of the House David Osborne during the State of the Commonwealth address in Frankfort, Ky., on January 3, 2024. Photo by Arden Barnes

On the trail of J.D. Vance’s Kentucky mountain roots

Family ties bind former Donald Trump's running mate to a region where feelings about him are mixed.
By Jamie Lucke
The family cemetery in Breathitt County where J.D. Vance’s grandparents and other ancestors were laid to rest, a place he evoked in a recent speech. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Kevin Nance)
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