McKenna Horsley

McKenna Horsley covers state politics for the Kentucky Lantern. She previously worked for newspapers in Huntington, West Virginia, and Frankfort, Kentucky. She is from northeastern Kentucky.

Beshear says he’s focused on leading ‘state I love’ even as his national profile rises

Over the past year, Beshear, 47, has taken steps to raise his national profile.

By McKenna Horsley

Democratic governors pick Beshear as 2026 chair-elect

Beshear said he looked forward to working with the DGA “to continue to grow our ranks of Democratic governors in the years to come.”

By McKenna Horsley

Kentucky lawmakers get recommendations to improve community college system

KCTCS has more than 100,000 students across 16 colleges within Kentucky. Hopkinsville Community College is part of the system.

By McKenna Horsley

Kentucky Senate Republicans name committee chairs ahead of 2025 legislative session

Sen. Elect Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, will serve as vice chair of Health Services.

By McKenna Horsley

Public is still shut out of Kentucky’s legislative process, says League of Women Voters

Senate Republican Floor Leader Damon Thayer’s surprise overhaul of gambling oversight was cited as an example of "insider tactics" that undermine democracy.

By McKenna Horsley

KY will cut income tax again, but local tax reform would be more daunting, legislative leaders say

GOP leaders said tax reform at the local level would be a tall order because it would require amending Kentucky’s Constitution.

By McKenna Horsley

Kentucky lawmakers wrap up their first examination of artificial intelligence

A task force adopted 11 recommendations, including considering legislation to encourage responsible use of AI in elections.

By McKenna Horsley

Women will make up majority of Kentucky Supreme Court for first time

As of earlier this year, 17 states have female majorities on their supreme court benches, according to a recent report.

By McKenna Horsley

Early voting ‘made Election Day a lot smoother,’ says Adams, but too soon to talk expansion

By McKenna Horsley

Kentuckians say ‘no’ to public funding for private, charter schools

65% of voters rejected Amendment 2, which would have opened a path for the GOP-controlled legislature to allow public money to fund private schools.

By McKenna Horsley

Beshear calls for electing president by popular vote, says it would be better for Kentucky

Beshear said that candidates would be encouraged to campaign for votes in all states rather than just in swing states if the popular vote decided the president.

By McKenna Horsley

No-excuse early voting begins Thursday in Kentucky after surge of absentee voters last week

No-excuse early voting begins on Thursday, Oct. 31.

By McKenna Horsley