Sarah Ladd

Sarah Ladd is a Louisville-based journalist and Kentuckian. She has covered everything from crime to higher education. In 2020, she started reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and has covered health ever since.

The federal-state Medicaid program pays for almost 1 in 3 Kentuckians’ health care.
By Sarah Ladd
From left, journalist Deborah Yetter, Jim Waters of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions and Emily Beauregard of Kentucky Voices for Health discuss Medicaid during a gathering of the Louisville Forum, May 15, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)
Former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is fighting a federal jury’s decision that she should pay $100,000 to a couple she denied a marriage license in 2015. But her lawyers also want the case to result in same-sex marriage rights being revoked. 
By Sarah Ladd
Panorama of the west facade of United States Supreme Court Building at dusk in Washington, D.C., USA. (Photo by Joe Ravi | CC-BY-SA 3.0)
The lawsuit challenges U.S. Department of Defense policies that led to schools at Fort Campbell and other military bases removing books about slavery and civil rights.
By Sarah Ladd
pentagon
The First Amendment rights of students at Department of Defense schools are being violated by removal of library books about Black history, alleges the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others.
By Sarah Ladd
library shelves feature
Christian County is among the at least 70 counties that have declared states of emergency following the storms.
By Sarah Ladd
bowling green park flooded
Areas that have flooded over the last four days — areas around Frankfort, Louisville, Paducah and Hopkinsville — are forecast to hit 32 degrees and below overnight Monday, accordiang to the National Weather Service. 
By Sarah Ladd
Homes and a car are partially submerged by the rising Kentucky River. April 6, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)
‘All water poses risk right now,’ warns governor
By Sarah Ladd
Rain obscures the view through a car windshield on South Main Street in Hopkinsville. (Hoptown Chronicle photo by Jennifer P. Brown)
Gov. Andy Beshear joined Democratic lawmakers in calling for more transparency in the legislative process.
By Sarah Ladd
Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise of Campbellsville and Senate President Robert Stivers of Manchester confer on the next to last day of the 2025 legislative session. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)
The Republican-controlled General Assembly can override Democrat Beshear’s veto when lawmakers return to Frankfort Thursday and Friday following the veto period. 
By Sarah Ladd
beshear at capitol
In a week of head spinning alterations to legislation, surprises continued Thursday, the 27th day of the 30-day session.
By Sarah Ladd
Jason Nemes
The ombudsman’s job is to investigate and resolve complaints about agencies in the cabinet, including protective services for children and elderly Kentuckians.
By Sarah Ladd
From left, Auditor Allison Ball, Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, and Lorran Hart Ferguson, the auditor’s chief of staff, address legislative committee, Feb. 27, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)
The bill easily passed, 11-4, the House Health Services Committee on Thursday mostly along party lines after six Kentucky health care professionals testified against it. 
By Sarah Ladd
Dr. Cristina Perez, a pediatric dentist and the pediatric dental program director at the University of Kentucky, testifies on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, via Zoom in support of water fluoridation and against House Bill 16. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)