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.

Advocates for children say Kentucky’s legislature should enact a statewide ban on the use of corporal punishment in schools.
By Sarah Ladd
Alex Young, left, a college student from Louisville and vocal opponent of corporal punishment, posed with Rep. Steven Riley, a retired educator and Republican from Glasgow, who has tried a number of times to get the legislature to ban the practice. (Photo provided)
Westerfield, an attorney, will become director of legal and government affairs for LifeSkills, a nonprofit community mental health center based in Bowling Green.
By Sarah Ladd
Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, speaks on the importance of expanding the state’s Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Program during a Nov. 7, 2024, meeting of the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary. (Kentucky Legislative Research Commission meeting)
Opponents fear misuse and privacy violations.
By Sarah Ladd
Ann Jeannette Pierce and her daughter, Caroline. (Photo provided)
A Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis official said there were 4,075 applications for dispensary licenses. In all, 48 licenses have been awarded.
By Sarah Ladd
cannabis_marijuana_seedling
One of the 36 licenses was awarded to a business that would operate in Oak Grove.
By Sarah Ladd
cannabis_marijuana_seedling
"There is no excuse for not going to work" and "never stop dreaming," says first Black woman elected to high court.
By Sarah Ladd
Judge Goodwine gives her victory speech to those in attendance at her watch party in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo by Arden Barnes
Among those drawn, one processor and two cultivators are located in Christian County.
By Sarah Ladd
cannabis plant
In 2024, a slate of bipartisan lawmakers sponsored the proposal as House Bill 569, but it failed to advance past the committee stage.
By Sarah Ladd
panel discussion
In order to be considered for an endorsement, the Kentucky Right to Life Victory PAC requires candidates to answer questions about issues important to the group and sign the survey.
By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers speaks to Speaker of the House David Osborne during the State of the Commonwealth address Jan. 3 in Frankfort. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)
The nursing home industry has pushed back against the rule, saying it couldn’t afford to comply even if enough new staff could be found amid a widespread health care workforce shortage.
By Sarah Ladd
nursing home staff helping resident
Gov. Andy Beshear also said Kentucky must have a cultural shift in how it views domestic and intimate partner violence. 
By Sarah Ladd
A list of Kentuckians who have died because of domestic violence, ranging in age from 19 to 73. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)