Government

Pick a random bill filed in the General Assembly this year, and there’s more than a one in 10 chance the original version would be devoid of meaningful content. They’re called shell bills and here’s why Kentucky lawmakers use them so much.

A Kentucky Senate committee has approved a bill allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed firearms with provisional licenses.

The budget approved by the Senate became publicly available on the legislature’s website just hours before the vote.

Rep. TJ Roberts, R-Burlington, sponsor of House Bill 78, told lawmakers that “criminals should be held liable for their actions — not manufacturers, not sellers who had no clue that someone was going to act that way.”

At the Christian County Jail, 104 detainees were being held as of Feb. 5, according to ICE data.

The meeting on March 31 will outline how residents can apply to acquire vacant lots next to their property.

Supporters say the move protects sensitive utility data, but critics warn could allow taxpayer-funded work to be conducted in secrecy.

Decisions will require "exhaustive negotiation" with the Senate, according to the state House speaker.

Any nonprofit organization that plans to apply for one of the city grants must attend an informational meeting on either March 23 or 30.

Kentucky election officials are asking a federal judge to dismiss a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit seeking access to sensitive voter registration data, arguing the request exceeds federal authority and threatens the privacy of millions of voters.

Residents can share their priorities with the mayor at a city hall meeting on March 16.

The bill would allow judicial candidates to disclose their political parties and federal officials, like Rand Paul, to run for Congress and president.