Regional & State Archives

Republicans chide Democrats for ‘skipping’ Fancy Farm picnic due to COVID-19

by Ryland Barton
August 7, 2021

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman declined their invitations to Fancy Farm this year because the coronavirus delta variant is surging across the state and nation.

Legislation targets lawsuits that are used to silence critics

by Ryland Barton
August 6, 2021

Free speech advocates say wealthy companies and individuals use what’s called a strategic lawsuit against public participation, or SLAPP, to retaliate against people or organizations that criticize them.

Executives with 11 hospital groups in Kentucky back mandatory vaccines for their health care workers

by Jennifer P. Brown
August 5, 2021

A spokesman for Jennie Stuart Health said the local hospital does not have a policy requiring its health care workers to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Kentucky labor force lagging as delta variant surges

by Ryland Barton
August 5, 2021

During the pandemic, the number of people who have dropped out of the labor force increased across the state and nation.

Western Kentucky cinemas rebound with summer showings

by Dustin Wilcox
August 4, 2021

With many studios opting to delay the release of films during the pandemic, venues like WK Cinemas in Hopkinsville compensated for the lack of new films by showing classic movies. During this “rough period” patronage at the local cinema dropped about 90%.

A health care giant sold off dozens of hospitals — but continued suing patients

by Blake Farmer
August 3, 2021

After striking a deal to be sold, Tennova Healthcare-Lebanon sued more than 1,000 patients over the past two years, a WPLN News investigation found. Many of the suits were filed during the pandemic.

As federal eviction moratorium ends, financial assistance available to Kentucky tenants, landlords

by Dustin Wilcox
August 3, 2021

As the federal eviction moratorium expires, regional and state officials are highlighting resources available for tenants and landlords.

Kentucky hospitals seeing more COVID-19 cases, and more of them in younger people

by Kentucky Health News
August 2, 2021

On June 28, Kentucky hospitals reported 169 patients with COVID-19. On July 30, they reported 625. Hospitalizations began a steep increase on July 15, and are doubling about every 12 days.

State transportation official says federal infrastructure measure a big help but not the final answer

by Stu Johnson
August 2, 2021

Although the exact dollar benefit to Kentucky through the infrastructure bill is not clear, Deputy Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock noted it would help speed up construction.

Western Kentucky hospitals see uptick in COVID-19 positivity, hospitalizations

by Dustin Wilcox
July 31, 2021

The increase comes as the delta variant spreads across the region and western Kentucky counties report increasing incidence rates of the virus.

Beshear calls for universal masking in schools following CDC guidance

by Melissa Patrick
July 30, 2021

Beshear suggested that school districts could be liable for sickness and death if they don't follow CDC guidance that is based on research showing that vaccinated people can acquire the virus and spread it without having symptoms.

McConnell will use campaign funds to run pro-vaccine ads

by Al Cross
July 28, 2021

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell will use funds from his campaign to run pro-vaccine advertisements on more than 100 radio stations in Kentucky, where just 52% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.