Opinion

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently put its stamp of approval on Kentucky’s legislative ethics law, sending a clear signal for strong public ethics laws across the nation. Kentucky’s ethics law was challenged in a lawsuit filed by John Schickel, a state senator from Boone County. In his lawsuit, Schickel claimed he has a right under the U.S. Constitution to accept lobbyist-funded meals, beverages, and campaign contributions, all of which are prohibited by Kentucky’s ethics law, enacted 26 years ago in the wake of the BOPTROT scandal. Schickel lost his lawsuit in a unanimous decision by a panel of judges appointed by Presidents G.W. Bush, Carter, and Trump. The...

Last week, the News Journal reported the Whitley County Health Department has given out 90,481 “clean” (unused) needles since its needle exchange program began in January 2017. That’s 2.4 needles per man, woman and child living in Whitley County, or 9.9 per person over the age of 18, based on Census data. According to the article, the health department gave out 12,696 needles more than it received. A central point repeated by public officials prior to approving the program was that it would eventually become a one-for-one ratio. What’s disturbing is that a Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services document describes “operating principles” as being “Strict One-for-One,” “Needs Based...

I joined my fellow members of the House in passing several good, meaningful pieces of legislation this week, aimed at improving the quality of life for all Kentuckians. This is our last full week of this legislative session, with only eight legislative days left in the 2019 Regular Session. SB 1 is a profound step toward both securing our schools and strengthening our students was a priority in both chambers this session. This legislation is a bold step forward in tackling an issue brought to light by last year’s shooting at Marshall County High School, a tragedy that rocked our commonwealth. The death of two young children highlighted the need...

Citizens mired in apathy. International money and foreign agents influencing domestic politics. Americans ensconced in a bubble of prosperity and isolationism, unconcerned about other nations. Greed and self-interest dividing us, damaging our reputation abroad and superseding a love of country. Sound familiar? Although these charges could appear in today’s headlines, a Kentucky newspaper editor wrote about them a century ago. The editor, Henry Watterson of the Louisville Courier-Journal, used these themes to urge Americans to support the nation’s involvement in the First World War. In doing so, he won the Pulitzer Prize. A former Confederate soldier and the son of a U.S. Congressman, Watterson worked in Ohio and Tennessee before taking over the...

In his book, which has received the Thomas D. Clark Medallion for highlighting Kentucky history and culture, Taylor gives both a personal and historical account oflife on Elkhorn Creek – one of the state’s longest creeks that has for many years remained as a top destination for kayakers, anglers and nature enthusiasts of all sorts. Taylor’s fascination with the area began when he and his wife, Lizz, purchased what is now known as the Giltner-Holt house in the mid-1970s after Taylor took a teaching job at Kentucky State University. As work began on restoring the old home, now part of the National Register of Historic Places, he began to learn...

Suicide has been in the media a lot recently and affects all of us in some way. One person dies by suicide every eleven hours in Kentucky, according to data from the Center for Disease Control. This is three times the rate of people dying by homicide in the state. Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death overall in Kentucky and the state falls eleventh highest in suicides in the nation. In Kentucky, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14, the fourth leading cause of death for 35-44, the fifth leading cause of death for 45-54, the ninth leading cause of death 55-64, and...

This week I wanted to write a special column specifically addressing all of those businesses or individuals that have chosen to advertise in our newspaper, either in the past, currently or in the future. First of all, let me say “thank you.” Due mostly to your generous support, our publication is able to inform thousands of readers each week on the latest news from Corbin, Williamsburg and surrounding areas. Thanks to your advertising dollars, we can provide people the information they need to know most about our area. That includes, but is not limited to: crime alerts, fire and medical emergencies, special events, sports, local government, church announcements, important developments in...

Not even two years into the Trump administration, our country is finally getting back on the right track. On the heels of a major regulatory rollback and historic tax reform, consumer confidence is soaring and unemployment is shrinking. I’m proud of the many promises this Republican Congress has worked closely with President Trump to fulfill for your family, and I would like to update you on our recent work. The Senate recently passed legislation to bolster our national defense and provide for our men and women in uniform. Named in honor of my friend, Senator John McCain, this bill authorizes the tools that our all-volunteer forces need to confront the...

As I go about my work of helping communities revitalize and reinvent themselves, I often get to see the best of America and I'm reminded that the foundations that built this country are still just as important today. It's long been said that America is all about rugged individualism, and that is true to some extent. Yes, being as self-sufficient as you can be is an admirable trait, but it only takes one so far. People need people in order to really live and nowhere is that more true than in communities. Back when our ancestors landed on our shores, they didn't head off into the woods to build a log...

The fight against obesity remains at the forefront of the public health agenda here in Kentucky and throughout the United States. At the Kentucky Beverage Association (KBA), it’s at the top of our agenda as well. We believe effective measures to reduce obesity require all segments of society—including the beverage industry—to work together on comprehensive solutions. In my role as the Executive Director at the KBA, I work with Kentucky beverage producers, distributors, and franchise companies, as well as national beverage industry leaders, to develop effective and consumer-friendly ways to support people, particularly moms, looking to cut their sugar from beverages. The beverage industry has taken voluntary, proactive steps to...