Kentucky News now

GAY MARRIAGE-KENTUCKY

Kentucky gay marriage ban upheld

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld Kentucky's bans on same-sex marriages, rolling back two rulings that opened the door for gay couples to have their unions in other states recognized and to be wed in the Bluegrass State.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panels' 2-1 ruling Thursday is the highest-level court victory for gay marriage opponents after a flood of 20-plus court wins for supporters of same-sex marriage in the past year.

The ruling from the Cincinnati-based court followed arguments on Aug. 6 in six gay marriage cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote that the issue should be settled at the ballot box.

Family Foundation of Kentucky spokesman Martin Cothran says the case may end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

KENTUCKY-LT GOVERNOR

Beshear chooses Luallen to serve as Ky. lt. gov.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has chosen former state Auditor Crit Luallen to serve as his lieutenant governor in his final year in office.

Luallen will replace Jerry Abramson, the former longtime Louisville mayor who is stepping down as lieutenant governor to accept a job in President Barack Obama's administration.

Luallen served two terms as state auditor and is widely respected as a skilled administrator.

She worked for several governors dating back to the 1970s, and rose through the ranks to become secretary of the executive cabinet in then-Gov. Paul Patton's administration.

Earlier this year she ruled out a run in next year's wide-open race for governor. Luallen said her decision was best for her family and herself.

Kentucky governors are limited to two terms, and Beshear is in his second.

OBAMA-APPOINTMENT

Kentucky lieutenant governor bound for White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is appointing Kentucky's lieutenant governor as his liaison to state and local governments.

Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson has experience at both levels. Abramson is known as Louisville's "Mayor for Life" after serving 21 years — the longest tenure in the city's history.

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear chose Abramson as his running mate when running for re-election in 2011. Beshear will have to appoint a replacement with Abramson's move to the White House.

One of Abramson's duties will be to help coordinate with states on the upcoming second open enrollment under Obama's health care law. Abramson brings unique experience as chair of Kentucky's health care initiative. Kentucky was an Obamacare success story, with more than 400,000 people signing up under the state's health insurance exchange.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Louisville Catholic schools increasing tuition help

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Archdiocese of Louisville is seeking to expand its student enrollment by increasing the amount of tuition assistance available to needy families.

The archdiocese unveiled a plan on Thursday for parishes to contribute to a voucher program that will amount to more than $1 million in new tuition help.

Another feature will be a $1,000 tuition discount for families whose household income is less than 200 percent of the poverty level. The archdiocese says that option will be available to families of any faith.

The Catholic Education Foundation, which raises money for tuition assistance, also announced a new fundraising goal of $2 million. The foundation awarded nearly $1.7 million to 1,476 students in the current year.

The archdiocese includes 46 schools with more than 19,300 students in six counties.

LOUISVILLE-EXTORTION ATTEMPT

Mississippi man sentenced over extortion attempt

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A man convicted of trying to extort money from the University of Louisville Athletic Association has been sentenced to two years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley Jr. sentenced 36-year-old Thomas E. Ray of Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday. Ray was convicted in August.

Prosecutors say Ray used the alias "Melinda White" and sent an email in April 2013 to two University of Louisville employees with a threat to harm the reputation of the U of L Athletic Association and demanding $3.5 million. The incident happened soon after Louisville won the NCAA men's basketball championship.

YOUTH-MENTAL HEALTH

Federal grant to be used to address mental health

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Department of Education is receiving $8.1 million through a five-year federal grant to help teachers, schools and communities recognize and respond to mental health problems in young people.

The department says the program will be first piloted in three school districts: Jefferson County, Fayette County and Pulaski County public schools.

Grants were also awarded to the Jefferson County, Fayette County, Corbin Independent, Covington Independent and Henderson County school districts and the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services.

The state Education Department says the program will focus on two elements. The first will provide local communities with increased access to school- and community-based mental health services. The second will involve training school personnel, first responders and others to recognize mental health needs of young people.

JAILER ELECTION-LAWSUIT

Jailer files lawsuit after losing election

STANFORD, Ky. (AP) — A central Kentucky jailer who lost Tuesday night's election has filed a lawsuit seeking to disqualify his opponent.

The Advocate-Messenger reports Lincoln County Jailer David Gooch says Rob Wilson should be disqualified due to one of the signatures on his filing paperwork. Gooch says in an affidavit that the person who signed for Wilson is a state employee and thus not allowed to participate in political campaigns.

Wilson called Gooch's lawsuit "a desperate Hail Mary" that won't succeed. He says he has talked to state and local officials and has been assured the signature is allowed and valid.

Gooch lost to Wilson by 726 votes in Tuesday night's election.

The motion to disqualify Wilson is set to be heard on Nov. 24 in Lincoln County Circuit Court.

DEATH CERTIFICATE FILING

Kentucky mandating electronic filing of death certificates by Jan. 1

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Coroners, funeral homes and officials who handle death certificates will be required soon to file information electronically as Kentucky departs from a paper-based system.

The new system, the Kentucky Electronic Death Registration System, will go into effect on Jan. 1.

The state is phasing out a paper-based system currently used by the Office of Vital Statistics. The transition to electronic filing is mandated by a new state law.

Stephanie Mayfield, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, says the new system will improve the death reporting system and speed of service.

There are currently 404 funeral facilities, 81 coroners' offices and 40 medical facilities signed on and using the electronic system, known as KY-EDRS.