State Government and Politics

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State seeks Medicaid funds for Oakwood

By Sarah Vos

The state has applied to receive Medicaid funding for Oakwood, the historically troubled state facility for the mentally handicapped in Somerset.

Judge extends ban on early prisoner release

By Bill Estep

SOMERSET — A judge has continued a temporary ban on releasing inmates from a three-county area in southern Kentucky under new parole rules that have caused controversy.

Pineville mayor, son indicted on vote buying charge

CASH, DRUGS ALLEGEDLY GIVEN FOR '06 ELECTION

By Beth Musgrave

One of the most enduring figures in Pineville politics has been indicted again — this time on charges that he conspired to buy votes with money and pills.

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Kentucky delegation goes for Obama
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By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

Kentucky's Democratic delegation cast a majority of its 60 votes for Sen. Barack Obama after a hectic and sometimes emotional day for both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton loyalists.
Chandler backs Lunsford

By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler chose the middle of a national convention with a theme of unity to publicly bury any hard feelings with U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford stemming from their 2003 gubernatorial primary.
Electric cars to be built in Kentucky

By Jack Brammer

jbrammer@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear, at the helm of a three-wheeled electric car, took a victory lap around the Capitol on Monday morning after announcing that Simpson County had landed an $84 million factory to build the low-speed vehicles.
Kentuckians packing divided loyalties
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By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

Some Kentucky Democrats, like Gov. Steve Beshear and Lexington lawyer Reginald Thomas, are making their first trip to a national party convention in more than two decades.
Nine from Ky. are ‘superdelegates’

Kentucky sent 60 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, as well as as nine alternates, six standing committee members and two pages who will help at the events. Nine of those with votes are considered ”superdelegates“ who are free to vote for whichever candidate they please. The other 51 are ”pledged“ to either Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama based on the results of Kentucky’s May 20 primary. Here’s the full roster:
Stumbo edging toward top post

Ryan Alessi

Herald-Leader political writer

Like political water torture, Democratic state Rep. Greg Stumbo has been slowly revealing his intentions all summer about whether he’ll run for the top spot in the state House.
FBI road contract inquiry follows on fed's trail

By John Cheves

jcheves@herald-leader.com

As the FBI investigates possible corruption in Kentucky road contracts, it’s returning to ground that federal prosecutors plowed for five years — and then abandoned after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Ky. Democrats shrug at choice of Biden

By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

In the days before Barack Obama picked Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, many Kentucky Democrats had hoped New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would be tapped, potentially putting the Bluegrass state in play.
Kentucky prosecutor urges changes to death penalty law

Associated Press

COVINGTON — A Northern Kentucky prosecutor is urging legislation that would allow some people convicted of murder in child abuse cases to qualify for the death penalty.
Ky. Democrats disappointed VP pick wasn't Clinton

In the days leading up to Barack Obama's pick of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, many Kentucky Democrats had their fingers crossed that New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would be tapped, potentially putting the Bluegrass state back in play in the presidential race.
Chief highway engineer and aide resign

By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

The state’s chief highway engineer, O. Gilbert Newman, and one of his aides have resigned after questions surfaced about their involvement in the planned widening of a road adjacent to property Newman owns.
GOP House challenger withdraws from race

By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

The Republican Party lost one of its top state House challengers this week to a conflict that an increasing number of legislators and potential candidates struggle with: balancing work, family and politics.
Lunsford says he expects support from U.S. senators
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By Ryan Alessi and Jack Brammer

ralessi@herald-leader.com

LOUISVILLE — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford said he’s expecting a couple of prominent senators — and vice presidential contenders — to campaign with him this fall.
9 road deals linked to Lawson
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By Jack Brammer and Beth Musgrave

jbrammer@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Nine of the 13 state road contracts subpoenaed by a federal grand jury investigating alleged bid-rigging in the Transportation Cabinet have ties to politically influential road contractor Leonard Lawson.
'Adventure tourism' push stirs concerns
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By Andy Mead

amead@herald-leader.com

The state's attempt to build an ”adventure tourism“ industry in Kentucky is raising concerns among sportsmen and environmentalists who worry the move could damage nature preserves and wildlife management areas.
Forum pits Senate hopefuls

By Ryan Alessi

ralessi@herald-leader.com

LOUISVILLE — For the first time during a campaign fought mostly over airwaves, Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and his Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford stared each other down Wednesday and answered each others' criticisms.
Grand jury subpoenas road contracts
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By John Cheves

jcheves@herald-leader.com

A federal grand jury hearing evidence about alleged bid rigging in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has subpoenaed 13 road contracts and related items, said cabinet spokesman Chuck Wolfe.