Beech Tree News Network

Kentucky as a whole is at lower risk from the coronavirus than it was a week ago, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But about the same number of counties are rated at low risk, and the risk ratings increased in a few counties.

On Thursday the CDC listed 10 counties as high-risk. In those places, it still advises masks to be worn in indoor public spaces. The number is fewer than half the 24 listed last week, but two counties, Casey and Powell, moved from medium risk to high risk. 

FRANKFORT— It’s now the Kentucky Senate’s turn to consider a House bill on charter schools after the measure advanced off the House floor on Tuesday.

House Bill 9 would make changes to the appeal process if a charter school application is denied by a local school board. It would also codify the funding mechanism for charter schools and authorize two pilot charter school projects.

"With a starting pay of $11 per hour, I cannot staff the jail, when Logan County and others are starting at $14-$15 per hour."   –Butler County Jailer Ricky Romans.

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Morgantown City Councilman Jason Gaskey announced his retirement at the Council's March meeting. Gaskey has worked for the state for 26 years and has to retire from the city since they contribute to the same retirement fund.

Beech Tree News provides courthouse statistics on a regular basis.  Courthouse information provided in this article is a matter of public record.  The following records are from the Butler County Circuit Clerk’s and Butler County Clerk’s offices and covers:

Senate Bill 30 will allow the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to add organ donation questions to the screen when individuals are renewing their car tags online.  It also allows County Clerks the opportunity to ask people in person to register as organ donors. 

FRANKFORT —A bill that would require civility and public comment periods during school board meetings advanced Thursday on the Senate floor.

House Bill 121 calls on school boards to provide a public comment period of at least 15 minutes, or until comment ends, at each regular meeting. The comment period could be passed over if no one has made a request to speak.

FRANKFORT — A measure that would prevent houses of worship from being singled out for closure during a state of emergency received approval Thursday from the Senate State and Local Government Committee. 

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Shane Baker, R-Somerset, told committee members that the bill is in response to the shutdown of churches and other religious organizations in 2020.

On March 13 at approximately 11:34 p.m.

Data comes from Kentucky Chamber Quarterly Economic Report