Friday - March 13, 2026
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Kentucky Newsletter for Thursday March 12, 2026 ( 28 items )  

$2M Grant To Improve Follow-Up After Hearing Screening in 4 States
LOGAN, Utah, March 11 -- Utah State University issued the following news: * * * $2M Grant To Improve Follow-Up After Hearing Screening in 4 States * Approximately 98% of infants born in the U.S. receive hearing screenings within one month of birth. It is the first step in ensuring that those with hearing differences have the best chance at success in building strong communication skills and supporting healthy socio-emotional and behavioral development. But follow-up after not passing a hea  more

2025-2026 Part-Time Excellence in Teaching Award Winner: Roy Burkhead
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, March 11 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news: * * * 2025-2026 Part-Time Excellence in Teaching Award Winner: Roy Burkhead * Professor Roy Burkhead is the 2025-2026 winner of the Part-Time Excellence in Teaching Faculty Award. While Burkhead as a long history with the Westen Kentucky University, the award was a nice surprise for him. "You try to lead a humble life. You show up everyday, you work hard, and then hopefully you get rewarded at some   more

6th Circuit Strikes NLRB Ruling Against Kentucky Distiller
NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 12 -- The Tennessee Bar Association posted the following commentary blog on March 11, 2026, by Stacey Shrader Joslin: * * * 6th Circuit Strikes NLRB Ruling Against Kentucky Distiller The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has found that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) under the Biden administration overstepped its powers by relying on a previous ruling to require Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel's and other whiskeys, to bargain with a union represent  more

AI Campus Community Update
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, March 11 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following statement by Bud Fischer, provost and vice president for academic affairs: * * * AI Campus Community Update Colleagues,  As I have engaged faculty across WKU this academic year, artificial intelligence and its impact on teaching and student learning have understandably emerged as recurring themes. The questions are important and complex, but three in particular continue to surface: * In what ways can AI m  more

American Academy of Neurology Awards Over $4.6 Million in Research Grants
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 12 -- The American Academy of Neurology issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * American Academy of Neurology Awards Over $4.6 Million in Research Grants The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 AAN Research Program. This year, the AAN has awarded more than $4.6 million toward neuroscience research and training throu  more

American Board of Family Medicine: Where Residents Train is Where They Stay -- And That Has Consequences for Primary Care Access
LEXINGTON, Kentucky, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The American Board of Family Medicine issued the following news on March 11, 2026: * * * Where Residents Train Is Where They Stay -- And That Has Consequences for Primary Care Access If you direct a family medicine residency program, you already know that where you train physicians shapes where those physicians will practice. But a new analysis published in Health Affairs, Majority Of Family Physicians Still Choose To Practice In The State Where They   more

American College of Surgeons: Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Differs Sharply Across Rural US Regions
CHICAGO, Illinois, March 12 (TNSjou) -- The American College of Surgeons issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Differs Sharply Across Rural US Regions Geography, race, and insurance status strongly influence stage at diagnosis among rural populations, a national study finds Key Takeaways * While women living in rural regions are known to face a higher risk of advanced breast cancer, a new analysis found that even within rural America, ou  more

Attorney General Alan Wilson secures new commitments from WeChat to combat fentanyl money laundering
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, March 11 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson secures new commitments from WeChat to combat fentanyl money laundering * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that after months of pressure from a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, WeChat has agreed to specific, enforceable commitments to help American law enforcement disrupt fentanyl-related money laundering on i  more

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Secures New Commitments from WeChat to Combat Fentanyl Money Laundering
RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 11 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Secures New Commitments from WeChat to Combat Fentanyl Money Laundering * RALEIGH - Fentanyl kills about six North Carolinians a day and over 100 Americans a day. Billions of dollars in drug proceeds are laundered each year through an underground banking network that relies heavily on the messaging platform WeChat. Until now, the company has  more

BLS Southeast Region Issues Report on Consumer Price Index, South Region February 2026
ATLANTA, Georgia, March 12 (TNSLrpt) -- Consumer Price Index, South Region February 2026 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - March 11, 2026 * * * Regional prices rose 0.3 percent in February, up 1.8 percent over the year * The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the South region increased 0.3 percent in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.  more

CDC's NIOSH Continues Annual Free Health Screenings for Coal Miners, Announces 2026 Dates
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the following news release: * * * CDC's NIOSH Continues Annual Free Health Screenings for Coal Miners, Announces 2026 Dates The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will kick off the agency's annual mobile health screenings for coal miners this month. The federal program, in its 21st year, provides free, confidential screenings that support early   more

Chairmen Guthrie and Latta Announce Hearing to Discuss Lessons Learned From Winter Storm Fern
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Chairmen Guthrie and Latta Announce Hearing to Discuss Lessons Learned from Winter Storm Fern Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, announced a hearing titled Winter Storm Fern Lessons: Supplying Reliable  more

DAV statement on VA's planned use of AI to review benefit questionnaires
ERLANGER, Kentucky, March 11 [Category: National Defense] -- Disabled American Veterans issued the following news: * * * DAV statement on VA's planned use of AI to review benefit questionnaires * DAV has concerns about the Department of Veterans Affairs' plan to use an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify potential fraud in Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) going back more than 15 years. We have reached out to VA leadership requesting answers about how this initiative will i  more

DNC: Trump Stops in Ohio and Kentucky to Sell His Failing Economy and Disastrous Health Care Plans
WASHINGTON, March 12 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on March 11, 2026: * * * Trump Stops in Ohio and Kentucky to Sell His Failing Economy and Disastrous Health Care Plans Donald Trump traveled to Ohio and Kentucky today to try to sell his failing agenda that has driven prices up and done nothing to lower health care costs for everyday Americans. While Trump brags about his sham TrumpRx "deals," which have failed to meaningfully bring down drug costs, an  more

Duke Energy Foundation Offers $500,000 to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness Across South Carolina
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, March 12 -- Duke Energy issued the following news release: * * * Duke Energy Foundation offers $500,000 to strengthen emergency preparedness across South Carolina * HERO grant program will pay for training, equipment and resources that strengthen readiness, response and resilience to severe weather. * Now in its fifth year, the program helps first responders fill critical gaps and better protect the communities they serve. * Duke Energy Foundation is investing $5  more

First Things First: Your Story, Your Words to showcase creative writing for Sexual Assault Prevention Month
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, March 11 -- Western Kentucky University posted the following news: * * * First Things First: Your Story, Your Words to showcase creative writing for Sexual Assault Prevention Month * The Gender & Women's Studies Program and Hope Harbor will present First Things First: Your Story, Your Words on Wednesday, April 15, at 5 p.m. in the Gordon Wilson Hall Lab Theatre. This Sexual Assault Prevention Month event will feature creative writers showcasing their talents via sp  more

Governor Healey, 18 Other Governors Urge Congress to Block President Trump's Illegal, Costly Tariffs
BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 11 -- Gov. Maura Healey, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Healey, 18 Other Governors Urge Congress to Block President Trump's Illegal, Costly Tariffs * Boston -Governor Maura Healey joined Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, M  more

Governor Hochul Participates in a Fireside Chat at Politico Summit in Albany
ALBANY, New York, March 11 -- Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Participates in a Fireside Chat at Politico Summit in Albany * Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul sat down with Politico's Albany Bureau Chief Nick Reisman for a fireside Q&A at the Politico New York Agenda: Albany Summit to discuss the work that is being done in Albany, how the 2026 agenda is taking shape and what's to come for New Y  more

Governor Lamont, Coalition of Governors Urge Congress To Enact Tariff Reform
HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 11 -- Gov. Ned Lamont, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Governor Lamont, Coalition of Governors Urge Congress To Enact Tariff Reform * (HARTFORD, CT) - In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision establishing that presidents do not have the authority to use emergency powers to impose tariffs, Governor Ned Lamont and the governors of 18 other states today sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging Congress to enact meaningful statu  more

House Education & Workforce Committee Issues Report on Modern Worker Security Act
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The House Education and Workforce Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-506) on the Modern Worker Security Act (H.R. 1320). The report was advanced by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, on Feb. 20, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE To ensure that the provision of benefits to an individual is not considered in determining whether such individual is an employee of a person. COMMITTEE ACTION 115TH CONGRESS First Session--Hearing On February 16, 2017, the Committee on  more

Kentucky Bill Aims to Give Energy Planning Commission Unchecked Power, Block Public Accountability
WASHINGTON, March 11 [Category: Environment] -- The Sierra Club posted the following news release: * * * Kentucky Bill Aims to Give Energy Planning Commission Unchecked Power, Block Public Accountability * LOUISVILLE, KY. - Kentucky Senators are moving forward with a bill that would give the state's taxpayer-funded Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC) unchecked spending power and exemption from decades-old, common-sense public accountability standards. The proposed changes would e  more

Louisville Comedy Club Will Pay $372,500 to Conciliate EEOC Sexual Harassment Charges
WASHINGTON, March 10 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: * * * Louisville Comedy Club Will Pay $372,500 to Conciliate EEOC Sexual Harassment Charges * Settles federal investigation which found manager sexually harassed multiple employees while company failed to respond LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville Comedy Club will pay $372,500 in monetary relief and furnish extensive injunctive relief to resolve a finding of sex discrimination and retaliation b  more

MSU adds Climavision to university energy initiative
STARKVILLE, Mississippi, March 11 -- Mississippi State University posted the following news: * * * MSU adds Climavision to university energy initiative Mississippi State University is adding weather enterprise partners to the university's growing energy-related research portfolio through a collaboration with Climavision. The Louisville, Kentucky-based firm has joined MSU's newly launched Energy Resilience and Innovation Hub as an inaugural industry partner. The Hub is designed to drive advan  more

New Report Reveals How Community Air Monitoring is Reshaping How Nation Understands, Addresses Air Pollution
WASHINGTON, March 11 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Lung Association posted the following news release: * * * New Report Reveals How Community Air Monitoring is Reshaping How Nation Understands, Addresses Air Pollution * Today, the American Lung Association released a new report, " Something in the Air: How Communities Are Tracking the Air They Breathe." This report examines six communities impacted by distinct pollution sources - wildfire smoke, heavy-duty traffic, and emissions fr  more

Rockefeller Foundation Research Finds 'Food is Medicine' Could Unlock $45 Billion for States
NEW YORK, March 12 (TNSrpt) -- The Rockefeller Foundation posted the following news release: * * * New Rockefeller Foundation Research Finds 'Food is Medicine' Could Unlock $45 Billion for States Food is Medicine (FIM) programs, which provide produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals and groceries to people with diet-related conditions, could generate more than $45 billion in state economic activity, create 316,000 jobs nationwide, and generate $5.6 billion for America's small and mi  more

The ASAM Weekly for March 10, 2026
ROCKVILLE, Maryland, March 11 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Society of Addiction Medicine posted the following news release: * * * The ASAM Weekly for March 10, 2026 * This Week in the ASAM Weekly The total consumption model (TCM) is a theory proposing that the prevalence of problematic behavior follows closely with that of population-level behavior, driven by social network effects and exogenous influences. This model of collectivity has been demonstrated in alcohol consumption,  more

Three Sisters Celebration, a signature event at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, set March 17-21
ADA, Oklahoma, March 11 -- The Chickasaw Nation, a federally-recognized Native American tribe, issued the following news release: * * * Three Sisters Celebration, a signature event at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, set March 17-21 * SULPHUR, Okla. -The Chickasaw Cultural Center is set to host its annual Three Sisters Celebration Tuesday, March 17, through Saturday, March 21. Activities are scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The celebration is one of the cultural center's largest annual event  more

US Department of Labor awards $2M to help Kentucky workers affected by mass layoffs, closures
WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following news release: * * * US Department of Labor awards $2M to help Kentucky workers affected by mass layoffs, closures * WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2 million to the Kentucky Department of Workforce Development to support employment and training services for eligible individuals in 25 counties impacted by mass layoffs and plant closures. Between August 2025 and March 2026, mass layoffs at Akeb  more