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Chandler backs Lunsford

By Ryan Alessi

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

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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Delegation regulars, rookies seek a measure of unity

By Ryan Alessi

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.

More Stories

  • 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.

  • Williams asks judge to reconsider ruling on road plan
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    By Jack Brammer

    jbrammer@herald-leader.com

    FRANKFORT — Senate President David Williams is asking a Franklin circuit judge to reconsider his order that the legislature's six-year road construction plan is invalid because lawmakers failed to give it to the governor on time.

  • Otis ‘Bullman' Hensley says sex charges are result of a misunderstanding

    By Cassondra Kirby-Mullins

    ckirby@herald-leader.com

    HARLAN — A two-time candidate for governor who is charged with attempting to “entice” a 13-year-old girl and her 11-year-old sister to engage in “illegal sexual activity” says the allegations against him stem from a misunderstanding.

  • Repairs benefited Nighbert property
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    By Jack Brammer

    jbrammer@herald-leader.com

    FRANKFORT — About $226,000 in state money was spent in late 2006 improving remote one-lane roads in Washington County that lead to property owned by the brother of then-Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert.

  • Kentucky could insure more children, report says

    By Sarah Vos

    svos@herald-leader.com

    Kentucky could reduce the number of uninsured children by changing enrollment procedures for government insurance programs, according to a report released Monday.

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