FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court has denied a request to remove the judge presiding over the Shawn Stines murder case. Stines is charged in the Sept. 19, 2024, shooting death of Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins. In its ruling, the court found no evidence that Special Judge Christopher Cohron’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned, despite arguments from the defense about Cohron’s prior proximity to Mullins at a judicial meeting just days before the shooting. The court said simply attending the same professional event and sitting near the victim does not constitute a conflict requiring recusal. The order […]

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DAVID, Ky. — A Floyd County woman was arrested last week, when he attempt to burn grass ended up catching her mother’s house on fire. Floyd County sheriff’s deputies were called around 3:30 p.m. Thursday to a house fire on Buckeye Branch of Blue River Road at David, due to suspected arson. There, they spoke with Kayla Combs, who told them she was trying to burn grass away from her mother’s house, when the fire spread and ignited the structure. From there, the fire spread up a hillside and was threatening homes on Triple S Hollow. Firefighters from David, Prestonsburg […]

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last year, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell inserted language in the agriculture appropriations bill that would implement a near-total ban on all intoxicating hemp products. Now, his cross-state colleague is seeking to put that decision in the hands of the states. U.S. Sen. Dr. Rand Paul has introduced the Hemp Safety Enforcement Act, which would allow states and tribal governments to opt out of the ban by enforcing their own standards. The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). “Half the states have already set up their own smart rules, THC […]

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Those interested in politics are primarily focused on this year’s local elections, and the race for Kentucky governor is more than a year away, but it received its first major candidate today. Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced she intends to take over from Gov. Andy Beshear, once his term ends in December 2027. “I spent the last two years meeting with Kentuckians, asking them what they are looking for in their next governor,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “It’s crystal clear: they want someone who will show up, listen and focus on the issues that truly matter […]

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LONDON, Ky. — Two weeks after one of the owners of a defunct Pikeville pain management clinic pleaded guilty to a federal drug conspiracy charge, his partner has seen her case has been set for trial. Brandy Melissa Meadows, 47, of Pikeville, a former owner of the Kentucky Mountain Health clinic, entered a not guilty plea in London federal court on Thursday. Earlier this month, her partner, Bryce Layne May, 58, of Ashville, N.C., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. In his plea agreement, he admitted that after a doctor left the company, Kentucky Mountain […]

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