Thursday News & Notes

School system removes over 100 books from libraries; KDE says they got it wrong

Boyle County Schools removed over 100 books from its libraries in recent months under its interpretation of Senate Bill 150. Now, the Kentucky Department of Education says the new law does not apply to school libraries.

Boyle County Superintendent Mark Wade told the Herald-Leader Wednesday that books in his district were removed from school libraries based on Kentucky’s new law Senate Bill 150. KDE spokesperson Toni Konz Tatman said Wednesday morning that “SB 150 does not provide for the removal of library media resources from a school library.” If the library media resources are not used for a course, curriculum or program on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, the law does not apply, Tatman said. (Herald-Leader)

Louisville councilman found guilty of violating city's Code of Ethics

The Louisville Metro Ethics Commission ruled Councilman Anthony Piagentini violated Louisville’s Code of Ethics. Piagentini, who represents District 19 in east Louisville, was found guilty on six out of the seven ethics code violations he was charged with, including failing to disclose financial interests and using his position on the council to obtain unwarranted privileges, including taking a consulting job with the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council after supporting a $40 million grant benefiting that same group.

On Thursday, the commission fined Piagentini $3,000 and "strongly" recommended he be removed from Metro Council. (WHAS)

Kim Davis may have to pay out even more

A former Kentucky official facing a $100,000 judgment for refusing to issue a marriage license to a gay couple could have to pay an additional $260,000 to attorneys who represented the men. Attorneys who represented a couple in successfully suing Davis for damages have requested a total of $260,084 to cover their fees and expenses. If a judge approves the request, Davis would owe more than $360,000 as a result of the court case. (Herald-Leader)

Justices again side with Biden on ghost guns

Less than three months after allowing the Biden administration to temporarily reinstate a rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulating “ghost guns,” the Supreme Court blocked a ruling by a federal judge in Texas that would have prevented the government from enforcing the rule against two manufacturers of gun parts. Appealing to the justices to act, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar had urged the court not to “tolerate such circumvention of its orders.”

Ghost guns are firearms without serial numbers that virtually anyone can assemble from parts, often purchased in a kit. In 2022, the ATF issued a rule to make clear that federal laws governing the sale of firearms – requiring, for example, background checks for purchases and imposing record-keeping obligations – apply to ghost guns. (Howe on the Court)

New snack manufacturing facility to bring 350 jobs to west Louisville

Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that Stellar Snacks is building a manufacturing facility in west Louisville, which is expected to bring 350 jobs to residents. The pretzel manufacturer Stellar Snacks is investing $137 million in its new West End plant. The 434,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin production by September 2024. (LPM News)

Legislators in 49 states ask SCOTUS to preserve access to abortion pill

A group of more than 600 Democratic legislators from 49 states have signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to overturn an appellate court decision that would roll back access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to safely terminate early pregnancies and treat miscarriages.

The amicus brief, also called a “friend of the court” brief, was organized by State Innovation Exchange’s Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council and assembled over the past week, said Jennifer Driver, the group’s senior director of reproductive rights. Driver said State Innovation Exchange, also known as SiX, provides tools and resources for state legislators to advocate for progressive public policies after being elected to office.

Driver said SiX did ask Republican legislators to sign on as well, but didn’t manage to garner any bipartisan support. (Kentucky Lantern)

And from the Twitterverse ...

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