Eastern Kentucky and state news by the Lexington Herald-Leader

State

Taylorsville man accused of raping child

Robert Michael Howard, 43, of Taylorsville has been indicted on charges of rape, sexual abuse of a child and having materials portraying a sexual performance by a minor.

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Archive by category ''State

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

State worker accused of directing subordinate to place hundreds of bets

FRANKFORT — The superintendent of the Adair Youth Development Center faces ethics charges for allegedly directing a state employee to research and place illegal bets on sporting events for him while the employee was working.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Stumbo responds to redistricting lawsuit; Stivers asks for more time

Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Monday that he would ask Gov. Steve Beshear to call an immediate special legislative session on redistricting if the Senate offered a valid plan.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Judge considers request to dismiss lawsuit challenging Kentucky health exchange

Franklin Circuit Judge Philip Shepherd said Monday he plans to make a ruling as soon as possible on Gov. Steve Beshear's request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Three former Kentucky agriculture employees settle ethics charges

Three former agriculture employees agreed Monday to pay a total of $15,500 in fines to settle ethics charges that stemmed from their employment under former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer.
POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Prosecutors say Richie Farmer's alleged wrongdoing started before 2008

Former Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer misused state resources to further his personal and political agendas before 2008, federal prosecutors alleged in court documents filed late Friday.
STATE

Campbellsville man sentenced to 110 years in prison for making child pornography

A Taylor County man who used cell phones to take photos of himself molesting girls younger than 5 was sentenced Monday to 110 years in prison, according to a news release from David J. Hale, U.S. Attorney for Western Kentucky.
STATE

Manager of Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary to retire

After 38 years, Tim Williams plans to retire next month as manager of the Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary and Audubon Center.
STATE

Death of Estill County teen called 'a tragic accident'

Estill County investigators said Tony Conley, 16, was on a deck at an Estill County house and was joking around when he put a dog lead around his neck; he apparently tripped near the stairs and fell, causing his death.
STAGE AND DANCE

Uncommonwealth: In his new role, Ben Chandler begins 'a labor of love'

Ben Chandler, beaming like he just won the Powerball, said he has always wanted to teach history. Now, as the incoming executive director of the Kentucky Humanities Council, Chandler, 53, figures that he will get the opportunity to travel the state and tout its cultural beauties without having to...
STATE

Louisiana revokes company's explosives license

An explosives recycling company that authorities said improperly stored millions of pounds of a military propellant, causing the evacuation of a Louisiana town last year, was stripped of its state explosives licenses on Monday.