danny carroll

Ky. State Senator Says He Didn’t Write The Bill He Filed Restricting Records Access

By |

A state senator who pre-filed a bill that would broadly restrict access to public records said the bill was authored by someone else, and he’s open to making changes based on transparency concerns. State Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, said in an interview with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting on Monday evening that he’s listening to criticism about his proposed legislation. As written, it would exempt several state agencies and local officials from having to release personnel records, disciplinary records, financial information and other information to the public. If this bill were to become law, records custodians could be held personally liable and fined for releasing private information — and requesters seeking records for an “improper” purpose could be ordered to pay attorney’s fees in a subsequent lawsuit. The bill defines “improper” as a request that’s frivolous, or intended to cause someone to violate the provision.

2018

2018: Our Year In Investigations

By |

We brought you groundbreaking stories about everything from infestations in public housing to workplace deaths and widespread sexual harassment complaints in state government. Take a look back at some of our most popular investigations, and see what’s happened since they published.

Cropped view of a prisoner in an orange jumpsuit standing in a prison cell.
Featured in Series

Kentucky Reformed Juvenile Justice, And Left Black Youth Behind

By |

When a youth is accused of a crime in Kentucky, an adult has to make a choice in nearly every step that follows.

Allow the youth to avoid a formal charge, or bring the case to a judge? Send him home or to sleep in a cell? Put another way: Offer another chance, or deny it?

Disproportionately, the Kentucky youth denied that second chance are black.