A conservative dark money group is influencing public welfare laws in Kentucky, and advocates say it could have a detrimental impact on access to benefits for the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Coronavirus
Ky. Still Can’t Waive Unemployment Overpayment Debt
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The most recent federal coronavirus relief package finally grants states that option, but it will have no effect in Kentucky. That’s because debt forgiveness still isn’t allowed under state law.
coronavirus
Our COVID-19 Tracker Gives You County-Level Data On The Coronavirus
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Since Kentucky’s first COVID-19 patient was confirmed nearly a month ago, cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus have continued to increase in the state. Along with that increase in cases comes an increase in questions:
How many cases are there around me? How many people in my community have died? How do other health issues increase the risk of serious illness due to coronavirus in my community? These questions are hard to answer right now due to the speed at which data are being reported.
When COVID-19 Slammed Rural Ky. Counties, It Found More Vulnerable Patients
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People in rural areas are typically sicker, older and have less access to regular healthcare than other communities.
Health
Kentucky’s Contact Tracing Director On Program’s Challenges, Successes
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As some Republican legislators are unsatisfied with the program’s results and call for it to be defunded, the program’s director says it’s still saving lives.
Coronavirus
How Kentucky Missed Out On A $90 Million Unemployment Upgrade
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The federal government set aside $7 billion in 2009 to modernize the nation’s unemployment systems. Kentucky left its portion on the table.
Government
Beshear Says Federal Changes Responsible For Unemployment Confusion
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It’s unclear if state officials ever communicated the change to out-of-work Kentuckians after the state received new guidance in April.
coronavirus
With Coronavirus Cases In Jail Rising, A Bail Fund Steps Up Its Work
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Despite the contagious virus taking root inside the jail, judges continue to set bail amounts that are out of reach for some people. Government agencies lean on a set of narrow parameters when deciding who gets set free. The pandemic is also leading to delayed court hearings for some people, resulting in extended stays behind bars where they risk infection.
The result: Hundreds of people stuck in a cramped jail as a dangerous, contagious virus spreads, infects and, in some cases, kills. Many inmates and their families are turning to bail funds for a shot at getting out of confinement.
Health
Louisville Protests Bring New Attention To Racial Trauma
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Racial trauma, experienced by people of color, is getting more attention after a summer of protests over the police deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Coronavirus
6 Young Kentuckians Known To Have Rare But Serious MIS-C, Linked To Coronavirus
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Six cases of a rare coronavirus-related inflammatory condition have been identified in Kentucky youth since March, according to public records from the state. Case data suggest the syndrome is disproportionately impacting young people of color. MIS-C, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, has been identified in Kentuckians as young as five and as old as 19. Symptoms of the rare but serious condition include the inflammation of multiple body parts, fever, rash or vomiting. The cause of MIS-C is unknown, though it’s linked to the new coronavirus.
child abuse
Child Abuse Reports In Kentucky Are Way Down — Why That’s Not Good News
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Experts say the coronavirus pandemic is a “perfect storm” for child maltreatment.