News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

Beshear vetoes conversion therapy bill

Published

3 weeks ago

March 24, 2025

Staff Editor

kentuckylantern.com – Sarah Ladd – 2025-03-24 14:24:00

by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky Lantern
March 24, 2025

Fulfilling a promise he made at this year’s Fairness Rally, Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill that would cancel his administration’s restrictions on conversion therapy and prohibit Medicaid from covering transgender-affirming medical care.

The Republican-controlled legislature reconvenes on Thursday for the last two days of the 2025 legislative session, at which time lawmakers can easily override Beshear’s veto.

In his veto letter, Beshear called House Bill 495 an “unconstitutional infringement” that “promotes a dangerous and discriminatory practice that has led to the deaths of Kentucky children.”

Conversion therapy is a discredited practice that attempts to alter gender expression and sexual attraction that diverges from heterosexual normativity “with the specific aim to promote heterosexuality as a preferable outcome,” according to the The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.”

In 2024, Beshear signed an executive order aimed at ending the practice on Kentucky minors.

“Conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science and causes significant long term damage to our kids, including increased rates of suicide, anxiety and depression,” he wrote in his veto message on HB 495. “As leaders and policy makers, we should be in the business of protecting our citizens and kids from harm, not subjecting them to discredited methods that jeopardize their health, well being and safety.”

Beshear’s veto message did not mention the bill’s ban on Medicaid covering gender-affirming medical care.

Read Beshear’s veto message

veto

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.

The post Beshear vetoes conversion therapy bill appeared first on kentuckylantern.com

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News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

Lexington boy meets Pope Francis during Italy spring break trip

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April 16, 2025

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Lexington boy meets Pope Francis during Italy spring break trip

www.youtube.com – FOX 56 News – 2025-04-16 06:26:32

SUMMARY: During their spring break trip to Italy, the Girtz family from Lexington, Kentucky, had an unforgettable encounter at the Vatican. While exploring Rome, their 8-year-old son, Ethan, made an unlikely request to meet Pope Francis, something his family dismissed as impossible. However, while walking through the holy doors, they were unexpectedly greeted by the Pope, who called Ethan out of the crowd for a handshake and introduction. The heartwarming moment made headlines, and Ethan’s schoolmates now refer to him as “The Pope Kid.” For the Girtz family, this divine encounter became a cherished memory they’ll hold forever.

Their trip from Kentucky to the Vatican turned into a divine encounter they’ll never forget.

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News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

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Published

6 days ago

April 11, 2025

Staff Editor

Ohio river finally drops below flood stage Sunday

www.youtube.com – WLKY News Louisville – 2025-04-11 17:44:21

SUMMARY: The Ohio River is finally receding after weeks of flooding, with levels expected to drop below flood stage by Sunday. The river crested at 36.6 feet on Wednesday but has since dropped to 32.4 feet. Despite some areas, like the Great Lawn, still being submerged, the water should continue to recede by early next week. This weekend will bring sunny weather with temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s on Saturday and near 70 on Sunday. While conditions improve, chilly temperatures overnight may cause frost, and allergy sufferers should prepare for worsening tree pollen levels.

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WLKY Investigates: Judge calls decision not to renew Baxter 942’s liquor license ‘unreasonable’

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WLKY Investigates: Judge calls decision not to renew Baxter 942's liquor license 'unreasonable'

www.youtube.com – WLKY News Louisville – 2025-04-10 18:35:00

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