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U.S. Education Department to restart defaulted student loan collections

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kentuckylantern.com – Shauneen Miranda – 2025-04-21 19:52:00

by Shauneen Miranda, Kentucky Lantern
April 21, 2025

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education said Monday that it will resume collections May 5 for defaulted federal student loans.

After pausing during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has not collected on defaulted loans in over five years. More than 5 million borrowers sit in default on their federal student loans, and just 38% of borrowers are current on their payments, the department said.

“American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies,” U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Monday.

During last year’s presidential campaign, President Donald Trump criticized his predecessor and successor, President Joe Biden, for his efforts to erase student debt. McMahon resumed that line of attack Monday, blaming Biden’s administration for unreasonably raising borrowers’ expectations of forgiveness.

“The Biden Administration misled borrowers: the executive branch does not have the constitutional authority to wipe debt away, nor do the loan balances simply disappear. Hundreds of billions have already been transferred to taxpayers,” McMahon said.

She added that “going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repayment — both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook.”

The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will restart the Treasury Offset Program, which the U.S. Treasury Department administers, on May 5.

The Education Department statement said all borrowers who are in default will get emails over the next two weeks “making them aware of these developments and urging them to contact the Default Resolution Group to make a monthly payment, enroll in an income-driven repayment plan, or sign up for loan rehabilitation.”

The department said the Office of Federal Student Aid will “send required notices beginning administrative wage garnishment” later this summer.

More than 42.7 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt, according to the department. 

The administration claims that “instead of protecting responsible taxpayers, the Biden-Harris Administration put them on the hook for irresponsible lending, pushing the federal student loan portfolio toward a fiscal cliff.” 

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 U.S. Education Department to restart defaulted student loan collections appeared first on kentuckylantern.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Assessment: Center-Right

The content primarily reflects a Center-Right political bias, as it focuses on the resumption of federal student loan collections and criticizes the previous administration’s attempts to implement student debt forgiveness. The statements made by U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlight a commitment to fiscal responsibility and emphasize the idea that taxpayers should not bear the burden of student loan defaults. Additionally, the language used aligns with conservative viewpoints that prioritize personal responsibility and criticize government overspending. The framing of the Biden administration’s actions as misleading further underscores a critical stance typical of a Center-Right perspective.

News from the South - Kentucky News Feed

FDA approves updated Covid-19 vaccines with new restrictions and limits for healthy children

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lexingtonky.news – Melissa Patrick – 2025-09-02 09:48:00

SUMMARY: The FDA approved updated Covid-19 vaccines for fall 2025 but limited them to higher-risk groups, including children over 6 months with health conditions, reducing access for healthy kids. Moderna’s vaccine is approved for children 6 months and older, Pfizer’s for 5+, and Novavax for 12+, all targeting new variants. The CDC no longer routinely recommends vaccines for healthy children 6 months to 17 years, diverging from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which supports vaccination for all children whose parents want it. These conflicting guidelines and supply issues may cause confusion and reduce vaccination rates among vulnerable children. Families should consult pediatricians for guidance.

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The post FDA approves updated Covid-19 vaccines with new restrictions and limits for healthy children appeared first on lexingtonky.news

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Longtime Kentucky Senate Republican to not seek reelection in 2026

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kentuckylantern.com – McKenna Horsley – 2025-09-02 09:03:00


Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, announced he will retire from the Kentucky General Assembly in December 2026, concluding his term. Serving since 2009 in the Senate and previously in the House from 2003, Higdon chairs the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of several others. Representing the 14th District, he cited spending more time with his wife Jane and family as key reasons for not seeking reelection. At 72, Higdon feels it’s the right time to step down. Senate President Robert Stivers praised Higdon’s legacy and dedication, noting his humility and commitment to serving people.

by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky Lantern
September 2, 2025

The chair of the Senate Transportation Committee will not seek reelection after his term ends next year. 

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, a Lebanon Republican, will retire from the Kentucky General Assembly in December 2026. He was elected to the Senate in 2009. Before that, he was in the House beginning in 2003. 

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of the 14th District,” Higdon said in a Tuesday morning press release. “The greatest privilege of this job is getting to help people every single day. I’ve always tried to treat it as a calling, not just a position, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity.”

Higdon’s Senate district includes the counties of LaRue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer and Washington. 

The senator said that he is “at the peak of my legislative career” and that “I have seen too many colleagues stay too long.” Spending more time with family was a key factor in his decision to not seek reelection. 

“I am 72 now. If I ran again, I’d be almost 78 at the end of another term,” Higdon said. “It’s the right time. My wife Jane, who has been by my side in marriage for 51 years, and my family deserve more of me. We’ve made a lot of sacrifices together to make this work, and I could not have done any of it without them.”

In addition to chairing the Senate Transportation Committee, Higdon is a member of the committees on Education; Licensing and Occupations; Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection. He was Senate majority whip from 2015 to 2018 and Senate president pro tempore from January 2018 to 2019. 

The 2026 legislative session will be Higdon’s final session in office. Republicans will continue to hold a supermajority in the Senate. Currently, the GOP has 32 of 38 seats in the chamber. 

Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said in the press release that Higdon “will leave a lasting legislative legacy deeply woven into the fabric of this commonwealth.” 

“What stands out most about Jimmy is the way he has always put people first. He approaches every challenge with humility and common sense,” Stivers continued. “His voice will be deeply missed in our chamber by our caucus members and by our staff, who have enjoyed working with him. We are grateful to have one more session with him and to celebrate a career of service that he and Jane can be incredibly proud of.”

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 Longtime Kentucky Senate Republican to not seek reelection in 2026 appeared first on kentuckylantern.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a straightforward and factual account of Senator Jimmy Higdon’s decision to retire, without expressing overt political opinions or divisive language. It provides background on his career, his reasons for retiring, and includes positive but neutral remarks from a fellow Republican senator. The focus is on biographical and procedural information, reflecting a balanced and neutral tone that does not lean toward any particular political ideology.

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WKU VB: WKU Falls to Drake in Five Sets

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www.wnky.com – WNKY Staff – 2025-09-01 18:10:00

SUMMARY: WKU Volleyball lost a close 3-2 match against Drake after pushing them to five sets. Freshman Kaira Knox led offensively with 21 kills and was named WKU Invitational MVP, while junior Gabby Weihe dominated defensively with a career-high eight blocks in the match. The Hilltoppers excelled in sets one and three but fell short in sets two, four, and the decisive fifth. Defensive specialist Tayler Baron added 16 digs and earned all-tournament honors alongside Knox. WKU improves to 2-1 overall and will next compete at Marquette, facing Marquette, #24 Dayton, and Buffalo on the road.

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