Caldwell County officials say a $200 million solar farm could be coming into the county by 2023, potentially generating more than 200 megawatts of electricity.

County Magistrate Jeff Boone announced at a fiscal court meeting Tuesday that Minnesota-based Geronimo Energy would be leasing about 1,000 acres from several property owners to install solar panels. Boone said he hopes the project brings more tax revenue to the county and state, though the amount of revenue isn’t yet known.

Think History is our daily segment from Kentucky Humanities. Today, Bill Goodman tells us about​ the foodways of Kentucky's enslaved people.

A bill to increase penalties for those convicted of communicating with a child under 12 with sexual intent is moving to the Senate floor.  The measure passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday.

Testifying in support of the bill was Kathleen Niestadt who detailed sexual abuse by her grandfather and other men.  She said communication today is much different than 40 years ago. “Last week I bought a phone case and a box of my favorite writing pens on line.  Last week, a predator bought a child on the internet for sex,” said Niestadt.

Ten- year- old Carmynn Blakeley is the 2019 reigning national champion, in her age group, for the National Braille Challenge. On this day she’s in Louisville to compete in the 10th annual Kentucky Regional Braille Challenge where she’ll put her braille skills to the test. “Braille makes everything easier to read and it’s a lot accessible and it feels good on my hands,” said Blakeley.

The state capitol was a flurry of media activity Thursday afternoon as Governor Beshear and state health officials held a press briefing on the novel coronoavirus.  Thus far, there have been no diagnosed cases of the illness in Kentucky.  Following the briefing, Stu Johnson spoke with State Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack.  He was asked about the severity of health complications for the coronavirus compared to influenza.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to prohibit the execution of anyone convicted of a capital crime who is deemed seriously mentally ill.  Similar legislation has failed to pass the full Senate twice in recent years.

Kentucky Mental Health Coalition Director Sheila Schuster testified and said people with these brain disorders are never cured of psychotic diagnoses. “They cannot think through the reality of what they are doing and the consequences of those actions.  I think the bill is very narrowly defined,” said Schuster.

Eastern Kentucky’s cancer rate is highest in the nation. Why? | Markey Cancer Center turns to young Appalachians to help battle the disease in their communities and homes. | What’s happening in chain pharmacies and the prescription mistakes that result | An examination of a fundamental virtue: Patience.

Contact: Tom Martin at es@eku.edu or leave voicemail at 859-622-9358

Just three bankruptcies of American coal companies have added more than $800 million in costs to a federal government program that funds health care for disabled coal miners, the Government Accountability said in a report released Wednesday.

The percentage of middle school students in Kentucky using electronic cigarettes and other vaping products has doubled since 2017. 

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted last spring shows the rate of vaping increased from 15.1% in 2017 to 31.4% in 2019.  High school students saw a nine percent jump in the same time period.