ST. LOUIS — Arguments before a federal appeals court that is considering whether to reinstate Arkansas’ first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for minors focused Thursday on whether it and similar restrictions adopted by two dozen states discriminate on the basis of sex. Ten judges with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis heard arguments over a judge’s ruling last year that struck down the ban as unconstitutional. The 2021 law would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming hormone treatment, puberty blockers or surgery to anyone under 18. An...

Former basketball star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has scored a victory as an advocate for a new Kentucky law. The measure will expand insurance coverage for people seeking treatment for stuttering. Kidd-Gilchrist played on a national championship team at the University of Kentucky and spent several years in the NBA. He opened up about his own struggles with stuttering as the bill was reviewed by Kentucky lawmakers. The measure sailed through the Republican-led legislature and was signed by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

A group of 16 Republican attorneys general told Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday that he was sowing “distrust” in the American electoral system with his comments criticizing state election integrity laws. Led by Indiana AG Todd Rokita and West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey, the Republican officials sent a letter to Garland over comments he made in Alabama discussing the Justice Department’s efforts to challenge Red state laws related to voter identification requirements and safeguards on vote-by-mail initiatives. “The Biden administration is weaponizing the U.S.

The Arizona Legislature devolved into shouts of “Shame! Shame!” on Wednesday as Republican lawmakers quickly shut down discussion on a proposed repeal of the state’s newly revived 1864 law that criminalizes abortion throughout pregnancy unless a woman’s life is at risk. The state Supreme Court cleared the way on Tuesday for enforcement of the pre-statehood law. Arizona abortion providers vowed Wednesday to continue service until they’re forced to stop, possibly within weeks.

Ensworth girls basketball coach Mary Taylor Cowles resigns after nine seasons, will return to Kentucky Ensworth girls basketball coach Mary Taylor Cowles has resigned her position after nine seasons at the school and will return to Kentucky to become the athletic director and girls basketball coach at Foundation Christian Academy in Bowling Green. Cowles said she will finish the school year at Ensworth. "I am so excited about this new role," Cowles said. "I have loved my time at Ensworth and appreciate the opportunity that Ensworth gave me nine years...

The longtime Baylor head coach announced he will not take the open Kentucky position on Thursday morning, as Drew will head into his 22nd year at the helm in 2024-25 with an undisclosed extension. “We truly believe God has called my family and I to continue our work here at Baylor, surrounded by the best people and community anyone could be blessed to have,” Drew said in a social media post. “We are grateful for the support of [AD] Mack Rhoades, President [Linda] Livingstone and the entire Baylor family, and...

Crews will take a crucial step Friday afternoon to fully reopen the Clark Memorial Bridge, 45 days after a Louisville Fire crew rescued a driver from tractor trailer hanging over the side of the bridge. Starting at 2:30 p.m. Friday, workers will remove cones and other traffic control equipment from the bridge. Prior to Friday, only vehicles heading southbound traffic toward Louisville could use the bridge. The work is expected to be complete by 5 p.m., at which time the bridge would fully reopen, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said in...

Tallahassee Community College’s Trustee Eugene Lamb received a Trustee of the Year award by the American Association of Community Colleges. The association presented the award to Lamb during a gala Monday in Louisville, Kentucky. “I just can’t believe it,” Lamb, a Gadsden County native, said in a prepared statement. “It feels like everything I’ve done and all the work I have put in over the years has led me to this moment.” More on Lamb:TCC trustee Eugene Lamb to be inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame at Dillard University Lamb...