Shepherd Snyder

Kentucky State University is sending a mobile health unit to Hazard Community and Technical College Friday afternoon to help residents of eastern Kentucky.

Lexington’s Urban County Planning Commission recommended against a proposal that would rezone the historically Black neighborhood of Pralltown and allow for the construction of a college apartment complex during a Thursday meeting.

Republished from WEKU. The fall application period for the federal Low-Income Home Assistance Energy Program, also known as LIHEAP, starts November 5. LIHEAP helps those living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty rate pay their heating bills. That comes as a one-time payment per season to each household’s energy provider. The amount depends on the type of housing, type of fuel and income level. Rick Baker is the President of Community Action Kentucky, which manages the program. He says applicants have to be directly responsible for their heating bills. “That can be that they rent and then they pay their own utilities, or it’s in what they call an ‘undesignated portion’ of their rent,” Baker said. “They can also live in subsidized housing, and they do receive a significantly reduced amount in the subsidized housing.” Anyone who meets the requirements can apply by reaching out to their local Community Action agency. “There’s 120 offices, one in your county,” Baker said. “They’re easily found online, on Facebook, on the Internet. We do have a website at capky.org, where people can find out exactly where to contact their local agency, and they can tell you exactly what you need to bring in for documentation.” A second application period for those experiencing emergency situations like a utility disconnect can also apply for more funding in January. More information about the LIHEAP program is available here. ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. Originally published by WEKU. Republished with permission. https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2024-10-28/fall-liheap-heating-bill-assistance-application-period-to-begin-next-week

WEKU | By Shepherd Snyder Published October 29, 2024 at 6:20 PM EDT Facebook LinkedIn Email

WEKU | By Shepherd Snyder Published October 29, 2024 at 6:22 PM EDT Facebook LinkedIn Email

The Department of the Interior is granting $74 million to Kentucky to help clean pollution near Kentucky’s coal communities.

Lexingtonians can vote can vote early without an excuse from Thursday until Saturday.

Republished from WEKU. The Department of the Interior is granting $74 million to Kentucky to help clean pollution near Kentucky’s coal communities. The money is meant to clean up “legacy pollution” near abandoned mines. It comes as part of the department’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation program. A release from the Department of the Interior says it’s part of a nationwide effort to address nearly all of the nation’s abandoned coal mines, and help restore nearby communities. It’s also meant to provide jobs in the area and improve public health. More than $11 billion in total is going to address abandoned mine pollution nationwide through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. Originally published by WEKU. Republished with permission. https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2024-10-30/federal-money-goes-to-address-pollution-in-coal-communities

The Fayette County Clerk’s office says they feel good about ballot security on Election Day.

Voters wait in line at the Lexington Public Library's Central Branch Friday afternoon.