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For the second time in three years, Thoroughbred horse racing trainer Bob Baffert has his eyes set on the Triple Crown.  Justify, held off the charging horses from behind Saturday in capturing the Preakness in Baltimore.  Now, it’s on to the Belmont on June ninth. 

Kentucky Thorougbred Association Director Chauncey Morris says Baffert does have a bit of history on his side. “One trainer, if they’ve done it, there is a chance that they could do it again.  Mr. Baffert is certainly a brilliant trainer,” said Morris.

A local political race in a northeast Kentucky town is drawing attention well beyond the Appalachian community. A gay man who was refused a marriage license by the current county clerk is running for that very position. 

David Ermold hopes to win his Democratic primary race tomorrow, so he has a chance to unseat Kim Davis.  Davis is the woman who wouldn’t grant him and his now husband their marriage license three years ago.   Media attention is affecting all four candidates in the county race.

While six Democrats are seeking the nomination in the Sixth Congressional District, only two are competing in the Republican primary. Incumbent Andy Barr is seeking a fourth term while opponent Chuck Eddy is making his first run.

Chuck Eddy says Donald Trump’s move from entertainment and real estate to the White House got his attention. “I’ll be honest I watched “The Apprentice” and thought it was kind of funny, but then when he was in reality trying to do something, I was horrified,” said Eddy. 

Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins is predicting a voter turnout just shy of 30% in the state’s second largest city for Tuesday’s Primary Election. His staff has been challenged in securing polling workers this spring. 

Water Quality Director Charlie Martin says it’s unclear when Lexington residents will see an increase in their sanitary sewer fees. Martin recently update a council committee on water projects.

This week in Kentucky politics, candidates made their final pushes ahead of next week’s primary elections. Voters across the state will weigh in on who to nominate for Congress, the state legislature and several local offices on Tuesday. Plus Gov. Matt Bevin named a new secretary of the state health cabinet and headed off to Asia on a trade mission. 

Perhaps the most hotly contested race for the U.S. House this year in Kentucky is in the 6th  congressional district. The district includes Lexington and the surrounding area. Health care has become a central issue to the campaigns of six Democrats competing in Tuesday's primary for the party's nomination and they want to unseat incumbent Andy Barr. 

Over his three terms in Congress, Barr has voted dozens of times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

The announced end of the Southland Jamboree summer bluegrass series may have been premature. It appears fundraising efforts are paying off.

Coordinators of the Southland Jamboree had announced that the weekly bluegrass concerts would not happen this summer. 

But a GoFundMe effort online has already nearly enough money to support half a season.  Billy Sherrow helped start the Southland Jamboree in 2006. “The possibility that we could have a very shortened Southland Jamboree this year is very high,” said Sherrow.

An event linking mentors with young people took place Thursday in downtown Lexington.  The Youth Engagement Summit at the Lyric Theatre featured 14 different mentoring organizations.

Governor Matt Bevin is on an economic development trip to Asia this week. The trade mission to Japan and the Republic of Korea will encourage more job creation in Kentucky.

Earlier this week we heard from half of the Democratic candidates for the Sixth Congressional seat - Jim Gray, Reggie Thomas, and Amy McGrath.  The three remaining candidates Daniel Kemph, Geoff Young and Ted Green, face an uphill climb.

Never holding political office can create name recognition challenges which can make it more difficult to raise money for a campaign. That’s been a reality of American politics for a long time

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray’s entrance into Central Kentucky’s congressional race immediately generated interest in the city’s top government job.

Now, a crowded, seven candidate field, is vying to make the cut to battle in the fall. 

Wednesday we heard from Linda Gorton, Ronnie Bastin, Teresa Issac, and Kevin Stinnett.  Three others are on the primary ballot, Ike Lawrence, William Weyman and Skip Horine.

An innovative interchange in Lexington is getting national attention.  The traffic flow strategy was recognized this week in Frankfort.

The American Council of Engineering Companies award recognizes the redesign of the Versailes Road-New Circle Road interchange.  The Louisville-based Qk4 engineering consulting firm incorporated a unique design aimed at resolving safety issues at exchange.  The Versailles Road interchange is the second Kentucky project earning the national American Council of Engineering Companies award of excellence honor.  

EPA Administer Scott Pruitt today faced questions over recently released emails that show White House and EPA officials attempted to delay a new federal standard for toxic chemicals in drinking water. Brittany Patterson reports the chemicals includ the compound C-8 and other similar substances detected in several water systems in the Ohio Valley, 

At a Senate hearing, Republican West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito pressed Pruitt on the emails.

Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet has approved a plan that will enclose radioactive waste in an Estill County landfill. 

Last week state regulators agreed with operators of the Blue Ridge Landfill that keeping the radioactive waste in the ground is the best way to protect human health and the environment.

Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesman John Mura says digging up the material poses unnecessary health risks to workers and residents. It would also cause blowing dust, foul smells and increased traffic. 

The Sixth District Congressional race features six Democrats hoping to replace incumbent Andy Barr. As the May 22nd primary approaches, we’ll hear from three candidates who hope to be competing in the fall in the first of two reports.

With the May primary election less than a week away, Lexington voters are considering seven candidates to lead the Urban County Government.  In this first of two reports, we’ll hear from four contenders in the mayor’s race.

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray deciding to run for Congress opened the door wide for potential successors to his city hall post. 

In this report, we’ll explore two primary issues, the future home for Lexington government and how the urban county government could help young people succeed.

Lexington city leaders are considering spending more money on neighborhood repaving.  The Council’s Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee supported the plan Tuesday.

Lexington Mayor Jim Gray is suggesting $12 million dollars be set aside for street paving next year.  The current budget calls for 42 percent of funding to go toward local neighborhood streets.  Public Works Commissioner Dowell Hoskins-Squier says the yet to be voted on budget dedicates 65 percent of the funds to neighborhood streets.

  Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles announced on Facebook new business prospects with Israel on Monday, following the controversial opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

A new trail is opening up this week across Kentucky, but it has little to do with hiking, biking, or driving.  It’s the initiation of the Kentucky State Park Culinary Trail, right in line with the state parks’ administration focus on food.  

An effort to develop a strategy to reduce group related violence is expected to start this summer in Lexington.

Many members of a large-multi faith organization in the city heard what they wanted to hear during an annual assembly last week.

Representatives of B.U.I.L.D., or Building a United Interfaith Lexington through Direct Action, have had success in convincing government leaders to move forward with their researched initiatives. 

This week in Kentucky politics, Gov. Matt Bevin lashed out again at the judge who hears lawsuits brought against his administration. State lawmakers continued to weigh in on the potential state takeover of Louisville’s public school system. And Kentucky’s U.S. Senators again find themselves on the opposite side of a debate—this time over the nomination of Gina Haspel to be CIA director.