News from the South - Kentucky News Feed
House passes bill to expand options for Kentucky schools to make up lost classroom time
House passes bill to expand options for Kentucky schools to make up lost classroom time
by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky Lantern
February 21, 2025
Despite a handful of Republicans voting no, the Kentucky House passed a measure that would expand options for public school districts that have lost instructional time to weather closures and other reasons, including recent statewide flooding.
If House Bill 241 becomes law, Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher would be authorized to grant up to five “disaster relief student attendance days” when schools could provide instruction without having students in the classroom. Fletcher could also waive five required days for a district if making up the instruction would keep schools in session past June 4.
The Hose approved the bill Friday morning by a vote of 82-7. Earlier this week, floods swept over all of Kentucky’s 120 counties and snow and cold temperatures soon followed. Gov. Andy Beshear has said 15 people have died from the weather in recent days.
The bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Timmy Truett, R-McKee, said Fletcher told him that as of Friday morning, 64 of the state’s 170 public school districts had used their 10 allotted non-traditional instruction (NTI) days. Another 40 districts have one NTI day remaining.
Truett, an elementary school principal, had previously acknowledged in a House committee that virtual learning is “not as good as in-seat instruction,” but argued “it does beat the alternative.”
“We’re trying to make a bad situation as good as possible,” Truett said on the House floor.
During NTI days, students participate in virtual learning at home. Even before the most recent flooding, some schools had used NTI days for bad winter weather or sickness. Kentucky law requires school districts to provide 170 student attendance days and offer a minimum of 1,062 instructional hours.
Other avenues for school districts in the House bill include districts lengthening school days. Local school boards may also revise their calendars and submit plans to the Kentucky Department of Education for approval.
Rep. Tina Bojanowski, an elementary school teacher and Democrat from Louisville, voted for the bill and also said, “I’m going to tell you, the most important thing we can do is have children in the building, in their seats, in classrooms, and there is no exception for that, nothing virtual, nothing at home,” she said.
Among Republicans voting against the bill, Rep. T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington, said the measure was “extraordinarily well-intended,” but he had “concerns about the level of discretion being given on this issue.”
Rep. Felicia Rabourn, R-Turners Station, filed House Bill 737 which would eliminate NTI days. She voted against Truett’s bill Friday.
House Bill 241 now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
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 House passes bill to expand options for Kentucky schools to make up lost classroom time appeared first on kentuckylantern.com
News from the South - Kentucky News Feed
Evening Forecast 3/29/2025
SUMMARY: The evening forecast for March 29, 2025, indicates a warm Saturday with cloud cover and occasional sunshine, as temperatures remain mild (ranging from 64°F to 70°F). Overnight, scattered showers are expected, particularly from the Ohio River region. A cold front approaching from the west may lead to severe weather late tomorrow evening into early Monday, with a significant risk for damaging winds, hail, and possibly tornadoes. Overnight lows are forecasted at 63°F, with scattered showers continuing into Sunday. A stormy pattern is anticipated next week, with highs in the 70s and daily chances for rain and storms.

Evening Forecast 3/29/2025
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News from the South - Kentucky News Feed
Bowling Green Purples end 2024-2025 campaign as the state runner-up
SUMMARY: The Bowling Green Purples made a strong run in the KHSAA Sweet 16 Tournament, with senior leadership guiding them to overtime victories and a standout three-point shooting performance in the semifinals. They reached the 2025 state championship, marking their third appearance in the title game. Despite a strong effort, including late three-pointers by Kadyn Carpenter and Jace Wardlow, Bowling Green fell short against Great Crossing. The Warhawks, led by Kentucky commit Malachi Moreno, built a commanding lead and won 71-61. The Purples finished with a 31-7 record, securing a 4th region title and a state runner-up finish.
The post Bowling Green Purples end 2024-2025 campaign as the state runner-up appeared first on www.wnky.com
News from the South - Kentucky News Feed
Evening weather forecast 3/28/2025
SUMMARY: The weather forecast for March 28, 2025, predicts a warm weekend with gusty winds, temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and a few chances of showers. By Sunday, cloud cover increases, bringing a chance of thunderstorms, with a risk for strong to severe weather, including winds, hail, and tornadoes. A cold front moving through the region could trigger significant storms late Sunday into Monday. Heavy rain, flooding, and severe weather are expected, with a significant weather risk from the Midwest to the East Coast. Temperatures will drop following the front, with more storm chances next week.

FOX 56 meteorologist Justin Esterly is tracking a severe weather system due to cross into Kentucky bringing flood chances as well as high wind and hail potential throughout western and central Kentucky on Sunday evening into Monday. For the latest weather updates, download the FOX 56 Weather Authority App.
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