By BRUCE SCHREINER - Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a GOP-backed bill Thursday to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities, declaring that diversity should be embraced as a strength while branding the legi…

Republicans voted to remove restrictions that Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear placed on the practice last year.

Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have added several medical exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban.

His announcement begins the epilogue of a storied career as a master strategist, one in which he helped forge a conservative Supreme Court and steered the Senate through tax cuts, presidential impeachment trials and fierce political fights.

Brewing trade conflicts with Canada and Mexico risk driving up the price of U.S. spirits in those markets.

The measure, which will lower the tax rate from 4% to 3.5% starting next year, sailed through the Republican-led Legislature in the first five days of its session.

Final passage came on a 34-3 Senate vote to lower the tax to 3.5% from 4% at the start of 2026.

In the rolling hills of Kentucky where most of the world’s bourbon supply is crafted, the prospect of a new trade war feels like an aching hangover that won’t go away.

The measure aims to lower the tax to 3.5% from 4% at the start of 2026, continuing a downward trend in the personal income tax rate since Republicans gained full control of the legislature in 2017.

In his annual State of the Commonwealth speech Wednesday evening, Beshear touted Kentucky’s record-setting pace of economic development he attributes to “pushing out that national noise” and finding common ground.

Kentucky’s Republican-dominated legislature has convened to start a 30-day session that’s expected to include action to reduce the state’s individual income tax rate.