Blog By: Lauren K. Repa
Kentucky is known worldwide for its horse races, and betting on horse races is integral to Kentucky's culture and economy. In this blog, 2L Staffer Lauren K. Repa argues that the passing of House Bill 551 this past September, legalizing all sports betting, might put horse racing at risk, with betters flocking to other forms of gambling. However, not all is lost; Repa asserts AI apps such as EquinEdge might be the program Kentuckians need to keep horse racing alive with the passing of the new legislation.
Blog By: Antonio C. Ellzey
In this blog, 3L Antonio C. Ellzey points out that California Governor Newsom recently vetoed a pending California state law that aimed to address the dangers of gas appliances. Specifically, the new law would have required manufacturers to place warning labels on gas stoves to inform consumers of their health effects. Some say the new law would help build awareness around a hidden danger while others say the new would restrict Californians’ freedom. Ellzey believes the pending law would positively impact Californians because they can make better-informed decisions around their health and safety, which would ultimately help save lives.
Blog By: Stevi Whitman
In this blog, 3L staffer Stevi Whitman argues for the use of certification marks to promote authenticity within the whiskey industry by introducing the Estate Whiskey Alliance® (EWA). The EWA is a member led association spearheaded by UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky, the James B. Beam Institute, Marker’s Mark Distillery, and other founding members, tasked with ensuring quality standards of whiskey production, promoting the benefits of local sourcing, and advancing sustainability efforts throughout the whiskey industry through the use of certification marks.
Blog By: Phillip Burress
Kentucky is home to 100 distilleries in 42 counties and produces 95% of the world's bourbon. In this Blog, 3L Phillip Burress discusses the threat posed by "Whiskey Fungus" on Kentucky property owners and the legal challenges facing Kentucky distillers.
Blog By: Ashton Edwards
In this Blog, 3L Staffer Ashton Edwards argues that instead of staying silent on the issue, Congress should respond to the interstate commerce concerns that reside in the Prop 12, a proposition that was made law by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Edwards discusses that so far, Congress has yet to address the arguments and concerns of Farmers, the Court, or citizens, even though this law arguably has a substantial impact on interstate commerce.
Within the next decade, Kentucky’s beloved Red River Gorge must undergo significant commercial development. Discussion about how to monetize this natural landmark without compromising the environment has Kentucky residents concerned. Staffer Howard Ball writes on the Chamber of Commerce’s plan to boost ecotourism and bring money to Eastern Kentucky.
With Kentucky’s famed Bourbon Trail, the state is uniquely poised to benefit from agritourism. And with statutes on the books, farmers already have the framework needed to succeed in this blooming industry. Read more to learn how piggybacking off of bourbon can benefit Kentucky’s farmers in agritourism.
In the past, hemp farmers struggled to secure financial capital to run viable farms. However, the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill launched a series of federal legislation that aided farmers interested in the THC industry. The SAFE Banking Act is the newest piece of federal legislation that provides a safety net for banks to lawfully work with the hemp industry without being subject to the heightened regulatory scrutiny necessary to work with the marijuana sector. In this blog post, 2L staffer Vincent Kleindienst explores the impact of the SAFE Banking Act.
Historically, the United States has not done the best job protecting Native American land. Currently, the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation is fighting in federal with the city of San Antonio over a sacred cemetery. In this post, Savannah Baker examines federal agencies’ role in keeping sacred sites sacred.
The Trump administration’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule (“ACE”) improves the efficiency of power plants, but what does this mean for the environment and climate change? In this post, staffer Joy Kleisinger explores the administrative challenges to saving the environment while enforcing Trump’s ACE rule.
