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.
Seeds are the building blocks of food and the foundation of agriculture. A practice known as “seed sharing,” has been in practice for generations to ensure the preservation and continuance of heirloom seeds. In the last few decades, this practice has been under attack as large private companies have dominated the seed industry. In this piece, staffer Savannah Baker highlights the importance of seeds and the need for seed sharing to continue.
Kentucky’s declining coal industry has dealt the state with an unwanted mess. Abrupt shutdowns and improperly reclaimed mines have left Appalachia looking for answers. In this post, staffer Brent House analyzes the problems associated with the fading industry and looks to the new administration for guidance and relief.
Due to agricultural mismanagement, unfortunate weather, and the spread of COVID-19, North Korea is on the brink of a disastrous famine. In this piece, staffer Preston Johnson analyzes how the country’s ideologies, lack of action, and the pandemic have left the North Korean people in a dire situation.
While the Kentucky pension crisis remains a focal point among the state government, crippling the state and putting workers at risk, staffer William Hutchins offers up a unique solution: legalizing marijuana. Read more to learn about how Kentucky has the climate, soil, and market that could generate some much-needed revenue.
While most people are in agreement that solar power is a viable alternative to fossil fuels, tensions can arise when communities must bear the burden with none of the benefits. In her debut post, staffer Samantha Blakeman examines why Winchester, Kentucky residents have opposed the introduction of industrial solar farms in their community.
The California Governor has recently issued an executive order mandating all passenger cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. In Howard Ball’s post, he breaks down the rationale but brings an air of skepticism to the mandate. Keep reading to learn about the potential drawbacks of this futuristic law.
