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.
During Covid-19, many people began looking for ways to get outside safely. With its beautiful hiking trails and scenery, the Red River Gorge saw an influx of individuals as it became an ideal safe solution for many individuals. This influx of people at The Gorge may not end as the idea of a resort seems to be on the horizon. 2L Staffer Jenny Lohr explores the idea of this new resort coming and how it may harm this beautiful area.
To encourage people to voluntarily and permanently restrict the use of real property to help environmental conservation, the government provides tax deductions for those that do. Unfortunately, due to recent and ongoing litigation, people may not be so inclined to continue doing that. Senior staffer Scott Kunde analyzes this ongoing issue and how it could directly affect the original goal of conservation easements.
The Bristol Bay watershed, though remote, is home to tribal governments, villages, and numerous animal species, chief among those being Pacific salmon. Valuable mineral resources are also found in Bristol Bay, which has subjected the watershed to decades of open-pit mine prospecting by global investors—a form of resource extraction that results in large amounts of waste. 2L staffer, Evan Callahan, explores what has been done and what should be done further to preserve the ecology and economy of Bristol Bay.
