Decisions were rendered today by the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance in two high-profile cases.Former Lt. Governor Steve Henry has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine and to end fundraising to repay loans made to his 2007 gubernatorial campaign to settle charges brought by the registry.The Courier-Journal reports that the settlement clears the way for a special prosecutor to decide whether to pursue criminal charges against Henry. Former campaign workers say Henry used a Senate exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for his gubernatorial run, which would be a violation of state law.Meanwhile, the registry also ruled Friday that Louisville Metro Councilman Jim King and his daughter, Jefferson District Judge Katie King, unknowingly violated campaign finance laws during her judicial campaign last year.Jim King gave his daughter $135,000, which she in turn spent on her campaign. They could be fined up to five-thousand dollars on each of the five combined counts against them. Their case now goes to conciliation.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.