By Sheila Ash Kentucky State Police will begin issuing citations for violators of the state’s new texting-while-driving law this weekend.A grace period for the law that went into effect in July ends with the arrival of the new year Saturday. Trooper John Hawkins says the law goes a step further for teenagers."Drivers 18 and under are not allowed to use a cell phone or text while they’re driving unless they are making an emergency phone call," he said. The fine for texting while driving is $25 dollars for the first offense and $50 dollars for each additional offense.Hawkins says traffic fatalities are down this year. He attributes that to drivers making better decisions.
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.