Kentucky - Houston Stringer

Court rules Michigan school district may prohibit ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ sweatshirts under vulgarity policy

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, U.S.

Court rules Michigan school district may prohibit ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ sweatshirts under vulgarity policy

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a Michigan school district’s decision to prohibit two students from wearing sweatshirts bearing the phrase “Let’s Go Brandon,” ruling that the phrase could be reasonably interpreted as vulgar and thus subject to regulation under the First Amendment’s student speech exceptions. According to Case No. 24-1769 filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and appealed to the Sixth Circuit, two middle school students in Howard City wore sweatshirts to school in 2022 with the phrase widely understood as a euphemism for “F--- Joe Biden.” School administrators requested they remove the garments, citing the district’s dress code prohibiting vulgar or profane attire. The students’ mother, iden...

Sixth Circuit denies coal company’s challenge to black lung benefits for Kentucky miner

14Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky, U.S.

Sixth Circuit denies coal company’s challenge to black lung benefits for Kentucky miner

CINCINNATI, OH – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has denied a petition from the Cumberland River Coal Company, which sought to overturn an award of federal black lung benefits granted to retired Kentucky coal miner Carlos Sturgill. Sturgill, a former underground miner with more than 25 years of experience, retired in 2007 after suffering a heart attack in the mines. He later underwent open-heart surgery and experienced chronic respiratory issues including shortness of breath, wheezing, and bronchitis. After his initial claim for benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) was denied in 2016, Sturgill submitted new medical evidence in a 2018 claim that led to an award of benefits. The BLBA allows coal miners to collect benefits if they develop a respiratory d...

Sixth Circuit affirms dismissal of lawsuit by Kentucky football players falsely accused in fraternity party incident

10Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky, Ohio

Sixth Circuit affirms dismissal of lawsuit by Kentucky football players falsely accused in fraternity party incident

CINCINNATI, OHIO — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by five University of Kentucky football players who were falsely accused of crimes after being racially harassed and assaulted at a fraternity party in Lexington. The plaintiffs, Reuben Jelani Adams, Robert Jutahn McClain, Andru Jackson Phillips, Devito Cyn’cer Tisdale, and Joel Dandre Williams, sued the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and multiple Lexington police officers in their individual capacities, alleging violations of their Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as well as state-law claims for malicious prosecution and defamation. The lawsuit stems from a March 2021 incident at a party hosted by the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity...

33-year-old arrested in Laurel County for failure to pay child support

7Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky

33-year-old arrested in Laurel County for failure to pay child support

LONDON, KY – A 33-year-old man was taken into custody Monday evening in Laurel County on outstanding warrants related to contempt of court and failure to pay child support. According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, Justin Lynch of London was arrested by Deputy Daniel Reed around 6:41 p.m. on October 6, 2025. The arrest occurred off Court Road, approximately three miles south of London. Lynch was wanted on a Madison District Court bench warrant for failure to appear on a contempt of court charge, as well as a Taylor Circuit Court bench warrant for failure to pay child support. He was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center.

Two arrested after children ingest marijuana brownies in Laurel County

7Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky

Two arrested after children ingest marijuana brownies in Laurel County

LONDON, KY – Two adults were arrested after two children reportedly consumed marijuana-laced brownies at a residence on Robert E. Cox Road, approximately nine miles south of London. According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched around 9:57 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, to respond to a possible drug overdose involving two juveniles. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with Tammy Lynn Cundiff, 30, and Brian Taylor Smith, 29. An investigation revealed that both adults had allegedly made two batches of brownies, one with marijuana and one without, and the children had apparently eaten the marijuana-laced batch. The father of the children was notified and transported them to Baptist Health Hospital in Corbin for treatment. Social services responded ...

Woman arrested after K9 detects meth during warrant stop in London

11Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Kentucky

Woman arrested after K9 detects meth during warrant stop in London

LONDON, KY – A woman was arrested early September 10, 2025, after police located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during a traffic-related stop on East 4th Street. According to authorities, K9 Sgt. Dylan Messer arrested 57-year-old Mary N. Caldwell of London, KY, around 2:53 a.m. after officers observed her and her vehicle parked at a business. Officers were aware Caldwell had outstanding Madison County District Court warrants and made contact with her as she returned to the vehicle. While confirming the warrants, K9 Officer Jordan Childers deployed K9 FIRE for a free-air sniff around the vehicle. The dog gave a conditioned response indicating the presence of narcotics, prompting a search of the vehicle. Officers located two baggies containing a crystal-like substance, othe...