abortion

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit to block a new Kentucky law putting more restrictions on abortions.

Kentucky's Republican governor will appeal a federal judge's ruling that blocks the state's law requiring doctors to conduct an ultrasound exam before an abortion and then try to show fetal images as well as play the fetal heartbeat to the pregnant woman.

UPDATE: Abortion opponents have agreed to a federal restraining order that keeps them from gathering on a patch of sidewalk outside the only clinic still performing abortions in Kentucky.

Attorney General Andy Beshear would see his powers scaled back under a bill substitute filed by Senate President Robert Stivers. The late-breaking change adds more fuel to an ongoing political clash between the top law enforcement official and leading Republicans.

An energized overflow crowd packed into the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort Wednesday for the Kentucky Right to Life Association's annual rally.

Gov. Matt Bevin has accused Attorney General Andy Beshear of backpedaling on his promise to defend a new abortion law passed this month by the Republican-led General Assembly.

Seven new laws – ranging from new abortion restrictions to labor union changes – go into effect in Kentucky this week, but one is already running into a legal challenge.

Kentucky Republicans have stayed on a fast-break pace of advancing many of their priorities.

While the snow fell in Kentucky Thursday, there was a flurry of debate inside the state House and Senate as Republicans leveraged their supermajorities to pass their first bills – among them a 20-week abortion ban, "right-to-work" legislation, and new medical review panels.

Republicans flexed their new legislative muscle Wednesday, sending long-sought-after bills blocked in past sessions by Democratic House majorities out of committee and onto the larger chambers.