An existential threat to Kentucky’s community newspapers

HouseBill368,sponsoredbyRep.JenniferDecker,R-Waddy,andawaitingactionintheSenate,wouldallowlocalgovernmentsandotherstoremovelegalnoticesfromnewspapersandplacethemongovernmentwebsites.Thesearethingslikenoticesofmeetings,proposedordinances,mastercommissionersales,estatefilings,utilityrateincreases.(GettyImages) CommunityjournalistsacrossKentuckyareraisingalarmsaboutHouseBill368,whichwouldendarequirementtopublishlegalnoticesinlocalnewspapers.ThemeasureclearedtheKentuckyHouse62-30onFeb.26. JaneAshleyPace,immediatepastpresidentoftheKentuckyPressAssociationandpublisherofTheOldhamEraandtheHenryCountyLocal,recentlywrotethatHB368woulddecreasegovernmenttransparencyandcouldcostsomesmaller,ruralcountiestheirlocalnewspaper.   ThefollowingisaneditedversionofacolumnpublishedintheWoodfordSunwrittenbySunmanagingeditorScottWhite. Justwhenyouthinkthingsareturningaround.... TheKentuckyGeneralAssemblyisconsideringHouseBill368,which,ifpassedintolaw