From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeighThe man who has headed the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet since Governor Steve Beshear took office in December of 2007 is stepping down."With much regret, today I accept the resignation of my friend, Joe Prather, as secretary of the Transportation Cabinet," Beshear announced Tuesday morning.Gov. Beshear says Secretary Prather, who’s nearly 70, just wants to spend more time with his wife Jennie, their children and grandchildren. Beshear says Prather never intended to remain in the administration for the governor’s complete tenure. “He simply has nothing else to prove. And with that, I couldn’t agree more,” Beshear said.He says Prather has cleaned-up the cabinet, which the governor once called a “cesspool of cronyism,” and has made it more cost effective and efficient. Beshear has named State Highway Engineer Mike Hancock acting secretary. He's a career employee of the cabinet.
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.