WCPO-TV

Gallatin County, Kentucky prosecutors say a state Cabinet for Health and Family Services worker sent two girls, ages 6 and 8, back home despite witnessing suspected abuse injuries — including neck bruising that had reportedly been covered with makeup — after school officials reported the abuse and called law enforcement. County Attorney Grant Axon alleges the worker ordered the girls home over school officials' objections, and that the children were abused again in the roughly 30-minute window before deputies arrived. The girls later underwent forensic interviews at Cincinnati Children's Hospital; two people have since been charged.

The Cabinet, citing Kentucky confidentiality law (KRS 620.050), declined to directly address the allegation but said it treats abuse reports with the "highest level of seriousness." Advocates note the case emerges amid rising demand: Kentucky logged over 83,000 CPS intakes and nearly 8,800 substantiated abuse findings statewide in the past year, with thousands more in the Northern Kentucky region alone, underscoring strain on child-protection systems.

Butler County, Ohio Sheriff Richard Jones, a longtime advocate for stricter immigration enforcement who has partnered with ICE for years, says the Trump administration mishandled the early stages of its second-term immigration crackdown. In a WCPO interview tied to his new book, "They Call Me Jonesy," Jones said the administration "went about it in the wrong way" initially but has since shifted to a "softer approach" after personnel changes, which he called an improvement.

Jones' jail holds federal immigration detainees under a 287(g) agreement with ICE, and he said roughly 450 people were held on immigration matters, with about 6,000 deported from Butler County over the prior 18-19 months. He has faced criticism, including from Ohio lawmakers, over jail conditions, which he disputes. Jones argues the immigration system is "broke," calls for expanded legal immigration paired with tougher enforcement against those in the country illegally, and says bipartisan compromise is needed. He credits immigration as a key factor in Trump's 2024 win.

Two Kentucky adults face attempted murder and other charges after two young girls, ages 6 and 8, allegedly suffered repeated physical abuse, including strangulation, in Gallatin County. The case drew scrutiny after school officials reported suspected abuse on Aug. 28, when the girls arrived with bruising and marks later described in court records as concealed with makeup. A state child-welfare worker reportedly directed the school to send the children home despite objections from the school and law enforcement; investigators allege the girls were abused again in the roughly 30 minutes before deputies arrived.

Kyle Reynolds, 23, faces four attempted murder counts along with strangulation, assault and criminal abuse charges. His girlfriend, Phyllis Culp, 29, faces related charges including complicity. Both girls were hospitalized and underwent forensic interviews describing ongoing physical abuse. A judge found probable cause to send the case to a grand jury and set bonds at $1 million for each defendant. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has not responded to questions about its handling of the initial report.

U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has named Clermont County, Ohio Commissioner David Painter to chair the agency's Local Government Advisory Committee, a 22-member body being revitalized after largely sitting dormant since early 2025. Its first meeting under Painter, set for Sept. 25, will focus on artificial intelligence and data centers — specifically how local governments should site and regulate this fast-growing infrastructure. Painter, a member since 2023 with a 40-year background in environmental project management, is the only Ohioan on the committee; two Indiana officials also serve.

In an interview, Painter said the committee will examine issues including water use and closed-loop cooling systems, noise complaints from residents near facilities, and coal combustion residuals. He emphasized that siting decisions should remain with local townships, villages, and school districts through negotiated development agreements, and stressed planning for waste disposal and environmental impact from a project's outset rather than after the fact.