Gov.-elect Andy Beshear announced his first round of high-level appointments Thursday, selecting four of his close assistants in the attorney general’s office to move with him to the governor’s office next month.

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton is appealing the dismissal of her Franklin Circuit Court lawsuit to prohibit Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration from firing her two top staffers. Attorney Joshua Harp informed the Franklin Circuit Court Wednesday that Hampton is appealing its decision to the Kentucky Court of Appeals saying “we strongly disagree with the circuit court’s ruling and we believe that this issue is too important not to pursue further legal review.”

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles says the state’s hemp licensing program for 2020 is underway. Grower applications must be submitted by March 15 of next year. Processor applications may be submitted year-round. For the first time, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is hosting an online application portal on its hemp webpage. The department oversees the state’s licensing program.

Federal officials plan to announce a new national wildlife refuge in western Kentucky. A statement from the U.S. Department of the Interior says Secretary David Bernhardt and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell will join other dignitaries Friday in Henderson to announce the Green River National Wildlife Refuge.

Facing thousands of cases of clergy sex abuse, U.S. Catholic leaders addressed their greatest crisis in the modern era with a promised reform: Mandatory review boards. These independent panels with lay people in each diocese would review allegations fairly and kindly. And they would help bishops ensure that no abusive priests stayed in ministry.

The nominations are out and Paintsville native Tyler Childers is in the running to take home his first Grammy Award.