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Former Kentucky Lawmaker Passes Away After Battle With COVID-19

LRC Public Information

A former Kentucky state representative has died after being hospitalized for COVID-19.

Democrat Brent Yonts, who represented a Western Kentucky district for nearly two decades, is said to have received a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine. But media reports say the lawmaker and Greenville attorney still contracted the virus.

A Facebook post from his daughter indicated Yonts received treatment for two weeks, including in intensive care, eventually being placed on a ventilator on Sunday.

Yonts was known for his work on business-related bills. Speaking about the legislature at a Kentucky Chamber meeting in 2016, the policymaker said, "You've got 138 cats in the General Assembly and you can't herd them very well sometimes."

In a statement, Gov. Andy Beshear said Yonts “worked to better the lives of Kentuckians across the commonwealth.”

Yonts passed away early Friday. He was 72.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.