A bill that would clarify religious freedom in Kentucky advanced in the legislature Wednesday over the objections of groups who fear the measure could be used to trample civil rights. [Bluegrass Politics]

The number of anti-government groups in the United States is at an all-time high and has increased 800 percent since President Barack Obama took office, according to a Southern Poverty Law Center report. [Politico]

Kentucky’s transition to Medicaid managed care is endangering the care of some of Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens who rely on Medicaid to cover their medical care, said Dr. Sheila Schuster of the Advocacy Action Network. [CN|2]

The United States warned Iran on Wednesday that it faces further international isolation if it fails to address the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s concerns about its atomic activities, which the West suspects may have military purposes. [Reuters]

What the heck is wrong with people these days? For several hours, The Nest Preschool in Frankfort was on lockdown after police said a man torched a car nearby and got away on foot. [WKYT]

House Speaker John Boehner held a news conference the day after the November election. “The American people have spoken,” he said. “They’ve re-elected President Obama. And they’ve again re-elected a Republican majority in the House of Representatives.” But last Thursday, when the House of Representatives passed the Violence Against Women Act, it did it without a majority of Republicans. [NPR]

Adam Edelen on House Bill 1 clearing the State Senate: “House Bill 1 represents a historic opportunity to bring accountability and transparency to special districts,” Auditor Edelen said. “It would be a travesty to jeopardize the chance of passing meaningful reform this session to address a governance issue that hasn’t been studied and would jeopardize special districts’ ability to deliver vital public services.” [Press Release]

A controversial telephone deregulation bill will be heard in a House committee on [today]. Rep. Keith Hall, D-Phelps, chairman of the Tourism Development and Energy Committee, said Tuesday that Senate Bill 88 will get a hearing. Opposition doesn’t seem too opposed, as they still refuse to provide information to us and their lobbyists are people we consider to be friends. [Bluegrass Politics]

Rand Paul has been talking, without pause, since 1997, and [yesterday] he accidentally wandered in front of a microphone and spoke for 13 hours. [Wonkette]

It’s a uniquely political act to comply with a uniquely American constitutional requirement: redrawing legislative districts every 10 years to reflect population changes and ensure equal representation. [Ronnie Ellis]

After nearly 13 hours on the Senate floor, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has ended his filibuster of the nomination of John Brennan as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. [HuffPo]

States with the most gun control laws have the fewest gun-related deaths, according to a study that suggests sheer quantity of measures might make a difference. [C-J/AKN]