"Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is appointing the first Black member to the Fish and Wildlife Commission and creating the position of a liaison to his office to represent sportsmen and women.

"Beshear announced Tuesday that Jerry Ferrell of Richmond will fill the vacancy of Fish and Wildlife commissioner for the state's 6th District.

"The Democratic governor also named Mark Nethery of Louisville as a liaison to his office to 'provide Kentucky's more than 600,000 sportsmen and women with a direct link to the governor's Office, giving voice to their concerns and sharing their perspectives in a meaningful way.'

"'With his appointment and the creation of a new sportsmen's liaison, we are furthering the steps of the Kentucky sportspeople who demand transparency, inclusion and public involvement.'"

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission is currently embroiled in two open government lawsuits.

In June, Oldham County sportsman Larry Richards filed an open meetings appeal in the Franklin Circuit Court from the Commission's closed session discussion of Department Commissioner Rich Storm's reappointment.

In September, the Kentucky Open Government Coalition filed an open records appeal in the Franklin Circuit Court from the Commission's partial denial of a request for identified records sent or received by commissioners, pertaining to public business, because they were sent or received on privately owned devices or email accounts.

Both cases are ongoing.