KET head bows out of Birthright fundraiser

Shae Hopkins, executive director of Kentucky Educational Television, has dropped out of a fundraiser for Birthright of Lexington, which provides assistance to women with unplanned pregnancies, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader. "Unfortunately, a normal vetting process of this event was not taken," KET spokesperson Tim Bischoff told the newspaper in a statement. "Although Birthright International has a philosophy of avoiding direct involvement in political advocacy, after further consideration and out of concern that her participation could lead to the perception that she and/or KET are endorsing a particular cause, Ms. Hopkins has decided not to participate." Hopkins was scheduled to be a celebrity auctioneer for the nonprofit's Bid & Buy 2010 event on Nov. 6.