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Kentucky State Parks Nix Confederate Flag Merchandise

Kentucky Department of Parks

The Kentucky Department of Parks will no longer sell merchandise featuring the Confederate battle flag at park gift shops.

The policy is modeled after one recently established by the National Park Service in the wake of the church shootings last month in South Carolina.

"We're doing it because we want our parks to be welcoming to all people and we feel like this is a step in the right direction," Department of Parks Spokesman Gil Lawson told WKU Public Radio.

Under the policy, already in effect, items such as caps and shirts bearing the Confederate emblem are banned from gift shops.  There are some exceptions, including items featuring both the U.S. and Confederate battle flags, and educational material such as books and DVDs.

The ban will primarily affect gift shops at three sites that feature Civil War history: the Jefferson Davis Birthplace, the Perryville Battlefield, and the Columbus-Belmont State Park.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.