The ruling from Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd on Wednesday permanently blocks an executive order Bevin issued earlier this year that replaced all of the members of the university's board. Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear sued, arguing Bevin's order was illegal.
It is the second defeat for Bevin in a week in his battles with Beshear. Last week, the state Supreme Court ruled Bevin could not cut the budgets of state colleges and universities without the approval of the state legislature. Beshear sued to stop Bevin in that case, too.
Bevin will most likely appeal the ruling. Both sides have said they expect the case to end up before the state Supreme Court.
