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Bluegrass Politics

@bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social
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Kentucky politics news from Lexington Herald-Leader journalists. Also find our work at @kentucky.com‬.

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Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
Taylor Six @taylorsixhl.bsky.social · 9h
Mike Rison never had the opportunity to go to rehab until he went to Addiction Recovery Care in 2025. "I want to try to have something better. I want to stay as long as it takes to stop doing this," he said. He died July 17, 2025, at Riverplace. www.kentucky.com/news/state/k...
kentucky.com
Kentucky family sues embattled Addiction Recovery Care after man died in their facility
The Rison family attorney says claims in the lawsuit are not “one-off” mistakes, but tactics to enhance Addiction Recovery Care’s finances.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 12h
Fact Check: Where do Lexington city council at-large candidates stand on Flock cameras? www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
kentucky.com
Fact Check: Where do Lexington at-large candidates stand on Flock cameras?
Flock cameras capture license plate numbers. Some Kentucky cities have abandoned the cameras due to privacy concerns.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 13h
Opinion: Kentucky judges are supposed to be nonpartisan, and for good reason. We shouldn't see politicians line up behind their favored judicial candidates. ^JC www.kentucky.com/opinion/arti...
kentucky.com
Why partisanship in Kentucky’s judge elections would be harmful | Opinion
Opinion: Partisanship would erode judicial independence in Kentucky. Nonpartisan elections protect fair rulings, open-minded judges and the rule of law for all citizens.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 13h
The amount of money sloshing through that athletics department ... ^JC www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
kentucky.com
Kentucky must pay LSU $500,000 fine after storming the field in overtime win
UK was fined for the first time by the SEC for violating the field storming rule since the league upped the penalty to $500,000.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
“I overpaid, but I didn't care because I was nurturing my relationship in Trump world,” Kentucky lawyer Eric Deters said. The House Oversight Committee chairman, James Comers, is also from Kentucky. Seems like a ripe subject for an oversight investigation. ^JC www.lpm.org/news/2026-10...
lpm.org
Former Kentucky lawyer, GOP donor says Kimberly Guilfoyle solicited funds for access
Ahead of her confirmation as ambassador to Greece, former northern Kentucky lawyer Eric Deters says Kimberly Guilfoyle asked him to wire $100,000 to her American Express account.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Hurricane Isaias: "I'll see your couch burning and raise you eight inches of rain." ^JC www.kentucky.com/news/local/a...
kentucky.com
Lexington police already preparing for State Street celebrations if UK beats LSU
“We don’t want you to remember that night by having handcuffs on,” a Lexington police spokesperson said. “We want you to remember that night by celebrating because you did it responsibly, and you have...
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Adding to our weekly issues stories in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District race: What would Zach Dembo and Ralph Alvarado do about rising prices? Next week, we ask them about the Iran war. ^JC www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
kentucky.com
Fact check: Voters fret over inflation. What do Central KY House candidates say?
Voters say cost of living is their top issue in Nov. 3 midterm elections, with Republican President Donald Trump taking much of the blame.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
When political candidates dodge reporters because they don't like taking questions ... ... skip debates because they don't like explaining themselves with opponents present ... ... what happens if they get elected to office and have to actually deal with diverse sets of real people? ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Voters are upset about rising prices. What do Central Kentucky's U.S. House candidates say about their plans to fight inflation? Zach Dembo shares his ideas; Ralph Alvarado refuses to comment. ^JC www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
kentucky.com
Fact check: Voters fret over inflation. What do Central KY House candidates say?
Voters say cost of living is their top issue in Nov. 3 midterm elections, with Republican President Donald Trump taking much of the blame.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Democratic PAC Kentuckians Not Corruption releases a new poll that finds Zach Dembo leading Ralph Alvarado in the 6th Congressional District. So far, Dembo has done well in the polls released by the Democrats. We haven't seen any of the Republicans' (or independent) polls yet. ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
We've always paid our own credit card bills. Just seems simpler that way. Maybe it's different for U.S. ambassadors, though, who knows? ^JC www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | ‘Honey Please’: Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account
Text messages with a MAGA ally show Guilfoyle seeking funds and offering access to top administration officials before becoming ambassador to Greece.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Teachers in one-third of Kentucky school districts received no pay raise this year. via KyPolicy kypolicy.org/2027-kentuck...
kypolicy.org
Teachers in a Third of Kentucky School Districts Received No Raise This Year - Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
One in three school districts (58 of the state’s 171) provided no raise for teachers and other certified employees this school year.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson coming to Lexington for high-priced Ralph Alvarado fundraiser www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/election/article317537734.html
kentucky.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson coming to Lexington for high-priced Alvarado fundraiser
Tickets are $3,500 per guest, or $5,000 for a VIP photo. The address remains a secret until donors RSVP for the Lexington event.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and challenger Raquel Carter sparred over snow and ice storm cleanup, Flock cameras and how to deal with housing shortages during a televised debate. www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article317500799.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Lexington mayoral candidates spar over Flock cameras, housing and data centers
Mayor Linda Gorton and challenger Raquel Carter had several tense exchanges during televised debate
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Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
Mario Anderson @marioandersontv.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#NEW | Former 2x Kentucky State Auditor Mike Harmon says he is launching a campaign for Secretary of State in 2027. Harmon was a previous Republican primary candidate for #kygov in 2023 and previously served as state representative from 2003-2016.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
It was 20 years ago, in 2006, that Lexington voters overwhelmingly decided against a city acquisition of the water company that would have put the utility in the community's hands. ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Kentucky American Water, which recently raised our water bills, wants to raise our water bills again. via WEKU ^JC www.weku.org/lexington-ri...
weku.org
Kentucky American Water wants to increase rates again. State regulators to hear from public first
Kentucky American is asking state Public Service Commission for increases to residential, commercial and industrial rates.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Study: Government agencies and public officials are more likely to ignore reporters' questions than they used to. Not only is there no price to pay for refusing to comment, the public often blames reporters for getting stonewalled. ^JC rjionline.org/news/journal...
rjionline.org
Journalism must retire ‘no comment’ phrase, new survey from Reynolds Journalism Institute reveals
Addressing the rising tide of “no comment” could help the industry solve its dual crises of declining trust and rising hostility.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has tapped a retired University of Kentucky law professor and a nonprofit leader to co-chair an external review of Lexington’s license-plate reader cameras. www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article317516229.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Mayor names retired UK professor and nonprofit leader to Flock camera review panel
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has called for an external review of Flock license-plate reader cameras.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The Lexington city council moved forward regulations Tuesday that would extend a current moratorium on data centers until Oct. 31, 2027. www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article317510085.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Lexington council moves to extend data center moratorium until 2027. What to know
After a marathon public meeting, Lexington council extends data center moratorium and sends regulations back to planning commission.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Some Kentucky college students might be living in cars or on friends’ couches, and homelessness is an issue that deserves the attention of the 2027 General Assembly, state lawmakers were told on Tuesday. www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article317516112.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Lawmaker: Homeless KY college students may be living in cars or ‘couch surfing’
KY House Minority Whip Rep. Joshua Watkins, D-Louisville, is asking state lawmakers to pass a bill to help homeless college students.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Republican Ralph Alvarado, who is expected to skip next Monday's KET forum for the 6th Congressional District candidates, appears to be in a tight race. But he often doesn't return phone calls when reporters have questions. Many news stories have variations of "Alvarado did not respond." ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A jury has been seated to decide whether an Eastern Kentucky jail and its corporate health care provider have any responsibility for an inmate who died in their care. www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article317509444.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Trial begins over Whitley County jail’s alleged role in 2021 inmate death
Terri Beth Mays, 32, died Nov. 4, 2021, shortly after she was found unresponsive in her cell inside the Whitley County Detention Center.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Social worker charged with sexual abuse at Eastern Kentucky juvenile detention center www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
kentucky.com
Social worker charged with sexual abuse at Eastern KY juvenile detention center
State investigators say a social worker can be seen on video repeatedly kissing a teen in custody who was assigned to her for therapy.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
In new ad, former Democratic Gov. Paul Patton says he used to work with GOP U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers in Eastern KY's 5th District. But Rogers "sold us out to the elites" by backing Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, Patton says, and at age 88 - barely younger than Patton - he's "too old for Congress." ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Want to know more before you cast your vote Nov. 3? We've been asking Central Kentucky's U.S. House candidates, Zach Dembo and Ralph Alvarado, about different issues each week. Last week it was AI and data centers. ^JC www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
kentucky.com
Fact check: What do Central Kentucky House candidates say about AI and data centers?
Democrat Zach Dembo and Republican Ralph Alvarado have different visions for what Congress should do about artificial intelligence.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
U.S. Department of Homeland Security is investigating Kentucky bourbon maker’s alleged secret sex recordings www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/bou...
kentucky.com
Homeland Security investigating Kentucky bourbon maker’s alleged secret sex recordings
Wes Henderson has been accused by family members of secretly taping them and others, including at the Kentucky Castle.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
From the in-box: Republican Jack Whitfield, a lawyer, says he launched his campaign for Kentucky secretary of state on Saturday in Bowling Green, says he's "100% pro-life, pro-gun and pro-Trump." ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Fact check: MAGA PAC says Zach Dembo is ‘all-in to protect illegal immigrants.’ Is he? www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
kentucky.com
Fact check: MAGA PAC says Dembo is ‘all-in to protect illegal immigrants.’ Is he?
New attack ad attempts to tie Democratic congressional nominee Zach Dembo to former President Joe Biden’s record on border security.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Fact check: Ad says Ralph Alvarado stood by Gov. Matt Bevin's Medicaid and education cuts. Did he? www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
kentucky.com
Fact check: Ad says Alvarado stood by Bevin’s Medicaid, education cuts. Did he?
Democratic PAC links Republican U.S. House nominee Ralph Alvarado to former Gov. Matt Bevin by reminding voters of Bevin’s unpopular moves.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This seems like a sound investment: Columbia University unveils new online programs for getting a master's degree in journalism, priced at $120,000 to $180,000. ^JC shorturl.at/ENPnp
shorturl.at
Columbia Journalism School will pause its M.A. program (and launch an online degree)
The Columbia Journalism School will pause admissions for its Master of Arts program, dean Jelani Cobb announced on Thursday. The country's most prestigious journalism school also announced a new onlin...
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
KY's Republican agriculture commissioner calls on Gov. Andy Beshear to do something about the cost of diesel that is skyrocketing because of President Trump's war in Iran. ^JC via KY Lantern kentuckylantern.com/2026/10/01/k...
kentuckylantern.com
Kentucky agriculture commissioner calls on governor to pause restriction on untaxed diesel • Kentucky Lantern
Republican Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell is asking Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to temporarily suspend a prohibition on using untaxed diesel on public roads.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Central Kentucky's U.S. House candidates - Zach Dembo and Ralph Alvarado - have different ideas for what Congress should be doing about AI and data centers. ^JC shorturl.at/bvgw2
shorturl.at
Fact check: What do Central Kentucky House candidates say about AI and data centers?
Democrat Zach Dembo and Republican Ralph Alvarado have different visions for what Congress should do about artificial intelligence.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Andy Beshear faces pressure as head of the Democratic Governors Association. Angry Dems in Southern states that haven't elected a Dem as governor in decades all say this, THIS will be our year, so where's our money? ^JC via NY Times www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...
nytimes.com
Texas Governor Race Puts Pressure on Andy Beshear and Democratic Governors Association
Allies of Gina Hinojosa want a Democratic group to support her bid for Texas governor — putting pressure on its chairman, Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, who is weighing a run for president.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Looks like an additional $214,000 in spending has been reported in the 6th District race in the hours since we filed this story, mostly from the Kentuckians Not Corruption PAC, supporting Zach Dembo. Obviously, a lot more cash is on its way. ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Andy Barr, who ran an angry GOP primary campaign for U.S. Senate ("give woke liberals something else to cry about," "it's not a sin to be white, not against the law to be male"), makes a pitch to Democrats in his new general election ad. ^JC www.youtube.com/watch?v=igIWgH_MiQs
youtube.com
Kentucky First
YouTube video by Andy Barr for Senate
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Because waiting until July, when it would melt on its own, didn't prove successful: Lexington mayoral candidates spar over snow removal plans www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article317414911.html?__vfz=medium%3Dconversations_top_pages
kentucky.com
Fact Check: Lexington mayoral candidates spar over snow removal plans
Mayor Linda Gorton unveils new snow plan. Challenger Raquel Carter says plan is too little too late.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Flooded with ads for Central Kentucky’s U.S. House race? Thank these out-of-town PACs www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/election/article317439116.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Flooded with ads for Central Kentucky’s US House race? Thank these out-of-town PACs
Outside spending to influence Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District neared $1.3 million by Sept. 26, according to federal election records.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Prison guard in Lexington who assaulted inmate and lied to cover it up gets probation. Attorney: Guard "lost his temper." www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article317438671.html
kentucky.com
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This week on WEKU's "Eastern Standard," we talk about our recent investigative package on some of Kentucky's worst nursing homes and the federal/state program that isn't fixing them. Thursday at 1 pm & 8 pm, Sunday at 6 pm. shorturl.at/tjW8w
shorturl.at
KY keeps a list of nursing homes where neglect, abuse pile up. Why can’t it fix them?
Critics say the Special Focus Facility program doesn’t do much to fix the safety problems at nursing homes where residents suffer.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reacted to questions on CNN’s State of the Union about Republicans and some Democrats saying transgender girls should not participate in girls’ sports. www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article317410409.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
‘We don’t throw anybody under the bus.’ Beshear on GOP attack ads about trans athletes
“I tell you what, if we want to ruin sports, put government in charge of them,” Beshear said Sunday on CNN while commenting on attacks ads over anti-trans legislation.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We appear to have reached the inevitable point in the 6th Congressional District race - inevitable for us - where neither campaign is speaking to us anymore. ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Fact check: Zach Dembo says Ralph Alvarado ‘backed’ Gov. Matt Bevin’s controversial pardons. Did he? www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/election/article317367763.html?giftCode=61b911fae7ae02772727fc7ad76d0287b267fea36baa51fe767d3dd29722755c
kentucky.com
Fact check: Dembo says Alvarado ‘backed’ Bevin’s controversial pardons. Did he?
Ralph Alvarado was Gov. Matt Bevin’s 2019 running mate. But what did he say when Bevin pardoned hundreds of criminals after the election?
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Fact check: Ralph Alvarado says Zach Dembo ‘admitted’ he wants to raise your taxes. Did he? www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/election/article317382520.html?giftCode=fd345c5836c14ccee1e270e68209a4dcf246f554fc3ad3eddec516f39e470cc5
kentucky.com
Fact check: Alvarado says Dembo ‘admitted’ he wants to raise your taxes. Did he?
Facing voters who are unhappy about the economy, Republican Ralph Alvarado wants to paint Democrat Zach Dembo as a tax-and-spend liberal.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Gov. Andy Beshear announced the opening of the Governor’s Office of Music, “dedicated to highlighting Kentucky’s storied music legacy and to supporting Kentucky artists, venues, festivals and music businesses.” www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article317393192.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Beshear opens KY Office of Music, cites Childers, Stapleton, Lynn and Monroe
Kentucky’s arts industry, including music, has a $6.9 billion economic impact, Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Pope Leo expresses support for embattled American journalists, says "you are all welcome." Great, is he hiring? ^JC www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/world/europe/pope-leo-media-trump.html
nytimes.com
Pope Leo Signals Support for Journalists Targeted by Trump
Asked about the Trump administration’s restrictions on journalists, Leo told reporters accompanying him on a flight to France that they were “all welcome.”
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Frankfort Republicans’ hopes were dashed by the Kentucky Supreme Court Thursday when justices said they would not reconsider a previous ruling that blocked a Lexington judge’s impeachment. www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article317369897.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
Supreme Court ruling doesn’t end the saga of Lexington judge’s impeachment. What’s next
The Supreme Court won’t reconsider their original ruling, but another appeal is still pending.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Kentucky school district cancels class for bus driver shortage. Should there be more state funding? www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article317373482.html#storylink=cpy
kentucky.com
KY school district cancels class for bus driver shortage. Should there be more state funding?
Lack of state funding for school transportation is hurting school districts, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy says.
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
OK then: "This way, no one will have to worry about campaign disclosures or names being associated with this donation." ^JC
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Bluegrass Politics @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Tomorrow the Lexington Herald-Leader will lose a lot of great journalists, including most of the people who have been covering Kentucky politics and state government for us. Here's a too-quick summary of our losses, and yours. ^JC
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