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Joe Gerth

@jgerth.bsky.social
566 followers 117 following 142 posts

Journalist. Truth teller. Kentuckian.

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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
My homage to the building we'll leave behind at the end of the week. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: After 77 years, The Courier Journal is getting a new newsroom | Opinion
Three years after The Courier Journal sold its building, the newspaper's offices are moving from Broadway to a tall building on Main Street.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
I heard a quote from John Wooden today that made me think of Donald Trump. "Never mistake activity for achievement."
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Who would have thought Russia, China and North Korea would strengthen their alliance after Donald Trump has belittled American allies and has refused to help as they have aided Ukraine as it battles Russian aggression?
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
With his first NCAA loss under his belt, we should point out now that Bill Belichick has a 83-104 NFL record in games when the starting QB didn't have the initials T.B.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
John Y. Brown III tells me he won a total of 40 stuffed animals for kids at the fair this year, going back a couple more times after this column ran. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
I have been a reporter or columnist for nearly 38 years and never has anyone given me a potato chip bag full of money. Heck, they haven't given me a potato chip bag full of potato chips. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
washingtonpost.com
Eric Adams adviser suspended after giving reporter cash in potato chip bag
City reporter Katie Honan said that Winnie Greco, a volunteer for Adams’s reelection campaign, apologized and told her the gesture was cultural.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
In the Church of Swinetology, this is sacrilege. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: A state fair without the KY Pork Producers’ heavenly pork chop sandwich? Blasphemy!
The Kentucky Pork Producers aren't selling pork chop sandwiches at the Kentucky State Fair for the first time in over 40 years. How could this be?
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
McConnell trained his snakes; now they're spitting venom at him. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Mitch McConnell will be Republicans' target at Fancy Farm. Will he go? | Opinion
Mitch McConnell used to love Fancy Farm but that could change as former supporters take aim at his job and his legacy.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Justice for now, but maybe not justice forever. Whether Breonna Taylor's family sees justice is up to the most unjust president ever. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: In Brett Hankison case, justice lives another day. It may not live long. | Opinion
The Trump administration fought against justice for Breonna Taylor, but the judge in the case gave it to former LMPD officer Brett Hankison anyway.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
My most recent column. Sammy T. Hughes was a forgotten star in the old Negro Leagues. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Louisville baseball legend was forgotten. Negro Leagues group hopes to fix that. | Opinion
Sammy T. Hughes played in the Negro Leagues from 1930 to 1946. He was a star who was buried without pomp or a headstone.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
Who do you think is on the list?
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
I don’t care if you agree with the pardon or not, but to call him a political prisoner is simply wrong — both factually and morally.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Trump: "We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you wanna know the truth." Gee. Ya think? You figured that out finally?
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
The Louisville Metro Council came through and appropriated $100k for the Roots 101 Museum. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: The Roots 101 Museum is a gem. Why hasn't Louisville embraced it? | Opinion
Louisville has given money to the Speed, Frazier, the Kentucky Science Center and the Portland Museum, but it has given the Roots 101 museum nothing.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
For fun, I asked AI to name good Republican writers in Kentucky and it returned several names, including @jddyche.bsky.social. J.D. is an excellent writer and at one point I would have classified him as a Republican writer, but no more. But that wasn't the biggest problem. You'll be missed, J.D. 😂
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
What have we become? www.npr.org/2025/06/24/g...
npr.org
Purple Heart Army veteran self-deports after nearly 50 years in the U.S.
Sae Joon Park left for South Korea on Monday. His removal order was the result of drug possession and bail jumping charges from over 15 years ago — offenses that, he said, stemmed from untreated PTSD.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Legendary Courier Journal photographer Bill Luster died last night. One person called him "the most beloved photographer in the country." He just may have been. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Courier Journal great Bill Luster, ‘the most beloved person in all of photography,’ dies
In 43 years at The Courier Journal, Bill Luster contributed to two Pulitzer Prizes and was named to the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Your daily reminder that he is an idiot.
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Reposted by Joe Gerth
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
"I will be resigning after this semester from my tenured position at West Point after 13 years on the faculty. I cannot tolerate these changes, which prevent me from doing my job responsibly. I am ashamed to be associated with the academy in its current form." www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | West Point Is Supposed to Educate, Not Indoctrinate
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Reposted by Joe Gerth
JR Radcliffe @jrradcliffe.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
This is The Last Supper now.
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Reposted by Joe Gerth
kelsey @whoaakelseyy.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Chicago got a pope before they got a pro bowl qb this is insane
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Reposted by Joe Gerth
Jonathan W. Gray @elmcitytree.blacksky.app · 08/05/2025
You mean to tell me that Chicago gets to claim Michael Jordan, the first Black President AND the first American Pope? Good lord you ain't going to be able to tell them NOTHING.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Support your local newspaper. If the newspapers aren’t there to fight these battles for you, who will? www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
courier-journal.com
UofL broke state law during Schatzel resignation, Courier Journal complaint states
The complaint says UofL's Board of Trustees violated state law when it privately made decisions about former President Kim Schatzel's employment.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
My take on the Kentucky Derby -- and other things. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: In Trump era, Derby battle between Journalism, Citizen Bull is critical | Opinion
Journalism has never been more important as President Donald Trump pushes the boundaries of an imperial presidency.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Louisville must do more to promote this amazing museum. Especially now. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: The Roots 101 Museum is a gem. Why hasn't Louisville embraced it? | Opinion
Louisville has given money to the Speed, Frazier, the Kentucky Science Center and the Portland Museum, but it has given the Roots 101 museum nothing.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
I don't know about you, but I think America will be a much better place when people die of measles rather than their bodies' reaction to food dye. ***SARCASM***
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
They lied and they broke the law. The U of L board of trustees must be brought to heel. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: U of L board had no problem breaking the law to get rid of president | Opinion
An email from Diane Medley and Larry Benz telling Kim Schatzel she was being fired appears to provide evidence UofL trustees broke open meetings law.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Even McConnell and Paul think Trump tariffs will wreck our economy www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Even McConnell and Paul think Trump tariffs will wreck our economy | Opinion
Donald Trump's widespread tariffs won't do what he says they will, and both Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are against them.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
One former asst. vp at Towson University said Schatzel was "despised" when she was president there. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Beshear must force U of L board to explain $700,000 Schatzel payout | Opinion
U of L's board of trustees still hasn't said why former President Kim Schatzel resigned this week, or why they paid her $700,000 of taxpayers' money.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
We're f***ed. www.indystar.com/story/news/p...
indystar.com
Kennedy slashing 10,000 jobs in health department overhaul
Kennedy said he was reorienting the health department to battle chronic illness.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
I've got two columns posting on line today -- make sure you don't miss this one: www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: U of L must come clean about — ahem — voluntary resignation of Schatzel | Opinion
Kim Schatzel's hasty departure cost taxpayers $700,000, and the University of Louisville is not saying what went wrong.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
When I learned about the Rand Paul's dystopian plan for education, I tracked down Joe Kroh, who taught me about life (and how to write a news story) more than 40 years ago at St. X. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Rand Paul's plan for 10 million kids in one class won't work | Opinion
On CBS's Face the Nation, Sen. Rand Paul said he wants the best teachers teaching millions of kids via the internet. That won't fix education.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
The judge should see Matt Bevin's insistence that he personally question son for what it was. An act of abuse and manipulation. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Judge should consider Matt Bevin's questioning of his son an act of abuse | Opinion
While former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin had the right to represent himself in court, his decision to cross-examine his son was abusive.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Absolutely insane story about the Trump administration including a journalist on a Signal chat about war plans in Yemen. This administration is amateur hour.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Male privilege in the Kentucky Capitol. It starts with the bathrooms. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Women's restrooms in the Kentucky Capitol reek of male privilege | Opinion
When they built the Capitol in 1910, women couldn't even vote. Having them in the legislature wasn't even an option. Now, potty parity is a problem.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
In what world does stopping dreaded diseases overseas before they hit our shores not serve our national interests? newrepublic.com/post/192520/...
newrepublic.com
Marco Rubio Announces Stunning Extent of USAID Purge
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the six-week review of USAID is complete.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Come on Republicans, pony up. Even if Jonah can't pardon your brother who killed someone or son who abused little girls. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: It's time for Republicans to atone for their support of Matt Bevin | Opinion
Matt Bevin left his adopted son at a Jamaican home for troubled kids, where Jonah says he was beaten. His supporters must atone for their sins.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
My latest. Yesterday was White Christian Nationalist Day at the Kentucky General Assembly ... well, really, every day is ... but this was especially so.
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Kentucky Republicans celebrate White Christian Nationalist Day | Opinion
On the same day a Senate committee voted to install the Ten Commandments on the Capitol lawn, another voted to make college harder for Black students.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Al’s still got it.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Donald Trump brought us the $8.25 a dozen eggs — on sale. I’m tired of winning.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Go ahead and take Beshear's name off highway signs -- and take Jonathan Shell's names off gas pumps. Waste all the time you want. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Let lawmakers waste time taking Beshear's name off road signs. It could be worse. | Opinion
Is the bill calling for removal of the governor's name from road signs a waste of time? Of course. But it's better than passing bills that harm KY.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
An email I just got: "YOU NEED TO STOP CAUSING RACE ISSUES! If the blacks would do what they are told to do a lot would not happen. They break the rules, and have gangs, and big time drug dealers,! Let's not forget BLM! Why don't you write about how they destroyed cities abd black mayor's said ok."
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Trump said DEI led to the midair crash, but that it is safe to fly. These two ideas can't co-exist. If DEI was to blame, there are systemic issues that makes flight dangerous. So he was either lying about DEI or he was lying about the skies being safe. I think the skies are safe.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
My most recent column. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
McConnell spoke the truth about Hegseth. Now fellow Republicans are hating on him. | Opinion
The GOP has lurched so far right that even Mitch McConnell isn't extreme enough.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
When a "free speech" bill actually punishes people for exercising their free speech. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: Rand Paul's bill protects liars, not free speech | Opinion
Rand Paul's bill would prohibit anyone receiving federal grants from calling out misinformation. It's a horrible idea.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
It's absolutely amazing what medical science can do these days. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Gerth: With newfound spine, McConnell is needed to foil Trump's Cabinet picks | Opinion
McConnell’s vote against Hegseth was no profile in courage, but let’s hope he has the backbone to also oppose Robert Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
You know, when Tom Brady was a player, I hated him. But now that he's gone behind the mic, ... I like him even less.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
It's about race. www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
courier-journal.com
Trump stopped a type of police reform that affects LMPD. It's about race. | Opinion
Just like he did in 2017, Trump has blocked consent decrees intended to stop police abuses. In Louisville, Black people will be adversely impacted.
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Joe Gerth @jgerth.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Trump, speaking at DAVOS, said the United States doesn't need Canadian oil. I'm old enough to remember when Republicans freaked out about the Biden Administration shutting down the Keystone XL pipeline, which was intended to bring us oil from --- wait for it -- Canada.
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