Five Things to Know Today
Amid Beshear criticism, parent admits meeting
Amid criticism of a debate comment by Andy Beshear about meeting with families after the Marshall County shooting, a parent of a victim admitted Beshear had, in fact, spoken briefly with him and with other families of victims. (Forward Kentucky)
Report: McConnell denies talking to Trump about the call with Ukraine’s president
The Hill reports U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said he hasn’t talked to President Donald Trump about the Ukraine call that sparked an impeachment inquiry. Trump had said McConnell told him the call was “perfect.” When asked about what Trump said, McConnell replied “You’d have to ask him.” (Courier-Journal)
‘F*** Trump,’ new, large downtown Lexington mural says. Artist explains: ‘I am fed up.’
The artist of a recently-completed mural in downtown Lexington is defending an expletive written on it about President Donald Trump. (Forward Kentucky)
Trump is coming to Rupp Arena to stump for Bevin the day before the election
The Trump campaign announced late Friday that the president is coming to Rupp Arena on Monday, Nov. 4, the day before Kentucky’s gubernatorial election. (Forward Kentucky)
McConnell resolution prods Trump to keep troops in Syria
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced legislation Tuesday denouncing Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria and gently prodding President Donald Trump to halt his withdrawal of U.S. troops from the embattled country.
But McConnell, R-Ky., said lawmakers should refrain from imposing sanctions on Turkey for now, saying, “We don’t want to further drive a NATO ally into the arms of the Russians.”
That puts him into conflict with the Democratic-led House, where a vote on a sanctions measure is planned for next week. (Herald-Leader)
Two important editorials
Normally, we would list these in the “Featured Content” below since they are editorials – but we thought they were important enough to add them to the “five things to know” section. If you agree, share them with your frinds and on social media. The election is 13 days away.
Four reasons Matt Bevin should not be governor
by Bruce Maples, publisher
Matt Bevin has been governor of Kentucky for almost four years. We have watched him govern, we have heard his speeches and his answers to questions, and we have seen the policies he pushes. We have a good sense of what a governorship by Matt Bevin looks like, even as he asks us to vote for him again. Having lived through Matt Bevin’s first term, we have four reasons he should not get a second. (Forward Kentucky)
Matt Jones on what is at stake in this election
Matt Jones lays out clearly and starkly what will happen if Matt Bevin is re-elected. It’s to the point, and it’s accurate. Read and share. (Forward Kentucky)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
News
[new] Georgetown event celebrates passing of Fairness Ordinance – The City of Georgetown held a pride picnic Saturday in honor of the passing of the city’s Fairness Ordinance. (read)
[new] Bevin has spent 80% more on plane trips than last governor – Gov. Matt Bevin’s flights aboard state-owned aircraft in the first 45 months of his term had a total billed cost 80% larger than that of his predecessor, former Gov. Steve Beshear, through the same period of his first term. (read)
🔥 Is Matt Bevin inviting pastors to a closed-door meeting at the governor’s mansion? – A revival preacher has posted an invitation to Kentucky pastors to meet with Governor Bevin at the official governor’s mansion at 11 AM on Monday. (read)
Advocates, critics voice their views on Owensboro fairness ordinance – Members of the Daviess Fiscal Court heard testimony from community members both in favor of and in opposition to a fairness ordinance. (read)
Policy
[new] Does having Repubs in charge lead to a better economy? – KY Repubs are crowing that the reason Kentucky has experienced job growth is because they are in charge. The statistics tell a different story. (read)
Commentary
Lexington Herald-Leader endorses Greg Stumbo for Kentucky Attorney General – The office of Attorney General is too important to be in the hands of a McConnell proxy. We endorse Greg Stumbo in this race. (read)
Cartoon
[new] Bevin’s Misdeeds #8 – Turnout Matters! – Aaron Smith concludes his “Bevin’s (Mis)Deeds” series with a reminder that only 16% of eligible voters elected Matt Bevin last time. Turnout matters! (view)
Have you seen this Pander Bear anywhere in the state? It appears that as we get closer to the election, a new creature has been observed in various location across our state. He gets around by hitching rides on state equipment, we think, and always seems to bring large amounts contracts with him, which he gives to local elected officials. Then he is whisked off to another part of the state to do it all again. (view)
Media
[podcast] Rep. Patti Minter, fundraising reports, election lawsuits, & Medicaid oral arguments – In this week’s show, we’ve got Rep. Patti Minter, talking about her campaign and her first year in Frankfort. Plus fund-raising, lawsuits, and more! (listen)
[photo gallery] UMWA prexy, entire Dem slate speak at state AFL-CIO convention – UMWA President Cecil Roberts was joined by this year’s Dem slate at the KY AFL-CIO’s recent convention in Lexington. Here are pix from the event. (view)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
( 🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Trump says his border wall is ‘impenetrable.’ It took climbers in Kentucky mere seconds. (2,000 shares)
- Bevin has spent 80% more on plane trips than last governor (568 shares)
- Matt Jones on what is at stake in this election (559 shares)
- “My opponent has never even prosecuted a traffic ticket.” (404 shares)
- Nationally-known economist to outline Medicare for All — and how to pay for it (404 shares)
The Forward 5 is published Monday to Friday by Forward Kentucky, an independent media organization focused on progressive news and issues in Kentucky, and is re-posted with permission. You can sign up for the email version of the newsletter on their website.
