Five Things to Know Today
Group alleges election ‘hacked’ – Beshear responds
On Wednesday afternoon at 2 PM, a group called “Citizens for Election Integrity” held a press conference in the state capitol to allege that there were “polling irregularities and electronic vote manipulation” in last week’s state-wide election. Their claims were quickly debunked, and the Beshear campaign issued a response. (Forward Kentucky)
Five things to know about the election recanvass Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin requested
On Thursday morning, every county board of election in Kentucky will meet to recanvass the results of the Nov. 5 election for governor. Here are five things to know heading into the recanvass. (Forward Kentucky)
Kentucky plans to fight judge’s order to release records on Braidy industries investors
A court order issued this week says the Bevin administration must release documents showing investors in Braidy Industries, but the legal battle isn’t over. The Courier-Journal originally sued in 2017 to get the records released under the Open Records laws. Since then, the case has gone up and down the Kentucky court system, with the Court of Appeals upholding part of Judge Shepherd’s ruling but overturning part of it. This week, Shepherd ruled again that the Economic Development cabinet must turn over four of the requested documents, and the cabinet says they will appeal again. (Forward Kentucky)
Town of Bellevue adopts Fairness ordinance
The small town of Bellevue (population 5,772) in northern Kentucky became the 15th city in Kentucky to adopt a Fairness ordinance, outlawing discrimination against LGBTQ persons employment, housing, and public accommodations. The ordinance was adopted by the city council on Wednesday. (River City News)
Grimes invites Secretary-elect Adams to join recanvass Thursday
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Wednesday that she has invited Secretary-elect Michael Adams to join her in her office on Thursday for the recanvass, and he has accepted her invitation.
“I look forward to welcoming Secretary-elect Adams to the office on Thursday,” said Grimes. “I have conducted over 20 recanvasses in my eight years as Secretary of State, it’s a big and important part of the job and my hope is the 2020 Presidential Election will not be his first exposure to this process.” (Lane Report)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
News
[new] 🔥We have exit polls! – As a result of a collaboration across multiple universities and multiple counties, we have actual exit polls for last week’s guv race! Let’s take a look! (read)
Rep. Charles Booker announces Senate exploratory committee – In addition to announcing his exploratory committee, Booker also announced a rally on Tuesday at 1:30 PM at the Port Shaw Community Center in Louisville. (read)
🔥Senate president says Bevin should concede election if recanvass doesn’t alter vote totals – “It’s time to call it quits and go home, say he had a good four years and congratulate Gov.-elect Beshear,” Stivers said in a brief Friday interview at the Capitol. (read)
Policy
As the coal industry shrinks, miners deserve a just transition – here’s what it should include – Murray Energy, one of the biggest private U.S. coal companies, has become the fifth coal company to file for bankruptcy in 2019. As the coal industry continues to shrink, it is time to talk about a “just transition” program for miners. Here’s what it is, and what it should include. (read)
Commentary
🔥The crazy has come out about the election – There’s a conspiracy theory going around on the far Right about the Kentucky governor election, and it hit our Twitter account. Here’s the story. (read)
🔥Matt Bevin lost the Kentucky governor’s race because he’s a jerk. Good riddance! – Let’s make one thing crystal clear: Matt Bevin didn’t lose because of his policies, the way he governed, or scandal. He lost for one simple reason. (read)
Media
[new video] Rep. Charles Booker’s launch event (video) – Here is the video from today’s launch event for Rep. Charles Booker’s exploratory committee. Good crowd, good speeches, and good stuff from Booker. Enjoy! (watch)
[podcast] 2019 election results – In this week’s MOKP podcast, Jazmin and Robert explain everything that happened in election 2019, including how Beshear builds his administration, and down-ballot races. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
( 🔥indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- ‘Absurd’ and ‘ridiculous’: What officials, experts say about Bevin’s voter fraud claims (2,000 shares)
- Presser: Beshear announces transition team, names “day-one priorities” (1,000 shares)
- Alison Lundergan Grimes: Bevin should ‘honor’ election result and help Beshear transition (952 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.
