Five Things to Know Today
Did you fill out your survey?
Our 2020 Feedback Survey came out yesterday. Did you open the email? Did you fill it out? We will close the survey on Saturday, so be sure to find that email and complete the survey – it only takes about four minutes.
And, we will draw two names from those who fill it out for a FREE membership to Forward Kentucky! So, be one of the Kewl Kids and complete the survey. Thanks!
A report from the “Mitch, Do Your Job!” rally in Frankfort
A coalition of activist groups and individuals gathered in the Capitol Rotunda today in Frankfort to demand that Senator Mitch McConnell hold a fair and impartial hearing on the impeachment charges against President Trump. Here are some of the comments by the speakers, as well as a small gallery of photos taken at the rally. (Forward Kentucky)
KY judge dismisses ex-House staffer’s whistleblower complaint in Hoover scandal
Judge Philip Shepherd dismissed the complaint by Daisy Olivo that alleged she was fired after shedding light on a secret sexual harassment settlement. (Forward Kentucky)
A “Second Amendment sanctuary” movement is sweeping through Kentucky. Here’s why.
What is this “Second Amendment Sanctuary” idea, and why is it coming up all over Kentucky? Here’s what you need to know about it. (Forward Kentucky)
‘Bam’ Carney remains in ICU, but family ‘encouraged’
With the 2020 General Assembly only a day away, Kentucky House Majority floor leader John “Bam” Carney remains hospitalized and critically ill with pancreatitis. (Kentucky Today)
Kentucky lawmaker Harris to run for state Supreme Court
A state representative from eastern Kentucky says he is running for the state’s Supreme Court. News outlets report that state Rep. Chris Harris, a Democrat who represents District 93, said he plans to run for the 7th District seat on the court. (Herald-Leader)
Election 2020 Coverage Starts
As we mentioned in the newsletter that just came out (you DID read it, right?), we are adding two special areas of coverage: the 2020 General Assembly that starts tomorrow (KYGA20), and this year’s elections (Election 2020).
Our first addition is up on the site: a list of all the people who have filed to run for state and federal office. We will update the list every night until the filing window closes this Friday. You can view the list under the new “Election 2020” menu, or go right to the page itself.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
News
[new] Rep. Charles Booker enters Senate race – State Rep. Charles Booker announced he is running for the Dem nomination for U.S. Senate, joining a crowded field looking to challenge Mitch McConnell. (read)
🔥 Kentucky leaders have mixed reactions to Iraq airstrike killing Qasem Soleimani – Reactions from Kentucky’s congressional delegation are mixed following the U.S. airstrike in Baghdad that killed a powerful Iranian military leader Thursday evening. (read)
AG Cameron, in response to two legislators, asks FBI to investigate Bevin pardons – Responding to a request by Sen. Morgan McGarvey and Rep. Chris Harris, attorney general Daniel Cameron asked the FBI to investigate certain Bevin pardons. (read)
🔥 5 big messes that await Beshear at Kentucky’s Justice and Public Safety Cabinet – Gov. Andy Beshear chose Mary Noble, a former deputy chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, to run the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet in his new administration. Noble, 70, who retired from the high court in 2016, has her work cut out for her. (read)
🔥 A second Trump term would be “far worse,” say three historians – A second Trump term portends a far worse outcome than the first one, according to historians Bill Mulligan, Brian Clardy, and Ken Wolf. (read)
🔥 The difference between the parties in 3 simple charts. – Charles Gaba made charts of the racial/ethnic/gender makeup of the two parties in the U.S. House, and added a chart of overall U.S. population. Nothing in here that is new – but it’s still striking to SEE the difference. (read)
Commentary
[new] “If we lose the rule of law, we might as well tear this capitol down.” – Marc Murphy spoke eloquently about America being a nation of laws, and the threat that Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell pose. Here is that speech. (read)
[new] Is Trump wagging the dog? – President Trump says he ordered the killing of Soleimani because of an imminent attack. Maybe. Or maybe he thinks he can distract from his impeachment. (read)
🔥 These bad bills show how state lawmakers waste their time and your tax dollars – Linda Blackford is starting a “Bad Bill Watch,” and she has two bills already filed for KYGA20 that are excellent examples of legislative waste. (read)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- 🔥 A second Trump term would be “far worse,” say three historians (4,000 shares[!!])
- Gun group plans Tuesday rally in Frankfort (2,000 shares)
- Beshears will call Governor’s Mansion their full-time home (635 shares)
- Kentucky loses an open-records champion, Rep. Chris Harris (572 shares)
- A teacher-activist is running to unseat Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne (483 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.
