Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! If you are like me, you’ve subtracted a number of things from your regular schedule (going to the gym, Friday night meals at that favorite restaurant), but you’ve also added a few things (regular walks around the neighborhood, getting takeout from that same favorite restaurant after they added a makeshift drive-through).
And one of the events that is now part of our daily lives is the five o’clock update from Governor Beshear.
Some of our northern Kentucky friends also listen to Governor DeWine of Ohio. One person mentioned yesterday that they’re now scheduling Wine With DeWine and Beers With Beshear. Sounds like a plan!
Of course, there is another press conference that happens every day at 5:00 PM. If you regularly watch the Trump presser, check out the new Bingo card that Ivonne Rovira put together.
There’s more news on the site, so read on and click some links. And remember, as Gov. Beshear says, we’re going to get through this, together.
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear bans travel to other states – Monday update
In Monday’s press conference, Beshear announced an executive order banning travel to other states, and ordering quarantine for travelers; also, the CDC says 29% of infections are among people 20-44. Many other news items in the update, so read the whole thing to stay informed. (Forward Kentucky)
‘Isn’t this silly?’: Beshear blasts bill allowing Kentuckians to sue over COVID-19 orders
Gov. Andy Beshear called a bill in the state legislature proposing to allow Kentuckians to sue the state over the governor’s emergency coronavirus measures “silly” at his news conference Sunday. (Forward Kentucky)
The anatomy of the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill
Want to know what’s in the $2 trillion coronavirus bill? Here’s a great visual breakdown, along with an expanded description of who gets what relief. (Forward Kentucky)
Gov. Beshear had right to delay election, AG says in opinion
The Kentucky Attorney General’s office released an opinion on Monday upholding Gov. Andy Beshear’s power to delay an election during a declared state of emergency. The opinion states, “The Governor exercised his specific authority under state law to delay the primary election, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of State, until June 23, 2020, 31 days after the election date set by statute.”
It says the executive order complied with the statutory “safeguards” imposed by the General Assembly in the specific grant of authority in the statute: the order was issued during a declared state of emergency, it followed the recommendation of the Secretary of State as required, and it moved the primary election to a date “within thirty-five days” from the original date. (Kentucky Today)
Kentucky legislative staffer tests positive for the coronavirus as session winds down
A staff member for Kentucky’s General Assembly has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an email sent to employees Monday evening. Legislative Research Commission Director Jay Hartz wrote in the email that the unnamed legislative aide received the positive test Monday and “is recovering and doing relatively well, given the circumstances.”
“While this news is not completely unexpected given the spread of the novel coronavirus in Kentucky, it is nonetheless disconcerting news for the staff member, their family and the greater LRC community,” Hartz wrote. Because the staffer’s positive test came late Monday afternoon, Hartz wrote that “no decisions have been made as to staffing policies or the General Assembly’s schedule.” (Courier-Journal)
Reminder
Not all stories on Forward Kentucky make it to the top “Five Things” section of the Forward Five! Many stories only show up in the yellow section below, which is a running list of pretty much everything published. So, be sure to scan the lower section each day as well, so you don’t miss anything.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
News
[new] 🔥 Beshear warns: Kentuckians crossing into Tennessee could bring coronavirus back home – Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky residents need to stay out of Tennessee if they can. (read)
[new] 🔥 Beshear vetoes two bills, signs 35 – here’s the list – Since the legislature continues to pass bills, Governor Beshear took time out from dealing with the coronavirus to sign or veto over thirty bills. Here’s the list. (read)
Yarmuth and Barr lead effort to make it easier for distilleries to produce hand sanitizer – Two congressmen from Kentucky, one a Democrat and one a Republican, are leading an effort to allow distilleries to use their current supplies to make hand sanitizer. (read)
KY coronavirus bill includes changes to transparency laws – The coronavirus bill passed last week includes new guidance on open records and open meetings, in an attempt to provide flexibility while at the same time guaranteeing transparency. (read)
Commentary
[new] ‘Trump Follies at Five’ – a new Bingo game – Do you watch the Trump pressers every day at 5? If you feel like you have to watch these … things, then turn it into a game – a Bingo game! (read)
🔥 In COVID-19 crisis, Kentucky newspapers step up – Kentucky’s community newspapers, large and small, in digital and in print, are taking action to keep our communities informed on everything from the latest news about the virus itself to the importance of social distancing. Now more than ever, Kentucky’s newspapers will be here to help our communities when they need us most. (read)
🔥 Being ‘too crazy’ for today’s GOP is truly a feat, but Massie manages – “Thomas Massie has proven himself so unreliable and bats*** crazy that the national GOP has begun looking for primary challengers to him.” (read)
Cartoon
🔥 A short message from Andy Beshear – All across the state, and across partisan lines, people are increasingly appreciative of Governor Beshear’s leadership during this crisis. And, other states are taking notice as well. Aaron Smith captured the Gov reminding us of a few things. (view)
Media
SOS Michael Adams, Rep. Charles Booker on the ‘State of Kentucky’ – On this week’s “State of Kentucky” show, we are joined by Secretary of State Michael Adams to discuss his ideas and plans around vote by mail, and by Rep. Charles Booker, candidate for U.S. Senate, talking about his campaign and how they’re working given the coronavirus crisis. We are honored to have both of them with us, and hope you’ll watch! (watch)
[podcast] Andy Beshear and COVID, legislative updates, and Senate budget, plus Corey Nichols interview – Beshear’s response to COVID and people’s response to it; the budget and other bills; and Corey Nichols, running for state House in Lexington. (listen)
The Coronavirus Explained – Here’s a short video that does a great job explaining the COVID-19 virus: what it is, how it spreads, how it attacks the body, and how to deal with it. (watch)
PubBlog
Please ignore Trump’s advice on this – No matter how you may feel about the Trump presidency, this is one time when the response to his instruction is clear: Ignore him. (read)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Kentucky vs. Tennessee on coronavirus may be the best example of ‘elections matter’ in decades (4,000+ shares)
- Here’s what made the Trump admin take the coronavirus seriously (3,000+ shares)
- Massie blasts coronavirus precautions; opponents blast Massie for comments (2,000+ shares)
- Bill would limit gov’s powers during health emergency (1,000+ shares)
- Massie plans to vote ‘no,’ threatens to hold up coronavirus stimulus bill (1,000+ 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.
