Five Things to Know Today
Good morning, and TGIF! I don’t know about you, but for me, each day seems like a week, and each week a year. Was it just a month ago that we were looking forward to March Madness? Yep.
Fortunately, we know that this will not last forever. But we also know that relaxing our guard too soon can mean a resurgence, as Governor Beshear reminded us yesterday. So, we maintain, and we take care of each other, and we keep washing those hands. <g>
And once we do get past the health risks, we have to figure out how to rebuild our economy and our country – and perhaps, rebuild it differently. More and more people are talking about universal basic income, for example. More and more people are talking about healthcare for all. And the climate crisis hasn’t gone away.
So, even as you are taking care of yourselves and your day-to-day needs, also pay attention to the policy discussions that are starting. Get into the details of the relief packages, and watch what candidates and electeds say and do.
And one more thing – the General Assembly reconvenes on Tuesday, and the Republican leadership will almost certainly try to override the Gov’s veto of the voter ID bill. Take a moment today to call the Legislative Comment Line at (800) 372-7181 and leave a message for all House members (and especially your own rep) to sustain the veto and not override it. (In other words, let SB 2 stay killed.)
I’ve got a general newsletter coming out later today with some updates to the site and some ideas needing feedback. Since you are some of our most faithful readers, please open, read, and respond.
Take care of yourself. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
(Send feedback ● Send tips)
Support us, support others, support good info!
We all need information that is accurate and trustworthy, and even more in these days of a pandemic. But the media outlets giving us that good info need money to continue doing it. That is why we have put up a “Support Your Media” page on our site. On that page you can choose the media outlets you want to support by becoming a subscriber, becoming a member, or donating.
All of us in the journalism world need your support. So go to the page, pick out one or more outlets, and follow the links to add your financial support to the work. Do it now. Thanks!
Yes, I want to support good journalism!
Beshear: Months of restrictions, but selective removal if we’re way past the peak
Six new deaths, 134 new cases, official total of 1,452. Furloughs at hospitals and elsewhere. And, a moving story about taking care of one specific care facility. Many other items as well in the update from yesterday. (Forward Kentucky)
More than 117K Kentuckians file for unemployment in one week
More than 117,000 Kentuckians filed for unemployment last week — breaking the commonwealth’s short-lived record as part of the 6.6 million Americans who submitted jobless claims as coronavirus-spurred economic woes continue.
With the 117,135 Kentuckians in Thursday’s report, more than 275,000 residents from the Blue Grass — about 14% of the commonwealth’s workforce — have filed for unemployment over the past three weeks. (Courier-Journal)
‘We need it yesterday’: Kentucky nursing homes beg for support to fight coronavirus
Nursing homes that care for Kentucky’s most vulnerable residents are quickly becoming the next battleground in the state’s coronavirus outbreak — and some say they don’t have the weapons they need to fight it. (Forward Kentucky)
General Assembly to reconvene on Tuesday for overriding vetoes; Governor’s veto deadline is Monday
The General Assembly’s 2020 session will reconvene on Tuesday, April 14. Both the Senate and House are scheduled to gavel in at noon. By returning to the State Capitol on April 14, lawmakers will resume the legislative session one day later than previously announced. The number of session days has been reduced as a precaution against COVID-19.
When lawmakers reconvene, they can consider overriding vetoes cast by Gov. Andy Beshear. The governor’s time to veto recently passed bills expires on April 13. Overriding a veto requires the support of a majority of elected members in each chamber. In addition to meeting on April 14, lawmakers have the option to convene on April 15, the latest possible day they can meet in regular session this year under state constitution guidelines.
Yarmuth to Trump: Use your power to get Kentucky more PPE to combat the coronavirus
Rep. John Yarmuth asked President Donald Trump on Thursday to further use his executive authority so Kentucky can get necessary personal protective equipment in the battle against COVID-19.
Yarmuth, chairman of the House Budget Committee, is requesting the president fully expand the Defense Production Act in order to ensure health care providers have enough surgical masks, disinfectant spray, respirators and other devices.
“Our nation’s front-line health care providers have been working tirelessly to identify and treat the rapidly growing number of COVID-19 cases,” Yarmuth says in the April 9 letter addressed to Trump. “We must do our part by ensuring that the federal government uses every option available to support their life-saving work. The lives of people in Kentucky and throughout the nation depend on it.” (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.
Today’s “State of Kentucky” Show
Guests
Robert Kahne and Jazmin Smith of “My Old Kentucky Podcast”
Dr. Alexandra Owensby, candidate for Congress in KY-04 (Massie’s district)
Details
Live at noon Eastern on Facebook and YouTube
Recording available afterward on FB, YouTube, and Forward Kentucky web site
Also available as a podcast wherever you listen to podcasts
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
—News—
[new] 🔥 Kentucky will get $2.4 billion in federal COVID-19 relief. Here’s what it pays for. – The state of Kentucky should get $2.41 billion from the CARES Act coronavirus relief package that Congress passed last month, with the largest sum — $1.59 billion — going to state government to help it cover virus-related expenses through Dec. 30. (read)
[new] 🔥 Beshear says about 17 churches planning services ‘can probably expect to see us’ – Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that about 17 churches and other entities in Kentucky are still planning to hold gatherings this weekend, despite his order against it and his grave warnings that they will spread the coronavirus and kill people. He said he hopes they will change their plans, but in case they don’t, he is talking to local officials about what to do. And he got the support of a religiously focused lobbying group that urged churches not to meet. (read)
[new] 204 new cases; more limits on store access; violator tip line gets 30,000 calls – Toughest day yet for cases in the state, yet there was also good news about unemployment benefits. And, a tribute to John Prine at the end. (read)
[new] From 12 to 1200, state ramps up number of employees to handle unemployment claims – That increase comes as a response to the historic number of Kentuckians who have filed for unemployment in recent weeks, straining the system well beyond its capacity and leaving many applicants either unable to file for unemployment or unsure of the status of their claims. (read)
[new] 🔥 Kentucky church leader vows to hold Easter services even after getting Beshear stop order – Despite Gov. Beshear’s pleas for places of worship to hold virtual services, Maryville Baptist Church is planning on in-person services this Sunday. (read)
FBI, Attorney General’s Office say they are focused on preventing scams – AG Daniel Cameron, the FBI, and the Better Business Bureau are concerned about coronavirus scams, including pop-up testing and calls about relief funds. (read)
—Commentary—
🔥 Gov. Beshear is what Kentucky needed to fight voter suppression – Gov. Edward T. Breathitt made the history books for signing the landmark Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966. Gov. Beshear might not earn as much ink for vetoing SB 2, the Republican voter suppression bill. But he’s what Kentucky needs at this moment. (read)
🔥 Dear pastors: Get over yourselves – I have spent much of my life serving in church. So with that background and insight, I have a simple message to those still holding in-person services: Stop. (read)
—Media—
[new podcast] COVID-19 lawsuits, PPE bidding wars, and interview with Shirley Flynn Mitchell – This week’s My Old Kentucky Podcast features multiple updates about the COVID-19 crisis, Justin Walker going to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, and Shirley Flynn Mitchell interview. (listen)
[new video] Broihier releases “Thank you Bernie” video – After Bernie Sanders announced he was suspending his campaign, congressional candidate Mike Broihier released this video, thanking Senator Sanders for the difference he has made in the presidential campaign, and indeed in our national discourse. (view)
[new video] A video to thank our health-care workers – Brave New Films has released a video to say “Thank you” to all the health-care workers around the world who are giving their all while putting their own lives on the line. Watch, share, and say Thank You. (view)
[new photo collection] 🔥 Kentucky in the coronavirus – a photo essay – Our three photographers have been doing what they do: taking pictures. So, we created a photo essay to show the striking effects of the coronavirus across Kentucky. (view)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Gov. Andy Beshear calls on 3M to release patent for N95 respirator amid pandemic (2,000+ shares)
- Beshear even firmer against gatherings, including small family ones (1,000+ shares)
- One-word change makes mail-in voting possible (393 shares)
- Lincoln, FDR, and Beshear (367 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.
