Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! A couple of notes for this morning:
- Every morning, I scan the news feeds from across the state in order to do the Forward Five. I noticed something interesting today – multiple stories from towns across the state about rallies and protests and meetings related to race relations and in support of persons of color. City councils planning listening sessions, local groups holding peaceful protests, police departments meeting with the protesters. In the midst of so much turmoil, it was a hopeful sign.
- Our live show last week with Dr. Stack has gotten some views, but if you haven’t watched it, I encourage you to do so. He was informative, detailed, and transparent. We are fortunate as a state to have him as our Top Doc. (view it)
- And, this week’s The State of Kentucky show promises to be both interesting and important, as we interview two black voices about racism in Kentucky and what we can do about it. See the promo below, and tune in at noon if you can. (You can also watch it later on our site.)
In the midst of all that is happening, let’s remember to wear our masks, get tested, get our absentee ballot. And most important of all – let’s remember to care for each other. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear defends actions to control virus as trendline keeps going up – 6/3 update
Amid further signs that the coronavirus is resurging in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear offered his most comprehensive defense of his actions to control it. Also, Dr. Stack talks about infection rates. (Forward Kentucky)
Peaceful protests across Kentucky (with photos)
In the past few days, there have been peaceful and meaningful demonstrations all across the state of Kentucky. We wanted to share some of these, so people could see it is not just people in Louisville and Lexington that care about these issues. (Forward Kentucky)
Mitch McConnell blocks resolution condemning Trump on ‘peaceful protesters’
An emotional Cory Booker, one of only three African American senators, said on Tuesday he’s embarrassed that he didn’t join the protesters who were pushed out Monday of an area near the White House so President Donald Trump could walk to a church near the White House and hold up a Bible. “If Donald Trump wants to gas someone next time, start right here,” Booker said, as he thumped his heart. “If he wants to shoot somebody with our federal officials, with rubber bullets, start right here. If he wants to trample them with horses while they peacefully assemble, come to this body.”
Booker spoke at a news conference shortly before Senate Democrats called for a vote on a resolution condemning Trump for “violating the constitutional rights of those peaceful protesters.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blocked the resolution. McConnell said it failed to deal with the two issues Americans want addressed: racial justice and ending the riots. “Instead,” he continued, “it just indulges in the myopic obsession with President Trump that has come to define the Democratic side of the aisle.” (Courier-Journal)
‘We are better than this’: Group condemns effigy hanging
Focus On Race Relations Frankfort sponsored an event on the Capitol grounds to condemn the hanging in effigy of Gov. Beshear last month, as well as to mark the anniversary of the lynching of an African-American man on a Frankfort bridge. (Forward Kentucky)
Here’s the money numbers for the competitive Dem primaries for state legislature.
As we head toward the last finance reporting deadline and the June 23 primary, here are the money numbers for the competitive Democratic primaries for seats in the Kentucky House and Senate. (Forward Kentucky)
And in Louisville
Following fatal shootings, Fischer announces ‘top-to-bottom’ review of police department (Courier-Journal)
Louisville officers walk out on mayor, claim lack of support amid Breonna Taylor protests (Courier-Journal)
Tomorrow’s show
Hearing from black voices on TSOK
On Friday’s The State of Kentucky, we interview Denise Gray and Corbin Snardon. We’ll talk about the black experience in Kentucky, both urban and rural, and the recent events across the state. We’ll also hear what actions are needed, and how allies can help. You can watch it live at noon, or watch it later on our site.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] Appeals court throws out Ky. law restricting common abortion method – A federal court of appeals panel, on a split decision, has upheld a lower court ruling that threw out a Kentucky law restricting use of a common method of abortion. (read)
🔥 [new] Statements by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter on the death of George Floyd and on racism – Former presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter have released statements on the death of George Floyd and on dealing with our country’s racism. Here are those statements. (read)
[new] Investigation begins into fatal shooting in Louisville – Some preliminary information has been released on the investigation into the death of a man in west Louisville after shots were allegedly fired at police and Kentucky National Guardsmen early Monday morning. (read)
Beshear says more time needed to detect a ‘new bump’ in virus cases; says Supreme Court upholds his orders on gatherings – He spent the first part of his update talking about the protests, and the inequities in our society, including healthcare. (read)
🔥 Trump did all of this in one day – yesterday – Over the past three years, we’ve learned the term “note to file.” That’s when an official writes a memo to themselves to “memorialize” the events of the day, or of a meeting. This article is a note to file of what President Trump did on June 2, 2020. (read)
🔥 Corbin Snardon on how to make a real difference after the protests stop – Corbin Snardon grieves for those who have been lost. And, he is glad for solidarity. But he knows that after the demonstrations are over, it’s action that is needed. (read)
Beshear: ‘Unacceptable’ officers had body cameras turned off – Gov. Andy Beshear didn’t mince words on Monday night after a long day for him that started with an early-morning phone call. “It is unacceptable that the officers that responded did not have body cameras on and recording,” he said during a Monday evening press conference at the Capitol. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] Virtual meetings versus the Open Meetings laws – Some government leaders want to make virtual meetings the “new normal.” How does this jibe with the Open Meetings laws? Amye Bensenhaver weighs in on it. (read)
To all of my white friends … do this first. – If you self-describe as white and want to be a real ally in the fight against racism, here are ten things you need to know and do first. (read)
Four bad-to-worst Trump actions to watch for when it comes to the protests – In addition to all the other crises and trauma we are dealing with as a nation, we have to remember to keep an eye on what President Trump and his enablers are up to. As protests continue to happen around the nation, here are four increasingly bad actions Trump could take to use the protests for his own advantage. (read)
— Policy —
Militarization has fostered a policing culture that sets up protesters as ‘the enemy’ – The militarization of police departments has been a feature of U.S. domestic law enforcement since the 9/11 attacks. What is clear from the latest round of protest and response is that despite efforts to promote de-escalation as a policy, police culture appears to be stuck in an “us vs. them” mentality. (read)
— Cartoon —
She’s got a weapon! – Aaron Smith’s latest, on one of the disturbing events of the weekend. (view)
— Media —
[new video] The Mitch McConnell Story – Vice TV trailer – This is the trailer for an episode of Vice TV’s “A Seat at the Table” about Mitch McConnell. It stands pretty well on its own, so we thought we’d share. (view)
🔥 [photo gallery] Mayfield Protest – a photo gallery – Berry Craig covered the protest in his hometown of Mayfield, and took these pictures as well as writing a story about it. (view)
[show] Dr. Steven Stack on COVID, Harry Neack on Indivisible endorsements – We talk with Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s “top doc,” about the pandemic and our state’s response to it. Then, we get the backstory on how the Indivisible endorsements happened from Harry Neack. View it here! (watch)
[podcast] Effigy fallout, road budget special session, and interview with Roberto Henriquez – This was a dark week for Kentucky politics. We talk through the protest that led to the effigy hanging and the fallout stemming from it. Also, a special session to deal with the road budget. And finally, an interview with Roberto Henriquez, an organizer with Indivisible Kentucky District 4. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- On Savannah Maddox, photos, and terrorism (3,000+ shares)
- Paul makes coronavirus claims not backed by science, fact-checked by WFPL reporter (2,000+ shares)
- Congrats, KY, you got your R nought below 1. So don’t blow it. (1,000+ shares)
- 🔥 Beshear: ‘Unacceptable’ officers had body cameras turned off (780 shares)
- America isn’t being reopened – it’s being ripped apart by propaganda using the 2016 Russian playbook (437 shares)
- Corbin Snardon on how to make a real difference after the protests stop (437 shares)
