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— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! We don’t normally repost stories. As good as many of our writers are, news and issues continue to come at us, and today’s viral post becomes yesterday’s news. So in four years of publishing, I can’t recall a time when we actually republished something.
Until now.
One of our former contributors, Pam Gersh, reminded me of a piece she did over two years ago on Confederate statues, especially the one of Jefferson Davis in the Capitol rotunda. She thought it might be timely again, with the current governor raising the idea of removing that statue. I agreed, and so we republished it today, with an explanatory note at the top.
It’s titled “It took Kentucky 111 years to abolish slavery … and we still haven’t dealt with the statues.” I encourage you to click the link and go read it. It is an excellent backgrounder to both the statues issue and to the history of the racism that caused the statues to be erected in the first place.
Perhaps now, in the midst of all the important discussion and actions we are having and taking, we can finally deal with the statue as well. That would be part of “getting through this, together.” #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Today’s Five Things to Know
Cases up, but Beshear says State Fair is on, businesses can increase capacity to 50%; ACLU wants all inmates tested
The number of COVID-19 cases in Kentucky jumped again Tuesday, but Gov. Beshear announced another relaxation of restrictions and gave the state fair a mostly green light. More details and the video of the presser in the story. (Forward Kentucky)
Big day for campaign news
Tuesday turned into a big day for two of our Senate candidates, with endorsements and new ads coming out.
Broihier endorsed by leaders across Kentucky, goes up on multiple television markets with new ad
In a press conference on Tuesday, June 9, the Mike Broihier for Senate campaign announced endorsements from over 30 leaders across Kentucky, and released a new ad that will be hitting all major television markets in Kentucky. (Forward Kentucky)
Booker receives endorsements from Sanders, AOC, and the Herald-Leader
It was a significant day for the Booker for Senate campaign. In one day, they got endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the Herald-Leader editorial board. (Forward Kentucky)
Beshear aide: National Guard fired shot that killed Louisville restaurant owner
David McAtee, a black restaurant owner who was fatally shot amid protests last week in Louisville, was killed by a bullet fired by the Kentucky National Guard, a state official said Tuesday. J. Michael Brown, Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive cabinet secretary, said lab tests have concluded McAtee was killed by a single gunshot wound to the chest from a bullet fired by a National Guard officer. (Herald-Leader)
Rep. Jason Nemes, voters file lawsuit against Kentucky election officials over polling places
State Rep. Jason Nemes and several voters across Kentucky have filed a class-action lawsuit demanding there be more than one in-person voting location in several of the commonwealth’s most populous counties for the June 23 primary elections.
In the lawsuit filed Monday in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Kentucky, Nemes, a Louisville Republican, and voters from Jefferson, Fayette, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties allege that “significant voter suppression will occur” as a result of each county having a singular polling location. (Courier-Journal)
Braidy’s settlement with Bouchard leaves founder on outside
Braidy Industries settled a lawsuit with founder Craig Bouchard in a Delaware Chancery Courtroom on Monday. As part of the “amicable” settlement, Bouchard has stepped down from the board of directors of the company. (Forward Kentucky)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] Small towns host Black Lives Matter marches as movement spreads beyond cities – Protests are continuing, but they’re not just happening in the big cities. Small towns across Kentucky and the Ohio Valley are seeing their own rallies saying Black Lives Matter. (read)
[new] Coronavirus case numbers plummet; Beshear aims to get every black Kentuckian insured – 6/8 update – Gov. Andy Beshear reported Monday a marked drop in new coronavirus cases, reversing a nine-day trend of elevated case numbers. He also announced what he said would be the first step to eliminate the health inequality among African Americans that has been “laid bare” by the pandemic, an effort to get every black Kentuckian covered by health insurance. (read)
🔥 Charles Booker endorsed by Matt Jones – Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio endorses Rep. Charles Booker via Twitter video. (read)
🔥 U.S. police have attacked journalists at least 140 times since May 28 – It’s becoming clear that attacks by police on journalists are becoming a widespread pattern, not one-off incidents. (read)
🔥 Black Legislative Caucus issues statement on Paul’s blockage of lynching bill – The Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus issued the following statement regarding U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s blocking of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act in the Senate. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] It took Kentucky 111 years to abolish slavery … and we still haven’t dealt with the statues – Matt Bevin was right: we SHOULD learn from our history. So let’s do just that: LEARN the REAL history behind the Jefferson Davis statue, and other statues like it. Pam Gersh lays it out clearly … and comes to a clear conclusion. (read)
Which Kentuckian said these things? And why does it matter now? – Think you know your Kentucky history? OK then – who made the following statements? And, even though they were made long ago, why do they matter now? (read)
“I didn’t know where I was going” – When confronted by the press to explain, Secretary Esper sheepishly said, “I didn’t know where I was going.” He personifies how lost the Trump Republicans are. (read)
🔥 Why aren’t teachers at the table when it comes to COVID-19 planning? – Dear school and union leadership: NOW is the time to start talking with TEACHERS about how the fall is going to work, in the classroom and elsewhere. (read)
— Policy —
Making sense of hydroxychloroqine: a case study – Misconceptions about the scientific process often lead to significant misunderstandings. This disconnect is illustrated in the controversy concerning the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients. (read)
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 —
🔥 DOJ Threat Assessment Guide – Aaron Smith obtained a copy of the classified 2020 Threat Assessment Guide from the DOJ. It’s pretty simple, and they’ve obviously been following it. (view)
She’s got a weapon! – Aaron Smith’s latest, on one of the disturbing events of the weekend. (view)
— Media —
[photo galleries]Protest art, Bardstown Rd, Danville, Jesse Jackson – more photo galleries – Photographers Del Ramey and Nick Lacy have been busy, busy, busy, covering a number of the recent protests and events. From Protest Art in the Square, to another demonstration in Danville, to lining Bardstown Road, to listening to Rev. Jesse Jackson and friends, it’s been a full calendar. Here are some photos from all these events. (view)
🔥 Black voices in Kentucky – On today’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. (watch)
[podcast]Kentucky’s week of protest + Amy McGrath Interview – Jazmin and Robert break down in detail the civic unrest and police response in Louisville, and touch upon the protests in other cities across Kentucky. Then, the interview is with Amy McGrath. Listen in! (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
( 🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Beshear: ‘Unacceptable’ officers had body cameras turned off (827 shares)
- Corbin Snardon on how to make a real difference after the protests stop (613 shares)
- 🔥 Why aren’t teachers at the table when it comes to COVID-19 planning? (536 shares)
- Uptick accelerates as Beshear announces 319 new coronavirus cases, most in more than a month, with 65% in Jefferson County (492 shares)
