The Forward Five – Friday, 6/12/20
Order your absentee ballot NOW! This coming weekend is the deadline to order it. Go to GoVoteKY.com and click the first link “Absentee Ballot Request.” Takes about a minute. Do it now while you are thinking about it. And share that address with everyone so we have a BIG turnout. Again, that’s GoVoteKY.com.
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! I added this “publisher’s note” section to the Forward Five a while ago, in an attempt to build a connection with you, the readers – at least in one direction.
What’s been gratifying to me is the number of you that have reciprocated by connecting back to me through the Feedback link. More and more, I see a certain name and I’m able to put it with comments I’ve seen on the site or received through feedback.
We’re building not only a media outlet here, but also something of a community: “The Loyal Forward Kentucky Readers and Supporters.” 😉
One thing I’ve long thought about is expanding on that idea of an online community by letting people post a profile of themselves, along with a profile picture, and perhaps also adding a discussion section.
Another idea I had planned on doing was “ForwardKY Meetups” around the state. The coronavirus killed that idea, at least for now, but perhaps we could have Zoom meetups by congressional district, so people could meet others in their area.
As always, if you have feedback on either of these ideas, feel free to click the link below. I’d be interested to hear what you have to say.
Finally – get your absentee ballot, get tested, and keep wearing your masks. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear says virus is at a new plateau, and he will be guided by hospital data – 6/11 update
Gov. Beshear said he believes Kentucky is at a new plateau, but he will use hospital numbers as a guide for response. He also announced openings for long-term care facilities. (Forward Kentucky)
Louisville Metro Council votes to ban no-knock warrants in honor of Breonna Taylor
No-knock search warrants have been banned in Louisville after a unanimous vote of the Metro Council on Thursday night. The new ordinance is called Breonna’s Law, named after 26-year-old Breonna Taylor, an unarmed black woman who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police in her apartment in the early morning hours of March 13.
Police were attempting to serve a search warrant with a no-knock clause at Taylor’s South End apartment as a part of a narcotics investigation when they entered her home, were met by gunfire and killed Taylor while returning fire. Mayor Greg Fischer vowed to sign Breonna’s Law “as soon as it hits my desk.” (Courier-Journal)
Rand Paul filing bill to ban no-knock warrants nationwide
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul is filing legislation to prohibit police officers across the country from using no-knock warrants like the one that led to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. The measure will be named after Taylor, a 26-year-old unarmed black woman whose fatal shooting by three Louisville police officers has fueled national protests.
“After talking with Breonna Taylor’s family, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s long past time to get rid of no-knock warrants,” he said. “This bill will effectively end no-knock raids in the United States.” Under the bill, federal law enforcement officers would be required to provide notice of their authority and purpose before they could execute a warrant. (Courier-Journal)
Lawmaker says he will file legislation to remove Jefferson Davis statue
Sen. Chris McDaniel plans to introduce legislation during the 2021 General Assembly that would remove the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from the Capitol Rotunda. However, the statue may not be in the Rotunda by the next legislative session, as the Historic Properties Advisory Commission is meeting today to discuss removing the statue now. (Forward Kentucky)
Hicks outraises Barr in latest fundraising report
Josh Hicks, the leading Democratic candidate to take on Congressman Andy Barr in the fall, out-raised Barr in the latest fund-raising period. (Forward Kentucky)
And a news backgrounder
The when and where of Trump’s next rally – and why it matters
Here is a short explainer why the date and location of Trump’s next campaign rally are significant. (Forward Kentucky)
Today’s The State of Kentucky show
There’s been a lot of talk about UBI, or “universal basic income.” What is it? Can it work? And how is it related to our COVID-19 economy? Join us on Facebook or YouTube at noon for a live-stream discussion with two experts. Bring your questions and post them in the chat, and we’ll share them on the air.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] Here’s how to find your polling location – You still have time to get an absentee ballot. But if you need to vote in person, here’s how to find your polling location. (read)
🔥 Nemes files suit over lack of polling places in Louisville – State Rep. Jason Nemes and five other voters filed a lawsuit challenging the decision to have only one polling location for in-person voting in five of Kentucky’s largest counties. (read)
Booker endorsed by the Courier-Journal – In an editorial entitled “‘Change Agent’ Charles Booker is best Democratic candidate in Kentucky Senate race,” the Louisville Courier-Journal today endorsed Rep. Charles Booker for the Democratic nomination to take on Senator Mitch McConnell. (read)
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. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] Al Cross: National shift makes Booker the Senate candidate of the moment, at least for now – Campaigns are often about moments in history, and Al Cross says this moment may belong to Charles Booker. (read)
🔥 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)
🔥 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)
— 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)
— Media —
[new podcast] Protests & COVID – plus interview w/ Charles Booker – This week we continue talking about the wave of protests all across Kentucky, and update the status of the COVID-19 outbreak. Then, we interview U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker, who talked candidly about his campaign and the painful time for his district and city. (listen)
[videos] Latest ads from McGrath, Booker, and Broihier – As we turn into the final stretch of the Democratic primary to take on Mitch McConnell, here are the latest ads from Amy McGrath, Charles Booker, and Mike Broihier. (watch)
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)
- Why aren’t teachers at the table when it comes to COVID-19 planning? (707 shares)
- 🔥 Booker receives endorsements from Sanders, AOC, and the Herald-Leader (622 shares)
- Corbin Snardon on how to make a real difference after the protests stop (614 shares)
- Uptick accelerates as Beshear announces 319 new coronavirus cases, most in more than a month, with 65% in Jefferson County (524 shares)
