Five Things to Know Today
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! As they say, “timing is everything.”
We received two guest editorials over the weekend, both about the election and how it went, each offering a different perspective. I decided to write the same introduction for each, noting the other post, and encouraging people to read both.
So, I’m now doing the same with all of you. Go down to the Commentary section in the “Featured Content” section, pick either of the [New] pieces and read it, then follow the link at the end to read the other one. And, feel free to leave comments after one or both.
Friday on TSOK – I want to do an early promotion for this Friday’s The State of Kentucky show. We’re going to have Robert Kahne on to talk about the election results, which come out tomorrow. He will have some great analysis, and if we’re lucky, some of his excellent maps as well. You’ll want to watch this episode, either live at noon or later on the site. (We may have another guest as well, but that’s not confirmed yet.)
Be safe, be healthy, wear a mask. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Sunday cases low, as usual, but 7-day average still high – 6/28 update
The report lowered the state’s rolling seven-day average to 222 from 229, where it had jumped after a near-record number of cases on Saturday. Also: 30-year-old dies; those in 20s are plurality of KY cases; media influence seen in attitude toward the pandemic. (Forward Kentucky)
“Bountygate” continues to grow
Last week it was reported that Russia had paid Taliban fighters in Afghanistan to kill American soldiers, and that intelligence officials had known of this since March. This led to two questions: Was President Trump informed of this, and if so, what did he do about it? Numerous person who had worked in previous White Houses said it was not believable that he wasn’t informed, but the White House continues to insist he was not. It has been pointed out that between March and now, President Trump has instead acted on Russia’s behalf several times, including pushing to get them back into the G7. Now, In a new Sunday evening story, The Washington Post cites unidentified sources to confirm that the Russian program offering “bounties” to Taliban militants for killing U.S. forces in Afghanistan is “believed to have resulted in the deaths of several U.S. service members.” #Tr345on has begun trending on Twitter.
City council in Murray, Kentucky, passes resolution to remove Robert E. Lee statue
A Western Kentucky city has passed a resolution asking county officials to remove a century-old Confederate statue from the community’s courthouse. The Murray City Council voted unanimously Thursday night on the resolution that asks Calloway County Fiscal Court to “expeditiously remove and relocate” the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, news outlets reported.
The city’s vote came at the request of Sherman Neal, an assistant football coach at Murray State University. Neal, who is Black, asked in May for the statue’s removal. (Courier-Journal)
One killed in shooting at Louisville protest site
On Saturday night, a man opened fire at the protest site on Jefferson Square in Louisvile, killing one person. The man was then shot and wounded, and taken into police custody and hospitalized. The person killed was Tyler Gerth, a young photographer who had become a vocal supporter of the protests. (Courier-Journal)
There was a candlelight vigil for Gerth on Sunday, and Forward Kentucky photographer Del Ramey was there. We will post a photo gallery of the vigil later today.
3 locations opening Monday to deal with unemployment issues
The KY Labor Cabinet released more details on Saturday about three locations where those who have had issues resolving their unemployment claims can go. (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 —
Cases trending up; restrictions on long-term-care visits – 6/27 update – If you plan to visit a long-term-care facility in Kentucky as visitation reopens, be prepared to follow some tight restrictions. (read)
How fake accounts constantly manipulate what you see on social media – and what you can do about it – Misinformation, disinformation, confusion, and ultimately division – the goals of trolls, bots, and sock puppets. What can you do? (read)
Six unexpected connections between Coronavirus & Environment – Here are six important connections between the coronavirus, the environment, and sustainability. Watch and share! (watch)
The 15 remaining cases on the SCOTUS docket – Here is a list of the cases that have not yet been decided by the Supreme Court, along with predictions about who may be writing the decisions. (read)
#HealthyAtSchool: Masks, social distancing, temperature checks – KY Department of Education released their “flagship document” on schools reopening on Wednesday, spelling out some of the requirements for local schools. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] The primary was well-run and fair — now let’s pull together to win in the fall. – We have to stop sowing doubt in our institutions, even as Trump continues to do so. We have too much work to do in four very short months, and we’re wasting precious time. (read)
[new] All eyes still need to be on Kentucky – The laser focus on the changes made to adapt to COVID-19 looks at the wrong things, and misses the real voter suppression issues. (read)
General Assembly ignores its own open meetings law – The General Assembly laid out how meetings could be held legally during the pandemic – but didn’t follow its own law. Why? (read)
CFA encourages investment in food security through redirecting police budgets – Community Farm Alliance is advocating for local communities to redirect funds from police department budgets toward food security efforts and other preventive programs that make our communities more safe. (read)
Tick tock – it’s past time for passing the Heroes Act! – Senator McConnell – The clock is ticking. Pass the HEROES Act now! (read)
— Policy —
A new program, Pandemic EBT, puts food on the table for Kentucky’s children – Tens of thousands of Kentucky children are food-insecure, and school closings have made things worse. Enter P-EBT! Read on to learn more. (read)
— Media —
[new videocast] What is AgriTech, and why should you care? Plus, some scary stats. – We talk with Jonathan Webb, CEO of AppHarvest, about their vision and about working with both Kentucky and the Dutch. (The Dutch?!?) Plus, we share some scary stats that you’ll want to see. (watch or listen)
[new podcast] The primary election got weird – This week, Robert and Jazmin discuss the primary election (which went viral for weird reasons), the ongoing protests (a police officer was fired this week in conjunction will the killing of Breonna Taylor), and COVID-19 (it’s still happening, folks). (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- 🔥🔥 Would everyone please get the Louisville voting story straight? (26,000+ shares )
- Kentucky cousins both running for House seats this year (3,000+ shares)
- The Louisville voting story – an update (2,000+ shares)
- 🔥 ‘I rise because I was Breonna Taylor’s congressman …’ (2,000+ shares)
- 🔥 The Breonna Taylor rally in Frankfort – a photo gallery (555 shares)
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