Five Things to Know Today
It’s all about the value.
How much do you value this newsletter?
How much do you value the work of Forward Kentucky?
If these things bring value to you, then keep them alive by becoming a member. Membership starts at $3 a month, and keeps what you value coming to you. Become a member today! Click the link to join!
Yes, I value Forward Kentucky! Sign me up!
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! I know, from comments and emails, that this newsletter is the gateway to Forward Kentucky for many people. You scan the top five items, and if something catches your eye, you click through to go read it.
But, you rarely or never visit the site itself directly. You only come through the Forward Five.
And that’s a shame, because you miss so much by only reading the “five things to know” list.
Commentary and editorials. Cartoons. Photo galleries. Policy papers. Research articles and explainers. Podcasts. Videos. All of this content is on the site, but almost never makes the Top Five list.
So, here’s a secret. If you want to quickly scan the site to see what’s new (like you do with the Forward Five), then use the Content menu on the site and choose All Content. You’ll get a list in chronological order of everything we’ve published.
Want a shortcut you can bookmark? It’s simple: ForwardKY.com/blog. That’s it.
I love that you read the Forward Five. I just don’t want you to miss out on all the other great content being produced by our excellent team of contributors.
Check it out every day. Consume the content that interests you. Share using the sharing buttons. You’ll find contributors you want to follow, and you’ll be helping to spread the word.
Thanks for being a Forward Five reader. I hope you’ll also be a Forward Kentucky reader. 😉
#WearYourMask #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
(Send feedback ● Send tips)
Cases down for day, but on upward trend; state receives about 3,000 complaints about businesses not enforcing mask order – 7/15 update
Also, Beshear moves lawsuit appeals directly to state Supreme Court. And, the state’s infection transmission rate continues to rise. (Forward Kentucky)
Beshear, calling it ‘life-and-death battle,’ asks courts to uphold orders
The Beshear legal team filed papers with the KY Supreme Court seeking to overturn lower court rulings that halted enforcement of his executive orders related to the coronavirus pandemic. (Forward Kentucky)
Appropriate or ‘overblown’? Protesters at Daniel Cameron’s home are facing felony charges
Tuesday’s protest outside Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s East End Louisville home and the resulting 87 arrests certainly garnered attention. For one thing, civil rights leaders, athletes, and celebrities were among those handcuffed as protesters in Cameron’s front yard called for him to charge three police officers in the killing of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was fatally shot as they executed a warrant at her apartment March 13.
But what also raised some eyebrows was that the detained protesters were charged with intimidating a participant in the legal process — a Class D felony in Kentucky. “This is an overblown, outrageous, and inappropriate reaction to a community that is rightfully upset with govt delay in holding the police accountable,” the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky tweeted Tuesday night. “The only purpose these charges serve is to potentially chill the free speech rights of protesters #JusticeForBreonna.” (Courier-Journal)
In fight to keep Medicaid contract, Anthem alleges Molina Health had unfair edge in member of Beshear transition team
Insurance company Molina Health had an unfair advantage in winning a state Medicaid contract, claims rival insurer Anthem, which was a loser in the bidding. (Forward Kentucky)
Mitch McConnell, unlike Trump, says he has ‘total’ confidence in Anthony Fauci
President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top expert on infectious diseases, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn’t share his misgivings. Kentucky’s longtime senator on Wednesday was asked what level of confidence he has in Fauci. McConnell quickly and simply responded: “Total.” (Courier-Journal)
Tomorrow’s show
Join us Friday for interviews with Stephen Spoonamore, Maxwell Mitchell, and Jason Downey as they share stories of their experiences on the front lines of two crises: the pandemic and the protests for racial justice.
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] SOS office reaches out to rural, elderly, and disabled voters – Almost 20,000 unique flyers were given to elderly and disabled populations in rural Kentucky counties in the weeks before the June 23 primary, offering instructions on how to vote in the unusual election. (read)
As cases set a new record by far, Beshear says ‘It’s time to stop the silliness and the games’ and ‘come together or fall apart’ – 7/14 update – After reporting by far the most coronavirus cases found in Kentucky on one day, Gov. Andy Beshear said “It tells you this virus isn’t playing, and neither are we.” (read)
🔥 Repub leges go without masks; Dems call them out – A day after one of their peers announced he had tested positive for COVID-19, Republican legislators were still not wearing masks in the Annex. (read)
🔥 A tribute to Brandi Harless – Primary voters in Paducah denied their young, unabashedly progressive mayor a crack at a second four-year term. But two veteran civil rights leaders say Brandi Harless will be missed as a champion of equality in westernmost Kentucky’s largest city. (read)
State Senate back to full 38 members after Berg sworn in – The KY Senate is at its full membership of 38 after Dr. Karen Berg (D-Louisville) was officially sworn in on Monday following her special election victory held the same day as the June primary. (read)
“They endorsed WHO?!?” – A look at endorsements and why they happen the way they do – Every election cycle, there are endorsements. And every election cycle, there are surprises and complaints about those endorsements. Here’s a look at what takes place behind the scenes. (read)
🔥 Four first hand reports from the real world, Covid-19 edition. ‘Things are beginning to crack.’ – Two months ago the writer wrote a post that was somewhat hopeful. This update is not hopeful – things are cracking, and will get worse. (read)
— Commentary —
[new] Are you one of the Expendables? – Mr. McConnell is saying that the next round of relief has to include unlimited relief from liability for his wealthy donors. In other words, when it comes to his donors, all the rest of us are expendable. (read)
Kentucky’s senators must agree to adequate federal aid for the state to survive recession – The first CARES Act was only part of the bridge we need for our economy, and for the 50% of Kentuckians who have lost some or all of their employment. Will the U.S. Senate build the rest of the bridge? (read)
KY Dems, you need to fix this ethics loophole – How would you feel if you were a candidate in a competitive Democratic primary, and you learned that the chair of your local party was working for one of your opponents? And being PAID to do so? (read)
— Media —
🔥 [photo gallery] “Heads Up, Phones Out!” – a rally for citizen journalists – We stand with citizen journalists! Here is a photo gallery from a rally supporting the live streamers who have been covering the protests in Louisville. (view)
[podcast] Shameka Parrish-Wright & Ted Shouse on Injustice Square Park and judicial reforms – Also – Robert and Jazmin discuss the Vision Russell project, and how it could be connected to the Breonna Taylor killing. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Republicans propose eliminating speed limits, seat belts (661 shares)
- Millions of Americans are about to find out just how badly they’ve been screwed by Trump and the GOP (270 shares)
- Bipartisan legislation being drafted to restrict no-knock warrants (242 shares)
Follow Forward Kentucky on social media!
