Five Things to Know Today
It’s very simple.
Producing this newsletter costs money. Not only is there the time to create it (about 400 hours a year), there is also the cost to send it. (Mailchimp, our newsletter service, isn’t free.) And, there’s paying for some of the content that’s in it, as well.
So, if you like getting the Forward Five, become a member to help pay the costs. Basic membership starts at $3 a month, and your membership provides the money to do the work. It’s that simple.
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! As you probably know, we do more than just publish words. We have podcasts, videocasts, photo galleries, and even our own editorial cartoonist.
And yet, I worry that many of our readers (including you faithful Forward Five subscribers) miss out on this content, because people primarily think of us as a “print” shop.
So, I want to take a moment to point out all the ways you can experience our media content, including today’s The State of Kentucky show.
Photo galleries and cartoons – Listed in the Media section of the Forward Five, and always part of the Featured content on the site. You can also use the Content menu to find them.
“My Old Kentucky Podcast” – The excellent podcast by Robert Kahne and Jazmin Smith is on all the regular podcast apps and locations, so you can subscribe to it there. But in addition, it is posted on our site every Friday, where you can listen to it using any web browser (including on your phone).
“The State of Kentucky” videocast – The show streams live every Friday on YouTube and Facebook. But in addition, you can also catch it later in any of these ways:
- Watch the video later on YouTube and Facebook – it’s automatically added to our channel on both sites about an hour after we finish.
- Watch the video later on our site – I post it by Friday evening, so you can watch it there as well.
- Listen to the podcast – I also post the audio-only version as a podcast of the same name, so you can subscribe to it in whatever podcast app you use.
- Listen to the podcast on our site – I post the audio-only version on our site right under the video version, so you can watch or listen, your choice.
So, there you have it – MANY ways to find and consume the excellent media content produced by Forward Kentucky. I hope you will take advantage of all of them; there’s more to us than just words! 😉
And, I hope you make a point of catching this week’s TSOK show. As noted below, we have some very interesting guests, and I’m looking forward to talking with all of them.
#WearYourMask #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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7/16 update – AG asks court to block all of governor’s COVID-19 pandemic orders
In the face of rising cases across the state, Attorney General Daniel Cameron is trying to void all of Governor Beshear’s executive orders to fight the virus. Governor Beshear responds, saying “People will die.” (Forward Kentucky)
Former Ky. Democratic party chairman sentenced to prison
Jerry Lundergan, a former state lawmaker who also served as Kentucky Democratic party chairman, was sentenced after being convicted of federal campaign violations. (Forward Kentucky)
McGrath outraises McConnell in Q2; cash-on-hand about even
In the most recent campaign fundraising reports, the McGrath campaign once again out-raised the McConnell campaign. And, she has out-raised him for the past year, as well. (Forward Kentucky)
Rep. Charles Booker forms ‘Hood to the Holler’ to build on Senate campaign
Rep. Charles Booker announces the formation of a new advocacy group, “Hood to the Holler,” to build on the legacy of his Senate campaign. (Forward Kentucky)
AG Cameron sues to negate all Beshear orders; Dem leaders call actions ‘immoral’
Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed another lawsuit today, asking a judge to block all of Governor Andy Beshear’s emergency orders, present and future. In response, Dem leaders called his actions “immoral.” (Forward Kentucky)
Today’s show
Join us 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 —
🔥 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. (read)
Cases down for day, but on upward trend; state receives about 3,000 complaints about businesses not enforcing mask order – Also, Beshear moves lawsuit appeals directly to state Supreme Court. And, the state’s infection transmission rate continues to rise. (read)
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. (read)
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)
🔥 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)
— Commentary —
🔥 [new] Is THIS why Devos wants schools to open? – Maybe it’s not about Trump’s re-election. Maybe it’s not about the kids. Maybe it’s actually a strategy to take down public education. (read)
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)
— Policy —
[new] Contact tracing hampered by testing delays, unanswered phone calls — and lack of trust – Contact tracing may be our best hope to stop the spread of the coronavirus. But this time-tested method has been hobbled by testing delays, a lack of money and official support, and poor cooperation from the public. (read)
— Media —
[new podcast] Protests in Daniel Cameron’s yard, new education commissioner, and interview with Cherlynn Stevenson – On the show: The two major stories of the year: COVID-19 (which is getting worse) and the ongoing protest movement. Also, the new education commissioner. Then, Cherlynn Stevenson joins us for the interview. (listen)
🔥 [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)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- Republicans propose eliminating speed limits, seat belts (667 shares)
- Millions of Americans are about to find out just how badly they’ve been screwed by Trump and the GOP (275 shares)
- Bipartisan legislation being drafted to restrict no-knock warrants (242 shares)
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