Five Things to Know Today
Some facts.
- Everything Forward Kentucky produces is paid for by our members.
- We’re averaging about 3,000 visitors to the site each day.
- We have about 200 member supporters.
- Memberships start at $3 a month.
If you are already a paying member, thank you. If not, please become one. Your membership pays for everything we do.
I’m ready to be number 201. Sign me up!
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! Some quick notes on this TGIF –
— Today’s The State of Kentucky show should be pretty interesting: it features a group of politically-active young people who are making a documentary about their activism. We’ll talk with them about both the documentary, and how and why they became active. Do they see a growing movement of political awareness and activism among their peers? Join us at noon (links below).
— If you are looking for a job that makes a difference, both KFTC and Planned Parenthood are hiring. There’s more information in the story on the site.
— And finally, thanks to those of you who have become members during our membership drive. Your support makes all we do possible. There’s about a week left in this drive, so there’s still time for more of you to become members. You could be number 202! 😊 Click the link above to join.
Hope you have a great weekend, and that whatever it is, it’s just what you need. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and take care of yourself. We’re going to get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Beshear says he wouldn’t ask teachers to return to classrooms now – 7/23 update
As Kentucky’s coronavirus surge continued Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear said he wouldn’t ask a teacher to resume teaching now, but “I want to see where we are early next week,” when he hopes the effect of his mask mandate will be seen in the daily numbers. (Forward Kentucky)
Four KY representatives vote against removing statues from U.S. Capitol
Four of Kentucky’s six congressional representatives voted against a resolution to remove statues associated with white supremacy from display in the U.S. Capitol. (Forward Kentucky)
Three Percenters plan ‘boots on the ground’ in Louisville to counter Black militia
A far-right militia group is calling for members to come to Louisville on Saturday in response to a planned armed march by the NFAC (Not F***ing Around Coalition), a Black militia. The Three Percenter posts come after John Fitzgerald “Jay” Johnson, the self-proclaimed grand master and founder of the NFAC, announced in a video posted on Sunday that the group plans to gather in an armed formation Saturday to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by police. (Courier-Journal)
FBI had 700 pages of documents related to former Gov. Matt Bevin’s pardons
The FBI kept more than 700 pages of documents related to pardons and commutations issued by former Gov. Matt Bevin for about six months this year. The agency took possession of the documents in January as part of its investigation into the pardons, but recently returned them to the administration of current Gov. Andy Beshear.
Obtained by The Courier Journal, the pardon review forms include handwritten notes from the governor’s attorneys and Bevin himself, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of applicants and sometimes weighing in on their religious beliefs and the political optics of a pardon. (Courier-Journal)
KY AFL-CIO endorses McGrath, Hicks
The state AFL-CIO also backed McGrath in her unsuccessful 2018 bid to unseat Rep. Andy Barr (R-Lexington) in the Sixth Congressional District. (Forward Kentucky)
Many young people, from high school to young adults, are increasingly active in both politics and protests. On this Friday’s The State of Kentucky, we talk with two citizen journalists who are doing live-streaming of protests and have gathered large followings. Then, we interview some high school students and their teacher about their involvement, including making a documentary about their activism. Join us!
Today at noon ● Facebook link ● YouTube link
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] ‘I am someone’s daughter too’: AOC gives powerful speech after sexist attack by Florida congressman – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to the House floor to respond to the vulgar, sexist encounter she had with Rep. Ted Yoho and Rep. Roger Williams on Monday. Watch (or read) one of her most powerful speeches to date. (read or watch)
[new] Chief justice denies Beshear request to disqualify judge – The SCOKY chief justice has denied the motion by the Beshear administration to have a judge disqualified from a lawsuit concerning the governor’s executive orders. (read)
🔥 [new] State House candidate issues statement on Lee statue, challenges opponent to debate – In two separate statements, Shannon Davis-Roberts, a candidate for Kentucky House from western Kentucky has spoken out on the Lee statue in Calloway County, and challenged her opponent to a debate. (read)
🔥 Kentucky voters reject every McConnell stance on COVID-19 relief – The voters of Kentucky roundly support the key provisions of the HEROES relief bill from House Democrats, and roundly oppose Sen. McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the middle of the pandemic. (read)
AG Cameron intervenes in KRS lawsuit – In an unexpected move, Attorney General Daniel Cameron has filed a motion to be added as an “intervening plaintiff” in the lawsuit filed by persons with retirement funds held by the Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS). (read)
— Commentary —
🔥 West End ignorant – I’ve been Black since December 28, 1994. However, I didn’t learn what it was like to live in a Black community until I went to college in 2013. (read)
🔥 McConnell and Gilded Age 2.0 are “déjà vu all over again” – Mitch McConnell’s smirk, his self-proclaimed moniker “the Grim Reaper,” and his well-deserved “Moscow Mitch” nickname make him a perfect “Boss Tweed” of Tammany Hall fame for this second Gilded Age. (read)
Betsy DeVos isn’t serious about reopening schools; here’s how we know. And what we should do anyway. – DeVos has yet to suggest any measures to open schools. Why? Because every dollar spent on schooling children is a dollar less for her corporate allies. But we know what to do. Here’s the list. (read)
— Policy —
When is it public business, and when is it just the weather? – If a quorum of a governing body have a conference call, is it a public meeting, even if they only have discussion and share information? (read)
Georgia’s election disaster shows how bad voting in 2020 can be – Georgia’s presidential primary election on June 9 was a nightmare mix of inefficiency and discrimination. It has implications beyond Georgia, and carries warnings for problems with the presidential election and the legitimacy of the results. (read)
— Media —
[new podcast] The worst COVID week yet, plus Pam Dossett interview – This week Jazmin and Robert dig into the two big stories of the summer, COVID-19 and the ongoing protest movement. Then Pam Dossett, candidate for the 8th District, joined us for an interview. (listen)
[photo gallery] Louisville Kids’ March – A Kids’ March was held on Friday, July 17, in Louisville as part of the ongoing racial justice and Breonna Taylor protests in that city. Del Ramey was there and captured these photos of the event. (view)
[show] TSOK – Reports from the Front Lines – In this week’s The State of Kentucky, a CEO gives us updates from nurses and doctors, hospital managers, and his own high-tech firm, as they all deal with COVID-19 and its effects. (watch or listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- AG Cameron sues to negate all Beshear orders; Dem leaders call actions ‘immoral’ (972 shares)
- Republicans propose eliminating speed limits, seat belts (686 shares)
- What Donald Trump is doing in Portland is just as big a threat to America as COVID-19 (603 shares)
- Mitch McConnell is a failed leader (550 shares)
- Cameron has begun chipping away at our open records laws (548 shares)
- A tribute to Brandi Harless (507 shares)
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