Five Things to Know Today
— Publisher’s Note —
Good morning! Do you remember where you were 19 years ago this morning?
I certainly do. I was teaching a class at Continental Airlines headquarters in Houston. Think about that as a place to be on 9/11.
There are many stories and incidents I could share from that week, and if I ever write my memoirs, perhaps I’ll include them there. But for today, I want to pull out one remembrance: the sudden sense of community.
Once the initial panic concluded, and we began to deal with the “new normal” we were in, there was a sense of “we’re all in this together, and we have to take care of each other.” People were nicer, even calmer, as they dealt with each other.
The contrast, of course, is obvious. For whatever reason or reasons, we have no sense of national community. No sense of state community, or even local community in many places.
Once we get past this election (won’t have a chance until then), we have to figure out how to restore that, at least to some extent. It will take leadership, at many levels. But we have to try. Without it, we are not a nation – we are just a collection of competing and clashing groups.
Common unity. Community. Let’s get there, together.
Bruce Maples, publisher
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Today’s Five Things to Know
Pandemic stories from Thursday
9/10 update — Deadliest COVID-19 day yet, with 22 fatalities
On Kentucky’s deadliest day yet, Gov. Andy Beshear reminded his constituents that their actions matter when it comes to protecting each other and the state as a whole. (Forward Kentucky)
Wreath-laying ceremony memorializes Kentuckians who have died from COVID-19
A solemn wreath-laying ceremony took place in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday morning to mark the death of more than 1,000 Kentuckians due to the coronavirus. (Story and pictures) (Forward Kentucky)
Beshear makes ‘painful address’ to Kentuckians on day when 22 die
Governor Beshear has delivered three previous addresses: his inaugural, his State of the Commonwealth, and his Budget Address. Today, he added a fourth: an address on the pandemic. (Includes video of the address.) (Forward Kentucky)
McGrath in Louisville — a press conference, then a voter registration event
Forward Kentucky contributor Cathy Hill attended the presser and wrote up the report on it, while photographer Del Ramey attended the Shawnee Park event and got some good pictures to share. (Forward Kentucky)
McConnell “skinny” COVID relief bill fails in Senate
The so-called “skinny” coronavirus relief bill promoted by Senator Mitch McConnell failed to pass in the U.S. Senate, as it did not garner the 60 votes needed to move forward. All Democrats voted against it, deriding it as dramatically insufficient to meet the needs of the country, and noting that the House passed the HEROES Act months ago. They were joined in their No vote by Sen. Rand Paul, who voted against it on “deficit grounds.” With the Senate only in session for a few more weeks before their October “go home and campaign” recess, the prospects for any sort of relief bill coming out of Washington are bleak.
U of L professor calls Cameron’s inclusion on Trump’s Supreme Court list ‘preposterous’
Samuel Marcosson, a professor at U of L’s Brandeis School of law, described as “preposterous” President Donald Trump’s inclusion of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron on his list of potential nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court. Cameron, who is 34 and was admitted to practice nine years ago, was one of 20 attorneys and judges Trump named Wednesday on a list of additional potential candidatesfor the high court if he is reelected to a second term.
“A nominee for the Supreme Court should have a wealth of legal experience,” Marcosson wrote in an email. “The attorney general lacks any meaningful experience practicing federal law, which is the entirety of the Supreme Court’s docket.” (Courier-Journal)
Racial slur used 300 times in email to Ky. student, sisters say in lawsuit against district.
Two Madison County sisters have filed a federal lawsuit against school district officials, the Madison Southern High School principal and four students claiming the sisters were systemically menaced and threatened due to their race. The lawsuit was filed by a recent Madison Southern High School graduate and her younger sister, who is still a junior at the school.
The sisters suffered continued racist bullying and harassment from other students at the school, and school officials did not act to put an end to the attacks, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit was filed in state court in August before being moved into federal court this week. (Herald-Leader)
TODAY on “The State of Kentucky”
State Rep. Charles Booker ran a strong campaign against Amy McGrath for the Democratic Senate nomination, and almost won, closing strong in the final weeks. Now that the campaign is over, what’s next for this rising star? We talk with Rep. Booker about the campaign, about “From the Hood to the Holler,” the organization he has formed, and if he’s going to run for office again. Join us today at noon on Facebook or YouTube to watch the live broadcast, or check out the recording later on our website.
Recent Content on Forward Kentucky
[new] indicates item not in a Forward Five before
[new] LMPD leadership change, Derby protests, and interview with Daren Neel – Jazmin welcomes attorneys E.A. Duncan and Daren Neel to talk about family courts and Daren’s run for judge. Also: this week’s COVID-19 news, Derby protests, a change in LMPD leadership, and a possible update in the Breonna Taylor investigation. (Podcast)
[new] McGrath campaign: McConnell ad disparages Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran on 9/11 – In response to Senator Mitch McConnell’s latest election ad that uses 9/11 for political purposes, the McGrath campaign released the following statement. (Press Release)
[new] A tan suit – Do you remember the Obama “tan suit” controversy? Think about that compared to today. (PubBlog)
9/9 update – Kentucky’s official COVID-19 death count passes 1,000 – Gov. Andy Beshear took the occasion of the state’s official count of COVID-19 deaths passing 1,000 to reflect on the importance of protecting those most vulnerable to the coronavirus and to remind Kentuckians that each of the dead was loved by their families and friends. (News)
House Dems pre-file 15 bills benefiting workers – The KY House Democratic Caucus announced its members would be pre-filing 15 bills to strengthen workforce protections and rights. The announcement was made on Monday to coincide with Labor Day. (News)
Amy McGrath on Wildcat Sports Talk show – When Wildcat Sports Talk did a special show on Black Lives Matter and race issues called “Conversation on Racial Inequality,” Senate candidate Amy McGrath was one of their guests. (Video)
With millions facing serious hardship, McConnell plan doesn’t meet nation’s needs – Senator McConnell released a “skinny” relief package with no food or rental assistance, no state or local fiscal relief, and a short-term fix to jobless benefits. The latest data make clear a much stronger package is essential. (Policy Analysis)
Almost every county in KY lost more jobs than the national average – According to a jobs analysis from the Daily Yonder, almost every county in Kentucky is dealing with job loss that is higher than the national average for that type of county. (News)
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