Joe Sonka 😐
@joesonka.lpm.org
State government reporter for @kentuckypublicradio.org — @lpm.org, @weku.bsky.social, WKYU/Bowling Green, @wkmsfm.bsky.social. Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe/BBN. Did a Pulitzer many years ago.
DM me news/apocalypse tips! https://www.lpm.org/people/joe-sonka
DM me news/apocalypse tips! https://www.lpm.org/people/joe-sonka
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
Haven't seen it here so here's what's replacing mid city mall. Its a suburban strip mall lol.
January 22, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Haven't seen it here so here's what's replacing mid city mall. Its a suburban strip mall lol.
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
January 22, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
NEW: DHS appropriations bill funding ICE passes 220-207
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
January 22, 2026 at 9:42 PM
NEW: DHS appropriations bill funding ICE passes 220-207
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
7 Democrats voted YES on the bill:
- Jared Golden
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
- Henry Cuellar
- Tom Suozzi
- Laura Gillen
- Don Davis
- Vicente Gonzalez
One Republican voted NO: Thomas Massie
Kentucky House impeachment committee finally returned from closed session. They announced that they’ve asked for information related to the three petitions and adjourned. #kyga26
January 22, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Kentucky House impeachment committee finally returned from closed session. They announced that they’ve asked for information related to the three petitions and adjourned. #kyga26
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
Thirty-one known defendants have been charged in Chicago with non-immigration crimes tied to “Operation Midway Blitz.”
With today’s acquittal, 15 of them have been cleared.
No one has been convicted.
With today’s acquittal, 15 of them have been cleared.
No one has been convicted.
#BREAKING: Federal jury finds Chicago man NOT GUILTY of offering $10K for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
The trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez was the first to result from “Operation Midway Blitz”: chicago.suntimes.com/live/closing...
The trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez was the first to result from “Operation Midway Blitz”: chicago.suntimes.com/live/closing...
January 22, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Thirty-one known defendants have been charged in Chicago with non-immigration crimes tied to “Operation Midway Blitz.”
With today’s acquittal, 15 of them have been cleared.
No one has been convicted.
With today’s acquittal, 15 of them have been cleared.
No one has been convicted.
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
#BREAKING: Federal jury finds Chicago man NOT GUILTY of offering $10K for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
The trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez was the first to result from “Operation Midway Blitz”: chicago.suntimes.com/live/closing...
The trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez was the first to result from “Operation Midway Blitz”: chicago.suntimes.com/live/closing...
January 22, 2026 at 10:07 PM
#BREAKING: Federal jury finds Chicago man NOT GUILTY of offering $10K for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
The trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez was the first to result from “Operation Midway Blitz”: chicago.suntimes.com/live/closing...
The trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez was the first to result from “Operation Midway Blitz”: chicago.suntimes.com/live/closing...
Kentucky House impeachment committee has now been meeting in closed session for more than 2 hours, as we cross 5pm... #kyga26
Kentucky impeachment committee has now been in closed session for an hour, in their second meeting. #kyga26
Kentucky House impeachment committee just started its second meeting. Among the three petitions they are taking up is one to remove Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine. They immediately vote to go into closed executive session. #kyga26
January 22, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Kentucky House impeachment committee has now been meeting in closed session for more than 2 hours, as we cross 5pm... #kyga26
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
"Liam, age 5, was the fourth child in the district to be detained by immigration agents in the past two weeks, school officials said.
"Two of them are high-schoolers.
"One is a 10-year-old girl who was apprehended on her way to school..."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...
"Two of them are high-schoolers.
"One is a 10-year-old girl who was apprehended on her way to school..."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...
Detention of 5-Year-Old by Federal Agents Incenses Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:50 PM
"Liam, age 5, was the fourth child in the district to be detained by immigration agents in the past two weeks, school officials said.
"Two of them are high-schoolers.
"One is a 10-year-old girl who was apprehended on her way to school..."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...
"Two of them are high-schoolers.
"One is a 10-year-old girl who was apprehended on her way to school..."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/u...
Kentucky impeachment committee has now been in closed session for an hour, in their second meeting. #kyga26
Kentucky House impeachment committee just started its second meeting. Among the three petitions they are taking up is one to remove Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine. They immediately vote to go into closed executive session. #kyga26
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee Tuesday to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine, a recent target of GOP criticism over a JCPS ruling. #kyga26
January 22, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Kentucky impeachment committee has now been in closed session for an hour, in their second meeting. #kyga26
Kentucky's lone Democratic congressman 👇
This isn't just a run-of-the-mill funding bill.
I can't support funding this reign of terror and I won't approve a single dollar for ICE.
I can't support funding this reign of terror and I won't approve a single dollar for ICE.
January 22, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Kentucky's lone Democratic congressman 👇
Kentucky House impeachment committee just started its second meeting. Among the three petitions they are taking up is one to remove Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine. They immediately vote to go into closed executive session. #kyga26
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee Tuesday to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine, a recent target of GOP criticism over a JCPS ruling. #kyga26
Kentucky House forms panel to consider impeachment of Justice Goodwine, other officials
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine.
www.lpm.org
January 22, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Kentucky House impeachment committee just started its second meeting. Among the three petitions they are taking up is one to remove Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine. They immediately vote to go into closed executive session. #kyga26
Yet another setback for a huge data center in rural Kentucky, with local residents and elected officials voicing their opposition 👇
After a raucous debate, zoning regulators table a preliminary development plan for a massive data center in Franklin, Kentucky. From WKU:
Zoning regulators table preliminary development plan for Franklin data center
For the second time, efforts to bring a data center to southern Kentucky have stalled before zoning regulators. The Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night unanimously tabled a vote o...
www.wkyufm.org
January 22, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Yet another setback for a huge data center in rural Kentucky, with local residents and elected officials voicing their opposition 👇
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
The Trump administration today announced a new government-backed fossil fuel industry mascot.
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
January 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The Trump administration today announced a new government-backed fossil fuel industry mascot.
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
10-14 is correct forecast for Louisville, much of Kentucky
January 22, 2026 at 6:50 PM
10-14 is correct forecast for Louisville, much of Kentucky
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
Louisville Republicans are hoping to flip three more seats on Metro Council in this year's elections. If successful, it would put Republicans squarely in the majority on the legislative body for the first time since the 2003 city-county merger. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Louisville Republicans hope to gain Metro Council majority for the first time
Republicans are closer than ever to gaining a majority on Louisville Metro Council.
www.lpm.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Louisville Republicans are hoping to flip three more seats on Metro Council in this year's elections. If successful, it would put Republicans squarely in the majority on the legislative body for the first time since the 2003 city-county merger. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Here's the fundraising pitch of Gov. Andy Beshear's super PAC on Trump's Davos speech yesterday:
January 22, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Here's the fundraising pitch of Gov. Andy Beshear's super PAC on Trump's Davos speech yesterday:
Why doesn't the NYT call her Ms. Cher
January 22, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Why doesn't the NYT call her Ms. Cher
Latest from @jgerth.bsky.social: Don't limit pardon power of Kentucky governors, elect people better than Bevin
Gerth: Don't limit pardons, elect people better than Bevin | Opinion
It took KY more than 200 years to get someone to wield pardons as recklessly as former Gov. Matt Bevin. The law wasn't the problem, Bevin was.
www.courier-journal.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Latest from @jgerth.bsky.social: Don't limit pardon power of Kentucky governors, elect people better than Bevin
Justice Goodwine's atty stated that she takes her judicial obligations and reputation seriously and “rejects the baseless allegations in the petition... (she) will respond to the petition if asked to do so by the House committee, but the petition has no merit and should be dismissed.” #kyga26
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee Tuesday to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine, a recent target of GOP criticism over a JCPS ruling. #kyga26
Kentucky House forms panel to consider impeachment of Justice Goodwine, other officials
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine.
www.lpm.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Justice Goodwine's atty stated that she takes her judicial obligations and reputation seriously and “rejects the baseless allegations in the petition... (she) will respond to the petition if asked to do so by the House committee, but the petition has no merit and should be dismissed.” #kyga26
A Kentucky Senate committee just passed Sen. Tichenor's bill that amends her bill passed last year that put restrictions on school teachers/staff communications with students. Had received complaints in interim about unintended consequences and took feedback on changes. Background: #kyga26
Educators want new Kentucky law mandating traceable communications to be reined in
Some Kentucky educators are worried that the impacts of a new law mandating districts to use traceable communications systems stretch far beyond its intentions.
www.wkms.org
January 22, 2026 at 3:40 PM
A Kentucky Senate committee just passed Sen. Tichenor's bill that amends her bill passed last year that put restrictions on school teachers/staff communications with students. Had received complaints in interim about unintended consequences and took feedback on changes. Background: #kyga26
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
Within the Justice Department, a select club of Trump’s former personal attorneys have easy access to the top appointees, some of whom also previously represented Trump.
www.propublica.org/article/bitc...
www.propublica.org/article/bitc...
January 22, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Within the Justice Department, a select club of Trump’s former personal attorneys have easy access to the top appointees, some of whom also previously represented Trump.
www.propublica.org/article/bitc...
www.propublica.org/article/bitc...
Give Jonny Greenwood his damned Oscar
January 22, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Give Jonny Greenwood his damned Oscar
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
Good reporting here from our KY Capitol crew on Republican lawmakers’ repeated attempt to change how JCPS runs.
A month after KY Supreme Court reversed course & struck down GOP bill aimed@ JCPS, yesterday:
1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.
2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26
1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.
2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26
Kentucky Republicans take another crack at JCPS bill, following Supreme Court setback
A month after the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down a 2022 law that limited the power of Jefferson County’s elected school board, Senate Republicans are trying again with a new bill.
www.lpm.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Good reporting here from our KY Capitol crew on Republican lawmakers’ repeated attempt to change how JCPS runs.
Reposted by Joe Sonka 😐
"it’s unclear when or whether Liam will be able to return for his stuffed turtle, his hat, and his W worksheet" sahanjournal.com/education/ic...
Columbia Heights school leaders speak out after ICE detains kids
ICE agents have detained students on their way to and from school and also tried to get onto school property, the Columbia Heights superintendent said in an emotional news conference Wednesday.
sahanjournal.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:03 PM
"it’s unclear when or whether Liam will be able to return for his stuffed turtle, his hat, and his W worksheet" sahanjournal.com/education/ic...
A month after KY Supreme Court reversed course & struck down GOP bill aimed@ JCPS, yesterday:
1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.
2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26
1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.
2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26
Kentucky Republicans take another crack at JCPS bill, following Supreme Court setback
A month after the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down a 2022 law that limited the power of Jefferson County’s elected school board, Senate Republicans are trying again with a new bill.
www.lpm.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:06 PM
A month after KY Supreme Court reversed course & struck down GOP bill aimed@ JCPS, yesterday:
1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.
2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26
1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.
2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26