Justin Hicks
@justinhicks.lpm.org
Data Reporter with Kentucky Public Radio,Louisville Public Media,KyCIR,NPR.
Exactly. I know it doesn't feel like rocket science to say so, but it feels very obvious that this administration likes to turn everything into a meme.
NEW @npr.org: In President Trump's second term, content is governing and governing is content.
From Minnesota to Venezuela, administration policies — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media.
More on the online blitz messaging strategy:
From Minnesota to Venezuela, administration policies — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media.
More on the online blitz messaging strategy:
Minnesota shows what happens when governing and content creation merge
As President Trump approaches one year back in office, the policies his administration pursues — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media.
www.npr.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Exactly. I know it doesn't feel like rocket science to say so, but it feels very obvious that this administration likes to turn everything into a meme.
Good reporting by @wdrbnews.bsky.social. I did similar reporting in Indiana in the pandemic - often it feels like the state relies on people not contesting these notices, sort of like a private insurance company.
www.wdrb.com/wdrb-investi...
www.wdrb.com/wdrb-investi...
After pandemic aid, Kentucky tells thousands of workers to pay back more than $31 million
Kentucky's unemployment system, which relies on computer software dating back to the 1970s, struggled to handle the surge in claims during the pandemic.
www.wdrb.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Good reporting by @wdrbnews.bsky.social. I did similar reporting in Indiana in the pandemic - often it feels like the state relies on people not contesting these notices, sort of like a private insurance company.
www.wdrb.com/wdrb-investi...
www.wdrb.com/wdrb-investi...
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Central/eastern Kentucky journalists, come work with us 👇
A bright spot in the bleak world of journalism: WEKU out of Richmond/Lexington is hiring for a full time staff reporter. Check out the details here: careers.eku.edu/jobs/reporte...
Reporter - Richmond Campus, Kentucky, United States
Title: Reporter
Position Type: Fulltime Staff
Search Type: External - minimum 7 days
Department: 83R000 - Communications and Brand Management
Division: 3R1000 - Communications and Brand Management
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careers.eku.edu
January 13, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Central/eastern Kentucky journalists, come work with us 👇
Better angle on the oil cleanup they were doing behind me…
January 13, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Better angle on the oil cleanup they were doing behind me…
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Fun with government transparency
January 13, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Fun with government transparency
For @kentuckypublicradio.org I’m with a pool of reporters touring the UPS plane crash site for the first time.
January 13, 2026 at 7:16 PM
For @kentuckypublicradio.org I’m with a pool of reporters touring the UPS plane crash site for the first time.
Reposted by Justin Hicks
The candidate filing deadline passed Friday in Kentucky, with Democrats again leaving many General Assembly races unchallenged to the Republican supermajority. #kyga26
Democrats again leave many Kentucky legislative races unchallenged in 2026
The candidate filing deadline passed Friday in Kentucky, with Democrats again leaving many General Assembly races unchallenged to the Republican supermajority.
www.lpm.org
January 9, 2026 at 11:54 PM
The candidate filing deadline passed Friday in Kentucky, with Democrats again leaving many General Assembly races unchallenged to the Republican supermajority. #kyga26
Reposted by Justin Hicks
The latest from me and the KPR team. Kentucky Democrats left a slight majority of GOP-held #kyga26 seat unchallenged in the 2026 election. Bonus: Cool map from @justinhicks.lpm.org
The candidate filing deadline passed Friday in Kentucky, with Democrats again leaving many General Assembly races unchallenged to the Republican supermajority. #kyga26
Democrats again leave many Kentucky legislative races unchallenged in 2026
The candidate filing deadline passed Friday in Kentucky, with Democrats again leaving many General Assembly races unchallenged to the Republican supermajority.
www.lpm.org
January 9, 2026 at 11:57 PM
The latest from me and the KPR team. Kentucky Democrats left a slight majority of GOP-held #kyga26 seat unchallenged in the 2026 election. Bonus: Cool map from @justinhicks.lpm.org
Reposted by Justin Hicks
The filing deadline for candidates to run for office in Kentucky has officially passed, as Secretary of State Michael Adams closes the door to filing room. #kyga26
January 9, 2026 at 9:06 PM
The filing deadline for candidates to run for office in Kentucky has officially passed, as Secretary of State Michael Adams closes the door to filing room. #kyga26
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is no longer demanding a resignation from the chair of the state’s wildlife management board while his office analyzes a provision in state law that’s key to the dispute. kentuckylantern.com/2026/01/09/d... @kentuckylantern.com
Do Kentuckians need license to hunt, fish on their own farmland? Senator asks for opinion. • Kentucky Lantern
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is no longer demanding an immediate resignation from the chair of the state’s wildlife management board.
kentuckylantern.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is no longer demanding a resignation from the chair of the state’s wildlife management board while his office analyzes a provision in state law that’s key to the dispute. kentuckylantern.com/2026/01/09/d... @kentuckylantern.com
I would be in favor of an no-mint toothpaste option bill instead. (Not crazy about mint flavorings and it's nearly impossible to find a toothpaste without it at the store.)
The perennial anti-fluoride bill is back in the Kentucky legislature.
“This isn’t about taking sides in a statewide debate. It’s about giving communities the freedom to decide what works best for them, based on local values, local facts, and local accountability," the sponsor said.
#kyga26
“This isn’t about taking sides in a statewide debate. It’s about giving communities the freedom to decide what works best for them, based on local values, local facts, and local accountability," the sponsor said.
#kyga26
January 9, 2026 at 4:11 PM
I would be in favor of an no-mint toothpaste option bill instead. (Not crazy about mint flavorings and it's nearly impossible to find a toothpaste without it at the store.)
Last night, 64-year-old Denise Lamont attended the first protest of her life. She said watching the video of Good’s death in Minneapolis “changed her” and the quick federal defense of the ICE agent angered her. She marched in Louisville, KY with a piece of cardboard taped to a soup spoon.
January 9, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Last night, 64-year-old Denise Lamont attended the first protest of her life. She said watching the video of Good’s death in Minneapolis “changed her” and the quick federal defense of the ICE agent angered her. She marched in Louisville, KY with a piece of cardboard taped to a soup spoon.
Protests against ICE have begun in downtown Louisville, KY after an immigration officer shot Renee Good yesterday in Minneapolis. It’s just started and there’s maybe 100 folks and growing. For @kentuckypublicradio.org
January 8, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Protests against ICE have begun in downtown Louisville, KY after an immigration officer shot Renee Good yesterday in Minneapolis. It’s just started and there’s maybe 100 folks and growing. For @kentuckypublicradio.org
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Good morning, Kentucky! Today is day 3/60 of the 2026 legislative session. The Kentucky House and Senate convene at 2 p.m. today. In the meantime, you can read the bills that have been filed (so far) here: apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/.... #kyga26
January 8, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Good morning, Kentucky! Today is day 3/60 of the 2026 legislative session. The Kentucky House and Senate convene at 2 p.m. today. In the meantime, you can read the bills that have been filed (so far) here: apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/.... #kyga26
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Day 2 of #kyga26 from me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, featuring a unique State of the Commonwealth address.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear revealed his budget priorities for the next two fiscal years in his State of the Commonwealth address, calling for major new investments in education and to address affordability. #kyga26
Beshear unveils Kentucky budget with new spending on pre-K, housing, health care
Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear revealed his budget priorities for the next two fiscal years in his State of the Commonwealth address, calling for major new investments in education and to addre...
www.lpm.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Day 2 of #kyga26 from me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, featuring a unique State of the Commonwealth address.
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear about to give his State of the Commonwealth address. Usually in the Capitol Building, but that’s closed for renovations. Beshear chose to have it at the Kentucky Historical Society. Assuming he makes grand entrance down this Scarlett O’Hara staircase.
January 7, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear about to give his State of the Commonwealth address. Usually in the Capitol Building, but that’s closed for renovations. Beshear chose to have it at the Kentucky Historical Society. Assuming he makes grand entrance down this Scarlett O’Hara staircase.
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Tomorrow we're launching our newsletter combining the work of 7 public media stations across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. We're calling it the Porch Light newsletter. There's still time to sign up before the first issue. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Appalachia + Mid-South E-news signup
The Porch Light newsletter is a weekly email newsletter from the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom that is set to launch in January, 2026. Enter your name and email below to sign up.
docs.google.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Tomorrow we're launching our newsletter combining the work of 7 public media stations across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. We're calling it the Porch Light newsletter. There's still time to sign up before the first issue. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Justin Hicks
The Porch Light newsletter is your go-to spot for news, history and culture in the Appalachian region across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Sign up today: forms.gle/38wjoWR41MMb...
#appalachia #south #kentucky #tennessee #westvirginia
#appalachia #south #kentucky #tennessee #westvirginia
January 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM
The Porch Light newsletter is your go-to spot for news, history and culture in the Appalachian region across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Sign up today: forms.gle/38wjoWR41MMb...
#appalachia #south #kentucky #tennessee #westvirginia
#appalachia #south #kentucky #tennessee #westvirginia
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Latest from me & @sylviaruthg.lpm.org ahead of the #kyga26 session of the Kentucky General Assembly that begins tomorrow afternoon.
After years of federal stimulus and surpluses, the Kentucky General Assembly will have to pass a state budget in a tighter fiscal environment in the 2026 #kyga26 session, which begins tomorrow. Here's what to look for:
Kentucky lawmakers will craft two-year state budget in 2026 session, amid new challenges
After years of federal stimulus and surpluses, the Kentucky General Assembly will have to pass a state budget in a tighter fiscal environment in the 2026 session.
www.lpm.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Latest from me & @sylviaruthg.lpm.org ahead of the #kyga26 session of the Kentucky General Assembly that begins tomorrow afternoon.
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Rand Paul made a long twitter post this afternoon that criticized Maduro and socialism, and then ended it with some light criticism of using force without congressional authorization:
January 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Rand Paul made a long twitter post this afternoon that criticized Maduro and socialism, and then ended it with some light criticism of using force without congressional authorization:
Reposted by Justin Hicks
No word from Rand Paul yet. He tweeted out the hashtag “#endwelfareforforeigners” this morning but nothing on Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 4:17 PM
No word from Rand Paul yet. He tweeted out the hashtag “#endwelfareforforeigners” this morning but nothing on Venezuela.
Reposted by Justin Hicks
“No mention of fentanyl or stolen oil”
January 3, 2026 at 4:10 PM
“No mention of fentanyl or stolen oil”
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Statement from @repmcgarvey.bsky.social: “America must not start another reckless, unjustified war fought for the interests of oil companies.”
January 3, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Statement from @repmcgarvey.bsky.social: “America must not start another reckless, unjustified war fought for the interests of oil companies.”
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Massie pointing out the large difference between what Trump administration officials are saying and what Trump is saying:
January 3, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Massie pointing out the large difference between what Trump administration officials are saying and what Trump is saying:
Reposted by Justin Hicks
Only other Kentucky member of Congress to comment so far is Andy Barr, who is running for #kysen and auditioning for a Trump endorsement (or at least neutrality). No surprise that’s he’s 100% in favor.
January 3, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Only other Kentucky member of Congress to comment so far is Andy Barr, who is running for #kysen and auditioning for a Trump endorsement (or at least neutrality). No surprise that’s he’s 100% in favor.