Ryan Van Velzer
@ryanvanvelzer.bsky.social
Managing editor of collaboratives at Louisville Public Media: Kentucky Public Radio and the Appalachia+Mid-South Newsroom: 7 NPR stations across Ky., W. Va. and Tenn. Based out of Louisville, Ky. Young Author's Greenhouse Board. Mass shooting survivor
Pinned
I know, I know, media is DYING right? But LOCAL media is still out here doing the work, showing up, donning masks to breathe in fewer petroleum fumes and delivering the information our communities need. Allow me to demonstrate.
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
The Kentucky General Assembly will not meet on Monday due to the winter storm affecting the whole state. #kyga26
Due to inclement weather, the Kentucky General Assembly will not convene on Monday, Jan. 26. The legislature is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. The Capitol Annex will be closed Monday, but most LRC employees will be teleworking and available by email. #kyga26
January 25, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The Kentucky General Assembly will not meet on Monday due to the winter storm affecting the whole state. #kyga26
It’s not our job to hide information. It’s our responsibility to hold people in power accountable for their words and actions. I believe that means describing the scene in full, the context, the statements of officials… and demonstrating with facts the veracity of those statements… or lack thereof
Journalists, please remember that repeating obviously false statements is not balance or fairness. It is actively participating in deception.
January 25, 2026 at 1:06 AM
It’s not our job to hide information. It’s our responsibility to hold people in power accountable for their words and actions. I believe that means describing the scene in full, the context, the statements of officials… and demonstrating with facts the veracity of those statements… or lack thereof
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Three different reactions from Democratic elected officials in Kentucky:
January 24, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Three different reactions from Democratic elected officials in Kentucky:
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Man shot by federal agents has died, police chief says
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Man shot by federal agents in south Minneapolis this morning, witnesses say
A video appears to shows federal agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Man shot by federal agents has died, police chief says
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
January 23, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
Colorado Authorities Confirm Suicide by Hunter S. Thompson www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/u...
Colorado Authorities Confirm Suicide by Hunter S. Thompson
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Colorado Authorities Confirm Suicide by Hunter S. Thompson www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/u...
A federal judge in New York ordered a freeze to most bank assets remaining of Addiction Recovery Care, the Kentucky provider currently under an FBI investigation for potential Medicaid fraud. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Federal judge freezes bank assets of Kentucky-based Addiction Recovery Care
A federal judge in New York ordered a freeze to most bank assets remaining of Addiction Recovery Care, the Kentucky provider currently under an FBI investigation for potential Medicaid fraud.
www.lpm.org
January 23, 2026 at 11:13 PM
A federal judge in New York ordered a freeze to most bank assets remaining of Addiction Recovery Care, the Kentucky provider currently under an FBI investigation for potential Medicaid fraud. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
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/news/2026-01...
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 21, 2026 at 10:27 PM
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/news/2026-01...
Kentuckians from 18 to 21 years old would be able to access provisional licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons and guns under a bill that cleared a committee vote Wednesday.
Kentucky bill allowing 18 year olds to carry concealed guns clears committee
Kentuckians from 18 to 21 years old would be able to access provisional licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons and guns under a bill that cleared a committee vote Wednesday.
www.lpm.org
January 21, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Kentuckians from 18 to 21 years old would be able to access provisional licenses to carry concealed deadly weapons and guns under a bill that cleared a committee vote Wednesday.
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine.
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 21, 2026 at 2:50 PM
The Kentucky House formed an impeachment committee to consider citizen petitions to remove three public officials, including Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine.
Proposed legislation called Logan’s Law would eliminate the insanity defense in Kentucky and enact tougher sentencing rules.
GOP lawmakers push to end insanity defense for crimes in Kentucky
Proposed legislation called Logan’s Law would eliminate the insanity defense in Kentucky and enact tougher sentencing rules.
www.lpm.org
January 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Proposed legislation called Logan’s Law would eliminate the insanity defense in Kentucky and enact tougher sentencing rules.
The National Transportation Safety Board says Boeing knew of a defect in the MD-11 cargo plane in 2011. Their update came just after reporters got their first look at the site of the UPS plane crash that killed 15 people.
As Louisville continues UPS crash clean up, investigators say plane defects were known 15 years ago
The National Transportation Safety Board says Boeing knew of a defect in the MD-11 cargo plane in 2011. Their update came just after reporters got their first look at the site of the UPS plane crash t...
www.lpm.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:07 PM
The National Transportation Safety Board says Boeing knew of a defect in the MD-11 cargo plane in 2011. Their update came just after reporters got their first look at the site of the UPS plane crash that killed 15 people.
Can confirm. It is good. I think you will like it.
A reminder to sign up for the @porchlightnews.bsky.social weekly newsletter, rounding up the work of the Appalachian Mid-South Newsroom in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. It's good!
The Porch Light
Keep the light on Appalachia and the Mid-South
lpm.us7.list-manage.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Can confirm. It is good. I think you will like it.
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
GOP House Speaker David Osborne said that Republicans will likely have their 2-year budget bill ready to unveil early next week, so heads up for that, Kentucky. #kyga26
The Kentucky General Assembly opened the 2026 session in new temporary lodgings with no gallery for in-person viewing. Lawmakers’ top mission this session will be to pass a two-year budget. #kyga26
Kentucky lawmakers kick off 2026 session ‘in the parking lot’ under temporary structure
The Kentucky General Assembly opened the 2026 session in new temporary lodgings with no gallery for in-person viewing. Lawmakers’ top mission will be to pass a two-year budget.
www.lpm.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:05 PM
GOP House Speaker David Osborne said that Republicans will likely have their 2-year budget bill ready to unveil early next week, so heads up for that, Kentucky. #kyga26
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
If you’ve been following the reporting of @morganwatkins.lpm.org on LMPD sharing Flock camera information on immigration with the feds, this new #kyga26 bill is relevant:
January 14, 2026 at 9:26 PM
If you’ve been following the reporting of @morganwatkins.lpm.org on LMPD sharing Flock camera information on immigration with the feds, this new #kyga26 bill is relevant:
One of several GOP bills to limit property taxes on elderly homeowners with a constitutional amendment has cleared a Kentucky Senate committee. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Republicans push for Kentucky constitutional amendment to limit homestead tax
One of several GOP bills to limit property taxes on elderly homeowners with a constitutional amendment has cleared a Kentucky Senate committee.
www.lpm.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
One of several GOP bills to limit property taxes on elderly homeowners with a constitutional amendment has cleared a Kentucky Senate committee. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
As federal immigration policies spark protests across the country, Kentucky GOP lawmakers filed at least five bills designed to encourage or require more local and state participation in immigration enforcement. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Kentucky GOP bills would require locals to work with ICE, ban sanctuary policies
As federal immigration policies spark protests across the country, Kentucky GOP lawmakers filed at least five bills designed to encourage or require more local and state participation in immigration e...
www.lpm.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:04 PM
As federal immigration policies spark protests across the country, Kentucky GOP lawmakers filed at least five bills designed to encourage or require more local and state participation in immigration enforcement. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Republicans in the Kentucky Senate gave priority status to a bill that could return driver’s license renewals back to county offices, citing long wait times at regional offices. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Senate GOP pushes bill to move driver’s license renewals back to Kentucky counties
Republicans in the Kentucky Senate gave priority status to a bill that could return driver’s license renewals back to county offices, citing long wait times at regional offices.
www.lpm.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Republicans in the Kentucky Senate gave priority status to a bill that could return driver’s license renewals back to county offices, citing long wait times at regional offices. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
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.
Several Republican legislators are drafting legislation to increase the housing supply and combat homelessness in Kentucky. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Kentucky GOP lawmakers offer plans to improve housing supply, combat homelessness
Several Republican legislators are drafting bills to increase the housing supply and combat homelessness in Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Several Republican legislators are drafting legislation to increase the housing supply and combat homelessness in Kentucky. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
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
Pos...
careers.eku.edu
January 13, 2026 at 5:23 PM
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...
Louisville will have more than a dozen competitive local government races this year, including elections for mayor, Metro Council and county sheriff. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Who’s running for Louisville mayor, Metro Council in 2026?
Louisville will have more than a dozen competitive local government races this year, including elections for mayor, Metro Council and county sheriff.
www.lpm.org
January 13, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Louisville will have more than a dozen competitive local government races this year, including elections for mayor, Metro Council and county sheriff. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
ICYMI: Democrats again leave many Kentucky legislative races unchallenged in 2026 www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
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 12, 2026 at 1:55 PM
ICYMI: Democrats again leave many Kentucky legislative races unchallenged in 2026 www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...