Sylvia Goodman
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sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Sylvia Goodman
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Ky Capitol reporter @kentuckypublicradio.org ~ prev @chronicle.com @wbez.org @chicagotribune.com ~ she/her

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
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
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Several Republican #kyga26 legislators are drafting and filing new bills to increase the housing supply and combat homelessness in Kentucky. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org of KPR:
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 7:52 PM
Here's the story from me and @joesonka.lpm.org: A naturalized citizen was inspired to run for the Kentucky House a day after GOP bills were filed to ban immigrants from public office, saying it’s “not the time to sit on the sidelines.”
January 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
UPDATE: Rep. Kulkarni’s dad, Suhas Kulkarni, just filed to run for Kentucky House, saying he was spurred to do so by this bill filed yesterday that would ban immigrant citizens like himself and his daughter from holding elected office in Kentucky. Said it is time to stand up. #kyga26
January 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Latest from me: A GOP Rep has filed a duo of bills aimed at blocked naturalized and dual citizens from running for state or local office (the former requires a constitutional amendment) #KYGA26
Immigrant citizens would be barred from local, state offices in Kentucky under proposed bills
A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to keep naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Coming back from the Ky House Dem press conference on their priorities (mostly same as Beshear, also a focus on medical debt). When asked about tmr’s candidate filing deadline, Dem leaders say we will see more contested races this year outside of urban centers. Candidates have until 4pm Friday
January 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Day 2 of #kyga26 from me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, featuring a unique State of the Commonwealth address.
January 8, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
The big task of lawmakers this #kyga26 session is to pass a two-year state budget, which will be more challenging than recent years, as @sylviaruthg.lpm.org and I explain here. Beshear will present his budget proposal tomorrow, and GOP House supermajority will present theirs at some point this week.
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 6, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Today, I'll be watching Senate while Joe camps out in the House. As you can see we're in these weird temporary chambers where the public doesn't get a seat. You can still watch the livestream on KET and of course follow along to KPR!
Here is the Senate chamber on the other side. Both look eerily similar to the layout of the old chambers, with one big difference: There are no public galleries in either chamber for people to watch proceedings, and the general public is not even allowed in either building. #kyga26
January 6, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
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
January 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
In November, I submitted an open records request for Gov. Andy Beshear's past schedule.

Today, the H-L sued over their denial (citing an old appellate ruling classifying gov schedule as "preliminary") of that request. Read the full lawsuit & story here.

www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Herald-Leader sues Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his schedule
The lawsuit also seeks the calendars of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Beshear’s senior adviser Rocky Adkins.
www.kentucky.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Who doesn't love a good open records lawsuit? Per @tessaduvall.bsky.social, the H-L is suing the governor's office for refusing to turn over Beshear's calendar, based on a 1995 court ruling. Is a calendar (including of past days) really a preliminary document?

www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Herald-Leader sues Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for access to his schedule
The lawsuit also seeks the calendars of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Beshear’s senior adviser Rocky Adkins.
www.kentucky.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
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
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Correction of previous bleat: Consensus Forecasting Group saying that FY25 estimated GF evenues are $149M better than what they estimated back in September, BUT this is still a $156M shortfall being projected for the current fiscal year. So the estimated shortfall has been cut in half. #kyga26
December 16, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Immigrants who had received letters inviting them to a citizenship ceremony in downtown Louisville were turned away at the door Thursday. All are from countries deemed “high-risk” by President Donald Trump. From @lpm.org's Roberto Roldan
Ready to become citizens, some immigrants in Louisville turned away at the door
Immigrants who had received letters inviting them to a citizenship ceremony in downtown Louisville were turned away at the door Thursday. All are from countries deemed “high-risk” by President Donald ...
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Latest from me: Kentucky Gov. Beshear talks pre-K for all, federal cuts and Democrat midterm strategy

Check out the story to hear my full interview with the governor:
Kentucky Gov. Beshear talks pre-K for all, federal cuts and Democrat midterm strategy
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is looking ahead to the legislative session, where lawmakers will pass the last two-year budget of his governorship, and toward the midterm elections where Democrats hope to...
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
HIGHLY recommend following @porchlightnews.bsky.social (also @porchlightnews on Insta). We're launching this new, very cool newsletter as part of our collab with Tennessee and West Virginia stations!
December 11, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.

He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
If you didn't see, Paul's amendment got tabled, the CR is heading to the House WITH McConnell's anti-THC hemp attachment. Read more from @joesonka.lpm.org

www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...
November 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
How did these men get away with abuse that a group of young women say stretches back almost two decades? The third season of KYCIR's Dig from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social is now live. It is distressing and upsetting, but an absolutely vital listen.

www.lpm.org/podcast/dig
Dig
Each season on "Dig," from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, we expose the systems that allow injustice to fester, and shine a light on the people fighting for solutions. Season Three: ...
www.lpm.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Paul v. McConnell, Kentucky's two senators ... and we are on a short timeline for this CR folks! The voting margins are real tight in the Senate
Rand Paul is seeking an amendment to remove McConnell’s hemp language.

These two have had quite a roller coaster of a relationship over the past 16 years
November 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Latest from @justinhicks.lpm.org and @joesonka.lpm.org , a close witness to the UPS plane crash yesterday evening recounts what he saw

www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...
Louisville shop owner recounts UPS plane crashing, trapping employees on property
The owner of a truck service shop was next door to the fiery and deadly UPS crash in Louisville on Tuesday, trapped on the property for hours.
www.lpm.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie told an audience in his district that the GOP won't blink first in government shutdown stalemate over health insurance tax credits. From WKU:
Rep. Brett Guthrie suggests GOP won't blink first in government shutdown stalemate over health care
Republican Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky says Democrats must vote for agovernment reopening before his party will negotiate Affordable Care Act tax credits.Guthrie held a round table discussio...
www.wkyufm.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
FYI we have a court update but I'm not really sure what this will mean for folks in the short term. Judge is requesting a plan/timeline on Monday and we have no sense at what point benefits will actually go out to states to distribute from those emergency funds

www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
October 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Kentucky food pantries call for community support ahead of SNAP cliff — latest from me

www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
Kentucky food pantries call for community support ahead of SNAP cliff
Kentucky Public Radio spoke with food banks across the state bracing for a surge in clients ahead of the Nov. 1 suspension of federal food assistance.
www.lpm.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:29 PM