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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

Kentucky Public Radio @kentuckypublicradio.org · 2d

Democrat Amy McGrath, who has lost two high-profile races for Congress, announced another bid for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s open seat Monday. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org #kysen

Amy McGrath announces another bid for US Senate in Kentucky

Democrat Amy McGrath, who has lost two high-profile races for Congress, announced a bid for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s open seat Monday.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 8d

FYI this is about the state government, which is of course run by Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear, not anyone on the federal level

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

Morgan Watkins @morganwatkins.lpm.org · 8d

Good investigation here from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org on how Kentucky state gov., under Gov. Andy Beshear, has kicked people off SNAP food benefits b/c of their pattern of shopping transactions - even though judges & legal experts say that type of evidence is not enough to prove fraud.

Kentucky has kicked people off of food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the full story

With food insecurity rising, Kentucky continues to aggressively investigate individuals on fraud allegations, with some legal experts claiming they rely too much on faulty evidence.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 9d

Judges in Kentucky have told the cabinet in two different 2023 cases that said shopping patterns are insufficient to prove someone sold their benefits. Since then, I have found at least 3 other cases that allege the cabinet accused them of trafficking based on transactional data

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 9d

Kentucky has the second highest per capita SNAP disqualification rate in the country, behind Florida. Now that includes other cases besides trafficking, which is what this story focuses on

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 9d

These are mostly through administrative hearings — much more opaque than going through the courts. Judges only step in when a person has the means to challenge a disqualification through a lawsuit

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 9d

After searching through court and state records, a pattern is clear. Kentucky swiftly stepped up SNAP disqualifications in 2016 and a review of several cases from 2020 onward shows a heavily reliance on suspicious shopping patterns to accuse people of selling benefits

apnews.com/article/food...

Kentucky has kicked people off food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the full story

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services has brought hundreds of fraud cases in the last five years that are heavily reliant on transactional data with the goal of revoking people’s federal...

apnews.com

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 9d

Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie is facing attacks from President Donald Trump, but was lent a hand by Sen. Rand Paul in a six-stop tour through his district. www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...

Targeted by Trump, Rep. Thomas Massie teams up with Rand Paul for district tour

Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie is facing attacks from President Donald Trump, but was lent a hand by Sen. Rand Paul in a six-stop tour through his district.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 13d

Some may be shocked to know that I ask more than one question a week as a reporter

Joe Sonka 😐 @joesonka.lpm.org · 13d

Reminder for who needs reminding: Government officials only answering one question from you, once a week, in person, is not transparency.

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 19d

The senior meal delivery and congregate meal programs dramatically expanded during COVID

This is essentially a return to pre-pandemic levels… which means a lot of seniors will go back on waiting lists

Kentucky Public Radio @kentuckypublicradio.org · 19d

Citing a budget shortfall, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration told area development districts that distribute senior nutrition support they would not be able to maintain higher funding levels. That means 1000s of seniors will likely go back on waitlists for meals. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org

Thousands of senior Kentuckians likely to go back on the waitlist for meal support

Kentucky officials told agencies that provide senior nutrition programs that they will no longer receive a higher level of support that allowed them to eliminate waitlists.

www.lpm.org

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

Josh Wood @jwoodjourno.bsky.social · 21d

Out of Kentucky’s 120 counties, one in six has had a sheriff criminally charged or convicted since 2010.

Some of those sheriffs remain in office.

Read part one of my @courierjournal investigation:

www.courier-journal.com/story/news/i...

'Beholden to no one': Kentucky sheriffs remain in office despite criminal charges, convictions

A Courier Journal investigation found one in six Kentucky counties has had a sheriff criminally charged since 2010. Some remain in office.

www.courier-journal.com

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

Kentucky Public Radio @kentuckypublicradio.org · 22d

The 2025 session of the Kentucky legislature may have ended in March, but businesses and advocacy groups still spent $10 million lobbying lawmakers in the subsequent five months, including hosting receptions for them at out-of-state conferences. From KPR: #kyga25 #kyga26

Groups spent nearly $10M lobbying Kentucky lawmakers after 2025 session

The 2025 session of the Kentucky legislature may have ended in March, but businesses and advocacy groups still spent $10 million lobbying lawmakers in the subsequent five months.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 27d

STOP saying that as if it’s a thing I’ve ever said 😭😭😭

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 27d

Lest ye thought I would not continue to use the word “lest”

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

McKenna Horsley @mckennahorsley.bsky.social · 27d

University of Kentucky terminates former head of racehorse drug-testing lab kentuckylantern.com/2025/09/11/u...

University of Kentucky terminates former head of racehorse drug-testing lab • Kentucky Lantern

University of Kentucky fires tenured faculty member after investigation of equine drug-testing lab.

kentuckylantern.com

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 27d

It is EXTREMELY difficult to predict outcomes from oral arguments but it’s clear there are a few justices skeptical of the argument, notably the justices representing Lou and NKY (where the charter school law was esp targeted)

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 27d

This is a fascinating case (lest you thought Kentucky was finished with its school choice debates!)

Amendment 2 may have failed, but the AGs office is arguing these public charters should actually count as part of the common (read public) school system

Read more ⬇️⬇️

Kentucky Public Radio @kentuckypublicradio.org · 27d

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday over whether they should allow taxpayer dollars to fund public charter schools. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org #kyga26

Kentucky Supreme Court hears arguments in battle over public funding of charter schools

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday over whether they should allow taxpayer dollars to fund public charter schools.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 28d

One justice said she felt it could be a “slippery slope” to call text messages public records when they discuss public business

Another justice said that when you agree to become an official (and then use your personal device to conduct business), you agree to a higher level of scrutiny

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · 28d

Seems like the justices are split on this, based on oral arguments.

Full disclosure: LPM is suing JCPS over their use of text messages to hide public communications. This case could have big repercussions for our ability to hold officials accountable

Ryan Van Velzer @ryanvanvelzer.bsky.social · 28d

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over whether public business conducted on a private device should still fall under the state’s open record laws. www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...

Kentucky Supreme Court to decide if public officials can hide business on personal devices

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday over whether public business conducted on a private device should still fall under the state’s open record laws.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · Sep 4

Based on the Clerk's website, Rep. Eric Swalwell

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · Sep 4

Reminder: this is just for the discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor (without leadership support). It’ll then need to pass the House again on another vote

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · Sep 4

Update on this: since I wrote the story, nearly every Democrat has signed on (looks like we’re waiting for one more)

It also has 4 Republican signatures — same as yesterday. Assuming that last Dem signs on, that means it’s on Massie to get those last two votes

Kentucky Public Radio @kentuckypublicradio.org · Sep 3

A day after Congressman Thomas Massie filed a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, survivors (including one Kentucky native) rallied at the U.S. Capitol in support.

Survivors rally to support Massie, Khanna effort to release Epstein files

A day after Rep. Thomas Massie, a northern Kentucky Republican, took the first step in forcing a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, survivors rallied at the U.S. Capitol in support.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · Sep 4

Reminder: this is just for the discharge petition to bring the bill to the floor (without leadership support). It’ll then need to pass the House again on another vote

Reposted by Sylvia Goodman

Joe Sonka 😐 @joesonka.lpm.org · Aug 22

“It is reprehensible to hear (@mayorgreenberg.bsky.social)'s press secretary speaking with such contempt toward a reporter and attempting to bully him simply for asking questions,” the SPJ’s board said. “Intimidation of this kind undermines democracy and the public trust.”

Louisville mayor’s spokesperson lambasts local reporter

The mayor’s spokesperson recently lashed out at a local reporter for asking questions. Press freedom experts say it’s part of a growing trend.

www.lpm.org

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Sylvia Goodman @sylviaruthg.lpm.org · Aug 21

It’s kind of a parade of politicians (as it is every year). Seeing a lot of candidates schmoozing — top 3 GOP Senate candidates, a bunch of state lawmakers.

Saw Mayor Greenberg (D) and Senate Prez Stivers (R) having a little tete-a-tete

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