Bluegrass Politics
@bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social
Kentucky politics news from Lexington Herald-Leader journalists.
Also find our work at @kentucky.com.
Also find our work at @kentucky.com.
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
Mixed bag of results for Grossberg & enforcement counsel from this week's ethics meeting.
Grossberg's 4th motion to dismiss denied, but enforcement's motion to compel release of his medical records is also denied.
Public hearings set for Jan/Feb.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Grossberg's 4th motion to dismiss denied, but enforcement's motion to compel release of his medical records is also denied.
Public hearings set for Jan/Feb.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Ethics commission denies Grossberg’s latest effort to dismiss, sets hearing dates
The commission also granted Rep. Daniel Grossberg’s motion to block the release of his medical records from being included in evidence.
www.kentucky.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Mixed bag of results for Grossberg & enforcement counsel from this week's ethics meeting.
Grossberg's 4th motion to dismiss denied, but enforcement's motion to compel release of his medical records is also denied.
Public hearings set for Jan/Feb.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Grossberg's 4th motion to dismiss denied, but enforcement's motion to compel release of his medical records is also denied.
Public hearings set for Jan/Feb.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Gov. Andy Beshear’s proposed new regulations for youths held in isolation by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice won’t do anything to improve conditions inside the state’s troubled juvenile detention facilities, the state auditor’s office said Tuesday.
The latest from John Cheves:
The latest from John Cheves:
KY Auditor: Beshear’s new juvenile justice isolation rules don’t solve problems
State Auditor Allison Ball says the state’s troubled juvenile detention facilities need a better fix than governor’s proposed regulations.
www.kentucky.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Gov. Andy Beshear’s proposed new regulations for youths held in isolation by the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice won’t do anything to improve conditions inside the state’s troubled juvenile detention facilities, the state auditor’s office said Tuesday.
The latest from John Cheves:
The latest from John Cheves:
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
New: Rep. Daniel Grossberg sought for a 4th time to dismiss an ethics inquiry & to quash attempts to get his medical records.
Here's why the investigator says they need records, Grossberg's response & why he plans to bring a shot glass to the hearing.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Here's why the investigator says they need records, Grossberg's response & why he plans to bring a shot glass to the hearing.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Grossberg tries again to dismiss ethics case, block access to medical records
Rep. Daniel Grossberg is trying to block attempts to see his medical records. Investigator writes Grossberg’s team isn’t being truthful.
www.kentucky.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 PM
New: Rep. Daniel Grossberg sought for a 4th time to dismiss an ethics inquiry & to quash attempts to get his medical records.
Here's why the investigator says they need records, Grossberg's response & why he plans to bring a shot glass to the hearing.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Here's why the investigator says they need records, Grossberg's response & why he plans to bring a shot glass to the hearing.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
Allies hosted a fundraiser for the congressional campaign of Rep. Ryan Dotson on the grounds of the church where Dotson is lead pastor.
KY candidate had a fundraiser on his own church campus. He says there’s no issue
Allies hosted a fundraiser for the congressional campaign of Rep. Ryan Dotson on the grounds of the church where Dotson is lead pastor.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Allies hosted a fundraiser for the congressional campaign of Rep. Ryan Dotson on the grounds of the church where Dotson is lead pastor.
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
A policy proposal going before the Fayette County Public School Board tonight kindly asks dissenting board members to sit down and shut up.
Fayette schools seeks to prohibit dissenting board members from talking to media
“That is both an absurd policy and one that violates the First Amendment,” lawyer Michael Abate said.
www.kentucky.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A policy proposal going before the Fayette County Public School Board tonight kindly asks dissenting board members to sit down and shut up.
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
Great story from @austin-horn.bsky.social about Kentucky's own Nick Sortor
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
He went from KY political unknown to MAGA fame. He faces jail if he returns home
Nick Sortor has built a following for pro-Trump posts and on-site disaster coverage. He’s also been absconding on probation in Kentucky.
www.kentucky.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Great story from @austin-horn.bsky.social about Kentucky's own Nick Sortor
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
NEW: Kentucky native Nick Sortor, 27, quickly climbed from little-known political operative to major MAGA figure on X.
I went long on his path to the spotlight, what he & others make of it... as well as his arrest history & why he could be jailed if he returns home.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
I went long on his path to the spotlight, what he & others make of it... as well as his arrest history & why he could be jailed if he returns home.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
He went from KY political unknown to MAGA fame. He faces jail if he returns home
Nick Sortor has built a following for pro-Trump posts and on-site disaster coverage. He’s also been absconding on probation in Kentucky.
www.kentucky.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
NEW: Kentucky native Nick Sortor, 27, quickly climbed from little-known political operative to major MAGA figure on X.
I went long on his path to the spotlight, what he & others make of it... as well as his arrest history & why he could be jailed if he returns home.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
I went long on his path to the spotlight, what he & others make of it... as well as his arrest history & why he could be jailed if he returns home.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Bluegrass Politics
INBOX: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is ordering $5M from the state's rainy day fund to go to a network of food banks to help bridge any possible lapse in SNAP benefits.
“Kentuckians going hungry threatens public health and safety," he said in an executive order.
“Kentuckians going hungry threatens public health and safety," he said in an executive order.
Gov. Beshear orders $5M from ‘rainy day fund’ to KY food banks under state of emergency
Without access to SNAP benefits, Beshear said nearly 600,000 “Kentucky households face an imminent threat to their safety and health.”
www.kentucky.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
INBOX: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is ordering $5M from the state's rainy day fund to go to a network of food banks to help bridge any possible lapse in SNAP benefits.
“Kentuckians going hungry threatens public health and safety," he said in an executive order.
“Kentuckians going hungry threatens public health and safety," he said in an executive order.
Leaving youths unmonitored while in custody — many of them suffering from mental or physical health issues — isn’t a hypothetical risk. Some youths in detention try to hurt or kill themselves.
In 2016, a 16-year-old died while she was ignored in a cell; her death went undiscovered for 10 hours.
In 2016, a 16-year-old died while she was ignored in a cell; her death went undiscovered for 10 hours.
October 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Leaving youths unmonitored while in custody — many of them suffering from mental or physical health issues — isn’t a hypothetical risk. Some youths in detention try to hurt or kill themselves.
In 2016, a 16-year-old died while she was ignored in a cell; her death went undiscovered for 10 hours.
In 2016, a 16-year-old died while she was ignored in a cell; her death went undiscovered for 10 hours.
The Lexington Herald-Leader has been chosen for a competitive partnership with an award-winning national publication.
Herald-Leader chosen by ProPublica for Local Reporting Network partnership
Reporter Alex Acquisto will spend the next year on a statewide investigative project that will have wide ramifications for Kentuckians.
www.kentucky.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The Lexington Herald-Leader has been chosen for a competitive partnership with an award-winning national publication.
Attorney General: University of Kentucky repeatedly violated the Open Records Act by automatically asking for 30 days to provide public records without adequate justification.
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov
September 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Attorney General: University of Kentucky repeatedly violated the Open Records Act by automatically asking for 30 days to provide public records without adequate justification.
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/or...
Tonight at 8/7 on KET's "Comment on Kentucky," it's Alex Acquisto of the Lexington Herald-Leader, Ryland Barton of NPR
and Liam Niemeyer of the Kentucky Lantern.
and Liam Niemeyer of the Kentucky Lantern.
August 29, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Tonight at 8/7 on KET's "Comment on Kentucky," it's Alex Acquisto of the Lexington Herald-Leader, Ryland Barton of NPR
and Liam Niemeyer of the Kentucky Lantern.
and Liam Niemeyer of the Kentucky Lantern.
Mitch McConnell worries Gov. Andy Beshear would be a viable Democratic candidate for his Senate seat, and other thoughts from the retiring 83-year-old. www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311875068.html
Mitch McConnell on occupying Gaza, 2026 Senate map & blocking Obama SCOTUS pick
McConnell joked that he anticipated finding something to do after life in the U.S. Senate because “my wife doesn’t want me home for lunch.”
www.kentucky.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Mitch McConnell worries Gov. Andy Beshear would be a viable Democratic candidate for his Senate seat, and other thoughts from the retiring 83-year-old. www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311875068.html
Hourly workers making electric vehicle batteries at Kentucky’s BlueOval SK this week will also decide whether to unionize.
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839463.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839463.html#storylink=cpy
Kentucky Ford EV battery plant workers will vote on whether to unionize
A week after production of batteries began, Kentucky workers at BlueOval SK are voting Aug. 26 and 27 to join an autoworkers union.
www.kentucky.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Hourly workers making electric vehicle batteries at Kentucky’s BlueOval SK this week will also decide whether to unionize.
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839463.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839463.html#storylink=cpy
Kentucky Democrats fight to regain inroads with rural voters. Will it work?
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311626052.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311626052.html#storylink=cpy
Kentucky Democrats fight to regain inroads with rural voters. Will it work?
The party hopes to push itself from its urban comfort zone and listen to rural communities around the commonwealth at a defining political moment.
www.kentucky.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Kentucky Democrats fight to regain inroads with rural voters. Will it work?
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311626052.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311626052.html#storylink=cpy
Kentucky nixed his idea to treat addiction with a psychedelic drug. Texas said yes
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311841982.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311841982.html#storylink=cpy
KY nixed his idea to treat addiction with a psychedelic drug. Texas said yes
Bryan Hubbard in 2023 wanted Kentucky to be the first state to study the psychedelic ibogaine to treat opioid addiction, but he was rejected. Texas just agreed, earmarking $50M for the study.
www.kentucky.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Kentucky nixed his idea to treat addiction with a psychedelic drug. Texas said yes
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311841982.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311841982.html#storylink=cpy
Another data center coming to Kentucky? What we know about secretive Mason County project
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839459.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839459.html#storylink=cpy
Another data center coming to KY? What we know about secretive Mason County project
Site selection for what we now know to be a data center has happened largely behind closed doors. Here’s what we know.
www.kentucky.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Another data center coming to Kentucky? What we know about secretive Mason County project
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839459.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/business/article311839459.html#storylink=cpy
Never say DEI: It's a new school year at the University of Kentucky, and the state legislature is carefully policing what everyone says, thinks and does. www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article311795046.html
UK begins fall semester with historic enrollment, changes in higher education
Early enrollment projections showed the school’s total enrollment will be 36,700, the largest in UK’s history.
www.kentucky.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Never say DEI: It's a new school year at the University of Kentucky, and the state legislature is carefully policing what everyone says, thinks and does. www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article311795046.html
Kentucky Chamber: Nothing good can come from letting workers unionize. www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article311759303.html
KY Chamber chief: Unionization at Blue Oval SK could slow progress | Opinion
OpEd: At this early and critical stage, unionization could introduce barriers that limit flexibility, slow progress, and disrupt the alignment that’s essential to long-term success.
www.kentucky.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Kentucky Chamber: Nothing good can come from letting workers unionize. www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article311759303.html
Kentucky families were accidentally sent EBT cards loaded with cash. Here’s how it happened.
www.kentucky.com/news/article311822754.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/article311822754.html#storylink=cpy
KY families were accidentally sent EBT cards loaded with cash. Here’s how it happened.
Families who received the unsolicited cards were reportedly told they’d be turned over to debt collectors if they didn’t repay.
www.kentucky.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Kentucky families were accidentally sent EBT cards loaded with cash. Here’s how it happened.
www.kentucky.com/news/article311822754.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/article311822754.html#storylink=cpy
Linda Blackford: What's a fact checker to do in a world where people only seek out sources of information that confirm their beliefs? www.kentucky.com/opinion/linda-blackford/article311808808.html
‘Hard to be upbeat.’ Lexington’s most famous Fact-Checker on a post-truth world | Opinion
For 14 years, Glenn Kessler challenged political claims of every ilk with his Fact-Checker column in the Washington Post.
www.kentucky.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Linda Blackford: What's a fact checker to do in a world where people only seek out sources of information that confirm their beliefs? www.kentucky.com/opinion/linda-blackford/article311808808.html
Counter-point: We just invested $850,000 in public funds on this giant pinball statue. ^JC
August 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Counter-point: We just invested $850,000 in public funds on this giant pinball statue. ^JC
Op-Ed: Lexington city leaders have abandoned downtown to neglect, decay and violence. www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article311794888.html
Lexington, something has to change about how we deal with our downtown | Opinion
OpEd: We owe it to the people who live, work, and visit here to restore public order from aggressive pandhandling and open drug use.
www.kentucky.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Op-Ed: Lexington city leaders have abandoned downtown to neglect, decay and violence. www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article311794888.html
Some in GOP push for gerrymandering Kentucky’s lone Democrat. Can they do it?
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311804248.html
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311804248.html
Some in GOP push for gerrymandering Kentucky’s lone Democrat. Can they do it?
“Looks like we have the GREEN LIGHT in KY and Beshear will sign it into law, maybe? A 6-0 map is easily drawn,” one GOP influencer said.
www.kentucky.com
August 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Some in GOP push for gerrymandering Kentucky’s lone Democrat. Can they do it?
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311804248.html
www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article311804248.html
Tonight at 8/7 on KET's "Comment on Kentucky," it's Austin Horn of the Lexington Herald-Leader, Mario Anderson of Spectrum News 1 and Hannah Pinski of the Courier Journal.
August 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Tonight at 8/7 on KET's "Comment on Kentucky," it's Austin Horn of the Lexington Herald-Leader, Mario Anderson of Spectrum News 1 and Hannah Pinski of the Courier Journal.