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
UPS flight 2976 crashed as it attempted to take off on Nov. 4. Local officials said another victim died Christmas Day. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
15th victim of UPS plane crash dies
UPS flight 2976 crashed as it attempted to take off on Nov. 4. Local officials said another victim died Christmas Day.
www.lpm.org
December 26, 2025 at 2:30 AM
UPS flight 2976 crashed as it attempted to take off on Nov. 4. Local officials said another victim died Christmas Day. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
A look back at some of the top stories in Kentucky politics in 2025, from federal cuts to a race to replace Mitch McConnell. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Federal cuts and a race to replace McConnell. Here’s a look at top state politics stories in 2025
Kentucky Public Radio has covered a tumultuous year of federal cuts and shifts, the lawsuits challenging them, state governance and another hefty legislative session. Rediscover our top politics stori...
www.lpm.org
December 24, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A look back at some of the top stories in Kentucky politics in 2025, from federal cuts to a race to replace Mitch McConnell. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Despite BlueOval SK dissolving its partnership and closing the EV battery plant in Glendale, Kentucky, taxpayers are still on the hook for a $250 million upfront loan to Ford. Beshear says he's in the process of renegotiating. From WKU:
Kentucky renegotiating lucrative incentive package with BlueOval SK
Despite BlueOval SK dissolving its partnership and closing the EV battery plant in HardinCounty, Kentucky taxpayers are still on the hook for the largest economic development project in state history.
www.wkyufm.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Despite BlueOval SK dissolving its partnership and closing the EV battery plant in Glendale, Kentucky, taxpayers are still on the hook for a $250 million upfront loan to Ford. Beshear says he's in the process of renegotiating. From WKU:
A year after upholding a law limiting the power of the Jefferson County school board, the Kentucky Supreme Court struck it down in a new ruling, thanks to a new member.
Kentucky Supreme Court reverses course, strikes down law limiting JCPS board power
A year after upholding a law limiting the power of the Jefferson County school board, the Kentucky Supreme Court struck it down in a new ruling, thanks to a new member.
www.lpm.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
A year after upholding a law limiting the power of the Jefferson County school board, the Kentucky Supreme Court struck it down in a new ruling, thanks to a new member.
Democrat Gary Clemons, a U.S. Army veteran and president of United Steelworkers Local 1693, won the vacant southwest Louisville Senate seat.
Democratic union leader wins bid for vacant Kentucky state Senate seat
Democrat Gary Clemons, a U.S. Army veteran and president of United Steelworkers Local 1693, won the vacant southwest Louisville Senate seat.
www.lpm.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Democrat Gary Clemons, a U.S. Army veteran and president of United Steelworkers Local 1693, won the vacant southwest Louisville Senate seat.
A hemp company opened a new production facility in Louisville, but Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said it may go out of business due to legislation passed by Congress last month.
Rand Paul tours Kentucky hemp facility, calls for changing law that will ‘destroy’ industry
A hemp company opened a new production facility in Louisville, but Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said it may go out of business due to legislation passed by Congress last month.
www.lpm.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A hemp company opened a new production facility in Louisville, but Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said it may go out of business due to legislation passed by Congress last month.
Reminder: There's a special election for Kentucky's state Senate on Tuesday.
Kentucky’s state Senate has a special election in Louisville on Tuesday. Here are the facts
Early voting is underway for a special state Senate election in southwest Louisville ahead of Election Day. Find out more about each candidate.
www.lpm.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reminder: There's a special election for Kentucky's state Senate on Tuesday.
Classical Host Laura Atkinson and Reporter Justin Hicks trace the American musical tradition of shape note singing from colonial America up to today in an emotional, and joyful one hour radio special.
Shapes of America: A radio special about shape-note singing
Classical Host Laura Atkinson and Reporter Justin Hicks trace the American musical tradition of shape note singing from colonial America up to today in an emotional, and joyful sonic journey.
www.lpm.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Classical Host Laura Atkinson and Reporter Justin Hicks trace the American musical tradition of shape note singing from colonial America up to today in an emotional, and joyful one hour radio special.
The emergence of artificial intelligence is prompting changes in several industries, including journalism, as they contemplate how to utilize the new technology. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Local newsrooms in Kentucky grapple with AI's role in journalism
The emergence of artificial intelligence is prompting changes in several industries, including journalism, as they contemplate how to utilize the new technology.
www.lpm.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The emergence of artificial intelligence is prompting changes in several industries, including journalism, as they contemplate how to utilize the new technology. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
A South Korean company is ending its joint venture with Ford to build batteries for electric vehicles, casting uncertainty on the massive plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
Ford, South Korean company end partnership on EV battery plant in Kentucky
A South Korean company is ending its joint venture with Ford to build batteries for electric vehicles, casting uncertainty on the massive plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A South Korean company is ending its joint venture with Ford to build batteries for electric vehicles, casting uncertainty on the massive plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
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:
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
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:
Check out the story to hear my full interview with the governor:
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.
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 8:14 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.
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Anyone who gives a shout-out to the Olive Hill Dairy Queen is worthy of trust.
We've got a new audience editor at The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. Andrew Henderson, formerly of McClatchy, will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
5 questions with Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s new audience editor
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s latest hire will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Anyone who gives a shout-out to the Olive Hill Dairy Queen is worthy of trust.
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 make big waves both nationally and in Kentucky.
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 6:36 PM
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 make big waves both nationally and in Kentucky.
We've got a new audience editor at The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. Andrew Henderson, formerly of McClatchy, will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
5 questions with Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s new audience editor
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s latest hire will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:20 PM
We've got a new audience editor at The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. Andrew Henderson, formerly of McClatchy, will lead audience strategy, ensuring our reporting is not only excellent but also accessible, engaging and trusted.
The president of the American Soybean Association, a Kentuckian, says the $12 billion payments will help farmers, but will not make up for the harms caused by trade wars and increased costs.
‘Band aid on an open wound.’ Kentucky soybean farmer reacts to Trump’s $12B bailout
The president of the American Soybean Association says the $12 billion payments will help farmers, but will not make up for the harms caused by trade wars and increased costs.
www.lpm.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The president of the American Soybean Association, a Kentuckian, says the $12 billion payments will help farmers, but will not make up for the harms caused by trade wars and increased costs.
I edited this story out of WUOT News in Knoxville. The reporter Pierce Gentry did a fantastic job putting it together.
Campus firings over Charlie Kirk comments chill free speech in Appalachia
An atmosphere of fear and uncertainty has set in on campuses across Appalachia where at least a dozen faculty and staff at colleges and universities have lost their jobs after sharing negative opinion...
www.lpm.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I edited this story out of WUOT News in Knoxville. The reporter Pierce Gentry did a fantastic job putting it together.
The Trump administration withdrew a document with major changes to funding for local efforts ending homelessness amid a Democrat-led lawsuit, leaving Kentucky organizations unsure of next steps.
‘Intentional chaos’: Judge rebukes HUD over turmoil scrambling Kentucky homelessness programs
The Trump administration withdrew a document with major changes to funding for local efforts ending homelessness amid a Democrat-led lawsuit, leaving Kentucky organizations unsure of next steps.
www.lpm.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The Trump administration withdrew a document with major changes to funding for local efforts ending homelessness amid a Democrat-led lawsuit, leaving Kentucky organizations unsure of next steps.
Kentucky lawmakers plan to address data centers in the upcoming session, as utilities seek more power generation to serve them and locals fight new projects.
The AI data center boom is coming for Kentucky. What will lawmakers do about it?
Kentucky lawmakers plan to address data centers in the upcoming session, as utilities seek more power generation to serve them and locals fight new projects.
www.lpm.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Kentucky lawmakers plan to address data centers in the upcoming session, as utilities seek more power generation to serve them and locals fight new projects.
After a UPS plane crashed in Louisville killing 14 people and injuring dozens more, AI-generated posts flooded social media with disinformation.
After Louisville UPS plane crash, AI-generated slop was everywhere
After a UPS plane crashed in Louisville killing 14 people and injuring dozens more, AI-generated posts flooded social media with disinformation.
www.lpm.org
December 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
After a UPS plane crashed in Louisville killing 14 people and injuring dozens more, AI-generated posts flooded social media with disinformation.
Families of victims who died in the UPS plane crash in Louisville filed the first wrongful death lawsuits on Wednesday.
‘Completely unforgivable’: Families of UPS plane crash victims file wrongful death lawsuit
Families of victims who died in the UPS plane crash in Louisville filed the first wrongful death lawsuits on Wednesday.
www.lpm.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Families of victims who died in the UPS plane crash in Louisville filed the first wrongful death lawsuits on Wednesday.
Countering a House GOP leader, the Kentucky Senate’s top Republican says he will not push for an income tax cut in the coming session, adhering to budget trigger rules. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Kentucky Senate GOP leader won’t push for tax cut after state misses budget triggers
Countering a House GOP leader, the Kentucky Senate’s top Republican says he will not push for an income tax cut in the coming session, adhering to budget trigger rules.
www.lpm.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Countering a House GOP leader, the Kentucky Senate’s top Republican says he will not push for an income tax cut in the coming session, adhering to budget trigger rules. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Reposted by Ryan Van Velzer
Booker is now in the crowded #kysen field
The reign of Mitch McConnell is over. The future of Kentucky is ours.
Charles Booker: What Story Would We Write if We Let Ourselves Dream Again?
YouTube video by Charles Booker
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Booker is now in the crowded #kysen field
A judge heard lawyers’ arguments Monday in a years-long lawsuit brought by a Jewish woman against Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban. A ruling could happen soon. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Jewish woman’s lawsuit against Kentucky abortion ban gets a new day in court
A judge heard lawyers’ arguments Monday in a years-long lawsuit brought by a Jewish woman against Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban. A ruling could happen soon.
www.lpm.org
December 2, 2025 at 1:59 PM
A judge heard lawyers’ arguments Monday in a years-long lawsuit brought by a Jewish woman against Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban. A ruling could happen soon. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Heckbent, the 501(c)(4) run by Gov. Andy Beshear’s top political strategist, reported raising more than $1.3 million in 2024 — but not the identity of its donors. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
Anonymous donors gave $1.3M to Gov. Andy Beshear’s dark money group last year
Heckbent, the 501(c)(4) run by Gov. Andy Beshear’s top political strategist, reported raising more than $1.3 million in 2024 — but not the identity of its donors.
www.lpm.org
December 1, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Heckbent, the 501(c)(4) run by Gov. Andy Beshear’s top political strategist, reported raising more than $1.3 million in 2024 — but not the identity of its donors. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...