Jess Clark
@storiesbyjess.bsky.social
KyCIR education reporter, former ed reporter for WFPL, WWNO & WUNC, Louisville-grown, cat mom
Today Season 3 of Dig, "The Girls" dropped in your podcast apps -- a 4-part series about child sex abuse allegations against 2 Louisville educators.
It's a hard story about pain & broken systems. But it's also a story about the strength of girls and women, and the power of friendship.
kydig.org
It's a hard story about pain & broken systems. But it's also a story about the strength of girls and women, and the power of friendship.
kydig.org
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 7:49 PM
Today Season 3 of Dig, "The Girls" dropped in your podcast apps -- a 4-part series about child sex abuse allegations against 2 Louisville educators.
It's a hard story about pain & broken systems. But it's also a story about the strength of girls and women, and the power of friendship.
kydig.org
It's a hard story about pain & broken systems. But it's also a story about the strength of girls and women, and the power of friendship.
kydig.org
Reposted by Jess Clark
Season 3 of Dig, KyCIR's award-winning podcast, is out today. @storiesbyjess.bsky.social investigated how Louisville leaders mishandled child sex abuse allegations against 2 coaches. Hear from the women who say they're fighting for the girls they were then... and for the girls who come after them.
Dig, Season Three: The Girls
A podcast revealing KyCIR's 19-month investigation into allegations of child sex abuse by former high school football coaches, Ronnie and Donnie Stoner.
www.lpm.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Season 3 of Dig, KyCIR's award-winning podcast, is out today. @storiesbyjess.bsky.social investigated how Louisville leaders mishandled child sex abuse allegations against 2 coaches. Hear from the women who say they're fighting for the girls they were then... and for the girls who come after them.
Reposted by Jess Clark
It's here. Today you can download/listen to the podcast of @storiesbyjess.bsky.social revealing her 19-month investigation into allegations of child sex abuse over 2 decades by former Louisville high school football coaches Ronnie & Donnie Stoner - & the adults at many levels who failed the girls.
Dig, Season Three: The Girls
A podcast revealing KyCIR's 19-month investigation into allegations of child sex abuse by former high school football coaches, Ronnie and Donnie Stoner.
www.lpm.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
It's here. Today you can download/listen to the podcast of @storiesbyjess.bsky.social revealing her 19-month investigation into allegations of child sex abuse over 2 decades by former Louisville high school football coaches Ronnie & Donnie Stoner - & the adults at many levels who failed the girls.
Reposted by Jess Clark
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
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
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
www.lpm.org/podcast/dig
Reposted by Jess Clark
The newest season if Dig is coming next week from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social!!! She's been working on this a very long time and it's very, very good and infuriating.
A new season of KyCIR’s award-winning podcast coming next week
A group of women who say they were abused by former coaches Ronnie and Donnie Stoner tell their stories.
www.lpm.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The newest season if Dig is coming next week from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social!!! She's been working on this a very long time and it's very, very good and infuriating.
Child sex abuse happens in schools. It’s an uncomfortable fact.
This season of Dig, we're gonna talk about it: How it happens, why it's allowed to continue, and how hard one group of alleged survivors has fought for accountability.
All 4 episodes drop next week.
www.lpm.org/press-releas...
This season of Dig, we're gonna talk about it: How it happens, why it's allowed to continue, and how hard one group of alleged survivors has fought for accountability.
All 4 episodes drop next week.
www.lpm.org/press-releas...
A new season of KyCIR’s award-winning podcast coming next week
A group of women who say they were abused by former coaches Ronnie and Donnie Stoner tell their stories.
www.lpm.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Child sex abuse happens in schools. It’s an uncomfortable fact.
This season of Dig, we're gonna talk about it: How it happens, why it's allowed to continue, and how hard one group of alleged survivors has fought for accountability.
All 4 episodes drop next week.
www.lpm.org/press-releas...
This season of Dig, we're gonna talk about it: How it happens, why it's allowed to continue, and how hard one group of alleged survivors has fought for accountability.
All 4 episodes drop next week.
www.lpm.org/press-releas...
Have you ever gone back into the grocery store bc you forgot something?
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org found Kentucky's CHFS is kicking people off SNAP for doing that, saying it's proof of fraud.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org found Kentucky's CHFS is kicking people off SNAP for doing that, saying it's proof of fraud.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
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
September 30, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Have you ever gone back into the grocery store bc you forgot something?
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org found Kentucky's CHFS is kicking people off SNAP for doing that, saying it's proof of fraud.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org found Kentucky's CHFS is kicking people off SNAP for doing that, saying it's proof of fraud.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
Reposted by Jess Clark
Great story here from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org on Kentucky using flimsy evidence to force people off food assistance 👇
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...
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
September 30, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Great story here from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org on Kentucky using flimsy evidence to force people off food assistance 👇
Reposted by Jess Clark
Not only is the Beshear administration once again refusing an interview, but their response here is flatly false, as there are multiple lawsuits showing they did this and multiple court rulings chastising them for doing just that.
September 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Not only is the Beshear administration once again refusing an interview, but their response here is flatly false, as there are multiple lawsuits showing they did this and multiple court rulings chastising them for doing just that.
JCPS families demand answers about funding for music education from LPM's Giselle Rhoden.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
JCPS families demand answers about funding for music education
Louisville families and students at Kentucky’s largest school district are sounding alarms on the future of music education amidst JCPS’ financial crisis.
www.lpm.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
JCPS families demand answers about funding for music education from LPM's Giselle Rhoden.
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...
Back in 2023, CFO Cordelia Hardin and Supt. Marty Pollio warned the board that if they don't raise revenue, they will have to make "decisions" to bring the district "back in line."
www.lpm.org/news/2023-08...
www.lpm.org/news/2023-08...
September 17, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Back in 2023, CFO Cordelia Hardin and Supt. Marty Pollio warned the board that if they don't raise revenue, they will have to make "decisions" to bring the district "back in line."
www.lpm.org/news/2023-08...
www.lpm.org/news/2023-08...
"Board Chair Corrie Shull said he and other board members were not previously aware of the district's dire financial state when they were approving major expenditures"
From Krista Johnson @courierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
From Krista Johnson @courierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
JCPS in worse financial state than previously publicized, district leaders say
While approving JCPS' next budget, school board members learned the district is in a worse financial state than previously known.
www.courier-journal.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"Board Chair Corrie Shull said he and other board members were not previously aware of the district's dire financial state when they were approving major expenditures"
From Krista Johnson @courierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
From Krista Johnson @courierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
It was very cool to speak with someone who knows as much about this as Krista does. We covered a lot of ground in 26 minutes!
26 minutes of audio from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social and Krista Johnson talking about the 50th anniversary of school integreation in Louisville, and where it stands today:
Digging In: Louisville’s schools integrated 50 years ago. How is it going today?
On the 50th anniversary of school integration in Louisville, two education reporters talk about how integration is working today.
www.lpm.org
September 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
It was very cool to speak with someone who knows as much about this as Krista does. We covered a lot of ground in 26 minutes!
Good news for @lpm.org this week! We don't have the records yet, and my guess is the district will appeal. But still!
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
LPM prevails in fight for JCPS bus crisis records
Access to top district officials’ text messages on bungled opening day are at the center of the lawsuit.
www.lpm.org
July 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Good news for @lpm.org this week! We don't have the records yet, and my guess is the district will appeal. But still!
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
"My 20-year-old daughter makes more at Kroger," said Holmquist, an instructional assistant with JCPS.
Great reporting from Krista Johnson @thecourierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
Great reporting from Krista Johnson @thecourierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
'Scared for our students': JCPS special needs staff say low pay has led to more vacancies
JCPS has more than 100 open positions for instructional assistants who work with students with disabilities.
www.courier-journal.com
July 24, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"My 20-year-old daughter makes more at Kroger," said Holmquist, an instructional assistant with JCPS.
Great reporting from Krista Johnson @thecourierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
Great reporting from Krista Johnson @thecourierjournal.bsky.social
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Jess Clark
Story out from KyCIR's @storiesbyjess.bsky.social this morning: Why and how did JCPS pay for a giant billboard to thank the outgoing superintendent? Once she started asking questions, the district’s internal auditor launched an inquiry
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
Farewell note to former JCPS superintendent sparks board inquiry
Communications chief spends funds meant for West End schools on billboard thanking outgoing superintendent.
www.lpm.org
July 21, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Story out from KyCIR's @storiesbyjess.bsky.social this morning: Why and how did JCPS pay for a giant billboard to thank the outgoing superintendent? Once she started asking questions, the district’s internal auditor launched an inquiry
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
Reposted by Jess Clark
Uncovered today by @storiesbyjess.bsky.social: JCPS paid for a billboard thanking outgoing Superintendent Marty Pollio with funds from a gift that leaders previously said they would spend on low-income students in west Louisville.
Farewell note to former JCPS superintendent sparks board inquiry
Communications chief spends funds meant for West End schools on billboard thanking outgoing superintendent.
www.lpm.org
July 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Uncovered today by @storiesbyjess.bsky.social: JCPS paid for a billboard thanking outgoing Superintendent Marty Pollio with funds from a gift that leaders previously said they would spend on low-income students in west Louisville.
Reposted by Jess Clark
Former JCPS football coaches, another man, indicted on 52 child sex abuse charges. From @storiesbyjess.bsky.social
Former JCPS coaches, another man, indicted on 52 child sex abuse charges
Ronnie and Donnie Stoner are accused of dozens of crimes spanning an 18-year period.
www.lpm.org
July 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Former JCPS football coaches, another man, indicted on 52 child sex abuse charges. From @storiesbyjess.bsky.social
Reposted by Jess Clark
A Court of Appeals panel has ruled that one of three Jewish women suing the state has standing — the right — to challenge Kentucky’s abortion ban.
“I think what we’ve got now is a very solid chance of clearing up this ambiguity in the law."
kentuckylantern.com/2025/07/15/j...
“I think what we’ve got now is a very solid chance of clearing up this ambiguity in the law."
kentuckylantern.com/2025/07/15/j...
Jewish woman’s challenge of Kentucky’s abortion ban gets green light from appeals court • Kentucky Lantern
A Court of Appeals panel has ruled that one of three Jewish women suing the state has standing — the right — to challenge Ketucky’s abortion ban.
kentuckylantern.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
A Court of Appeals panel has ruled that one of three Jewish women suing the state has standing — the right — to challenge Kentucky’s abortion ban.
“I think what we’ve got now is a very solid chance of clearing up this ambiguity in the law."
kentuckylantern.com/2025/07/15/j...
“I think what we’ve got now is a very solid chance of clearing up this ambiguity in the law."
kentuckylantern.com/2025/07/15/j...
How Trump’s hold on $6 billion is impacting Kentucky kids, from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org www.lpm.org/news/2025-07...
With federal education funding frozen, Appalachian learning centers are in peril
Six 21st century learning centers run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia will close permanently if the Trump administration doesn’t restore $87 million in frozen federal education funding to Kent...
www.lpm.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
How Trump’s hold on $6 billion is impacting Kentucky kids, from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org www.lpm.org/news/2025-07...
Reposted by Jess Clark
The #TravelBan Hits #Louisville 🚫✈️
Over the past month, I’ve reported on how the recent travel restriction is affecting #Iranian #students at the @univeristyoflou.bsky.social —creating deep uncertainty for their #education, future, and family ties overseas.
#Iran #USA #Immigration @npr.org
Over the past month, I’ve reported on how the recent travel restriction is affecting #Iranian #students at the @univeristyoflou.bsky.social —creating deep uncertainty for their #education, future, and family ties overseas.
#Iran #USA #Immigration @npr.org
The Trump administration’s travel ban on 19 countries is affecting university students across the country. @andreagalliano.bsky.social spoke with several Iranian students facing uncertainty at the University of Louisville.
Iranian students at University of Louisville face uncertainty after travel ban
The Trump administration’s travel ban on 19 countries is affecting university students across the country, including Iranians attending the University of Louisville.
www.lpm.org
July 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The #TravelBan Hits #Louisville 🚫✈️
Over the past month, I’ve reported on how the recent travel restriction is affecting #Iranian #students at the @univeristyoflou.bsky.social —creating deep uncertainty for their #education, future, and family ties overseas.
#Iran #USA #Immigration @npr.org
Over the past month, I’ve reported on how the recent travel restriction is affecting #Iranian #students at the @univeristyoflou.bsky.social —creating deep uncertainty for their #education, future, and family ties overseas.
#Iran #USA #Immigration @npr.org
Incredibly important reporting from @connorgiffin.bsky.social on schools being built on contaminated land in JCPS.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
In Louisville, schools are being built on contaminated land. How are kids, staff kept safe?
Decades-old pollution lies beneath two Louisville school properties, spurring concerns about the health of students and staff.
www.courier-journal.com
June 25, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Incredibly important reporting from @connorgiffin.bsky.social on schools being built on contaminated land in JCPS.
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
www.courier-journal.com/story/news/l...
Ok so, we do (probably) know who the board picked now thanks to Jason Nemes, and it wasn't they guy with the most community and union support on surveys.
If contract negotiations go smoothly, and Nemes is right, H. Brian Yearwood will be the next superintendent of JCPS.
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
If contract negotiations go smoothly, and Nemes is right, H. Brian Yearwood will be the next superintendent of JCPS.
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
May 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Ok so, we do (probably) know who the board picked now thanks to Jason Nemes, and it wasn't they guy with the most community and union support on surveys.
If contract negotiations go smoothly, and Nemes is right, H. Brian Yearwood will be the next superintendent of JCPS.
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
If contract negotiations go smoothly, and Nemes is right, H. Brian Yearwood will be the next superintendent of JCPS.
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
This is the most #LouisvilleMedia morning ever
May 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This is the most #LouisvilleMedia morning ever
We don't know who the Jefferson County Board of Ed picked last night to offer a contract to be the next JCPS Superintendent, but now we know who the teachers' union and survey respondents want: Shuldiner.
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
Surveys show teachers, community overwhelmingly favor Shuldiner for JCPS superintendent
Surveyed JCPS teachers and community members prefer superintendent finalist Ben Shuldiner over H. Brian Yearwood.
www.lpm.org
May 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We don't know who the Jefferson County Board of Ed picked last night to offer a contract to be the next JCPS Superintendent, but now we know who the teachers' union and survey respondents want: Shuldiner.
www.lpm.org/investigate/...
www.lpm.org/investigate/...