@alcrossky.bsky.social
www.motherjones.com/politics/202... I don’t think the stakes of this battle are as high as those on both sides argue in this article, but it has become a defining political flashpoint and I’m glad to see a deep dive (no pun intended) into the story of Riley Gaines, former UK Wildcat swimmer.
How right-wing superstar Riley Gaines built an anti-trans empire
The swimmer tied a trans woman for fifth. The MAGA industrial complex took care of the rest.
www.motherjones.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
www.motherjones.com/politics/202... I don’t think the stakes of this battle are as high as those on both sides argue in this article, but it has become a defining political flashpoint and I’m glad to see a deep dive (no pun intended) into the story of Riley Gaines, former UK Wildcat swimmer.
Trump's net-approval rating in Kentucky (positive minus negative) is now 5 points; the 2-point figure in this column was from Monday. nkytribune.com/2025/12/opin...
Opinion - Al Cross: Dems have Senate candidates, but what are their chances? - NKyTribune
Strange as it seems, the Democratic Party has a remarkable roster of candidates to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell next year. Former state Rep. Charles Booker has run for senator twic...
nkytribune.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Trump's net-approval rating in Kentucky (positive minus negative) is now 5 points; the 2-point figure in this column was from Monday. nkytribune.com/2025/12/opin...
www.notus.org/trump-white-... Comer, who has good political fingertips, puts distance between himself and Trump. First he says he favors extending ACA subsidies for a year or two; now this:
“I wouldn’t have pardoned those people,” he told NOTUS.
“I wouldn’t have pardoned those people,” he told NOTUS.
Republican Lawmakers Reckon with Trump’s Pardons
“I wouldn’t have pardoned those people,” Oversight chair James Comer said of several recipients of Trump’s recent pardons.
www.notus.org
December 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM
www.notus.org/trump-white-... Comer, who has good political fingertips, puts distance between himself and Trump. First he says he favors extending ACA subsidies for a year or two; now this:
“I wouldn’t have pardoned those people,” he told NOTUS.
“I wouldn’t have pardoned those people,” he told NOTUS.
cartercountytimes.com/editorials/e... The rage-inducing, performative approach of national politics is poisoning public discourse at the local level.
It’s all the rage, but how do we stop it?
By Teri Carter
Kentucky Lantern
On Nov. 3 I attended a Lawrenceburg (Anderson County) City Council meeting which opened with an alleged jurisdictional iss
cartercountytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
cartercountytimes.com/editorials/e... The rage-inducing, performative approach of national politics is poisoning public discourse at the local level.
apnews.com/article/epa-... The only legitimate debate about human-caused climate change is how much global warming is caused by humans. It’s enough to warrant corrective action, the great majority of scientists and responsible leaders have said for decades.
EPA eliminates mention of fossil fuels in website on warming's causes. Scientists call it misleading
The Environmental Protection Agency has removed references to fossil fuels from its online page about climate change causes.
apnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
apnews.com/article/epa-... The only legitimate debate about human-caused climate change is how much global warming is caused by humans. It’s enough to warrant corrective action, the great majority of scientists and responsible leaders have said for decades.
www.notus.org/congress/aca... Kentucky reporters might do well to inquire of Second District Rep. Brett Guthrie, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care, and see what his position is on this issue, which affects 100,000 Kentuckians.
New Week, No New Plan: ACA Subsidies Issue Takes Center Stage
There are many proposals floating around both chambers on Capitol Hill, but none of them are expected to pass.
www.notus.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:59 PM
www.notus.org/congress/aca... Kentucky reporters might do well to inquire of Second District Rep. Brett Guthrie, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care, and see what his position is on this issue, which affects 100,000 Kentuckians.
The court needs at least one justice who's served in elective office and understands politics. The last one was O'Connor. They had a chance to adopt standards to limit partisan gerrymandering in a case from Wisconsin a few years ago; Roberts, the key vote, declined. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
The Supreme Court, Once Wary of Partisan Gerrymandering, Goes All In
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The court needs at least one justice who's served in elective office and understands politics. The last one was O'Connor. They had a chance to adopt standards to limit partisan gerrymandering in a case from Wisconsin a few years ago; Roberts, the key vote, declined. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
newrepublic.com/article/2040... Beshear says “Democrats need to admit that there are times when we are over-regulated, and we’ve created so many rules that some programs that we believe are essential for the American people simply take too long,” such as Biden’s internet program.
How Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Thinks Democrats Can Win Rural America
The two-term governor spoke with TNR about the challenges and opportunities for his party in the Trump era—and whether he’s planning to run for president.
newrepublic.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:04 AM
newrepublic.com/article/2040... Beshear says “Democrats need to admit that there are times when we are over-regulated, and we’ve created so many rules that some programs that we believe are essential for the American people simply take too long,” such as Biden’s internet program.
"This whole segment is breathtaking," @JonathanCapehart says, using the term to describe some of this week's work by "a cadre of fools." Yes, it pretty much is breathtaking, and @nytdavidbrooks agrees, saying public discourse has too much "intellectual drug-dealing." www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Brooks and Capehart on the political fallout over Trump's boat strikes
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart of MS NOW join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including the fallout over the Trump administration's controversial boat strik...
www.pbs.org
December 6, 2025 at 2:38 AM
"This whole segment is breathtaking," @JonathanCapehart says, using the term to describe some of this week's work by "a cadre of fools." Yes, it pretty much is breathtaking, and @nytdavidbrooks agrees, saying public discourse has too much "intellectual drug-dealing." www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Jonathan Martin: "The brazen corruption, near-daily vulgarity and handing out pardons like lollipops is impossible to ignore and deserves the scorn of history. Yet how the president is spending much of his time reveals his flippant attitude toward his second term."
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The President Who Never Grew Up
Instead of focusing on governing, Trump spends his days chasing entertainment, attention and renovation projects that reflect a presidency stuck in adolescence.
www.politico.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Jonathan Martin: "The brazen corruption, near-daily vulgarity and handing out pardons like lollipops is impossible to ignore and deserves the scorn of history. Yet how the president is spending much of his time reveals his flippant attitude toward his second term."
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
This is the first step in making this endowment work; we aim to raise enough to support a full-time faculty member in public-affairs journalism. If you’re interested in supporting the journalism that’s needed to make our democratic republic work, I’d be happy to tell you more about this program!
ci.uky.edu/about/news-a... When Lois Mateus and I created an endowment to support public-affairs journalism at Kentucky’s largest university, I envisioned just the sort of initial appointment that was announced today. Peter Baniak is a first-class journalist and news-media executive. Stay tuned!
Baniak named inaugural Al Cross Faculty Fellow and Visiting Professional
Peter Baniak, a veteran journalist and news executive with more than 30 years of experience in Kentucky, will join the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media Jan. 1 as the School’s inau...
ci.uky.edu
December 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
This is the first step in making this endowment work; we aim to raise enough to support a full-time faculty member in public-affairs journalism. If you’re interested in supporting the journalism that’s needed to make our democratic republic work, I’d be happy to tell you more about this program!
ci.uky.edu/about/news-a... When Lois Mateus and I created an endowment to support public-affairs journalism at Kentucky’s largest university, I envisioned just the sort of initial appointment that was announced today. Peter Baniak is a first-class journalist and news-media executive. Stay tuned!
Baniak named inaugural Al Cross Faculty Fellow and Visiting Professional
Peter Baniak, a veteran journalist and news executive with more than 30 years of experience in Kentucky, will join the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media Jan. 1 as the School’s inau...
ci.uky.edu
December 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
ci.uky.edu/about/news-a... When Lois Mateus and I created an endowment to support public-affairs journalism at Kentucky’s largest university, I envisioned just the sort of initial appointment that was announced today. Peter Baniak is a first-class journalist and news-media executive. Stay tuned!
www.foxnews.com/politics/202... This is not much of a story but Fox News seems to think it is — or someone at Fox is taking suggestions from Nate Morris, who is already a favorite of Breitbart. The GOP primary for senator from Kentucky could be influenced by the skew of MAGA-oriented media outlets.
2021 Afghan remarks haunt GOP lawmaker's Senate bid after DC Guard shooting
Rep. Andy Barr's 2026 Senate campaign encounters scrutiny after his past support for Afghan visas resurfaces following a shooting, allegedly by an Afghan national, in Washington, D.C.
www.foxnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
www.foxnews.com/politics/202... This is not much of a story but Fox News seems to think it is — or someone at Fox is taking suggestions from Nate Morris, who is already a favorite of Breitbart. The GOP primary for senator from Kentucky could be influenced by the skew of MAGA-oriented media outlets.
The ridiculous irresponsibility of this is hard to overstate. The nation's health department has been hijacked by quacks, so it's high time for state and local health departments to step up, speak out and pick up the slack in protecting public health. Please. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
Doctor Critical of Vaccines Quietly Appointed as C.D.C.’s Second in Command
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The ridiculous irresponsibility of this is hard to overstate. The nation's health department has been hijacked by quacks, so it's high time for state and local health departments to step up, speak out and pick up the slack in protecting public health. Please. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
There’s a BIG difference in Bret Baier and the other real journalists on the Fox News Channel and the opinion hosts who are essentially Trump propagandists. The fact that millions of Americans have failed to recognize the difference is one reason the country is tearing itself apart.
If you think they actually like Trump over on Fox, congratulations ... you have been fooled. They may be being paid to make Republicans look good, but they know who Trump is.
And I thought that Smartmatic case was essentially over, but I guess not.🤷♀️
www.rawstory.com/alternet-pos...
And I thought that Smartmatic case was essentially over, but I guess not.🤷♀️
www.rawstory.com/alternet-pos...
Revealed: Fox host unleashed on 'totally heinous' Trump in newly-released text messages
Bret Baier – a veteran primetime host on Fox News — was apoplectic at President Donald Trump's refusal to concede his 2020 election loss, according to recently released text messages.The Guardian's Je...
www.rawstory.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:23 AM
There’s a BIG difference in Bret Baier and the other real journalists on the Fox News Channel and the opinion hosts who are essentially Trump propagandists. The fact that millions of Americans have failed to recognize the difference is one reason the country is tearing itself apart.
“'Afraid of their own shadow. Afraid of their own president. And unable to even squeak' is how Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) described Congress, including members of his own party." His buddy Tom Massie is facing a primary challenge fostered by Trump but remains the favorite. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Exit Shows Trump Still Has a Firm Grip on His Party
The Georgia congresswoman’s resignation after crossing the president on the Epstein files underscores his power to make or break careers.
www.wsj.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
“'Afraid of their own shadow. Afraid of their own president. And unable to even squeak' is how Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) described Congress, including members of his own party." His buddy Tom Massie is facing a primary challenge fostered by Trump but remains the favorite. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
As @GovAndyBeshear heads into the chairmanship of the Democratic Governors Association, he is ramping up toward a presidential candidacy. This piece is trending; little new in it but a more anti-Trump tone and a call for Dems to be the "party of aspiration." www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | This slap in the face to rural America is a chance to turn it blue
Democrats should be the party of aspiration — and talk like normal human beings.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
As @GovAndyBeshear heads into the chairmanship of the Democratic Governors Association, he is ramping up toward a presidential candidacy. This piece is trending; little new in it but a more anti-Trump tone and a call for Dems to be the "party of aspiration." www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Senator Paul needs to learn to say “no” to vindictive ideologues.
"People familiar with the committee inquiry view Paul’s sprawling queries as a targeted effort to chill or discourage academic research on far-right groups, ideologies, or individuals."
www.wired.com/story/senato...
www.wired.com/story/senato...
Senators Want Extremism Researchers to Surrender Documents Linked to Right-Wing Grudges
The Senate homeland security committee's chair has asked researchers to turn over troves of documents related to the January 6 attack, vaccines, and more, according to a letter reviewed by WIRED.
www.wired.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Senator Paul needs to learn to say “no” to vindictive ideologues.
MTG can take the heat but doesn’t want a defeat on her record and doesn’t want be bloodied up in a primary. She’s looking to the future, pragmatically.
Crockett on MTG resigning: "Honestly, I was like, you got to be kidding. You're on the other side of the president for one week and you can't take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes."
November 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
MTG can take the heat but doesn’t want a defeat on her record and doesn’t want be bloodied up in a primary. She’s looking to the future, pragmatically.
David Brooks asks, "Who is actually going to work with you on your problems? Which party is actually going to help you improve your health outcomes or your kids’ educational outcomes? Which party is actually going to help you achieve the American dream?" www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...
Opinion | The Epstein Story? Count Me Out.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
David Brooks asks, "Who is actually going to work with you on your problems? Which party is actually going to help you improve your health outcomes or your kids’ educational outcomes? Which party is actually going to help you achieve the American dream?" www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/o...
Reposted
According to Jeff Epstein's brother, Trump called him immediately after winning the 2016 election.
Add lying about cutting off contact with Epstein to the very very long list of things Trump has lied about.
newrepublic.com/post/203443/...
Add lying about cutting off contact with Epstein to the very very long list of things Trump has lied about.
newrepublic.com/post/203443/...
Trump Called Epstein Right After Winning 2016 Election
Jeffrey Epstein’s brother shed more light on how close Donald Trump was to the sex trafficker.
newrepublic.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 PM
According to Jeff Epstein's brother, Trump called him immediately after winning the 2016 election.
Add lying about cutting off contact with Epstein to the very very long list of things Trump has lied about.
newrepublic.com/post/203443/...
Add lying about cutting off contact with Epstein to the very very long list of things Trump has lied about.
newrepublic.com/post/203443/...
www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-top-t... One way to look at the Cheney funeral. Liz Cheney said her father “knew the bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans. For him a choice between defense of the Constitution and defense of your political party was no choice at all.”
Trump’s Top Targets Have Epic Reunion in Nation’s Capital
There was no shortage of Trump foes in attendance at former VP Dick Cheney’s funeral.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:06 AM
www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-top-t... One way to look at the Cheney funeral. Liz Cheney said her father “knew the bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans. For him a choice between defense of the Constitution and defense of your political party was no choice at all.”
I generally don't like to see journalists get into politics, because it blurs a line that needs to be sharp. But many journalists have migrated into politics, which Beth has done by leaving The Roanoke Times to write books. She has an uphill battle but a good start. cardinalnews.org/2025/11/20/m...
Macy raises $350,000 for congressional bid in 24 hours
For comparison, that’s almost as much as Rep. Ben Cline has on hand. It’s also almost twice as much as Shannon Taylor raised when she entered the 1st District race, which is considered …
cardinalnews.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I generally don't like to see journalists get into politics, because it blurs a line that needs to be sharp. But many journalists have migrated into politics, which Beth has done by leaving The Roanoke Times to write books. She has an uphill battle but a good start. cardinalnews.org/2025/11/20/m...
Best story I've read about the hemp loophole. It's not ideal but does explain (sort of) that the 2018 Farm Bill limit applied only to Delta-9 THC, not Delta-8, which is weaker but can be concentrated in products. McConnell and Congress have more work to do. www.nationalreview.com/corner/congr...
Congress Quietly Strangles the Hemp Industry It Accidentally Created | National Review
Hidden in the funding bill to reopen the government was a provision that bans nearly all hemp-derived THC products.
www.nationalreview.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Best story I've read about the hemp loophole. It's not ideal but does explain (sort of) that the 2018 Farm Bill limit applied only to Delta-9 THC, not Delta-8, which is weaker but can be concentrated in products. McConnell and Congress have more work to do. www.nationalreview.com/corner/congr...
These two (an autocrat and a would-be autocrat) are antithetical to democracy and republican government.
"President Trump frequently demonstrates his disdain for journalists," writes Brian Stelter. "He expresses his admiration for authoritarians almost as often. Tuesday showed how intertwined those two instincts really are." | Analysis
Trump’s anti-press outburst hits differently with a Saudi prince by his side | CNN Business
President Trump frequently demonstrates his disdain for journalists. He expresses his admiration for authoritarians almost as often. Tuesday showed how intertwined those two instincts really are.
www.cnn.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:08 AM
These two (an autocrat and a would-be autocrat) are antithetical to democracy and republican government.