Sylvia Goodman
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sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Sylvia Goodman
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Ky Capitol reporter @kentuckypublicradio.org ~ prev @chronicle.com @wbez.org @chicagotribune.com ~ she/her

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Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
We also got a big update in the "Rose 2.0" case. Students want the courts to once again proclaim Kentucky public schools unconstitutionally inadequate and force major educational reform:
Kentucky student lawsuit over ‘inadequate’ education can move forward, judge rules
A Franklin County judge ruled Thursday he won’t dismiss a lawsuit brought by a group of Kentucky students alleging the state has failed to provide an adequate and equitable education.
www.lpm.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Education reform has been a huge topic this session, especially in the Senate. Read about two bills now moving that target administrators ⬇️⬇️

(and on the topic of providing a constitutionally required educational system...)
February 5, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Kentucky gave Ford a $250 million upfront loan to build an EV battery plant, which is now shuttered. Lawmakers now want answers about how or if the state can recoup those taxpayer dollars, as the Beshear administration negotiates terms with Ford ahead of scheduled repayments next year.
Kentucky lawmakers seek answers on $250M loan after Ford EV battery plant closure
Kentucky gave Ford a $250 million upfront loan to build an EV battery plant that is now shuttered. The company is negotiating with the state ahead of scheduled repayments.
www.lpm.org
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
I won't lie, I personally want to try some lab-grown meat

Latest from me: Republicans seek to ban lab-grown meat before it hits Kentucky shelves

(@joesonka.lpm.org was also there)
Republicans seek to ban lab-grown meat before it hits Kentucky shelves
Emphasizing the unknowns of “cultured” meat grown in labs, a state House committee pushed through a bill that would ban its manufacture and sale in Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:44 PM
I love this too — the legislative process is oh so confusing if you don’t stare at it all day like us (and even then it’s pretty confusing)
Big fan of this bill-progress checkbox my pals @kentuckylantern.com have been attaching to their stories on moving legislation.
February 3, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Kentucky's only Dem member of Congress, @repmcgarvey.bsky.social, spoke against the DHS funding bill on the House floor this morning & referred to ICE's "campaign or terror." "Are we going to give ICE 2 more weeks to invade cities in exchange for a pinky promise that we’ll talk about reforms?"
February 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Latest from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social. Heartbreaking details of alleged sexual abuse in a Ky school district. It’s hard to read but once you do, you’ll see the structural flaws that allowed these men to get away with it for so long
Her teacher became her husband. Now, she wants a reckoning in this Kentucky school district.
A group of Shelby County Public Schools graduates are pushing for new protections for students.
www.lpm.org
February 3, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
My latest 👇

The GOP budget bill has finally arrived in the Kentucky House. Me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org have an early breakdown of the bill and budget process going forward. #kyga26
Kentucky House Republicans released a two-year state budget bill Tuesday, which is expected to evolve over the session. The current version would spend dramatically less than what Gov. Andy Beshear proposed for education and Medicaid. From the KPR Capitol team: #kyga26
Kentucky House GOP releases ‘bare bones’ budget bill, with questions ahead on Medicaid, education
Kentucky House Republicans released a two-year state budget bill Tuesday, which is expected to evolve over the session. The current version would spend dramatically less than what Gov. Andy Beshear pr...
www.lpm.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 PM
A company that wants to develop a massive data center in Kentucky has sued Simpson County over a recently passed ordinance requiring it to obtain a conditional use permit.

Latest in an ongoing saga from @joesonka.lpm.org
Data center developer sues Simpson County government over land use ordinance
A company that wants to develop a massive data center in Kentucky has sued Simpson County over a recently passed ordinance requiring it to obtain a conditional use permit.
www.lpm.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
A month after KY Supreme Court reversed course & struck down GOP bill aimed@ JCPS, yesterday:

1. A new House impeachment panel had 1st meeting to consider impeachment petition for Justice Pamela Goodwine, the swing vote.

2. GOP filed top priority bill that's same as the struck down bill. #kyga26
Kentucky Republicans take another crack at JCPS bill, following Supreme Court setback
A month after the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down a 2022 law that limited the power of Jefferson County’s elected school board, Senate Republicans are trying again with a new bill.
www.lpm.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:06 PM
The Columbia Heights Public School district says federal agents have detained four of its students in four separate incidents over the last two weeks.”

Including a 5yo ICE reportedly detained and used as bait to lure family members from the house. The family had an active asylum case
ICE detains 5-year old Minnesota boy; school leader says agents used him as ‘bait’
The Columbia Heights school district says federal agents have detained four children in their district. School officials say agents used 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos as “bait” to try and draw family m...
www.mprnews.org
January 22, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
I have done what is very painful for me and started making vertical video (with @joesonka.lpm.org as my videographer)

Follow WFPLnews and/or porchlightnews for more!
Louisville and Southern Indiana news on Instagram: "Capitol Reporter Sylvia Goodman explains Kentucky Senate Bill 1, which would limit the power of the Jefferson County Board of Education. Read more...
16 likes, 1 comments - wfplnews on January 21, 2026: "Capitol Reporter Sylvia Goodman explains Kentucky Senate Bill 1, which would limit the power of the Jefferson County Board of Education. Read mo...
www.instagram.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:57 AM
I was looking at the bill that was proposed today and the sections struck down by the Supreme Court and… they’re identical! With some justification for it thrown on the front #kyga26

⬇️⬇️ read below!
January 21, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Newest from me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, as Kentucky Republicans are taking a second crack at a bill targeting the Jefferson County school board. #kyga26
January 21, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
GOP House Speaker David Osborne was asked yesterday about Baker's bill to ban citizen immigrants from holding office in Kentucky: "I think the bill has some problems with it. We haven't talked about it as a caucus, but I don't believe that we'll move it." #kyga26
Here's the story from me and @joesonka.lpm.org: A naturalized citizen was inspired to run for the Kentucky House a day after GOP bills were filed to ban immigrants from public office, saying it’s “not the time to sit on the sidelines.”
January 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
For @kentuckypublicradio.org I’m with a pool of reporters touring the UPS plane crash site for the first time.
January 13, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Several Republican #kyga26 legislators are drafting and filing new bills to increase the housing supply and combat homelessness in Kentucky. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org of KPR:
Kentucky GOP lawmakers offer plans to improve housing supply, combat homelessness
Several Republican legislators are drafting bills to increase the housing supply and combat homelessness in Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Here's the story from me and @joesonka.lpm.org: A naturalized citizen was inspired to run for the Kentucky House a day after GOP bills were filed to ban immigrants from public office, saying it’s “not the time to sit on the sidelines.”
January 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
UPDATE: Rep. Kulkarni’s dad, Suhas Kulkarni, just filed to run for Kentucky House, saying he was spurred to do so by this bill filed yesterday that would ban immigrant citizens like himself and his daughter from holding elected office in Kentucky. Said it is time to stand up. #kyga26
January 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Latest from me: A GOP Rep has filed a duo of bills aimed at blocked naturalized and dual citizens from running for state or local office (the former requires a constitutional amendment) #KYGA26
Immigrant citizens would be barred from local, state offices in Kentucky under proposed bills
A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to keep naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
January 8, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Coming back from the Ky House Dem press conference on their priorities (mostly same as Beshear, also a focus on medical debt). When asked about tmr’s candidate filing deadline, Dem leaders say we will see more contested races this year outside of urban centers. Candidates have until 4pm Friday
January 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
Day 2 of #kyga26 from me and @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, featuring a unique State of the Commonwealth address.
January 8, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
The big task of lawmakers this #kyga26 session is to pass a two-year state budget, which will be more challenging than recent years, as @sylviaruthg.lpm.org and I explain here. Beshear will present his budget proposal tomorrow, and GOP House supermajority will present theirs at some point this week.
Kentucky lawmakers will craft two-year state budget in 2026 session, amid new challenges
After years of federal stimulus and surpluses, the Kentucky General Assembly will have to pass a state budget in a tighter fiscal environment in the 2026 session.
www.lpm.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Today, I'll be watching Senate while Joe camps out in the House. As you can see we're in these weird temporary chambers where the public doesn't get a seat. You can still watch the livestream on KET and of course follow along to KPR!
Here is the Senate chamber on the other side. Both look eerily similar to the layout of the old chambers, with one big difference: There are no public galleries in either chamber for people to watch proceedings, and the general public is not even allowed in either building. #kyga26
January 6, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Sylvia Goodman
The Porch Light newsletter is your go-to spot for news, history and culture in the Appalachian region across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Sign up today: forms.gle/38wjoWR41MMb...
#appalachia #south #kentucky #tennessee #westvirginia
January 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM