Opinion – Al Cross: We need calm, compelling voices from the middle — and we all have a role to play
I got a surprise phone call last week from the other side of the world, where an American expatriate was…
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Opinion – Al Cross: Rural Democrats hold a key to party’s revival
Democrats all over America are trying to fix their party. Last weekend, in 30 hours in the heart of rural…
Al Cross: Will MAGA label work for Nate Morris in bid for Kentucky’s U.S. Senate seat?
FANCY FARM, Ky. – Just how MAGA is Kentucky? More pertinently, how MAGA are Kentucky Republicans? And most proximately, how…
Opinion – Al Cross: Can Gov. Andy Beshear hit ‘big-league pitching’ in possible White House bid?
Gov. Andy Beshear said one reason he went to South Carolina last week was to see his 16-year-old son Will…
Opinion – Al Cross: Medicaid helps us all; prepare to be hurt
Nearly 1 in 3 Kentuckians are covered by Medicaid, the federal-state insurance program for low-income Americans. If you’re not among…
Opinion – Al Cross: How are Kentucky pols meeting the moment?
Welcome, Derby visitors, virtual and in person. Each year, for you and regular readers, we offer an update on the…
Opinion – Al Cross: Elected Republicans fear Trump, Musk, money and voters
For 236 years the United States has benefited from a government built on effective checks and balances among its three…
Opinion – Al Cross: Mitch McConnell’s last chance against Trump
Donald Trump has been back in office one month, and his job-approval ratings are his highest ever – but lower…
Opinion – Al Cross: Three heroes, 80 years ago this week, echo today
Eighty years ago this week, on successive days a few miles apart in eastern France, three rural Americans risked their…
Opinion – Al Cross: The political life of late President Jimmy Carter — and his connections to Kentucky
The political life of Jimmy Carter had several threads in Kentucky, which in turn influenced the state’s political and economic…
Opinion – Al Cross: Holiday ‘gifts’ for Kentucky political figures, a 44-year tradition continued
Ed Ryan wasn’t the first political commentator to “give Christmas gifts” to political figures, but he and his successors as…
Opinion — Al Cross: Robert Gable’s death is a call for truth bells to ring
Robert Gable, who died at 90 on Nov. 29, will be remembered by the Kentucky political world as the man…
Opinion – Al Cross: McConnells influence goes underground
“We’re in the personnel business,” Sen. Mitch McConnell has said ever since he concluded the biggest piece of business in…
Opinion – Al Cross: Trump’s win puts Beshear firmly in the hunt to succeed him
Donald Trump’s victory was a wrecking ball to the Democratic Party, but a boon to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. Had…
Opinion – Gex Williams: Amendment 2 will allow Kentucky schools to catch up with rest of nation
As a member of the General Assembly who supports more education choice for parents, I am responding to my friend…
A review of ‘The Price of Power,’ a book about Mitch McConnell by journalist Michael Tackett
By Al Cross Kentucky Lantern Mitch McConnell has been the subject of four biographies: one by himself, one by a critic, one by…
Opinion – Al Cross: Amendment 2 — if it’s such a good idea, why so many off-base arguments
Kentucky still isn’t doing right by its schools and their students. Teacher pay has slipped behind competing states, and many…
Opinion – Al Cross: When McConnell leaves, who will slice the bacon for us?
Mitch McConnell is on his way out – first as Senate Republican leader, at the end of this year, then…
Opinion – Al Cross: Every presidential election is different, but ‘hope’ is a very real thing
Every presidential election is different, and comparisons are chancy in a changing nation, but I find myself thinking about the…
Opinion – Al Cross: Auditions on the national and Kentucky stages
Gov. Andy Beshear’s big audition didn’t get him a new role, but the continuing tryouts of people who might succeed…
Al Cross’ distinguished career in journalism, education honored as he retires from UK
By Jenni Glendenning Institute for Rural Journalism After almost 20 years advocating for rural and community journalism in the College…
From Wayland to Jackson with Gov. Beshear, after a busy week and a busier weekend
By Al Cross NKyTribune reporter JACKSON, Ky. – Chasing the vice presidency, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear spent Friday in Appalachian…