Outlier Massie becomes pariah, forcing colleagues to gather against public health advice for stimulus vote
By Al Cross Kentucky Health News Thomas Massie, the congressman from Kentucky’s Fourth District, has long been at the limits…
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Al Cross: Governor Andy Beshear is showing what he’s made of; it’s sterner stuff than you thought
In a crisis that could be a catastrophe for millions of Americans, politics may seem irrelevant. But politics probably made…
Clinicians suspected Kentucky’s first case of coronavirus, but patient didn’t qualify for testing
By Melissa Patrick and Al Cross Kentucky Health News Kentucky found its first case of the new coronavirus, in Harrison…
Al Cross: List of possible constitutional amendments lengthens (includes new taxes); only four are allowed
“No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” That quote, one of many falsely…
Commentary: Is our political system properly serving public-health system? We need reason, not a rant
By F. Douglas Scutchfield and Al Cross Kentucky Health News The new viral disease, Covid-19, began in China, which continues…
Al Cross: McConnell surely cannot approve of Trump’s inappropriate behavior; why not say so?
Last Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell scheduled a press conference in Louisville, which he had to cancel because his…
Commentary: Graham casts ‘mainstream media’ as primary evil; not true really — but all have sinned
By Al Cross Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues “The Lies of Mainstream Media” is the headline over the…
Al Cross: ‘Modest’ or ‘moderate,’ Gov. Beshear’s budget plan is a small risk for him
The last time Kentucky had a governor of one party and a legislature of the other party, the governor proposed…
Al Cross: We have waited patiently for the moment that Mitch McConnell would come to his senses. . .
More than once, this space has said Mitch McConnell would face a day of reckoning in his relationship with Donald…
Al Cross: Continuing the tradition of gifts for public officials; hoping for a 2020 in which facts matter most
The tradition of a Christmas-gifts column for public figures in Kentucky was started almost four decades ago by the late…
Al Cross: Start of new governorship always leans to theatrics, but — really — it’s a new day in Frankfort
The start of a new governorship necessarily involves theatrics, which help signify the importance of a historic event, establish comity…
Al Cross: Of course we agree with McConnell that we need more ‘civility’ in our public discourse — from all
“Elections have consequences” is a favorite saying for politicians of all stripes, and for those of us who try to…
Al Cross: For Andy Beshear, ‘I’m not Matt Bevin’ actually mattered; Bevin now knows words do too
What seemed like Andy Beshear’s unspoken campaign theme – “I’m not Matt Bevin” – turned out to be sufficient after…
Al Cross: The values that drive voters will be the key as Kyians prepare to head to the polls Tuesday
Gov. Matt Bevin told The New York Times that Tuesday’s election won’t be close – that he will beat Attorney…
Al Cross: McConnell cares most about the state Attorney General race, and things are looking up
For Mitch McConnell, things in Kentucky are looking up. In Washington, not so much. The races are close, but the…
Al Cross: Facts are facts and they matter; Matt Bevin has convictions — but it’s fair to ask hard questions
Matt Bevin is a conviction politician; he has beliefs and sticks to them. That’s one thing to like about the…
Al Cross: As political earthquake shakes Washington, how will it tilt Kentucky’s political landscape?
A political earthquake is shaking Washington. How will it tilt Kentucky’s political landscape? The quick and easy answer – and…
Al Cross: Bevin resorting to scare tactics on immigration in ad designed to play to Trump’s base
On Sept. 9, Gov. Matt Bevin accused his opponent for re-election, Attorney General Andy Beshear, of using a “scare tactic”…
Al Cross: As race for governor heats up, both sides are missing an honest discussion on health care
The race for governor has begun in earnest, with both sides using scare tactics. But both sides also seem scared…
Al Cross: Trump is back-and-forth on gun control legislation; in the end, he and McConnell must agree
In Louisville on Wednesday, President Trump said he would get, or help get, Gov. Matt Bevin and Sen. Mitch McConnell…
Al Cross: We learned some meaningful things at Fancy Farm; raucous crowd tells us a lot too
FANCY FARM, Ky. – For all its hoopla, the political speaking at the Fancy Farm Picnic rarely has much effect…
KY town with moxie, history of slavery dedicated statue of native, a pioneering black woman journalist
By Al Cross University of Kentucky In a little park amid the main intersection in downtown Russellville, Kentucky, stands a…