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
Read More
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…
Al Cross: McGrath stumbles, Broihier steps up, others in wings, then there’s Mitch McConnell
The very idea that Kentucky voters would turn out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell next year, given his and their…
Al Cross: Beshear, Bevin, Alvarado finagle with the facts, but everyone wants their own version of truth
People and politicians have always wanted their own versions of the truth, facts and science be damned, but the modern…
Al Cross: More questions arise about governor’s race as Bevin continues to dig hole and Beshear advances
When America’s most unpopular governor limped through last month’s four-way Republican primary with 52 percent of the vote, losing 31…
Al Cross: Now that the governor’s race is down to a grudge match, expect a scorched-earth campaign
Kentucky voters delivered two mild surprises in Tuesday’s primaries for governor: Rocky Adkins ran a strong second to Democratic Attorney…
Al Cross: The primary looms and so do choices; voters may be asking, ‘Who am I most tired of?’
The race for governor of Kentucky is occasionally a harbinger of the contest that begins or ends the four-year election…
Al Cross: Primary candidates trying to attract voters with largely irrelevant, misleading arguments
If you’re one of the relatively few Kentuckians who will vote in the May 21 primary for statewide constitutional offices,…