Wednesday Political News and Notes

COVID is surging, a special session is probably coming soon to deal with it, and a Trump "Freedom Festival" is coming to Kentucky – your News and Notes for Wednesday. As always, if you find this sort of post valuable, let me know.

▶︎ As Kentucky reported over 4,600 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, an even more ominous number was shared: over 2,000 persons are hospitalized for it across the state. Dr. Steven Stack said that the state could soon run out of ICU beds, and that hospitals are once again beginning to postpone or cancel other medical procedures in response. (H-L, KHN)

▶︎ As an example of the impact this is having –

My father is in Norton B'boro hospital for a non-COVID, non-critical issue. Been in the ER for 24 hours because they are 20 deep waiting for rooms.

Change your behavior because there are ripple effects. #WearAMask

— Ben Wilson (@mynameiswilson) August 24, 2021

And this –

By midday Tuesday, some of @Norton_Health immediate care clinics listed wait times for walk-ins above 10 hours. One doctor blames the surge of COVID-19 cases.

She told @AshleighMNews it's "a flood of patients like we've never ever seen before." https://t.co/NxZUgYRMsj

— Spectrum News 1 Kentucky (@SpectrumNews1KY) August 25, 2021

▶︎ Robert Goforth, who was re-elected last fall even after he was indicted for assaulting his wife, has resigned his seat in the Kentucky House. (C-J)

▶︎ A retired attorney described as a "conservative firebrand" is planning a rally for supporters of Donald Trump on September 11th – the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States.

He is planning for thousands of people to come to the free rally on his 138-acre farm south of Covington. Speakers include Kimberly Guilfoyle and Tomi Lahren. (C-J)

▶︎ Louisville's Pride Festival has been cancelled for the second year in a row, due to the upsurge in COVID cases. (WHAS)

▶︎ And finally, former Louisville councilman David Tandy has announced he has formed a new PAC dedicated to defeating Rand Paul in 2022. The PAC is named Onward Kentucky, and will support whichever candidate wins the Democratic primary next spring. (KY Fried Politics)

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