Beshear, Coleman announce plans for December 12 gubernatorial Inauguration at State Capitol
Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky first lady Britainy Beshear announced some of the details surrounding his second term inauguration during a Thursday press conference at the Capitol.
“December 12 is going to be an amazing day for our Commonwealth,” said Britainy Beshear, “and we can’t wait to share it with everybody.” (Follow link to NKyTribune to see entire schedule)
GOP Kentucky lawmaker is backing a bill to remove guns from those in crisis. Can it pass?
A bipartisan team of legislators and a survivor of a mass shooting are working to convince a state deeply rooted in gun rights that a law to temporarily remove a person's firearm could be beneficial.
State Sen. Whitney Westerfield (R-Crofton) is planning to introduce a bill on the matter during the 2024 legislative session, which begins in January. Sen. David Yates (D-Louisville) said he will sign on to the bill as a co-sponsor.
The proposal is backed by mass shooting survivor Whitney Austin, of Louisville, as a way to reduce shootings and suicides. Austin was involved in a 2018 shooting in Cincinnati at Fountain Square, when a gunman opened fire on the lobby of Fifth Third's headquarters. Three people were killed and two were injured, including Austin, who was shot 12 times. (Courier-Journal)
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice commissioner resigns effective Jan. 1
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Vicki Reed has resigned, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.
Beshear, who will begin his second term Dec. 12, also announced that Jeremy Slinker, director of Kentucky Emergency Management, is leaving the administration to take a job with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Reed, who has been the target of criticism from Republican lawmakers, is resigning effective Jan. 1. Beshear said his administration is now hiring for her job. (LINKnky)
Boone County commissioner may seek seat of retiring Sen. John Schickel
Boone County Commissioner Jesse Brewer confirmed with LINK nky that he has filed to run for Sen. John Schickel’s open seat after Schickel announced his retirement earlier this week.
Brewer filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, which is the first step to starting a campaign. This does not necessarily mean Brewer will run for the seat — now that he has filed electronically with KREF, he would need to register with the Secretary of State to officially become a candidate. (LINKnky)
Radio and wrestling magnate, now statesman? Matt Jones wins prestigious civics fellowship
This summer, I did an interview with Kentucky Sports Radio founder Matt Jones about how we can bridge political divides. Jones has a lot of ideas about the ways in which we talk to one another, although many of you laughed at the idea of the prickly sports radio and pro wrestling magnate getting us to kumbaya about politics.
But his ideas have gotten attention from another, more prestigious quarter: Jones announced yesterday he is one of 22 people across the country named to a three-year fellowship with The Aspen Institute and Anti-Defamation League’s Civil Society Fellowship. (Herald-Leader)
Support for expelling Santos swells after ethics report
Momentum is building to expel New York GOP Rep. George Santos after a House Ethics Committee report released Thursday found “substantial evidence” he committed a host of crimes and violated congressional rules. A previous effort from fellow New York Republicans to expel Santos failed because members on both sides of the aisle argued booting him before the ethics investigation or separate criminal proceedings concluded would skirt due process. (The Messenger)
Joe Manchin considers 2024 run — even as polls show voters don’t like him much
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D) indicated this week that he’s open to running for president next year, likely as a third-party candidate.
After his polling numbers tanked in his home state, the right-wing Democrat announced last week that he wouldn’t seek another term as senator, prompting speculation that he might be eyeing a presidential run.
Earlier this week, Manchin told NBC News’s “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that he would “absolutely” consider running — but that he would first travel the country to see if there was an openness among voters to a supposedly “moderate” candidate like himself. (Truthout)
And from the X-verse...
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