
By Linda Blackford | Editor
The calls are coming from inside Democratic Party circles: Gov. Andy Beshear should “do something” about the month-long silence surrounding the ailing Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell. What, exactly, he can do is a little more complicated, as reporter McKenna Horsley explains.
Speaking of governors, Beshear sidekick Rocky Adkins announced his run for governor in multiple ways on Tuesday, culminating with a speech in front of a packed house at The Burl in Lexington.
A new data center is being proposed for an old steel mill in Greenup County, one even bigger than the TeraWulf project that may get built nearby.
And today’s commentary explores just how harmful Kentucky’s proposed Medicaid cuts would be.
Thanks for reading! We appreciate your support.

Governor Andy Beshear speaks with Senator Mitch McConnell and McConnell’s wife Elaine Chao during the 143rd Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)
By McKenna Horsley
A lot of people are asking Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to “do something” about U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s absence from the Senate.
Former Illinois Republican congressman turned political commentator Adam Kinzinger said on Threads Tuesday: “I think the Governor of Kentucky has every right and responsibility to either see Mitch or declare the seat vacant.”

Rocky Adkins announced his 2027 run for governor in Lexington, Kentucky, on July 21, 2026. (Photo by Arden Barnes for Kentucky Lantern)
By McKenna Horsley
Rocky Adkins, a former Democratic leader in the Kentucky House and senior advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear from Eastern Kentucky, is officially running for governor.

A server room in a data center. (Photo by Getty Images)
By Liam Niemeyer
An international company wants to build a hyperscale data center — consuming the equivalent of more than 10% of the electricity produced in the state of Kentucky during the summer — at the site of the former site of the AK Steel mill in Eastern Kentucky.

Hundreds of Kentuckians with disabilities and their loved ones and advocates came to Frankfort and pleaded with elected officials to find a way to protect the services they receive through Medicaid waivers. July 17, 2026. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)
COMMENTARY
By Steve Katsikas
A 4% cut may sound small. In a state budget, it may look like fiscal discipline. But Kentucky’s Medicaid reimbursement cut is the kind of decision that can save money on paper while costing taxpayers more in real life.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Thanks so much for reading Morning Lantern. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.