By Linda Blackford| Editor
Kentuckians across 18 counties are beginning cleanup from yet another round of devastating floods. The dead are being identified, FEMA is being called. Sadly, we know what to do. Think about this: Gov. Beshear has declared a state of emergency for flooding seven times in the past five years. This is not something we should be experts at, but we are.
Speaking of torrential heat (Happy Fourth of July!) and bitter cold, a coalition of groups are asking the Public Service Commission to truly study why our utility rates are so high, particularly in places like Eastern Kentucky.
Meanwhile, a judicial watchdog group is wary of Beshear’s involvement in a Court of Appeals race after he attended a fundraiser for one of the candidates.
And as we continue to celebrate our nation’s anniversaries, think about one for the proud Kentucky redbird.
Crews worked on Austin Scott Road in Cumberland County after flooding across the state on June 28, 2026. (Photo courtesy Cumberland County Fiscal Court)
By Sarah Ladd, McKenna Horsley, and Liam Niemeyer
The three people who died in weekend floods in Madison County have been identified. Gov. Andy Beshear said in a Sunday afternoon update that teams are continuing the search and rescue phase while also starting damage assessments. The death toll remained at four people.
A matrix of electric utility meters for Louisville Gas and Electric. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)
By Liam Niemeyer
A coalition of consumer advocacy, environmental and renewable energy groups is calling on Kentucky’s utility regulator to study various aspects of utility affordability for ratepayers, including the potential costs of data centers and fossil fuels.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks during the Michigan Democratic Party Legacy Dinner in Detroit on April 18, 2026. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
By McKenna Horsley
A Kentucky judicial watchdog group says it is concerned about Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s involvement in the upcoming Court of Appeals election.
The Kentucky Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee said in a Saturday statement that Beshear has been fundraising for Court of Appeals Judge Will Moynahan, who is currently facing Fayette Circuit Court Judge Lucy VanMeter.
Cardinals were recognized as the state bird of Kentucky in 1826, the first state to do so. (Getty Images)
COMMENTARY
By Dan Stone
A century ago, in 1926, Kentucky lawmakers adopted “the native redbird, commonly known as the Kentucky cardinal… [as] the official state bird of Kentucky (KRS 2.080).” In doing so, Kentucky pioneered environmental stewardship, becoming the first US state to formally adopt a state bird.
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