By Linda Blackford | Editor
Happy Friday! Earlier this week, reporter McKenna Horsley came upon a strange story: It seemed that this past spring, the political action committee of the Jefferson County teachers union had given $200,000 to a Republican PAC to help elect more pro-public education Republicans in their contested primaries. Logical, I guess, only in the general election, the same PAC is paying for attack ads against JCTA-endorsed candidates. Oh yes, politics, bedfellows, strategies?
Liam Niemeyer also came across something interesting on Thursday morning: court documents that included an executive order from Gov. Beshear regarding the board overseeing KentuckyWired, the problem-plagued organization meant to bring WiFi to all of Kentucky.
There was also another hearing in the case of Jonah Bevin, the adopted child of former Gov. Matt Bevin and his ex-wife, Glenna Bevin. This time Judge Johnson wants to know exactly what kind of education they provided Jonah before they sent him to an abusive boarding school in Jamaica.
And in Commentary, Kentucky has always avoided the worst of cuts to Medicaid. But this time around, it may not work out.
Have a wonderful weekend and happy reading!
The JCTA PAC gave $200,000 to a Republican PAC to try to influence primaries. (File art)
By McKenna Horsley
The Jefferson County Teachers Association’s PAC donated $200,000 to a pro-Republican PAC in the May primary. Now, the same conservative PAC is running attack ads against candidates endorsed by the teachers union.
The authority overseeing the KentuckyWired broadband network has dealt with years of litigation with its private partner Accelecom. (Getty Images)
By Liam Niemeyer
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has issued an executive order overhauling the board overseeing the state’s broadband network KentuckyWired, throwing another wrench into a contentious lawsuit the network is entangled in.
Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson, left, presides over a hearing in the Bevin case on Oct. 15, 2026. Jonah Bevin appeared via video call, seen at right. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)
By Sarah Ladd
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson said she needs more information on the education that former Gov. Matt Bevin and his ex-wife, Glenna, provided for their adopted son, Jonah.
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 Jason Bailey
Over the next few years, Kentucky is facing the largest Medicaid cuts in the program’s history. Starting in January, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act will take Medicaid coverage away from many thousands of Kentuckians. Separately, state Medicaid cuts will go into effect in July unless the 2027 General Assembly restores funding to the program. And in January 2028, the OBBBA will begin lowering Medicaid payments to providers with reductions that will deepen over the following decade.
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