Austin Horn
@austin-horn.bsky.social
📤 1411
📥 91
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Kentucky politics reporter. Email me at
[email protected]
reposted by
Austin Horn
Charles Ornstein
8 days ago
“The call came from the White House: We have to get this done,” the person said. About three months before the Pentagon announced plans to lend money to Vulcan Elements, Donald Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm took an undisclosed stake in the company.
@robert-faturechi.bsky.social
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The White House Intervened to Get a $620 Million Deal for a Company Tied to Donald Trump Jr.
About three months before the Pentagon announced plans to lend money to Vulcan Elements, Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm took an undisclosed stake in the company.
https://www.propublica.org/article/donald-trump-jr-vulcan-deal-white-house
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Very big Lexington news: Phoebe Bridgers is playing a pop-up show at The Burl tonight.
www.kentucky.com/entertainmen...
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Phoebe Bridgers brings pop-up concert series to The Burl in Lexington. What we know
Phoebe Bridgers has been playing a series of pop-up shows that aren’t announced until the day of the concert. Lexington is the latest location.
https://www.kentucky.com/entertainment/article315855009.html
13 days ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
16 days ago
Congressman Hal Rogers, who is now 88, has won the GOP nomination for Kentucky's 5th Congressional District for the umpteenth time. From when he sat down with
@austin-horn.bsky.social
in December:
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Q&A: KY Rep. Hal Rogers on work in DC, why he’s seeking reelection at 87
Rogers: “I welcome people inspecting my record... my capability, my sanity. But in the end, I’m able to bring things home to East Kentucky.”
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article313653817.html
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reposted by
Austin Horn
First complete reporting county in KY04 GOP primary is Mason County. Massie by 2. This is a good result for Gallrein, imo. Not ideal for Massie. Mason is next door to Massie's home county of Lewis.
16 days ago
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Rep. Andy Barr is KY's GOP US Senate nominee to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell. Here's our story on the race, how Barr got here & what it means.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Central Kentucky congressman wins Senate primary to replace Mitch McConnell
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr beat out former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in primary race to replace longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315727410.html
16 days ago
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An early call for the
#KYSen
GOP race: Rep. Andy Barr wins. More on that race here!
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Central Kentucky congressman wins Senate primary to replace Mitch McConnell
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr beat out former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in primary race to replace longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315727410.html
16 days ago
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Starting KY election thread here. Gallrein and Barr leading the absentee vote in Kenton County. Hard to read too much into it, but it's a good sign for Barr and probably a neutral (or slightly pro-Gallrein) one for Massie/Gallrein.
16 days ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Joe Sonka 😐
16 days ago
The national winner of the 2026 Public Media New Voices Award is.... KPR/LPM's own,
@sylviaruthg.lpm.org
!!!!
www.pmja.org/pmja-present...
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New
#KYSen
: It might seem grim to compare your electoral odds to that of a 90 y/o woman giving birth. But, quoting the Bible, Daniel Cameron did just that. How a faith-on-his-sleeve approach & an odd coalition keep the promise of a Cameron miracle alive.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Daniel Cameron looks to faith as GOP Senate race comes to a close on Election Day
It might seem grim to compare your odds to win to that of an elderly woman giving birth. Citing the Bible, Daniel Cameron did just that.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/election/article315807713.html?tbref=hp
16 days ago
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Massie this, Gallrein that. Read up on the OTHER test of the Trump endorsement in KY: the final campaign days of Rep. Andy Barr, and how his superpower (networking) rocketed him to pole position in the GOP US Senate primary.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Andy Barr leans on friendships in lead-up to final days of GOP Senate race
President Donald Trump’s endorsement has propelled Andy Barr forward, but his longtime connections in Kentucky politics have gone a long way to build his chances at winning Tuesday’s race.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/election/article315804129.html
16 days ago
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Spurs/Thunder most compelling playoff series in a while. The Perfect Player vs The Perfect Team. Alien vs The Machine. Unfair Genetic Advantage vs Unethical Hoops. Jean Girard vs Ricky Bobby. Sports!
17 days ago
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It happened again: a KY House Democratic candidate had someone not registered as a Dem co-sign their filing papers. This time it was in a 'purple' district, and there is a Republican incumbent (moderate GOP Rep. Vanessa Grossl).
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Judge nixes Democrat in ‘purple’ Lexington district from ballot for filing error
The seat, held by Rep. Vanessa Grossl, R-Georgetown, is considered one of the most competitive in the state.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315760486.html
20 days ago
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An underappreciated aspect of the FCPS situation is that the superintendent has been blogging through it. Also underappreciated: FCPS is still an excellent district if we're judging by traditional student outcomes/metrics.
demetrusliggins.com/blog/f/i-can...
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I Cannot Come Down.
There are moments when something you hear settles into your spirit and refuses to leave. Recently, I heard a sermon at church centered on the book of Nehemiah in the Bible, the story of a leader rebui...
https://demetrusliggins.com/blog/f/i-cannot-come-down
20 days ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Lexington Herald-Leader
21 days ago
William Paul, son of Rand Paul, is apologizing for antisemitic remarks made at a Capitol Hill bar, according to a NOTUS report.
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Son of Sen. Rand Paul apologizes for antisemitic comments made to congressman
William Paul, son of Rand Paul, is apologizing for antisemitic remarks made at a Capitol Hill bar, according to a NOTUS report.
https://bit.ly/49HElpR
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New: Thousands of KY Democrats got personalized, AI app-generated letters from KY-06 candidate David Kloiber this week. How he built it, how voters have reacted (some quite negatively) & why he sees it as "me writing them a letter with the help of these tools."
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Got a letter from David Kloiber? KY candidate shows how he used AI to write tons of them
Thousands of Democratic voters in Central Kentucky received AI-created, personalized letters from the KY-06 candidate. Here’s how it works.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315747513.html
21 days ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Kentucky Public Radio
23 days ago
A door security camera shows Democratic candidate Max Morley taking a political advertisement out of a mailbox. He’s one of the three primary challengers hoping to unseat scandal-plagued Kentucky Rep. Daniel Grossberg, whose face and name were on the mailer.
#kyga26
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Video catches Daniel Grossberg challenger taking political ad out of voter’s mailbox
A door camera shows Democratic candidate Max Morley taking a political advertisement out of a mailbox. He’s one of the primary challengers facing scandal-plagued Kentucky Rep. Daniel Grossberg.
https://www.lpm.org/news/2026-05-12/video-catches-daniel-grossberg-challenger-taking-political-ad-out-of-voters-mailbox
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For anyone in The Big Apple: my band Patches plays at Nublu 151 in the Lower East Side tomorrow (May 9), somewhere around 8pm. Come check it out!
27 days ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
28 days ago
The woman from this story has shared a video on Instagram about why she came forward:
www.instagram.com/reel/DYDUbG2...
add a skeleton here at some point
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New: a former college classmate alleges KY state Rep Daniel Grossberg assaulted her & made unwanted sexual advances in 2005 when she was a freshman and he was a 26-yr-old senior. She is making these claims on the record & has an accompanying police report.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Former college classmate of KY Rep. Daniel Grossberg alleges he assaulted her
The woman said Daniel Grossberg assaulted her in 2005 when she was a freshman and he was a senior at Grinnell College in Iowa.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315660197.html
28 days ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Adrian Paul Bryant
29 days ago
Last night saw a fairly feisty mayoral forum, with three challengers consistently accusing incumbent Linda Gorton of not moving the city forward. Her frequent retort? "I am the only on up here who is doing this job."
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Lexington mayor candidates don’t see eye to eye with incumbent over new city hall
Four candidates for Lexington mayor took the stage for the debate hosted by WKYT and the League of Women Voters.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315647813.html?giftCode=7bc83e3f4c2951bb4b3e678b0fad2033be650e0680778a19afdec51ec789bebc&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGn6FGmtFgXaN7EQG6MU81QUDOD1QAb7x4Z2pte7FSjIqPkwEjazQYexLreZug_aem_GYPHnMQveBx_tlIEB547tA
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Personal News: After four years at
@kentucky.com
, I am leaving. My last day is May 22. Helping people understand Kentucky, and holding its powerful to account, has been a dream job. Thanks to every reader and everyone I met along the way! Hope I did Kentucky proud.
about 1 month ago
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New: I went long on Kentucky's US Senate GOP primary. Thoughts on how Barr got the Trump endorsement, Cameron's moves from here, what could be next for Nate Morris & much more. A lot of moving parts in the race, which is still weirder than meets the eye.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Trump endorsed Andy Barr. Is the GOP Senate race over? Does Cameron have a shot?
What worked for Andy Barr, where Daniel Cameron goes from here, and an early spot to watch for Nate Morris’ new ambassador role.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315630100.html
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Adrian Paul Bryant
about 1 month ago
About a week after this mailer came out, Gorton now has an ad on Facebook where the first sentence is: "Lexington mayor is a non-partisan position."
add a skeleton here at some point
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Cameron's consultant responds. “Congrats to Mitch McConnell for getting his guy.”
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Trump endorses Andy Barr for Kentucky US Senate over Daniel Cameron
“Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky,” Trump wrote.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315607450.html
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
about 1 month ago
President Donald Trump has endorsed longtime Central Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr in this year’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Trump endorses Andy Barr for Kentucky US Senate over Daniel Cameron
“Andy Barr has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky,” Trump wrote.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315607450.html
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
about 1 month ago
A plot twist I did NOT see coming. President Donald Trump has asked Nate Morris, a Lexington businessman running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, to bow out of the Republican primary and become an ambassador. From
@austin-horn.bsky.social
:
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Trump: Nate Morris to step aside from Kentucky US Senate race, become ambassador
“I’ve asked Nate to step aside from that Race to take a role in my Administration as an Ambassador,” Trump wrote Friday.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315607285.html
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Big development in Lexington, which prides itself for its small-town-style nonpartisan local elections. Top opponent against Mayor Linda Gorton (a famously anti-partisan Republican) sending out "Democrat" mailers. People have thoughts!
@adrianpbryant.bsky.social
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Lexington mayor candidate labels herself a Democrat. Why it matters in nonpartisan race
Incumbent Mayor Linda Gorton called the mailer “disrespectful” to Lexington voters. It’s not the first time a mayoral candidate has invoked party.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315574395.html
about 1 month ago
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Belatedly posting, but the KET debates this week (on the KY-06 seat Dems are hoping to flip) were good & informative, as always. Lots of areas where Dems disagreed. Republicans were in lockstep with Trump - and without candidate Ralph Alvarado.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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KY-06 Democrats discuss healthcare & more. No Alvarado in pro-Trump GOP debate
Democrats went long on healthcare, AI and ICE. Republicans lauded Trump, agreeing with his false assertion he won the 2020 election.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315559197.html
about 1 month ago
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New wrinkle in the Beshear/UK/Van Tatenhove storyline: The Beshear admin has a case before Van Tatenhove in federal court. Attorney on the opposite side suggests Beshear's recent comments on judge's hiring at UK were "retaliatory." Gov's team disagrees.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Beshear administration has case before judge, new UK dean whose appointment he bashed
“Andy’s a lawyer. He shouldn’t be making comments about judges where he or his administration have cases pending,” an opposing attorney said.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315498925.html
about 1 month ago
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Jacqueline Coleman wants to take the "Lt." off "Lt. Gov." Her allies – political and personal, like her dad – are confident she will ride the Beshear/education wave to do so. “I always knew she had the ability, but I didn’t know she’d ever have the opportunity."
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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‘She’s ready.’ What the Jacqueline Coleman believers and detractors are saying
“She’s someone who, (people) can look at her and see themselves in her,” a personal friend of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315481773.html#storylink=cpy
about 1 month ago
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New: Gov. Andy Beshear insinuated "partisan donors" influenced the UK law school dean’s hiring. He didn't say who. The incoming dean has a long record of trips reimbursed & gifts from the Crafts, UK Athletics' biggest donors, as well as another GOP donor.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Beshear fears ‘partisan donors’ are influencing UK. Who’s he talking about?
Gov. Andy Beshear insinuated partisan donors influenced the new UK law school dean’s hiring. Who was he talking about?
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315487594.html
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Ben Roberts
about 2 months ago
Kentucky has landed one transfer out of the portal so far. Who's next for Mark Pope and the Wildcats? These are the most intriguing, realistic options (for now) as portal season continues:
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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Kentucky needs players from the portal. These are now the most intriguing options
A look at Mark Pope’s best options to fill out the 2026-27 Kentucky basketball roster as transfer portal season rolls on.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article315419691.html
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
about 2 months ago
The strategist behind X Strategies, which is paid by Nate Morris' campaign, called this "fake news." A Morris spox said the campaign has “no relationship” with the influencers identified. But an expert told us this seeming coordination has "all the hallmarks of a top-down astroturf campaign."
add a skeleton here at some point
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New: "On the same day, at the same time, 3 of America's biggest conservative influencers on X all had the same thing to say about KY U.S. Senate candidate Nate Morris." I went long on that campaign, many others across the US & one of MAGA’s biggest young stars.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Network of online influencers back Nate Morris for Senate. Are they getting paid?
They post on X with the same message, at the same time. They have more than a million followers. They’re backing Nate Morris for US Senate.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314980971.html
about 2 months ago
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New: Andy Barr padded his campaign fundraising lead this quarter in the GOP race to replace Mitch McConnell. COH: Barr - $4.17M Cameron - $765k Morris - $581k Also, Harlan Crow, DraftKings CEO & a Walmart heir gave to different candidates.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Barr maintains large lead in GOP Senate fundraising. Democrats start to spend
Harlan Crow, the CEO of DraftKings, a Walton family heir and more: See which Kentucky US Senate candidate they supported.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315429203.html
about 2 months ago
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Notable moments from Monday's Dem Senate debate: - Romans quote on Booker & McGrath: "(They're) 0-4 in federal races. If they were race horses, I would have retired them." - Forsythe's debate debut - Some differences on ICE/McConnell
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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US Senate Dem candidates debate health, McConnell in Forsythe’s first appearance
“If they were race horses, I would have retired them,” one candidate, a horse trainer, said of Amy McGrath and Charles Booker.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315404927.html
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Valarie Honeycutt Spears
about 2 months ago
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Override: Bill that would oust Fayette school board chair becomes law
Fayette school board chairman Tyler Murphy will only be able to serve until the end of 2026 under the law.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315402867.html
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New: After more than 6 years leading Kentucky's Transportation Cabinet, Jim Gray is transitioning to a part-time role advising Gov. Andy Beshear. That was one of three big shakeups at the cabinet level Beshear announced just now.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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Beshear cabinet shakeup: Jim Gray steps down from transportation cabinet & more
The governor named three new cabinet secretaries, including longtime Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray’s replacement.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315409473.html
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
about 2 months ago
ICYMI:
@aacquisto.bsky.social
was on
@wbur.org
's Here & Now to talk about her reporting with
@taylorsixhl.bsky.social
on Kentucky-based Addiction Recovery Care's alleged widespread Medicaid billing fraud.
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
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Kentucky's largest addiction recovery center accused of Medicaid fraud
Prosecutors say Addiction Recovery Care bilked taxpayers out of millions of dollars using questionable billing practices, even allegedly falsifying medical records.
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2026/04/09/kentucky-drug-rehab-fraud
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Ben Roberts
about 2 months ago
A lot has changed with Kentucky basketball this offseason. A lot more will change in the coming days. Here's a look at the current roster situation after nearly every player on the team has made an initial announcement on what's next:
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article315349330.html
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Valarie Honeycutt Spears
about 2 months ago
www.kentucky.com/sports/high-...
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https://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/article315342280.html
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New: Kentucky TV viewers could be forgiven for thinking the GOP US Senate primary was a 2-man race. Ads on Nate Morris & Andy Barr are ubiquitous. But that changed this week w/a PAC ad hitting Daniel Cameron. Here's the ad & what it means for the race.
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315353925.html
about 2 months ago
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“It was just herding cattle: get them in, get them out, get them in, get them out.” Really great reporting from
@aacquisto.bsky.social
and
@taylorsixhl.bsky.social
on KY's addiction treatment empire & the allegedly fraudulent billing practices fueling its rise.
www.kentucky.com/news/state/a...
about 2 months ago
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After an early draft/version was posted & taken down last night, the final Quantus Insights survey comes out this morning at: Massie - 46.8% Gallrein - 37.7% Undecided - 14%
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315347405.html
about 2 months ago
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New: First independent poll of the KY-04 GOP primary has Massie up ~10, but short of a majority, against Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein. Quantus Insights pegged the race at: Massie 47.4%, Gallrein 36.8%. They're rated a "B/C" pollster by Nate Silver
www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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First KY-04 poll: Massie has lead, not majority, over Trump-endorsed Gallrein
Slightly more GOP voters surveyed said they prioritized independence over allegiance to President Donald Trump.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315347405.html
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Lexington Herald-Leader
about 2 months ago
Sen. Mitch McConnell spoke at the University of Kentucky about federal funding, while also offering his support of the war in Iran.
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McConnell: Attacking Iran’s military capabilities is ‘very important’
Sen. Mitch McConnell spoke at the University of Kentucky about federal funding, while also offering his support of the war in Iran.
https://bit.ly/3NP2JhW
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Tessa Duvall
about 2 months ago
President Robert Stivers' first public statement on the recent state Supreme Court ruling in the Judge Julie Goodman impeachment matter was released with a full schedule for a Senate trial.
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Will KY Senate abide by Supreme Court’s order to halt judge’s impeachment proceedings?
Senate officials have not committed to abiding by the Kentucky Supreme Court’s order. Here’s what we know.
https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315340037.html
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Cameron Drummond
about 2 months ago
Day one of the NCAA transfer portal is over. Here’s what happened for Mark Pope and UK basketball: ⬇️
www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...
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Day one of the transfer portal is over. Here’s what happened for UK basketball
The latest transfer portal news and updates for Mark Pope and Kentucky basketball.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article315326077.html
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New: Andy Barr's campaign "parted ways" with its campaign manager last week, days after old social media posts criticizing Trump (“loser,” a “stain on our party," etc) were surfaced by conservative media. That & more in this week's insider.
amp.kentucky.com/news/politic...
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KY Politics Insider: Barr’s campaign manager out & MTG ‘Jewish billionaires’ comment
Speaking during a “money bomb” event for Rep. Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene made remarks since denounced as antisemitic.
https://amp.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315327107.html
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Austin Horn
Joe Sonka 😐
2 months ago
The Elon Musk-funded Fight For Kentucky PAC that is supporting Nate Morris in the Kentucky Senate race now has these mailers out against Andy Barr, the guy with the “it’s not a sin to be white” TV ads.
#kysen
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