Gov. Andy Beshear officially asks Mitch McConnell for some sort of sign of life.

NEW: The rumors of Mitch McConnell’s death appear to be greatly exaggerated. (At least, for now.) hellbendernewsroom.com/news/politic...

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear knows nothing about Mitch McConnell’s condition. “I don’t even know if he’s been in the hospital for several weeks.” hellbendernewsroom.com/news/electio...

We are the only wealthy, western democracy that doesn't ensure healthcare for its people. I'll keep fighting to expand healthcare for Kentuckians while Congress and the KY supermajority do the opposite. hellbendernewsroom.com/news/healthc... @oliviakrauth.bsky.social

NEW: Lee Specialty Clinic is saved—for now. hellbendernewsroom.com/news/healthc...

Yes hi hello Beshear can’t simply pick someone to replace McConnell, should McConnell die while in office. Does not work like that. hellbendernewsroom.com/news/electio...

Spox from McConnell: “Senator McConnell is fully engaged with staff on Senate business and Kentucky matters and is very appreciative of the outstanding care he is receiving.”

Just checking: Is everyone here following Hellbender Newsroom on TikTok? We’re trying to hit 1K followers so we can put a link in our bio — plz assist! www.tiktok.com/@hellbendern...

just remembered zoup closed

From the Portland Press Herald in Maine, by former CJ reporter @billykobin.bsky.social: A former Kentucky governor has a warrant out for his arrest after missing deadlines in a child support and divorce case — and his western Maine home is a part of the drama.

A rather feisty Beshear presser today...

#BREAKING: Dr. Bill Bradford named acting Fayette County superintendent. School board has voted to review Demetrus Liggins’ employment and place him on administrative leave. #FCPS #LIGGINS

NEW: Only about 5% of county leaders in Kentucky asked Beshear to keep gas prices a bit lower. hellbendernewsroom.com/news/economy...

Matt Bevin put out a atatement threatening to release his son’s juvenile health and criminal records. Jonah Bevin responded in a statement: “It is also exactly like my dad to make an offer of blackmail look like help."

The Kentucky Senate knows.

NEW: Who lobbied lawmakers on data centers in #KYGA26? + what HB 593’s sponsor says about the future of data centers regs as we start the interim session. hellbendernewsroom.com/news/politic...

The recanvass is complete in Louisville's House District 44, and there was no change in the vote results. Unless Rep. Chester-Burton seeks a formal recount, that means she loses the Dem nomination by 5 votes to Kenya Wade. There is no Republican running this fall. #kyga26

#INBOX | Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear endorses Zach Dembo for Congress in the 6th District Congressional race. #ky06

At long last, some personal news: I'm officially the Kentucky political correspondent for Hellbender Newsroom, a brand-new publication from @couriernewsroom.bsky.social 🦎

Hey Kentucky! I’m looking for thoughts on data centers for an upcoming story. Drop your thoughts below + RT to get this out to more folks! forms.gle/fxXNhe428jCd...

#INBOX | A new Public Policy Polling survey from the Democratic Lieutenant of 650 likely Kentucky Democratic primary voters shows Jacqueline Coleman as the clear frontrunner in the 2027 Democratic governor’s race. In a potential matchup, Coleman leads Rocky Adkins 40%-14%, a 26-point margin.

Kentucky House Rep. Kim Banta, who lost her primary by 13 votes, is conceding defeat and not requesting a vote recanvass or recount. #kyga26

🚨💅🏻🚨💅🏻🚨

#NEW | 3 incumbents out from state legislature House District 30 (Louisville) - Daniel Grossberg (D) lost to Mitra Subedi House District 44 (Shively) - Beverly Chester-Burton (D) lost to Kenya Wade by 5-vote margin (43.7% to 43.6%) House District 63 - Kim Banta (R) lost by 13 votes to Cole Cuzick

After making going after trans women at the state Capitol his entire personality for more than a year, Rep. Bill Wesley lost his state senate primary and is now a lame duck.

Bottoms up

Massie is now toasting the crowd with a glass of raw milk, which is a very Massie thing to do.

Massie: “I accidentally didn't mean to do this. It started out as an election and it turned into a movement.”

Read @oliviakrauth.bsky.social's breakdown for @queerkentucky.bsky.social of all 10 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that failed at the Kentucky state legislature this year, and the voices and groups that worked to make it happen. queerkentucky.com/kentucky-no-...

NEW: Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman's in for Kentucky's 2027 governor's race. Who could join her? thegallerypass.substack.com/p/colemans-i...

#Beshear: #Coleman “is a great lieutenant governor, she’s gonna be a great candidate, and if she’s elected she’ll be a great governor.” Beshear adds, as head of the Democratic Gov Association, he’s barred from endorsing.

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman is officially running to be Kentucky’s next governor.

Rep. Bray tells me his legislation to regulate data centers in Kentucky is now dead for the #kyga26 session. It was pulled out of a bill that just cleared a House budget committee. He says the Senate and LG&E were its opponents to making it across finish line.

Senate President Robert Stivers responded to a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling ordering lawmakers to halt the impeachment of a Lexington judge, but it’s unclear if the Senate will comply with the order or move forward with a trial. @mckennahorsley.bsky.social kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/08/k...

Senate Bill 59 would criminally penalize those who use tax dollars to advocate for or against a public question on the ballot.

Latest from me: In a powerful rebuke, the Kentucky Supreme Court ruled 5-1 that the state House acted outside of its constitutional authority when it impeached Judge Julie Muth Goodman. “This would not be co-equal. It would not be constitutional. It would be tyrannical.”

New: As expected, Kentucky’s last-second attempt to kick trans people out of teaching failed. #kyga26 queerkentucky.com/anti-trans-t...

Finally know what the deal is with SB 4. No more spots appointed by the state treasurer, JCPS board would drop to five seats instead of seven, all five of those seats will be on the ballot this fall in new board districts, but then JCPS would draw their own maps in the future. #kyga26

Happy Veto Period Eve to those who celebrate! SB 1 got a floor amendment last night that would basically merge it with SB 4 — changes to how much power the JCPS super vs board has, plus new board seats boundaries. #kyga26

very, very important fact check here by @oliviakrauth.bsky.social queerkentucky.com/kentucky-tra...

I’m monitoring all things Frankfort today + tomorrow for Queer Kentucky! #kyga26 Follow along with our live blog here: queerkentucky.com/kentucky-202...

Shame on @pinknews.bsky.social for getting the reporting so wrong. Here's the record as established by @oliviakrauth.bsky.social. ==> Fact check: No, Kentucky is not about to quietly kick trans teachers out of the classroom

It's Christmas Tree Bill Season in Frankfort! Rep. Hart just walked by me speaking loudly on the phone: "would you be willing to add my fluoride amendment.” That's his bill to make fluoridation of water systems optional, which has stalled in the Senate. #kyga26

a public entity filled a half-dozen records requests from me in the timeframe required under law, without complaints, delays, rejections, or pushbacks. i was unaware that is a thing they could do.

I'm pretty sure 3% is the highest that Beshear has polled in any presidential poll, unless I missed any. The latest fundraising email from his super PAC highlighted his time campaigning recently in New Hampshire.

At long last, the House is giving Sen. Chris McDaniel’s bill on gubernatorial pardons a committee hearing tomorrow. Incredible. #kyga26

"'Your arrest warrant will be issued today,' Jefferson Family Court Judge Angela Johnson said in imposing the sentence on Bevin, who was not present in the courtroom and attended by Zoom, though he had been ordered to appear in person for the hearing."

As we race to the veto period, remember here’s a list of all of this year’s shell bills to maybe keep an eye on #kyga26

#NEW | KY House of Representatives vote 73-14 to send articles of impeachment to the Senate against sitting Fayette County Circuit Judge Julie Goodman. Next up: A trial will now place in the Senate before the end of #kyga26.