Ryan Van Velzer

Early UPS crash report indicates failure of left-engine hardware during takeoff in Louisville A newly released preliminary investigation has found cracks in hardware meant to hold the left engine to the UPS cargo plane that crashed, killing and injuring dozens of people in Louisville.

A newly released preliminary investigation has found cracks in hardware meant to hold the left engine to the UPS cargo plane that crashed, killing and injuring dozens of people in Louisville.

I also enjoyed the mention of the Bob Murray black lung piece by @davemistich.bsky.social.

YouTube video by LastWeekTonight Public Media: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver and Co did a great explanation of what public media does, and who exactly the funding recission actually hurts (Hint: it's not liberal elites.) Also very proud to see my old friend and former WBEZ reporter Lauren Chooljian featured for her amazing work.

youtu.be/yknMJOgy2pA?...

5 takeaways from KyCIR’s latest season of Dig This season of Dig examines the systemic failings that allowed 20 years of child sex abuse to go unchecked.

Here's 5 key findings from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social's reporting on how Louisville leaders failed to properly investigate allegations of child sexual abuse by two ex-JCPS football coaches.
Hear the full story in the excellent 3rd season of KyCIR's podcast Dig: www.lpm.org/podcast/dig

UPS Airlines president makes appearance in Louisville post devastating crash, amid lawsuit With a lawsuit brewing, UPS Airlines President Bill Moore joined Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg Tuesday to offer support for impacted families and businesses.

With a lawsuit brewing, UPS Airlines President Bill Moore joined Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg Tuesday to offer support for impacted families and businesses. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

John Oliver had masterful segment on public media and how pulling federal money hurt rural consumers legislators said they were defending, while making it more likely those stations need NPR and PBS. And he's doing a cool auction to raise money. WATCH: https://loom.ly/t7FRhXc

Kentucky bill could turn advocates into felons for using public resources on ballot questions After Kentucky school district officials spoke out against a constitutional amendment to allow public dollars to go toward private schools using an official account, GOP lawmakers are calling for crim...

After Kentucky school district officials spoke out against a constitutional amendment to allow public dollars to go toward private schools using an official account, GOP lawmakers are calling for criminal penalties.

John Oliver gave a shoutout to the previous incarnation of our NPR collaborative last night! And hey, WVPB’s still a part of our current collaborative, along with stations across Kentucky and Tennessee: www.lpm.org/tags/appalac...

CPB agrees to revive a $36 million deal with NPR killed after Trump's pressure The Corporation for Public Broadcasting agreed Monday to fulfill a $35.9 million, multi-year contract with NPR that it had yanked after pressure from the Trump White House.

News:

To settle NPR's lawsuit, CPB revives $36 million deal it killed after Trump’s pressure

My story for NPR:

www.npr.org/2025/11/17/n...

LISTEN: Horse trainer Dale Romans talks immigration, party politics in bid for US Senate Horse trainer and Democrat Dale Romans has announced his candidacy for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat. He’s facing a crowded race ahead of the May primary.

In an interview with Kentucky Public Radio at his barn in Churchill Downs, Romans said the U.S. immigration system is “broken” and said he would fight to give working immigrants “legal status,” but not a path to citizenship.

LMPD officer used ICE keyword for license plate search. Now he’s under investigation Louisville Metro Police is investigating an officer’s use of its license plate reader database after KyCIR revealed he listed an ICE-related keyword on over 100 searches.

The Louisville Metro Police Department is investigating an officer’s use of its license plate reader database after KyCIR revealed he listed an ICE-related keyword on over 100 searches.

Thomas Massie-led petition on Epstein files gets final signature, queuing up floor vote Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie has secured the petition signatures needed to force a vote on releasing all Department of Justice files on Jeffrey Epstein.

Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie has secured the petition signatures needed to force a vote on releasing all Department of Justice files on Jeffrey Epstein. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

‘A real injustice’ — Communities call on TVA to cancel Kingston gas project Residents and environmental groups rallied against Enbridge’s construction of a 122-mile methane gas pipeline that will cut through Tennessee.

For years, residents have called on the #TennesseeValleyAuthority to meet future demand w/ clean, affordable energy. But the public utility is moving forward w/ a massive methane gas buildout that will harm local communities & the environment, & worsen the climate crisis.
https://loom.ly/W2WZqc4

Louisville leaders identify 14 victims in UPS plane crash On Wednesday, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Jefferson County Coroner said they have formally confirmed the identities of all the victims who were recovered from the plane crash site.

On Wednesday, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Jefferson County Coroner said they have formally confirmed the identities of all the victims who were recovered from the plane crash site. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

To cut or not to cut Kentucky’s income tax next year, that is the question Kentucky GOP lawmakers appeared to disagree Monday on whether the state should further cut the income tax next year after failing to meet the budget trigger.

Kentucky GOP lawmakers appeared to disagree Monday on whether the state should further cut the income tax next year after failing to meet the budget trigger. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

President Donald Trump’s administration has promised financial relief for soybean farmers when the federal government reopens. The hardwood lumber industry, which has been struggling with impacts from Trump’s first term, wants to be included. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

McConnell, Paul clash over Senate provision that critics say will destroy US hemp industry Kentucky GOP Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell are clashing over a provision that opponents say will destroy the growing hemp industry in America.

Kentucky GOP Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell are clashing over a provision that opponents say will destroy the growing hemp industry in America. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

Louisville resident, business owner sue UPS, GE and Boeing after deadly plane crash A Louisville resident and the owner of two businesses near the fatal plane crash are seeking a class action lawsuit against UPS, GE and Boeing.

A Louisville resident and the owner of two businesses near the fatal plane crash are seeking a class action lawsuit against UPS, GE and Boeing. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

Deep in Trump country, coal miners with black lung say government is suffocating the 'working man' Lisa Emery, a respiratory therapist, is deeply concerned about West Virginia coal miners suffering from black lung disease.

Really good AP story on how the Trump administration is affecting coal miners. apnews.com/article/blac...

Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet.

apnews.com/article/trum...

UPS identifies crew members aboard cargo plane that crashed in Louisville As the investigation forges ahead, search and rescue teams continue to search through the rubble of the UPS plane crash with nine people still unaccounted for.

The names of the flight crew from the UPS crash in Louisville have been released: www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

Search underway amid rubble of UPS plane crash that killed 12 in Louisville As the investigation forges ahead, search and rescue teams continue to search through the rubble of the UPS plane crash with nine people still unaccounted for.

As the investigation forges ahead, search and rescue teams continue to search through the rubble of the UPS plane crash in Louisville with nine people still unaccounted for. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...

Beshear deploying Kentucky National Guard to food banks Gov. Andy Beshear is sending the National Guard to help staff food banks as about 600,000 Kentuckians experience delays in SNAP benefits from the federal government.

Gov. Andy Beshear says he’s sending the National Guard to staff food banks as about 600,000 Kentuckians experience delays in SNAP benefits from the federal government. From WKU:

Thank you!

Oh here's a video @justinhicks.lpm.org just finished talking about his reporting from the field the last two days: www.instagram.com/reel/DQsQ19N...

Thank you Dawn and all your friends who support local media!

A thread from Louisville Public Media showing the importance of local journalism. When you donate to your local public media station or subscribe to a locally owned outlet, this is what you are supporting: news that is important to your community covered by your neighbors.

Thank you!