Ryan Van Velzer

Trump presses sanctuary cities to work with ICE, but few are budging Cities like Boston, Chicago and Portland are facing the threat of lawsuits and federal troop takeovers. But leaders in most sanctuary cities are not compromising on protecting immigrants.

Louisville is the only city that has agreed to drop key policies that had restricted police and sheriffs from assisting ICE in making arrests. And Trump has faced a string of losses in court, including an injunction that prevents threats against 50 localities.
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...

Daviess County Public Library’s newest board appointment splits community as officials call for ‘healing’ Tim Kline is an attorney with 15 years of experience and a pastor at the Christ the Redeemer parish, associated with the Anglican Church of North America. His appointment may prove pivotal in an ongoi...

Kline said concerns about certain adolescent and young adult books discussing sexuality and diversity have some merit, but did not express the belief that books containing LGBTQ+ themes are inherently harmful to children in Daviess County. From WKU:

Utility bills for northern Kentuckians expected to rise following Duke Energy rate increase Utility bills for northern Kentuckians in five counties are expected to go up.

The Public Service Commission approved a $40 million rate increase for Duke Energy's northern Kentucky customers in an order last week. From @weku.bsky.social

Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.

Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN

Huge loss for WDRB. @jriley.bsky.social is one of the top investigative reporters in the state. I hope he keeps reporting on Kentucky.

Amy McGrath announces another bid for US Senate in Kentucky Democrat Amy McGrath, who has lost two high-profile races for Congress, announced a bid for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s open seat Monday.

Democrat Amy McGrath, who has lost two high-profile races for Congress, announced a bid for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s open seat Monday. www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...

Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: ‘I feel defeated’ The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents with Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 37 people in the raid.

www.wbez.org/immigration/...

Louisville mayor taps seasoned politicians to fill County Clerk, Sheriff vacancies Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg appointed two well-known Democratic politicians to takeover vacancies in the clerk’s and sheriff's offices on Friday.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg appointed two well-known Democratic politicians to takeover vacancies in the clerk’s and sheriff's offices on Friday. www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...

Jury finds Roebling protest journalist guilty of 1 misdemeanor, not guilty of 3 others Covington Police arrested CityBeat photo intern Lucas Griffith during a march on the Roebling Bridge in July. The case has made national headlines and drawn protest from press freedom groups.

Covington Police arrested CityBeat photo intern Lucas Griffith during a march on the Roebling Bridge in July. The case has made national headlines and drawn protest from press freedom groups. www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...

Wind turbines are slowly emerging in Kentucky’s energy scene, but some communities are hesitant As more renewable energy sources come onto the grid, Kentucky is trying to find its role in this emerging economy.

Wind turbines are slowly emerging in Kentucky’s energy scene, but some communities are hesitant www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...

NPR’s Steve Inskeep on Andy Beshear and public radio’s future Steve Inskeep came to Kentucky to interview Gov. Andy Beshear and spoke with LPM’s Bill Burton about Beshear's ambition as well as the outlook for public radio.

Steve Inskeep came to Kentucky to interview Gov. Andy Beshear and spoke with LPM’s Bill Burton about Beshear's ambition as well as the outlook for public radio. bit.ly/4gUvPX1

In Trump country, a Democrat critiques Trump — and talks of succeeding him NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear about his cross-party appeal in a state that has always overwhelmingly voted for Trump.

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear about his cross-party appeal in a state that has always overwhelmingly voted for Trump. bit.ly/4nZLeHS

Digging In: Trump admin tries to deport longtime Indiana businessman suffering from a brain tumor Federal authorities want to deport an Indiana resident who has a green card, which grants permanent residency in the U.S. They kept him in custody after a judge said he could be released on bond.

Federal authorities want to deport an Indiana resident who has a green card, which grants permanent residency in the U.S. They kept him in custody after a judge said he could be released on bond. www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...

$20 million grant to help propel development at former Jeffboat site in Indiana Plans have been ongoing for the past few years for the roughly mile-long former Jeffboat property.

Planners involved with a massive redevelopment project along the Ohio River in Jeffersonville say a recent grant will help catapult movement on the endeavor. bit.ly/3VL1Qak

Louisville's Anti-Displacement Commission finally gets off the ground The Anti-Displacement Commission will track housing developments that receive city resources to protect residents from gentrification.

Members of Louisville’s Anti-Displacement Commission met for the first time Tuesday afternoon. The Anti-Displacement Commission will track housing developments that receive city resources to protect residents from gentrification. bit.ly/4gNXDfE

On trial for journalism in Kentucky. Two months after their arrests while covering a protest, a pair of local reporters face criminal charges.

Press freedom alert in Kentucky: Two journalists face trial in Kenton County, after they were arrested in July for being at a local protest they were reporting on. The protest was by people speaking out against ICE's detention of a chaplain in Cincinnati.

Speed Art Museum cuts education department, citing revenue pitfalls Kentucky’s largest art museum gutted its Learning, Engagement and Belonging department in charge of education programs and community outreach.

Kentucky’s largest art museum gutted its Learning, Engagement and Belonging department in charge of education programs and community outreach. www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...

Kentucky has kicked people off of food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the full story With food insecurity rising, Kentucky continues to aggressively investigate individuals on fraud allegations, with some legal experts claiming they rely too much on faulty evidence.

With food insecurity rising, Kentucky continues to aggressively investigate individuals on fraud allegations, with some legal experts claiming they rely too much on faulty evidence. An investigation from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org

Kentucky has kicked people off of food benefits using data that doesn’t tell the full story With food insecurity rising, Kentucky continues to aggressively investigate individuals on fraud allegations, with some legal experts claiming they rely too much on faulty evidence.

Kentucky is so aggressive in disqualifying people from SNAP benefits that the state has the second highest number of per-capita administrative disqualifications in the nation, behind Florida, according to the most recent federal data from 2023. www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...

Kentucky Congressmen ask House leadership to leave hemp ‘loophole’ open Several Kentucky Congressmen called on U.S. House leadership to block budget language that would ban certain hemp-derived products, joining hemp farmers.

Several Kentucky Congressmen called on U.S. House leadership to block budget language that would ban certain hemp-derived products, joining hemp farmers. www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...

Targeted by Trump, Rep. Thomas Massie teams up with Rand Paul for district tour Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie is facing attacks from President Donald Trump, but was lent a hand by Sen. Rand Paul in a six-stop tour through his district.

Kentucky GOP Congressman Thomas Massie is facing attacks from President Donald Trump, but was lent a hand by Sen. Rand Paul in a six-stop tour through his district. www.lpm.org/news/2025-09...

He Has a Green Card and a Brain Tumor. DHS Wants to Deport Him for Forgery With No Proof. Paramjit Singh is going blind in jail. DHS wants to deport him for a forgery conviction — but they’ve produced no record that one exists.

Paramjit Singh is going blind while in ICE detention in Kenton County Jail, KY. He’s been a green card holder since 1994.

DHS wants to deport him for a forgery conviction — but they’ve produced no record that one exists.

story for The Intercept:
theintercept.com/2025/09/26/i...

Kentucky school districts consider ‘moral instruction’ programs as the attorney general weighs in As an Ohio-based religious education group works to implement “moral instruction” in Kentucky public schools under a new law, the state’s attorney general offered guidance this week to districts consi...

As an Ohio-based religious education group works to implement “moral instruction” in Kentucky public schools under a new law, the state’s attorney general offered guidance this week to districts considering the program. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org #kyga26

Public radio is pretty great, isn't it? That's why we need YOUR help to keep our beloved station chugging along for 40 more years!

Leave us a birthday message and gift and wmmt.org/donate! Tune in at 88.7FM or wmmt.org to the drive to catch your favorite shows and hear special guests and events!

Thousands of senior Kentuckians likely to go back on the waitlist for meal support Kentucky officials told agencies that provide senior nutrition programs that they will no longer receive a higher level of support that allowed them to eliminate waitlists.

Citing a budget shortfall, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration told area development districts that distribute senior nutrition support they would not be able to maintain higher funding levels. That means 1000s of seniors will likely go back on waitlists for meals. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org

Louisville officials want state to fast-track Youth Detention Center renovations Louisville Metro Council will vote on the resolution asking the state to “expedite” the reopening next Thursday.

Louisville officials want state to fast-track Youth Detention Center renovations. From @byrobertor.lpm.org

Give for Good Louisville Give and live generously on September 18!

Please consider giving to @lpm.org today as part of Louisville's Give For Good day!

Congress has completely defunded us, so we now rely 100% on community support to continue our work of providing high-quality watchdog journalism to the city and all of Kentucky.

Happy Constitution Day, everybody

Western Ky. native Logan Forsythe joins U.S. Senate race First-time candidate Logan Forsythe told Kentucky Public Radio he is getting into the U.S. Senate race to fight for the social programs he relied on growing up.

First-time candidate Logan Forsythe, a Democrat, told Kentucky Public Radio he is getting into the U.S. Senate race to fight for the social programs he relied on growing up. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org

Periodic reminder: student journalists in Appalachia, young writers in Appalachia, young folks in Appalachia who see something happening in their community they want to write about! Please pitch. (If you need pitch advice, message me! There's guidance in the link below but glad to brainstorm.)