Justin Hicks (@justinhicks.lpm.org)

@joesonka.lpm.org Oct 13, 2026, 3:20 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

My latest on fundraising and PACs in Kentucky's statewide races next year, where Rocky Adkins is jumping out to a huge $$$ lead in #kygov race.

And sweet interactive map with @justinhicks.lpm.org!

@justinhicks.lpm.org Oct 7, 2026, 9:29 PM

In the neighborhood…

@joesonka.lpm.org Oct 7, 2026, 4:09 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

My latest 👇 (I made interactive charts!!! 📈📉)

@sylviaruthg.lpm.org Oct 1, 2026, 3:11 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

Here in Frankfort for the first legislator listening session on data centers. We have 9 lawmakers here today (all Dems except for Rep. Grossl). We’ve got a pretty full house here today People came from all over the state (ex. Madison, Pike, Carroll, Mercer, Jefferson, etc)

@joesonka.lpm.org Sep 25, 2026, 7:37 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

Records uncovered by @storiesbyjess.bsky.social and @g-nizzle.bsky.social show JCPS Chief Academic Officer Nathan Balasubramanian ordered staff to cancel a student production of “Ragtime” by duPont Manual High School’s Youth Performing Arts School.

@joesonka.lpm.org Sep 25, 2026, 3:24 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

My latest on ARC, which has just been ordered to pay $18M to creditors and is down to just 8 facilities in Kentucky.

@justinhicks.lpm.org Sep 24, 2026, 12:05 AM

(I fear this actually weirdly made a point I didn’t even mean for it to. I don’t hate it though.)

@justinhicks.lpm.org Sep 24, 2026, 12:04 AM

Honestly it would be the funniest way for Xi to fuck with Trump in these meetings.

@justinhicks.lpm.org Sep 24, 2026, 12:03 AM

PEOPLE: “But the reporters will make noise and drink water from our rural towns and pollute it into a brown sludge of coffee!” INDUSTRY: “So what?! We have to have more educated and civically engaged people or else we will turn into China!! Do you want that? Do you? I didn’t think so!”

@justinhicks.lpm.org Sep 23, 2026, 11:59 PM

Man it sure would be a shame if China started heavily investing in local news and then the U.S. had to race them to make more local news rooms first.

@tessaduvall.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 1:12 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

An editor’s farewell to Bluegrass Politics:

What I remember is how many journalists were packed into the Capitol, either outside of the Secretary of State’s office or waiting in the rotunda. One reporter even brought a folding camp chair. I was there with my colleagues and competition alike and felt such a sense of camaraderie.

Statehouse press corps across America are not as robust as they were in years past. That’s true in Kentucky, too.

But on that Friday afternoon, local journalism felt so alive. I wish more days in Frankfort had that kind of buzz because the halls of power need a vibrant Fourth Estate to provide a watchful eye — every day, not just when there’s the potential for drama.

I will always believe in the importance of local news.

You still need to read John Cheves, who is tireless in his work holding elected leaders and government officials accountable. You still need to read Taylor Six, an incredibly talented criminal justice reporter who is always finding an interesting cases to cover. You still need to read Beth Musgrave, who can do it all, whether that’s grilling UK leaders over secretive travel or monitoring ICE’s impact in the commonwealth. And of course, there is nowhere better to get your Wildcats coverage than the Herald-Leader.

Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Thank you for giving me your trust.

Thank you for following along, and please, don’t let this be the last Bluegrass Politics you read.

Tessa Duvall
Politics and Public Affairs Editor

@kentuckypublicradio.org Sep 22, 2026, 7:34 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

As Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear continues testing the waters for a potential presidential run in 2028, his new book “Go and Do Likewise” hit shelves Tuesday. Here are 5 new revelations we learned from his book:

@kentuckypublicradio.org Sep 22, 2026, 2:42 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

JCPS allows 49 tech firms to collect or process a range of deeply personal information about students: their birthdates, ethnicity, disabilities, medical history, whether they are homeless or in foster care, their family’s economic status, and much more. From @storiesbyjess.bsky.social of KyCIR:

@justinhicks.lpm.org Sep 22, 2026, 1:03 AM

Clerks office says Spencer withdrew from the race at about 4:30 pm today @kentuckypublicradio.org

Following LPM investigation, one school board candidate disqualified, another withdraws www.lpm.org/investigate/...

@rainesford.bsky.social Sep 10, 2026, 8:57 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

I work with some high school journalists in Kentucky. The journalists laid off from the Herald-Leader today are among those I've heard students mention by name, and whose stories they read, share, and aspire to. All those journalists deserved better than this.

@kentuckypublicradio.org Sep 10, 2026, 6:22 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

McClatchy laid off 12 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader and eliminated a majority of its positions, as a part of its deep, nationwide layoffs. It leaves the second-largest newspaper in Kentucky with just two reporters left to cover city and state government.

@joesonka.lpm.org Sep 10, 2026, 3:58 PMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

McClatchy hedge fund absolutely gutted my hometown paper, where I learned to love journalism. Devastating.

@kentuckypublicradio.org Sep 1, 2026, 2:04 AMReposted by @justinhicks.lpm.org

The famed Kentucky author and activist Wendell Berry died at age 92 in his hometown of Henry County.

@justinhicks.lpm.org Jul 31, 2026, 11:46 PM

Family friends have told me they are at the hospital with her now and she is frail but she is released to their / the hospital care.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 31, 2026)
Congressman Morgan McGarvey released the
following statement after Sarafinah Bukirwa, who
was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) at Muhammad Ali International
Airport in Louisville, was released from ICE
custody and admitted to the hospital:
so relieved Sarafinah is finally getting the
care she needs and this nightmare is behind her,
but so many families are still going through it. As
long as this cruel administration continues its
campaign of terror in our communities, we have to
keep standing up for our neighbors.”
Rep. McGarvey has been working with family and
advocates of Bukirwa since she was detained on
July 22 and has continually called for her
immediate release and prompt medical care.

Joe Sonka 😐@joesonka.lpm.orgJul 31, 2026, 9:36 PM

UPDATE: A federal judge in Louisville just ordered the release of a Ugandan woman who says she was denied medical care for sickle cell anemia while in custody of ICE.

lpm.orgUPDATE: Louisville woman with sickle cell to be released from ICE custodyFriends and family said Wednesday a local jail was holding Sarafinah Bukirwa for federal immigration charges and wasn’t giving her proper care.