Tessa Duvall

@tessaduvall.bsky.social

2908 Followers 565 Following

Politics & Public Affairs Editor for the Lexington @kentucky.com‬ & @bluegrasspolitics.bsky.social. Kentuckian. Hilltopper. Parks & Rec aficionado. Pen snob. Aspiring adult.

Andy Beshear @AndyBeshearKY · 1h I know there are a lot of folks wondering about the significance of August 3 regarding a potential Senate vacancy. I want everyone to know that this date has no legal impact on my options should there be a vacancy this year. Worth a reminder, right now, there’s one less vote for the SAVE Act, Trump’s war with Iran, or the potential replacement of a SCOTUS justice.
Gov. Beshear has appointed Felicia Nu’Mann and Patti Minter to the Kentucky Board of Education. The Governor has reappointed Randolph Poe and Julia Pile. Felica Nu’Mann of Louisville is the director of the Center of Justice & Policy Initiatives at the Louisville Urban League. She replaces Diana Woods, whose term has expired, and will serve for a term expiring April 14, 2030. Patti Minter of Bowling Green is a professor of history at Western Kentucky University and a former member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. She replaces Lee Todd, whose term has expired, and will serve for a term expiring April 14, 2030. Randolph Poe of Union is the executive director of the Northen Kentucky Education Council. He will serve for a term expiring April 14, 2030. Julia Pile of Florence is the president of Parent Camp Inc. She will serve for a term expiring April 14, 2030.
Other Republican lawmakers and strategists have denounced the Kentucky governor’s criticism of McConnell’s absence. “Andy Beshear is just a disgraceful, attention-seeking whore, and this is all part of that,” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) told The Hill on Tuesday.
From the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP): “Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care. Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office.”
Reading has come to seem extraneous even to some of the best-educated members of society. Margaret Rennix, Harvard’s assistant director for humanities and social-sciences support, told me she’d spoken with a student who was struggling to read a book written in Old English. The culprit: Anthony Burgess’s 1962 novel A Clockwork Orange. (The student used ChatGPT to “translate” the book into easier language.)
THE MOUNTAINS KEEP THEIR SECRETS. Ask ten people what Appalachia means and you'll hear ten different answers. For some, it's Kentucky. For others, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio or Tennessee. The region stretches across thousands of miles, but what connects it has never been geography alone. It's a way of thinking. Cooking close to home. Preserving what the season gives you. Making use of everything. Finding comfort in simplicity. Not because it's fashionable. Because it's always made sense.
Jacqueline for Kentucky Dominates First 10 Weeks: 10 Stats Detailing the Campaign’s Momentum FRANKFORT, KY — Just 10 weeks after officially launching her campaign for Governor of Kentucky, Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman—a former high school basketball coach and teacher—has captured a remarkable amount of momentum. Today, the Jacqueline for Kentucky campaign is releasing 10 stats from the first 10 weeks that establishes her as the clear frontrunner in 2027. "Kentuckians want to keep building on the great progress made by the Beshear-Coleman administration,” said Coleman. “I'll continue that work and be a governor who shows up, listens, and delivers results."
Asher’s sister, Miranda Hamilton, told WKYT that Hale wanted to break off her relationship with Priddy, and she said Hale texted her Saturday night saying she was “so scared.” Hamilton told the television station the couple came to her house Saturday night and talked. During the visit, Hale told Priddy she was afraid to go get something to eat with him alone, so Asher volunteered to accompany them to McDonald’s, Hamilton said. They never returned. Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article316069487.html#storylink=cpy
“Since when is the landlord responsible for the care in the facility? The landlord is not the operator,” Landa added. “If someone is a landlord — if I owned a building in Manhattan and (convicted financial con artist) Bernie Madoff was my tenant and Bernie Madoff did something bad, is the landlord responsible?” In an essay on his personal Medium page, Landa describes himself as “an entrepreneur who built an empire of nursing homes.” He called himself a “healthcare investor” when he made his MAGA Inc. donation. Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315969122.html#storylink=cpy
Matt’s motion references the volume of documents already provided. It does not reference any efforts to produce documents more expeditiously nor what obstacles remain to producing those documents other than redactions. In his motion, he requests, “a reasonable time period to complete the production of documents.” Matt has already been granted more than reasonable time to produce documents. Further, his emergency motion requesting a stay was filed minutes before the deadline of 12:00 PM today, June 5, 2026. The Court finds the motion to be untimely. He was aware of the deadline on May 29, 2026 and waited until the deadline had arrived to inform the Court he did not intend to comply in a timely manner. This Court has the authority “to insist upon respect for its processes and compliance with its rulings and judgments.”1 Where an Order is intended properly to confer a benefit to another litigant, the Court has a duty to that litigant to enforce its Orders. Matt, as the perpetrator of civil contempt, holds the keys to his own jail cell.2 By consistently refusing to comply with Orders that he produce documents after having multiple chances to comply, he has locked the door behind himself.
Even the messaging around the project was designed with skeptical residents in mind. Boyd County Judge-Executive Eric Chaney, who quickly emerged as the face for the project, openly calls himself “one of the biggest conspiracy theorists that exists” and says he “hates government with a passion.” “TeraWulf plans to be different,” Chaney pleaded with residents Monday night. Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315976498.html#storylink=cpy
Breaking: Pentagon recruiting troops to watch White House UFC fights, memos show
INTERVIEWS WITH FMR. VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE AND GOV. ANDY BESHEAR THIS SUNDAY ON “MEET THE PRESS WITH KRISTEN WELKER” __
Neither the Richmond Police Department nor the Medical Review Office responded to the Herald-Leader’s requests for comment on Smith’s case. But days after the newspaper asked the agencies to answer some questions, on May 19, the Medical Review Office suddenly dropped its case against Smith and told him it would delete its files related to Haddix’s affidavit. The sequence of events is self-explanatory, Smith told the Herald-Leader later that day. “I believe that the Medical Board’s reversal is the result of your investigation of the situation,” Smith said. “Thank you so much.” In a prepared statement, Transportation Cabinet spokesman Allen Blair said Smith’s reprieve was due to “a missing requested document” the Medical Review Office wanted that finally turned up. Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article315796468.html#storylink=cpy
To: Interested Parties From: Kevin Holst, Executive Director, DLGA Re: New Poll: Coleman Dominates Kentucky Democratic Primary for Governor A new Public Policy Polling survey of 650 likely Kentucky Democratic primary voters establishes that Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman is the unambiguous frontrunner in the 2027 Democratic gubernatorial primary. Before voters hear a single word about either candidate, Coleman leads Rocky Adkins 40% to 14%, a 26-point gap. After voters receive biographical information about both candidates, that lead grows to 49% to 19%, with undecideds decreasing from 45% to 32%. The data tells a consistent story at every turn: Coleman is not merely ahead, she is consolidating.
colmon @colmonelridge Come January 2027… Former State “Representative” Daniel Grossberg…. Well done HD 30! 10:25 PM · May 19, 2026 · 479 Views
The third name most often mentioned as a wildcard in the race is Massie, who has amassed a national following for his libertarian-leaning contrarian brand of politics often at odds with Trump’s agenda. Massie has his own contentious GOP primary in 2026, and was quick in a recent interview to remind that he needs to defeat Trump-backed opponent Ed Gallrein to even start thinking about 2027. He also has a long-standing friendship and political alliance with Comer dating back to his endorsement of Comer in the 2015 primary. Still, referring to himself, Massie said he’d “be a good governor.” He said he learned a lot from his many hours on the road supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once the leading 2024 GOP presidential candidate against Trump. “It has been inspiring to watch him work as an executive, not only making executive decisions, but sort of leading their legislature to do good things. I think Trump would do better if he worked closer with this legislature, instead of trying to do everything by executive order. Certainly DeSantis used all of his executive power, but also went further and got things consummated in the legislature,” Massie said. Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article314082053.html#storylink=cpy
NRSC Chairman Tim Scott Congratulates Kentucky's Next Senator, Andy Barr, on Primary Win WASHINGTON, D.C. — NRSC Chairman Tim Scott issued the following statement congratulating Andy Barr on his primary win in Kentucky tonight: “Congratulations to Kentucky’s next senator, Andy Barr. Andy is a proven conservative champion who puts Kentucky first. He will make a great addition to our Senate Majority as we work to keep taxes low, protect our borders, and ensure America remains the greatest country on God’s green Earth.”
120.157 Automatic recount -- Determination by State Board of Elections -- Custody of materials -- Proceedings of county board of elections -- Costs. (1) In any regular election or special election for any member of the General Assembly, the United States Senate or the United States House of Representatives, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Agriculture, Labor and Statistics, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, a recount of the vote shall be required when a candidate is defeated by a margin of not more than one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the votes cast for the office.
Thomas Massie Has Always Been a Pain in the Ass Can the Kentucky Republican—inventor, farmer, gadfly, genius—survive standing up to Trump? Stephanie MencimerMay 12, 2026
State Sen. Keturah J. Herron’s Statement on New Allegations Against State Rep. Daniel Grossberg LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Today, State Senator Keturah J. Herron released the following statement on a new report of allegations against Rep. Daniel Grossberg, calling on him to withdraw from his reelection bid and resign from office in the wake of a pattern of similar allegations: “Enough is enough. Once again, Rep. Daniel Grossberg is in the news for all the wrong reasons. Instead of focusing on the needs of his constituents, he is making headlines for yet another incident involving alleged harassment. As the state senator who represents 41 percent of his House District, I am calling on Rep. Grossberg to withdraw his bid for reelection and resign from his seat immediately. “With these allegations, we are now well past the three strikes rule. It is time for him to go. His constituents need a strong voice in Frankfort, one that they can trust to do the right thing. And I need a colleague that I can work with to make a difference.”
KDP Statement on New Allegations Against Rep. Daniel Grossberg FRANKFORT, Ky. – Today, Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) Chair Colmon Elridge released the following statement on a new report of allegations against Rep. Daniel Grossberg, who has been repeatedly, and credibly, accused of sexual misconduct: “Rep. Grossberg’s inappropriate and coercive behavior toward women is part of a pattern that clearly makes him unfit to serve. Once again, we are calling on him to resign — but since he hasn’t, we hope voters will do that for him later this month.”
This year’s class includes 26 participants from across the state representing a variety of public and private sectors: Katey Barnett, Christian County, Planters Bank Inc Bailey Browning, Fayette County, Stites & Harbison, PLLC Charles Bush, Perry County, Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky Anna Carmack, Oldham County, Norton Healthcare Katie Case, Daviess County, Owensboro Health Logan Clark, Jefferson County, Generation Tux Kira Clayton, Jefferson County, Brown-Forman Lauren Combs, Muhlenberg County, Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital Tessa Duvall, Fayette County, Lexington Herald-Leader Candace Gasper, Campbell County, A New Leaf Erica Griffie, Fayette County, U.S. Bank Christa Johnson, Jessamine County, Med-Save Pharmacy Brandi Kiser, Pike County, Community Trust Bank Hannah Lindon, Fayette County, Kentucky League of Cities Jackelyn Peake, Jefferson County, Kosair for Kids Justin Pruitt, Boyd County, Boyd County Fiscal Court Hannah Reckart, Warren County, Center for Courageous Kids Ashley Redmond, Bell County, Pineville Community Health Center Melissa Reynolds, Fayette County, CHI Saint Joseph Health - Common Spirit Annie Santos, Franklin County, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Hannah Simms, Fayette County, Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation Hunter Stewart, Fayette County, South Central Bank Christa Stringer, Harlan County, Eminence Independent Schools Kendall Sturgill, Fayette County, MAP Automotive Group Colson Thomas, Calloway County, Kosma Consul Kilee Weiskittel, Kenton County, OneQuest Health
Cameron Wins Louisville, Ky. – Daniel Cameron’s campaign released the following statement after his commanding solo performance at the Kentucky Tonight U.S. Senate conversation on KET.
Russell Coleman @RCforAG · 7h A respectful reminder: Jacqueline Coleman isn’t my sister. She’s not my ex-wife. And she will never be Kentucky’s Governor.
Amendment House Floor Amendment 3 Sponsor D. Lewis Summary Retain original provisions; create new sections of KRS Chapter 2 designating the eastern spotted skunk as the official state nongame mammal of Kentucky and designating the eastern hellbender as the state amphibian of Kentucky. Index Headings Animals, Livestock, And Poultry - Eastern hellbender, state amphibian, designation Animals, Livestock, And Poultry - Eastern spotted skunk, state nongame mammal, designation Fish And Wildlife - Eastern hellbender, state amphibian, designation Fish And Wildlife - Eastern spotted skunk, state nongame mammal, designation State Symbols And Emblems - Eastern hellbender, state amphibian, designation State Symbols And Emblems - Eastern spotted skunk, state nongame mammal, designation
White unveils hanging of Ten Commandments in legislature’s temporary facility Frankfort, Kentucky (April 13, 2026) – Representative Richard White will be joined by June Griffin, advocate for posting Ten Commandments in meaningful public places as the document is hung in the temporary facility. What: Press availability as Ten Commandments display is hung near Kentucky House’s temporary chambers When: TOMORROW, April 14, 2026, 10 a.m. ET Where: Kentucky House of Representatives, main entrance to temporary chambers, 702 Capital Avenue. A recorded version will be archived on YouTube at KYHouseGOP.
Op-ed text: I am a Republican. I am a conservative. I grew up in Eastern Kentucky, and I have spent the last three years studying law. I have read the six cases the Kentucky House cited as grounds for impeaching Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman. I disagree with every one of them. None of that matters. Because what the Kentucky Republican supermajority tried to do is not conservatism. It is a dangerous display of partisan politics, and it wasn’t really about Judge Goodman. It was about every judge in this Commonwealth. Thankfully, on April 6, Chief Justice Lambert and the Kentucky Supreme Court put a stop to it. Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article315329700.html#storylink=cpy
Screengrab from Andy Barr's new Senate ad, featuring Riley Gaines, labeled a "champion of girls' sports"
Despite the argument to the contrary, Section 109 does not mean that the Legislature has the unfettered authority to conduct unconstitutional impeachment proceedings based on the mundane, discretionary actions of a judge that are within the exclusive authority of this branch to address. Kentucky’s Constitution contemplates co-equal branches of government. Yet the Respondents would have us interpret it (or more to the point, not interpret it) such that the Legislature may have the complete, unchecked power to impeach judicial branch officials for matters which our Constitution gives this branch the authority to address. This would not be co-equal. It would not be constitutional. It would be tyrannical. Simply put: “The issue presented by this case is a constitutional issue, not a political one; thus, it is justiciable.” Fletcher v. Commonwealth, 163 S.W.3d 852, 860 (Ky. 2005) (citing Rose v. Council for Better Educ., Inc., 790 S.W.2d 186, 209 (Ky. 1989) (“To allow the General Assembly. . .to decide whether its actions are constitutional is literally unthinkable.”)).
The debate over Piker’s place within the party is set to play out across the 2028 field, too. Playbook surveyed 14 potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates, asking whether they would appear on a livestream with Piker if invited. Only three definitively said they would. The no column: Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) all said they wouldn’t go on Piker’s stream through spokespeople. The yes column: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rahm Emanuel. “It’s not on the agenda right now, but the Governor has never shied away from debating anyone, anywhere,” Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon told Playbook. Said an Emanuel spokesperson: “Rahm is always willing to have difficult conversations with anyone about the future of the country, and to tell people he disagrees with why they’re wrong.” Aides to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declined to comment. Aides to former VP Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, did not respond. (Ocasio-Cortez has already appeared, but a spokesperson did not return a request for comment).
Order of arrest for Matt Bevin
Attorneys Ben Crump and Lonita Baker Respond to DOJ Move to Dismiss Charges Against Officers Accused of Falsifying Warrant in Breonna Taylor Case LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 20, 2026) — Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump and Lonita Baker, who represent the family of Breonna Taylor, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice moved to dismiss the remaining federal charges against former Louisville officers Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, who were accused of falsifying the warrant that brought police to Breonna Taylor’s home: “Breonna Taylor always deserved more than the scraps of justice she got. Now, even those may be further stripped away. The Department of Justice’s move to dismiss these remaining charges is deeply painful for Breonna Taylor’s family and it sends a chilling message about the value of Black lives in our country. “The warrant that sent officers to Breonna’s door has always been at the center of this tragedy and it deserves no less than the highest level of accountability. We cannot accept a reality where a young woman can be killed in her own home and no one is held responsible under the law. That is not justice. That is injustice compounded. “We stand with Breonna Taylor’s family as they continue to demand the accountability she deserved from the very beginning. We will not stop fighting until her life, and the lives of all Black women, is valued equally under the law.” ###
Facebook post from Tamika Palmer: I am compelled to express my extreme disappointment in Trump and the Department of Justice. Their phone call today informing me that charges against the police are being dropped while implying they have helped me is utterly disrespectful. This is the first time I've heard from them since they took over and it's clear they have not served me or Breonna well. Their behavior is deplorable. Fuck Trump and his DOJ administration… #Breonnadeservesbetter #JusticeforBreonna #ItsalwaysBreonnaTaylorforme