Author

Al Cross

Al Cross

Al Cross (Twitter @ruralj) is a professor in the University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media and director emeritus of its Institute for Rural Journalism. His opinions are his own, not UK’s. He was the longest-serving political writer for the Louisville Courier Journal (1989-2004) and national president of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2001-02. He joined the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 2010.

Commentary

Kentucky politicians audition on national and state stages

By: - August 7, 2024

Gov. Andy Beshear’s big audition didn’t get him a new role, but the continuing tryouts of people who might succeed him or seek other statewide office began a new round. Republican hopefuls were on stage before and during the political speaking at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic, which Beshear skipped — apparently because he was […]

In a weekend of political barbs, a local Republican official stands out for message of respect

By: - August 4, 2024

CALVERT CITY — Other speakers at Friday night’s Marshall County Republican dinner were clean-shaven and dressed up. Marty Barrett had a long beard and wore overalls. He stood out. And his message stood out more. Barrett, who moves dirt for a living and helps govern the county on Kentucky Lake, ambled to the lectern and […]

Beshear promises better times for ravaged region on flood’s second anniversary

By: - July 30, 2024

WAYLAND, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear promised a different future for Eastern Kentucky as he made five stops in the region Friday to signal the weekend’s second anniversary of record floods on the night of July 27-28, 2022. In the little Floyd County town of Wayland, Beshear dedicated 11 homes that he said would be […]

Commentary

Andy Beshear sees a path: running through J.D. Vance

By: - July 24, 2024

Gov. Andy Beshear obviously wants to be in the White House – first as vice president. He went from coy to clear as soon as President Biden deferred to Vice President Kamala Harris and she started looking for a running mate. Until he endorsed Harris, Beshear said he would consider being on the ticket if […]

University of Kentucky will not build hospital in southeast Lexington, state lawmakers hear

By: - July 18, 2024

FRANKFORT — The University of Kentucky will not build a hospital in southeast Lexington because it wants to do what its network of rural hospital partners want: focus on its mission as a top-level care facility for the sickest patients, a UK vice president told a legislative subcommittee Wednesday. The proposed Hamburg-area hospital “was perceived […]

Commentary
Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Monday that his being mentioned as a possible presidential contender is a positive reflection on Kentucky. The governor had just spoken at a celebration of Kentucky State Parks' 100th anniversary. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

Biden debacle brings Beshear forward

By: - July 3, 2024

When Gov. Andy Beshear formed a political committee in January and started making appearances around the country (he’ll be in Iowa July 27), his obvious long-term goal was the White House. In 2028. Presumably. If Beshear and his advisers were as wired into the national Democratic establishment as one would think, they knew there was […]

Commentary

Kentucky Republicans help Trump tear down the system

By: - June 7, 2024

When U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell voted not to convict Donald Trump of impeachment for inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection, which he nevertheless blamed on Trump, he excused himself in part by saying “We have a criminal justice system in this country.” The Senate Republican leader was surely not thinking about the $130,000 in hush money […]

Commentary

Kentucky’s Republican insurgents gain a little traction

By: - May 31, 2024

Some of Kentucky’s Republican primaries for the legislature were the latest chapter in a three-decade struggle between traditional, “establishment” elements of the state GOP and those who want it to be more conservative. The latter faction is gaining ground, but is making too much of its modest gains in low-turnout elections influenced by local quirks […]

Commentary

Kentucky presidential primary worth watching, even if it doesn’t matter

By: - May 17, 2024

When Mitch McConnell voted not to convict Donald Trump on impeachment for the assault on the Capitol, the Senate Republican leader excused himself on grounds that Trump had left office. That was an untested legal theory; McConnell had already tested the politics of his members, and voted with most of them. But then he laid […]

Commentary

Al Cross handicaps Kentucky’s political field

By: - May 3, 2024

Welcome, Derby visitors! Here’s our annual handicapping of Kentucky’s political horses amid the pageantry of the 150th iteration of America’s oldest continuously held sporting event. The political star of the Derby TV show, for about 30 seconds during the trophy presentation, is the governor. His name is Andy Beshear. That may sound familiar. He’s in […]

Avalanche of aid could help Kentuckians reinvent mountain economy

By: - May 2, 2024

CORBIN — Eastern Kentucky is about to get an avalanche of federal and state money to help it transition from its largely disappeared coal economy, but some of its towns are already lifting themselves up and setting examples for the region. That was the upshot of the 36th annual East Kentucky Leadership Conference in Corbin, […]

Commentary

Ukraine vote draws lines for Senate race between Massie, Barr

By: - April 29, 2024

Kentucky’s congressional Republicans were deeply divided on aid to Ukraine, setting the stage for their expected primary to succeed U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who led the fight for it and seems likely to retire in 2026. The loudest on each side were U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie of the Fourth District and Andy Barr of the […]