My Old Kentucky Podcast

Velvet Dowdy Interview and A Ruling For JCPS

This week we welcomed Velvet Dowdy to the show. She's running for House in District 11, which encompasses Henderson County. She talked about education, PFAS chemical contamination, and how she would make progress in Frankfort.
Jazmin talked this week about a ruling overturning much of 2022's SB1, which made special laws for JCPS that constrained the school board. The judge's ruling includes several funny segments, and Jazmin told us all about it. Also discussed were two police shootings -- one in Louisville and one in Floyd County. Plus, lots of quick hits.

Dr. Brittney Hernandez-Stevenson Interview, the (potential) Chad Meredith Appointment, and More on Abortion in Kentucky

This week, Dr. Brittney Hernandez-Stevenson joined us. She's the candidate in the 15th District in Muhlenberg and Butler counties. She talked to us about why she decided to run for office, campaigning as a Black woman in a district that is more than 90% white, and the issues that she cares about most. She's yet another really great candidate in Western Kentucky this year!
During the first part of the show Robert talked about President Biden potentially appointing former Bevin administration lawyer Chad Meredith to a lifetime appointment in a deal with Mitch McConnell, and Jazmin laid out the details of the lawsuit the ACLU has filed against the abortion trigger law.

Bianca Crockam Interview and Dobbs v. Jackson Fallout

This week Robert interviewed Bianca Crockam, the Democratic candidate for the 9th District in Christian County. She spoke about running for office as a Black woman who is a teacher, as well as how she is bringing the Democratic message to Hopkinsville and more rural areas in the 9th District.
Robert also spoke about Dobbs v. Jackson, the Supreme Court of the United States ruling which overturned Roe v. Wade, and the fallout that resulted in Kentucky.

Pam Dossett Interview & Trump Endorses Daniel Cameron

We welcomed Pam Dossett to My Old Kentucky Podcast this week. She's the Democratic candidate in the 8th House District in Hopkinsville (plus more of Christian, some of Trigg, and all of Caldwell Counties). She spoke about returning to politics after her 2020 race, the issues that are important to her, and how she's running in the new 8th District.
Last week, former President Donald Trump endorsed Daniel Cameron in Kentucky's GOP Gubernatorial Primary, just about a year ahead of the primary actually taking place. Robert and Jazmin discussed that, including who is the most upset, whether it's going to matter, and what it means to have an entire party seeking the endorsement of a man who tried to overthrow the federal government. In addition, there were several quick hits, including a discussion about a man punching Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, budgets passing in Lexington and advancing in Louisville, the interim President at Kentucky State University, and much more.

Union Show

This week we have *two* guests who are parts of Kentucky's labor movement: Caitlin Blair, the Communications Director for UFCW Local 227 and Jay Dennis of Teamsters Local 89. We spoke with Caitlin about the current state of the labor movement in Kentucky, and how the labor movement works within Louisville and Kentucky currently. With Jay, we spoke about current ongoing actions, including an active strike within Teamsters 89 in a company right across the bridge from Louisville. We were thrilled to lean more about the current and future state of the labor union movement here in Kentucky.
Before the interviews, Robert and Jazmin updated a couple of policing stories we have been tracking and discussed a report that Rocky Adkins might be considering a run for Secretary of Agriculture.

Lindsey Burke Interview and Large JCPS Update

This week we welcomed Lindsey Burke, Democratic candidate in the 75th District (Lexington) to the show. She talked to us about her background, the issues shes passionate about (housing! education!) and why she's running this year.
During the first half of the show, Jazmin brought a big JCPS update, including information about their new student assignment plan, their new contract with teachers, and a lawsuit in Jefferson Circuit Court. Robert talked about several quick hits.

Chad Aull Interview + Savannah Maddox and Friends

This week, Chad Aull visited Robert and Jazmin to talk about his run for Kentucky House in the 79th District in Lexington. He spoke about why he chose this time to get back into public service, what he sees as the central issues facing Frankfort, and his vision for the future of the Kentucky Democratic Party.
Also in this episode, Robert talked about Savannah Maddox, who will begin a gubernatorial campaign any day now. In addition, Jazmin took a closer look at the "liberty" candidates who swept three committee chairs out of office in Boone County during the Republican primary this month.

Lamin Swann Interview, Daniel Cameron Runs for Governor, & US Marshals Kill A Louisvillian

This week we interviewed Lamin Swann, the Democratic nominee in the 93rd district in Lexington. He talked to us about running for office as a Black man with a disability, the history of district 93 during his lifetime, and what issues he'd like to lead on if he were elected.
Before speaking with Lamin, we talked about Daniel Cameron's background and his prospects for winning the GOP nomination for Governor. Then, we talked about the US Marhshals, who killed Omari Cryer, a man in the Chickasaw neighborhood.

2022 Primary Result Reactions

Jazmin and Robert react to primary elections across the state including several incumbent legislators losing their seats on both sides of the aisle, major victories for candidates favored in races for mayor in Kentucky's largest cities, and a few other important races.

Interview with Emily Bingham, A Primary Preview, and Louisville’s Budget

This week we welcomed author and historian Emily Bingham to the show to talk about her new book, My Old Kentucky Home: The Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song. She talked to us about what she hoped to communicate through her book, what she meant in her conclusion, and how she approached writing a book about racism as a white person. It's a great conversation!
Early voting begins on May 12th, and primary election day is May 17th (next Tuesday), so we did a primary preview of key races for state legislature, U.S. Congress, major mayoral races, LFUCG and Metro Council Seats, and even more! In addition, we talked about Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's final proposed budget and his final vision for Louisville as mayor.
 
Dr. Bingham asked that we present the full lyrics of My Old Kentucky Home in the show notes so that people can better understand the conversation she hopes the book sparks. They are below -- be aware that they make use of a term for Black people which many consider a slur. You can listen to a version with the full lyrics here.
 
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,'Tis summer, the darkies are gay;The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,While the birds make music all the day.The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,All merry, all happy and bright;By 'n' by Hard Times comes a-knocking at the door,Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Weep no more my ladyOh! weep no more today!We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,For the Old Kentucky Home far away
They hunt no more for the possum and the coon,On meadow, the hill and the shore,They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,On the bench by the old cabin door.The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,With sorrow, where all was delight,The time has come when the darkies have to part,Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Weep no more my ladyOh! weep no more today!We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,For the Old Kentucky Home far away
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,Wherever the darky may go;A few more days, and the trouble all will end,In the field where the sugar-canes grow.A few more days for to tote the weary load,No matter, 'twill never be light;A few more days till we totter on the road,Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Weep no more my ladyOh! weep no more today!We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,For the Old Kentucky Home far away.