The State of Kentucky

Aaron Viles of Progress Kentucky

Bruce Maples — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:00:10 +0000

We talk with Aaron Viles of Progress Kentucky about the upcoming No Kings events and ProgressKY's involvement in it. We also look at all the other things ProgressKY is doing, and how people can get involved.

Web site: https://ProgressKY.org

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Theme music written specifically for Forward Kentucky by Fred Bogert. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredbogert/)

Craig Blair of Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance

Bruce Maples — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:56:56 +0000

We talk with Dr. Craig Blair, founder of the Lexington protest group Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance. We learn how the group got started, how big it has already gotten (3,000 members!), and what the future may hold. Plus, we hear from one of Dr. Blair's dogs.

The Henry Project and Kentucky

Bruce Maples — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:49:28 +0000

We talk with Annabel Nagel of Woodford County about her new super-PAC, the Henry Project, and about her own plans to run for office. And, she gives a unique answer to the "magic wand" question.

A talk with the author of “Enshittification”

Bruce Maples — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:10:12 +0000

We talk with Cory Doctorow, who came up with the term “enshittification” to describe what happens when power is consolidated into unaccountable corporate hands. We go from social media, to climate change, to captured regulators, to anti-trust laws and the lack of enforcement of them. An insightful and thought-provoking interview.

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Website: https://pluralistic.net

Latest book: “Picks and Shovels”

Newsletter: https://mail.flarn.com/mailman/listinfo/plura-list/

Forward Kentucky theme written by Fred Bogert

John Peace on How to Win in Rural Districts

Bruce Maples — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:20:36 +0000

We talk with John Peace, a farmer, sales person, and now a political consultant, on how to win in rural areas. John and his partner are helping candiates all across the country, and he shared some valuable insights into what it takes to connect with and win over rural voters.

The UR Topix website: https://www.urtopixllc.com/

John Peace on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CPCB7YK6?ccs_id=8f2e1138-a612-47b3-8138-cf4fb604d5a7

Theme written specifically for Forward Kentucky by Fred Bogert. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredbogert/)

Put the Blame Where It Belongs

Bruce Maples — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 20:08:40 +0000

We interview Toby Buckle, the author of "Why the Democratic Tea Party Failed (and How It Could Succeed)." He spoke with us about political "agency" and putting it where it belonged when it comes to Trump and the Right. He also outlined how Democrats could win both in a primary and in a general. Good stuff!

His podcast: https://www.politicalphilosophypodcas...

The episode he mentions: Mapping the Anti-Trump Coalition

The New Republic article: https://newrepublic.com/article/19530...

His BlueSky account: https://bsky.app/profile/polphilpod.b...

His book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Freedom-C...

Joanie Prentice on This Year’s General Assembly

Bruce Maples — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:31:35 +0000

We're joined by bill-tracker-extraordinaire Joannie Prentice, to get her take on the good, the bad, and the ugly in this year's session of the Kentucky General Assembly. Which bills are moving, and are they good or bad? And WHY are those particular bills moving? Join us to find out!

Logan Gatti from Louisville Dems

Bruce Maples — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 19:12:44 +0000

An interview with Logan Gatti, chair of the Louisville Democratic Party. We talk about what he and the party have accomplished in the eight months he's been the chair, and what his goals and dreams are for the future.

Jason Bailey on Tax Cuts and their Impact on Kentucky

Bruce Maples — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:04:02 +0000

We talk with Jason Bailey of Kentucky Policy about both the Trump funding freeze and the ongoing efforts of Repubs in Frankfort to eliminate the state income tax. (As you might have guessed, neither of us is a fan.)

The 13 Keys to Election ‘24

Bruce Maples — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 18:33:54 +0000

We interview Dr. Allan Lichtman, professor of history at American University and author of the 13 Keys – a model for predicting who will win the presidential election. Dr. Lichtman's model has correctly predicted the winner of the presidency since 1984. What is he saying about this year’s race?

The 13 Keys

Party mandate: After the midterm elections, the incumbent party holds more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives than after the previous midterm elections.
No primary contest: There is no serious contest for the incumbent party nomination.
Incumbent seeking re-election: The incumbent party candidate is the sitting president.
No third party: There is no significant third party or independent campaign.
Strong short-term economy: The economy is not in recession during the election campaign.
Strong long-term economy: Real per capita economic growth during the term equals or exceeds mean growth during the previous two terms.
Major policy change: The incumbent administration effects major changes in national policy.
No social unrest: There is no sustained social unrest during the term.
No scandal: The incumbent administration is untainted by major scandal.
No foreign or military failure: The incumbent administration suffers no major failure in foreign or military affairs.
Major foreign or military success: The incumbent administration achieves a major success in foreign or military affairs.
Charismatic incumbent: The incumbent party candidate is charismatic or a national hero.
Uncharismatic challenger: The challenging party candidate is not charismatic or a national hero.

Dr. Lichtman’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCyQx8dGfgcQ4WUhrKP0ORlQ

The Latest Version of the Book

At Carmichael’s: https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/book/9798881800710

At Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Predicting-Next-President-White-House/dp/B0D1MTSN7H/

The Coming Climate Crash

Bruce Maples — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 19:33:34 +0000

We interview Tom Lewis, author of "Brace for Impact," on why he thinks a climate crash is inevitable, and why he has stopped writing about it.

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Some top sources of more info on climate change/collapse:

https://guymcpherson.com/

https://www.dailyclimate.org/

https://insideclimatenews.org/

https://www.ecowatch.com/

The Court v. The Voters

Bruce Maples — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 22:01:40 +0000

We interview Josh Douglas about his new book, "The Court v. The Voters" – and about voting in Kentucky and what he would change.

The Four Parts of The Great Voting Compromise

Voters should have easy access to the ballot.
The election system should deter fraud.
Voters should be well-educated.
The losing candidate should graciously accept defeat.

You can buy his book at Carmichael's Bookstore and at Amazon.

Why Trump Can’t Win

Bruce Maples — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:23:29 +0000

A former reporter and political consultant shares his spot-on analysis of why Trump cannot win this fall.

The article series

Part One: The playing field

Part Two: The rules of the game

Part Three: The third decision

Part Four: The great poll faults

Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts

Bruce Maples — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:30:28 +0000

What do Dems need to do to win this fall? We talk with Dr. Rachel Bitecofer, author and strategist, on why Dems have to change their strategy in order to save democracy.

Buy the book at Carmichael’s: https://www.carmichaelsbookstore.com/...

Buy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hit-Where-Hurt...

Group works to make Boyle County more resilient

Bruce Maples — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 20:07:24 +0000

A group has formed in Danville with the specific goal of making their county more resilient in the face of the climate crisis and all the changes it will bring. We speak with Kathy Miles and Dan Nolet about the impressive start this group has made.

Related article: “Are we ready for climate change?”

The Problem with Vouchers and Charter Schools

Bruce Maples — Wed, 08 May 2024 19:23:50 +0000

We talk with Dr. Josh Cowen, author of the upcoming book "The Privateers," about what he has learned in his extensive research into school voucher programs and charter schools.

To pre-order his book, go here.

Jason Bailey on Stuffing Money in a Mattress

Bruce Maples — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 16:43:09 +0000

Jason Bailey of the KY Center for Economic Policy explains why our legislators putting even MORE money in the rainy-day fund is a really bad idea – especially when you consider where the money COULD be used. “It’s like putting money in your mattress when your roof is leaking.”

An interview w/ reporter Chris Otts about the UAW strike at the Ford plant

Bruce Maples — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 21:08:37 +0000

We're joined by Chris Otts, whom Payday Report has called "the best labor reporter in Louisville, to talk with him about the expanding UAW strike, including now at the Kentucky Truck Plan in Louisville.

If you are a paying member of Forward Kentucky, you can read the transcript of the interview on the site.

Home: ForwardKY.com

All our media: ForwardKY.com/media-home/

HB 470: Performative hatred in Frankfort

Bruce Maples — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 18:47:00 +0000

HB 470, the "let's cause more teen suicides" bill, is an example of performative hatred by the 36 Republican sponsors. It must be called out.

What does “woke” mean when the Right says it?

Bruce Maples — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:14:00 +0000

Politicians on the Right from Ron DeSantis to Kelly Craft (and her running make, Max Wise) are constantly using the word “woke,” as in “I am running against the Woke agenda!”

So when they use that word, what do they mean? And, what do their followers actually hear? Bruce Maples has some thoughts about the word and its use by the Right.

The Republicans won because they drew the maps

Bruce Maples — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 01:37:00 +0000

The Repubs drew our state House districts to rig them for Republicans and to get rid of as many Dems as possible. And it worked.

“I’m not extremist!” Yes, you are.

Bruce Maples — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:29:00 +0000

Are those Republicans who want a total abortion ban “extremists”? Bruce Maples weighs in.