Dec 11 Democracy & Civic Life A Blackface Photo Resurfaces, And A Kentucky Town Confronts Its Racial Trauma Holiday light displays are spread out across Bob Noble park in Paducah, Kentucky, lighting up the barren trees at night for the community to drive by. The park has long been a gathering place for the small city, with performances at an amphitheater and swimming during the summer. Shirley Massie, 76, sits at one the […] By Liam Niemeyer Dec 11 Democracy & Civic Life A Blackface Photo Resurfaces, And A Kentucky Town Confronts Its Racial Trauma Liam Niemeyer
Dec 4 Democracy & Civic Life Despite Voting Restoration Thousands Are Still Disenfranchised In The Ohio Valley After more than a decade, Kentucky resident Guy Hamilton-Smith voted this year for the first time in the state. Even though he didn’t vote in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic, sending his ballot through the mail was still an emotional moment. “Not being able to vote for many years was like a really big […] By Alana Watson Dec 4 Democracy & Civic Life Despite Voting Restoration Thousands Are Still Disenfranchised In The Ohio Valley Alana Watson
Nov 19 Democracy & Civic Life Ohio Valley Divide: Vote Analysis Shows Bluer Cities, Deeper Red Rural Places President-elect Joe Biden received a bigger turnout in the Ohio Valley in 2020 than Hillary Clinton did in 2016. So did his opponent Donald Trump. In an election that saw historic levels of voting nationwide, Democrat Biden added 3.2% to Clinton’s 2016 vote share in the Ohio Valley while Republican Trump improved 2.4% on his […] By Suhail Bhat Nov 19 Democracy & Civic Life Ohio Valley Divide: Vote Analysis Shows Bluer Cities, Deeper Red Rural Places Suhail Bhat
Nov 13 Democracy & Civic Life What Biden’s Plan For “Building Back Better” Could Mean For The Ohio Valley David Meinschein’s teachers, staff and students have sacrificed a lot this year amid the staggering challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. He opens the door heading inside Ballad Memorial High School’s basketball gymnasium — known locally as the “Green Palace” for its school colors. The school’s emptiness is another reminder of COVID-19’s impact. But as assistant […] By Liam Niemeyer Nov 13 Democracy & Civic Life What Biden’s Plan For “Building Back Better” Could Mean For The Ohio Valley Liam Niemeyer
Nov 5 Democracy & Civic Life Ohio Valley Lawmakers React to Trump’s False Statements Undermining The Election Polls had barely closed in the U.S. when President Donald Trump falsely alleged voter fraud and claimed prematurely to have won the election, saying “We will win this, and as far as I’m concerned, we already have won it.” The results of the election had not yet been called, and the counting of legally cast […] By Sydney Boles Nov 5 Democracy & Civic Life Ohio Valley Lawmakers React to Trump’s False Statements Undermining The Election Sydney Boles
Nov 5 Democracy & Civic Life Ex-Massey Energy CEO Draws Thousands of Votes For President In Closely Contested States Former coal executive Don Blankenship, who went to prison for his role in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in West Virginia, drew about 55,000 votes Tuesday as a third-party candidate for president, including thousands of votes in closely contested states. While not a significant amount in comparison to the more than 140 million Americans […] By Brittany Patterson Nov 5 Democracy & Civic Life Ex-Massey Energy CEO Draws Thousands of Votes For President In Closely Contested States Brittany Patterson
Nov 4 Democracy & Civic Life 2020 Voter Turnout Increased As Ohio Valley States Expanded Voting Options Much of the Ohio Valley saw historic levels of voter turnout in the 2020 election, as election officials expanded voting options to reduce the risk from coronavirus. Compared to the 2016 election, voter turnout for the 2020 general election increased slightly in Kentucky and Ohio, while West Virginia — which had some of the nation’s […] By Alana Watson and Suhail Bhat Nov 4 Democracy & Civic Life 2020 Voter Turnout Increased As Ohio Valley States Expanded Voting Options Alana Watson and Suhail Bhat
Nov 3 Democracy & Civic Life Can You Wear “Black Lives Matter” Clothing To The Polls? Yes. Some voters in Ohio and Kentucky expressed concern that poll workers were advising them that “Black Lives Matter” attire was not allowed in polling locations. But according to both state’s laws on the subject, BLM clothing is perfectly fine to wear while casting your ballot. The voters shared their concerns using the tipline operated by […] By Alana Watson Nov 3 Democracy & Civic Life Can You Wear “Black Lives Matter” Clothing To The Polls? Yes. Alana Watson
Nov 3 Democracy & Civic Life Election Day Check-In This election year has been, well, unprecedented. Between early voting days, socially distanced debates, and being bombarded by election ads, the months leading up to today haven’t felt normal. We’d like to hear from you. Now that Election Day is here, we want to do a temperature check. Are you feeling relieved that it’s […] By Tajah McQueen Nov 3 Democracy & Civic Life Election Day Check-In Tajah McQueen