Sylvia Goodman

Sylvia Goodman is Kentucky Public Radio’s Capitol reporter. Email her at sgoodman@lpm.org.

As Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear continues testing the waters for a potential presidential run in 2028, his new book “Go and Do Likewise” hit shelves Tuesday. Here are five takeaways from the book, as reported by Kentucky Public Radio.
By Sylvia Goodman
Gov. Andy Beshear (center in white shirt) joins U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. representatives and local and state economic development officials Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in a ground-breaking ceremony for the company's expansion in the South Park industrial site. (Photo by Gwenda Motley for Hoptown Chronicle)
Trump announced last week he had struck a deal to import hundreds of thousands of tons of ground beef at a lower tariff rate in exchange for retail prices below market rates. Some usually loyal GOP allies of the president have rebuked the plan.
By Sylvia Goodman
kentucky cattle
In a shift for the traditionally raucous event, the picnic’s political chairman Steven Elder said chants would no longer be allowed that are designed solely to drown out a speaker.
By Sylvia Goodman
Emcee Dave Baker gets things going at the 146th annual Fancy Farm picnic on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Graves County. (WKMS photo by Derek Operle)
Laws going into effect July 15 will change policing, further regulate gambling, change civil liability, create a framework for psychedelic medical trials and more.
By Sylvia Goodman
kentucky capitol
Medicaid providers across Kentucky learned their reimbursement rates would take a 4% hit starting in August, according to a letter from Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration.
By Sylvia Goodman
stethoscope
The crowded Democratic primary includes former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, state Rep. Pamela Stevenson, former state Rep. Charles Booker, and political newcomer Dale Romans, a horse trainer.
By Sylvia Goodman
Democrats for McConnell seat
Lawmakers in the Republican supermajority continue negotiations to hammer out their differences and determine which bills will move forward and which will have to wait until next year.
By Sylvia Goodman
Rep. Suzanne Miles
Pick a random bill filed in the General Assembly this year, and there’s more than a one in 10 chance the original version would be devoid of meaningful content. They’re called shell bills and here’s why Kentucky lawmakers use them so much.
By Sylvia Goodman
ky capitol
A Kentucky Senate committee has approved a bill allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to carry concealed firearms with provisional licenses.
By Sylvia Goodman
Rep. Savannah Maddox, a Republican from Dry Ridge, presents her legislation to allow 18, 19 and 20 year old Kentuckians to get provisional conceal carry licenses in a Senate committee. She's joined by GOP Sen. Aaron Reed, who has carried similar legislation before. (Photo by Sylvia Goodman | Kentucky Public Radio)
A Franklin County judge ruled he won’t dismiss a lawsuit brought by a group of Kentucky students alleging the state has failed to provide an adequate and equitable education.
By Sylvia Goodman
(Canva photo)
The candidate filing deadline passed Friday in Kentucky, with Democrats again leaving many General Assembly races unchallenged to the Republican supermajority.
By Sylvia Goodman
2026 Kentucky House races map
A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to keep naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky.
By Sylvia Goodman
shane baker at podium