Kentucky
Kentucky Senate Democrats reelect caucus leadership • Kentucky Lantern
Kentucky Senate Democrats voted to retain their caucus leaders ahead of the 2025 legislative session.
Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas and Senate Democratic Whip David Yates were reelected to their positions, a Senate Democratic Caucus press release said Thursday.
“The Kentucky Senate Democrats are proud to have selected a strong, united team to guide us over the next biennium,” Neal, of Louisville, said in a statement. “Our caucus is committed to standing up for the values we share with our constituents and fighting for a brighter future for all Kentuckians.”
The press release said the caucus leaders “will play a critical role in advancing the minority’s legislative agenda such as expanding economic opportunities throughout the state, improving public education, protecting access to healthcare, embracing diversity and addressing the day-to-day challenges facing Kentucky families.”
After the 2024 general election, Democrats continue to hold seven seats in the Senate, compared to the Republican supermajority of 31.
Meanwhile, House Democratic Leadership changed as former Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson lost her election in November and two leaders — former Floor Leader Derrick Graham and Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts — did not seek reelection. Last month, the caucus elected House Democratic Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, House Democratic Caucus Chair Al Gentry and House Democratic Whip Lindsey Burke to their new roles.
House Democrats hold 20 seats to the Republicans’ 80-seat supermajority.
On the Republican side, the House and Senate caucuses named their leaders last month. In the Senate, Republicans elected Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise and Republican Caucus Chair Robby Mills to their positions. Senate President Robert Stivers, President Pro Tempore David Givens and Majority Whip Mike Wilson were re-elected to their positions.
House Republicans reelected their leaders: Speaker David Osborne, Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade, House Republican Floor Leader Steven Rudy, House Republican Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, House Republican Whip Jason Nemes.
Lawmakers reconvene in Frankfort on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
A familiar name will be back in the transfer portal when the official window opens at midnight. Magoon Gwath is once again testing the free agency market.
Gwath was a player BBN kept a close eye on early in the 2025 transfer portal cycle. Kentucky and Michigan were considered the top potential destinations for the 7-footer when he surprisingly announced a return to San Diego State. When the San Diego Union-Tribune reported his return to the Aztecs on April 1, the lede was “This is not an April Fool’s joke.”
The decision was so surprising because of Gwath’s resume. He arrived in San Diego as an unranked recruit. During his first season with the Aztecs, the 7-footer averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Ahead of his return, head coach Brian Dutcher noted that Gwath was taking a pay cut to show his loyalty to the program that gave him a shot. That gamble did not pay off for either side. San Diego State missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons, as Gwath’s minutes per game slightly dipped to 19, tallying 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 2025-26.
It’s unclear if Kentucky will take another swing at the lengthy 7-footer during this transfer portal cycle. What is clear is that there will be no shortage of chaos when the free agency period officially tips off at midnight. We’ll be locked in every step of the way.
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Kentucky Derby contender Further Ado favored by trainer Brad Cox
After Further Ado won by 11 lengths, trainer Brad Cox talked about ‘dominating’ performance as three-year-old heads to the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
After the final weekend of major prep races, we have a projected field for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Further Ado (Blue Grass), So Happy (Santa Anita Derby) and Albus (Wood Memorial) clinched their spots in the Kentucky Derby with victories on Saturday.
The top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard are eligible to run, though there usually are injuries and defections in the weeks leading up to the race.
Buy tickets for Kentucky Derby 152 here
Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland will offer 20 qualifying points to the winner, though that’s not expected to be enough for any of the competitors to jump into the Kentucky Derby field.
With four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby, here’s our ranking of the top five contenders:
Owners: Robert and Lawana Low; Repole Stable (Mike Repole).
Trainer: Todd Pletcher.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Sire: Into Mischief.
Road to Kentucky Derby points: 125 (No. 3)
Career earnings: $1,031,500.
Last race: Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.
Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani).
Trainer: Brad Cox.
Jockey: Flavien Prat.
Sire: Into Mischief.
Road to Kentucky Derby points: 150 (No. 1).
Career earnings: $1,017,339.
Last race: Won Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.
Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Owners: OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado); JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo); High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira, Todd Perry).
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.
Jockey: Javier Castellano.
Sire: Essential Quality.
Road to Kentucky Derby points: 106 (No. 6).
Career earnings: $442,280.
Last race: Second in Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.
Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Owner: Spendthrift Farm (Eric Gustavson).
Trainer: Brad Cox.
Jockey: TBA.
Sire: Gun Runner.
Road to Kentucky Derby points: 135 (No. 2).
Career earnings: $1,146,328.
Last race: Won Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 4 at Keeneland.
Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Owner: Danox Co. Ltd.
Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe.
Jockey: Atsuya Nishimura.
Sire: Maxfield.
Road to Kentucky Derby points: Qualified via Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Career earnings: $222,762.
Last race: Won Fukuryu Stakes on March 28 at Nakayama Racecourse.
Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
Murray
| Jan. 15, 1962 | yesterday
Mr. Graham was born on January 15, 1962, in Murray, Kentucky to the late Jerry Graham and Janice (Staples) McCuiston. He worked in the construction industry.
Survivors include two sisters, LaDon Haley Berlin of Evansville, Indiana and Kristi Hopkins and husband Chris of Murray, Kentucky; one niece, Emily Don Hopkins of Murray, Kentucky; three nephews, Adam Haley of Springfield, Illinois, Jason Haley of Evansville, Indiana, and Zachery Hopkins of Murray, Kentucky; one great niece, Audrey Haley of Paducah, Kentucky; as well as one great nephew, Weston Haley of Okawville, Illinois.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A private family service will be held.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Humane Society of Calloway County, 607 Poplar Street, Suite A1, Murray, Kentucky 42071.
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com
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