Kentucky
Kentucky delegates preparing for the start of the Democratic National Convention
CHICAGO, Ill. (WKYT) – Kentucky is sending 59 delegates elected by the Democratic Party to the national convention in Chicago this week.
The Commonwealth is also sending six automatic delegates, who are typically party leaders and elected officials, including Governor Andy Beshear.
Robert Kahne is one of the representatives from Louisville. It’s his first Democratic National Convention. He says there is tight security around the event.
Kahne is looking forward to hearing Governor Andy Beshear speak before a national audience Monday night.
“I really think he’s going to put Kentucky front and center in his speech,” Kahne said. “The thing is, so many people overlook Kentucky for lots of different kinds of reasons for whatever reasons they have. I think they’re wrong to do so and I think Governor Beshear is going to be singing our praises talking about the amazing work he’s doing here, and other Democrats as well.”
Beshear posted to X that he would be sharing a message of “hope, freedom and unity.”
Kahne believes when Kentucky’s governor was floated as a potential democratic VP pick, it helped elevate the state’s notoriety.
“I’ve been here a couple of days already, and whenever anybody sees that I’m from Kentucky, they don’t say, ‘Oh, that’s the state with Mitch McConnell.’ They say, ‘Oh, that’s the state with Andy Beshear,’ and I certainly think he represents the future that I would like to see for Kentucky,” Kahne said.
Some are using the event to highlight other causes. The Chicago area is home to one of the largest Palestinian communities in the country. Protestors have already started to gather outside the DNC, voicing opposition to the war in Gaza as well as other issues.
The Kentucky Democratic Party told WKYT they are not releasing the full list of names of delegates due to privacy concerns.
Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
-
Rhode Island2 minutes agoPulled funding creates a bike path to nowhere. Let’s hope RI fixes it.
-
South-Carolina8 minutes agoMid-amateur from South Carolina wins Terra Cotta Invitational in Florida
-
South Dakota14 minutes agoNature: Prairie chickens in South Dakota
-
Tennessee20 minutes agoTennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3
-
Texas26 minutes agoTexas needs at least $174 billion to avoid water crisis, state says
-
Utah32 minutes agoMultiple earthquakes detected near Kanosh
-
Vermont38 minutes agoWrong-way driver stopped on I-89, charged with DUI
-
Virginia44 minutes agoParachutist Slams into Jumbotron at Virginia Tech Spring Game