Kentucky
Thomas Massie ousted in Kentucky and San Diego victims identified: Morning Rundown
Rep. Thomas Massie’s loss in Kentucky solidifies Trump’s influence over the Republican Party. Relatives mourn the victims of the deadly mosque shooting in San Diego. And an American doctor with Ebola is evacuated to Germany for treatment.
Here’s what to know today.
Trump notches GOP primary wins, but midterm questions remain
President Donald Trump scored his biggest win yet in his mission to eliminate political enemies within his own party, as former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein won the Republican primary in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District over Rep. Thomas Massie. Gallrein, Trump’s chosen candidate, won 54% of the vote, aided by an extraordinary ad blitz fueled largely by pro-Trump and pro-Israeli groups.
In successfully ousting Massie — who opposed the president on key issues — Trump continues to prove that he can not only influence GOP voters but also attack Republicans who have opposed him without feeling like there are significant negative consequences.
But Trump did not outright win everything he touched. In Georgia’s race for governor, Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson are headed to a runoff for the Republican nomination. (The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.)
Despite the wins, it’s unclear how Trump’s GOP primary dominance will play out in the midterm general election. His low approval ratings and the war with Iran may raise red flags among voters who supported the president’s “America First” agenda. And his surprise endorsement of Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton a week before the runoff against longtime Sen. John Cornyn has some wondering if the president should’ve kept quiet.
Read the full story here.
More election results:
- Democrats picked candidates for four key districts in Pennsylvania in the party’s battle for the House.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity will face off in the race for governor. The result wasn’t unexpected, but the outcome of the race could have a big impact nationwide.
- Rep. Andy Barr won the Republican primary in the race for retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat in Kentucky.
- Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley are heading to a Senate Republican primary runoff in Georgia, vying to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville won the Republican primary for governor of Alabama, making him the clear favorite to win the general election.
- In the race to succeed Tuberville, Rep. Barry Moore advanced to a Senate primary runoff, and two rivals are battling for the second spot.
- State Sen. Christine Drazan won the Republican nomination for governor of Oregon, setting up a rematch against Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek.
More politics news:
- The Senate voted to advance a resolution to end the war in Iran after GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy flipped his vote to “yes.”
- Months before a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund was announced, a Trump administration official told a GOP ally that big payouts were coming for Jan. 6 defendants.
- The DOJ said the federal government won’t take legal action against Trump, his family members and companies as part of Trump’s settlement agreement with the IRS.
Steve Kornacki answers your questions live today
At 2 p.m. ET, NBC News’ chief data analyst will take questions from subscribers in a livestreamed Q&A. Ask Steve anything — go deeper into Tuesday’s election results, delve into burning questions about the midterms or learn more about his career and life in front of the Kornacki Cam. Submit your question here.
San Diego mosque shooting victims identified as investigators probe writings
A day after two gunmen killed three people at a San Diego mosque, loved ones remembered the victims as important pillars of the community while investigators looked into the suspects’ possible writings, filled with extremist material.
The victims were identified as: Security guard Amin Abdullah, whose daughter called him her best friend and said he was so dedicated to his job that he would skip lunch to stay on duty. Mansour Kaziha, a community leader who managed the mosque store for nearly 40 years. Imam Taha Hassane said he was the mosque’s handyman, cook, caretaker and storekeeper. “He was everything,” Hassane said. And Nadir Award, who rushed to protect the school when he heard the shooting and is being remembered for his generosity and presence in the community. More about the victims.
Meanwhile, investigators are trying to authenticate a document posted online that purportedly details the motivations of the gunmen. The 75-page document has sections apparently written by Caleb Vazquez, 18, and Cain Clark, 17, and includes material that espouses anti-Islamic, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ views and promotes white supremacist ideology. More about the documents.
American doctor with Ebola evacuated to Germany
The American surgeon who contracted Ebola in Congo was barely able to stand on his own as he departed the country to be flown to Germany for treatment, according to two leaders of the Christian missionary group where he worked.
Dr. Peter Stafford “looked really tired and really sick,” said Dr. Scott Myhre, the East and Central Africa area director for the group, called Serge.
Stafford’s wife, Rebekah Stafford, is also a doctor and treated the same patient thought to have infected Stafford. She and the couple’s four young children remain in Congo, where they are being monitored.
How Stafford is thought to have contracted the virus.
There are now more than 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths from the virus, the head of the World Health Organization said today.
Read All About It
- A U.S. indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro, 94, is expected in Miami.
- Meta is expected to announce today a company reorganization that includes moving 7,000 employees into roles focused on AI and layoffs affecting 10% of the company, a source said.
- The NAACP launched a campaign calling on Black student-athletes to boycott Southern colleges after a Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act.
- A Minnesota woman paid $99,000 to an insurance company to generate retirement income for life. Then, the company collapsed.
- Tens of thousands of people flocked to the streets of North London late Tuesday after soccer club Arsenal clinched its first English Premier League title in 22 years.
Staff Pick: Amid prospect of ICE at World Cup games, vendors weigh their livelihoods against safety
The upcoming World Cup will bring some of soccer’s biggest stars to the U.S., but at the site of one of the stadiums hosting multiple games, a sense of unease is palpable. This story from breaking news reporter Marlene Lenthang examines the feelings of Latino vendors in and around SoFi Stadium in Inglewood amid the possibility of ICE agents working games — a gamble between their safety and a potentially lucrative payday.
The Los Angeles region was rocked last year by sprawling immigration raids targeting day laborers and factory workers. While the glitz and glamor of soccer’s most prestigious competition coming to town has generated excitement in some quarters, Marlene’s interviews with vendors highlights the worry that continues to linger for others. — Rudy Chinchilla, breaking news editor
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KENTUCKY – The Kentucky Department for Public Health is investigating 100 reported cases of cyclosporiasis statewide, 61 of which have been confirmed.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the microscopic parasite Cyclospora; the highest risk of infection is for people living in or traveling to subtropical regions.
Foodborne outbreaks are associated with various types of produce, such as raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, and mixed greens.
Symptoms typically begin two to 14 days after exposure.
The most common symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is commonly treated with a combination of antibiotics.
Public health experts are urging people to follow food-safety guidelines to reduce the risk, such as washing hands with soap and warm water after handling produce, cleaning food preparation areas and tools with soap, and water and washing all fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky State Police seeks public vote for national cruiser contest
Published 3:12 pm Monday, July 13, 2026
FRANKFORT – Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky State Police are calling on Kentuckians to help power a statewide push in a national competition that celebrates the most eye-catching police cruisers in the country.
KSP has entered the 2026 Best Looking Cruiser Contest, held annually by the American Association of State Troopers (AAST). The contest consists of the public voting on their favorite cruiser photo, with the winning image earning the cover of the association’s 2027 calendar.
“The men and women of the Kentucky State Police represent the very best of public service,” Beshear said. “I encourage every Kentuckian to show their support by voting in this national contest.”
This year, KSP is highlighting the dedication and training required to be a trooper by featuring a 2024 Mustang GT cruiser outside of the KSP Academy in Frankfort, Ky. Beyond its striking design, the image also serves as a tribute to fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Kentucky State Police have 39 troopers, officers and patrolmen who lost their lives in the line of duty. Among them was Trooper James W. McNeely who drowned during a rescue mission on the Kentucky River in 1972 and his body was never recovered.
In 2015, the KSP unveiled a nearly 10-foot-tall bronze statue, titled ‘The Trooper’, which is in front of the Academy Building. This statue was created in Trooper McNeely’s likeness and depicts a trooper walking towards the future to serve the citizens of Kentucky.
“This year’s contest photo symbolizes what it means to be a Kentucky State Police trooper, by showcasing the devotion, hard work, commitment and sacrifice that our troopers give to their local communities daily,” stated KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “We would be humbled and honored to have your vote and support on social media.”
KSP has placed in the top five in the past eight years, taking home back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022. While the Florida Highway Patrol won the competition last year, Kentucky is ready to take the top spot and needs your help to win it all.
Kentuckians are encouraged to vote for KSP’s entry now through Friday, July 10, at 12:00 p.m.
4th of July celebrations in Louisville begin early at Locust Grove
To celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, organizers set out to acknowledge as many cultures and nationalities at Historic Locust Grove
CYNTHIANA, KY ― Pam Abnee voted for Donald Trump in 2024. Susan Bramel, her friend of 50 years, did not.
As the nation commemorated its 250th birthday this month amid a hyperpartisan election season, these politically opposed women sat next to each other on a bench outside the Harrison County Courthouse in Cynthiana on the Fourth of July.
Over the course of that week, the small town in Kentucky’s north central Bluegrass region hosted historical walking tours, a community mural painting, a day of prayer and a chance to sign a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, culminating in the county’s bicentennial time capsule unearthing on that special Saturday.
Abnee and Bramel made sure to find each other outside the courthouse. And they avoided talking about their biggest source of disagreement.
“I’m putting politics aside and I’m looking at the history of 250 years and all that we have gained in that 250 years,” Bramel, 69, said. “We agree on that.”
“That’s one thing we have in common,” Abnee, 73, added. “The history.”
Like most of rural Kentucky, Harrison County skews heavily conservative. More than 69% of the county voted Republican in the past three presidential elections, according to the Kentucky Board of Elections. But like other small county seats across the commonwealth, Cynthiana attracts enough liberals to create a palpable level of friction.
Every Monday, the Cynthiana Peaceful Resistance, a small progressive grassroots movement, gathers on the courthouse lawn to protest the Trump administration’s stance on abortion, immigration, war, LGBTQ+ rights, or the latest dust-up emerging from Washington, D.C.
“We’re very conservative here, so I would like to think the next generation is moving more toward the progressive side,” said Beth Tucker, 60, a retired teacher who runs a farm and sells mules. “I think there’s some hope with them. I think they’re going in that direction. The LGBTQ+ kids are feeling more at home here.”
Jaylou Lewis sees the division while driving through the city delivering DoorDash orders and turning onto streets with Trump and anti-Trump lawn signs crowded on the same block.
“It’s to the point today where it’s not even Democrat or Republican,” he said. “It’s either Trump or anti-Trump.”
Yet Lewis, who moved to Cynthiana in January with his wife, Shay Lewis, and their 2-year-old son, Rayshawn, recalled with amazement how people all over the city came together recently when a woman’s house burned down. Her daughter posted about the destruction on Facebook and people sent donations.
“Even though people are politically divided, as human beings, they united,” the 34-year-old said.
That unity was seen on July 4 as folks like Tucker, Bramel and Abnee flocked to the courthouse lawn to witness the capsule unearthing and celebrate the nation’s historic anniversary.
Surrounded by the thick July heat, Mayor Isaac Dailey delivered a speech before the digging commenced. The 28-year-old, who was born and raised in Cynthiana, implored residents to reflect on what future generations will recall of the legacy being carved out today.
“I hope they remember that we loved our neighbors, that we cared for one another in times of hardship, that we celebrated together in times of joy and that, despite our differences, we never forgot that community is built one relationship at a time,” he said.
Cynthiana natives Mary Ann Lee and John Allen Lee believe residents’ willingness to have conversations, share meals and open doors for each other, regardless of their political affiliations, is what sets their town apart from the animosity of larger cities.
“You don’t see the cancel culture here,” John, 85, said underneath the shade of a maple tree. “Just because they don’t see politics the same as I do, that doesn’t mean he isn’t my friend or she isn’t my friend.”
On the courthouse lawn, city officials, children, parents and seniors pushed shovels into the ground and — with the help of a John Deere backhoe — dug out the 75-gallon, flag-adorned, steel container that was buried on America’s 200th birthday.
They placed it on the ground, cracked it open and gingerly combed through church letters, newspapers, photos, a buckeye ring, a pair of Dr. Scholl’s sandals and a Playboy magazine.
Later that evening, residents migrated to Flat Run Veterans Park for fireworks and a performance by Kentucky native Sam L. Smith, a country singer who competed on “American Idol.”
But not all residents of Cynthiana felt the same sense of patriotism. Amid the squeals of children scampering through the splash pad, Zachary King recalled what it was like growing up gay in Cynthiana.
He experienced bullying at Harrison County High School, which led him to drop out during his sophomore year and complete his diploma online. Today, the 25-year-old is a personal care medical technician.
King didn’t attend the capsule unearthing because he was working, and he believes taxpayer money would be better spent expanding parking, housing and inclusive events for minorities sponsored by the city.
“I’m pretty sure we didn’t have nothing done in the month of June for LGBTQ people, other than some lights on the courthouse,” he said. “I think we’re bigger than the lights on the courthouse.”
Sitting beside him on a metal picnic table, Lewis, King’s brother-in-law, chimed in.
“There was no Juneteenth or nothing,” he said.
Lewis shares in many of the challenges faced by people throughout Cynthiana, Kentucky, and the country as a whole, including the mounting costs of gas, groceries and rent. But he also appreciates the moments of unity he sees in his community. Above all, he’s grateful to live somewhere where he can support his family, while giving his son a shot at a better future.
“Obviously, we’re still struggling as a country, but it’s still a great country, you know?” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t want to live nowhere else.”
This article is part of a collaboration between The Courier Journal and Boyd’s Station, a Kentucky non-profit that provides emerging artists and student journalists a rural place to hone their craft. Nikole Valiente received the 2026 Mary Withers Rural Writing Fellowship grant at Boyd’s Station.
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