Ryland Barton
Ryland is the state capitol reporter for the Kentucky Public Radio Network, a group of public radio stations including WKU Public Radio. A native of Lexington, Ryland has covered politics and state government for NPR member stations KWBU in Waco and KUT in Austin.
Always looking to put a face to big issues, Ryland's reporting has taken him to drought-weary towns in West Texas and relocated communities in rural China. He's covered breaking news like the 2014 shooting at Fort Hood Army Base and the aftermath of the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
Ryland has a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Texas. He grew up in Lexington.
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President Biden toured flood damage in eastern Kentucky with the governor. The president promised increased federal aid and assistance to help the recovery. At least 37 people died in the flooding.
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Many states are seeing fierce partisan battles over voting proposals. But in Kentucky's Republican-led legislature, an election reform bill has gotten widespread support from both parties. -
While lawmakers in other states battle over voting reforms, Kentucky may pass a bipartisan bill that would keep some of the policies put in place last year that expanded voting access during COVID-19.
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The Kentucky Derby was delayed because of the pandemic, now demands are being made that Churchill Downs use this moment to make lasting changes and to take a stand against racial injustice.
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Lines at the voting polls moved smoothly around much of Kentucky, despite worries that pandemic safety measures would derail voting during state's primary on Tuesday.
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Charles Booker, a Black progressive state representative, is mounting a strong challenge to Amy McGrath, the veteran recruited by top Democrats to run against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
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Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin's campaign has asked the state for a recanvass of the votes from Tuesday's gubernatorial election, in which he trails by about 5,000 votes.
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Why do five states hold general elections in odd-numbered years, when there isn't a presidential or congressional race? Some of our political reporters in those states dug in on that question.
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Democrats criticize Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for refusing to take up election security bills. But voters in his home state of Kentucky say that won't affect their support for him.
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A math teacher ousted one of Kentucky's top Republicans in a primary race. Forty-one current and former teachers were on the ballot and this is just one state where educators are running for office.
