Ryland Barton

Kentucky Public Radio State Capitol Reporter

Ryland is the state capitol reporter for Kentucky Public Radio. He's 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.

Kentucky Republicans In Charge Of Redistricting For First Time

By • Dec 3, 2020
Ryland Barton / WFPL

With the conclusion of the 2020 Census, Kentucky and states across the nation will soon begin the process of redistricting—redrawing the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts to account for shifts in population since the last census.

Amid Pandemic, Kentucky Courts Postpone All Jury Trials Until February

By • Nov 20, 2020
Blogtrepreneur/Wikimedia Commons

The Kentucky Supreme Court has issued new coronavirus restrictions that will affect courts across the state, including the delay of all jury trials until February.

Kentucky Redistricting Data Might Be Delayed By Pandemic

By • Nov 17, 2020

With the completion of the U.S. Census count, Kentucky lawmakers will soon get the data that allows them to redraw legislative and congressional boundaries.

Kentucky Democrats Elect First Black Chair, Colmon Elridge

By • Nov 14, 2020
Kentucky Democratic Party

  The Kentucky Democratic Party’s executive committee has elected Colmon Elridge to be the party’s new chair.

Kentucky Supreme Court Upholds Beshear Coronavirus Orders

By • Nov 12, 2020
Acdixon / Wikimedia Commons

The Kentucky Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of Gov. Andy Beshear’s power to issue emergency orders during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kentucky Budget Director Predicts No Cuts, But Outlook Uncertain

By • Nov 11, 2020
J.Tyler Franklin

Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration says federal assistance led to higher-than expected tax revenues during the coronavirus pandemic and that the state hopefully won’t need to make budget cuts this year.

McConnell Again Elected Senate GOP Leader, Majority Unclear

By • Nov 10, 2020
WKMS

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been reelected as the leader of Republicans in the U.S. Senate, though it’s still up in the air whether Republicans will retain their majority in the Senate during the next congress that convenes in 2021.

 

Kentucky AG Cameron Joins Fight Against Pennsylvania Ballots

By • Nov 9, 2020
Kyeland Jackson

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has joined other Republican attorneys general in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate some mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania.

What A Growing GOP Supermajority Means For Ky.’s Democratic Governor

By & • Nov 5, 2020
Screenshot of Governor Andy Beshear's Facebook Live

About a year ago, Andy Beshear stood on stage at the C2 event space in downtown Louisville, declaring victory for his gubernatorial campaign.

Kentucky Republicans Win Big In Statehouse Elections

By • Nov 4, 2020
Ryland Barton

  Republicans picked up several seats in the Kentucky statehouse on Election Day, adding to their supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature.

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