"I failed my child': A mother's mission to help other parents recognize the signs Shay McAlister September 10, 2025 – 6 min read Share this post Shay Originals 'We're still floating': Big Nita's owners reflect on life-changing Derby weekend When Churchill Downs came calling, Big Nita's said yes, and then Louisville showed up to support them. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the By Shay McAlister • 6 min read National News Hitting Home He always wanted to fight for his country. At 26, he did. The Pennington family opens up about Ben- the soldier, the son, the man they're still learning about. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. This story is a 'Shay Original' By Shay McAlister • 17 min read Photo by Annie Spratt / Unsplash Shay Originals Vanished: Kentucky's hidden crisis of missing children in state custody When the state promises to protect vulnerable kids but can't keep track of where they are, families are left searching- and the system offers few answers. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and By Shay McAlister • 10 min read Credit: The Louisville Zoo facebook National News Hitting Home Zoos across the country are being threatened. Louisville was one of them. The calls come in as immediate threats to human life, bring in a massive law enforcement response, and then are deemed a hoax and a waste of valuable resources. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion By Shay McAlister • 3 min read Shay Originals 'We're still floating': Big Nita's owners reflect on life-changing Derby weekend When Churchill Downs came calling, Big Nita's said yes, and then Louisville showed up to support them. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the By Shay McAlister • 6 min read Photo by sippakorn yamkasikorn / Unsplash Covering Kentucky Kentuckians could see 10 cents off at the pump. But something else has to happen first. Governor Andy Beshear announced several steps he wants to take to improve affordability for Kentuckians- but he can't act alone. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign By Shay McAlister • 4 min read Photo by Element5 Digital / Unsplash National News Hitting Home Indiana's primary is today. Here's what's actually at stake. Polls are open right now- here's what you need to know before 6 p.m. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the free weekly By Shay McAlister • 4 min read CREDIT: Berea Police Department Facebook Covering Kentucky Accused shooter's social media helped crack the case- what we know about the fatal KY bank robbery After a night that stretched law enforcement across Central Kentucky, Brailen Weaver is behind bars- and expected to face a federal judge Monday. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? By Shay McAlister • 5 min read Covering Kentucky "I don't regret anything I've said": Misty Noel speaks out in first interview since prison "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. This story is a 'Shay Original', which is available to paid subscribers only. You can become a member for $4.99/month and gain access By Shay McAlister • 11 min read
Shay Originals 'We're still floating': Big Nita's owners reflect on life-changing Derby weekend When Churchill Downs came calling, Big Nita's said yes, and then Louisville showed up to support them. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
National News Hitting Home He always wanted to fight for his country. At 26, he did. The Pennington family opens up about Ben- the soldier, the son, the man they're still learning about. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. This story is a 'Shay Original' By Shay McAlister • 17 min read
Photo by Annie Spratt / Unsplash Shay Originals Vanished: Kentucky's hidden crisis of missing children in state custody When the state promises to protect vulnerable kids but can't keep track of where they are, families are left searching- and the system offers few answers. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and By Shay McAlister • 10 min read
Credit: The Louisville Zoo facebook National News Hitting Home Zoos across the country are being threatened. Louisville was one of them. The calls come in as immediate threats to human life, bring in a massive law enforcement response, and then are deemed a hoax and a waste of valuable resources. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion By Shay McAlister • 3 min read
Shay Originals 'We're still floating': Big Nita's owners reflect on life-changing Derby weekend When Churchill Downs came calling, Big Nita's said yes, and then Louisville showed up to support them. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
Photo by sippakorn yamkasikorn / Unsplash Covering Kentucky Kentuckians could see 10 cents off at the pump. But something else has to happen first. Governor Andy Beshear announced several steps he wants to take to improve affordability for Kentuckians- but he can't act alone. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign By Shay McAlister • 4 min read
Photo by Element5 Digital / Unsplash National News Hitting Home Indiana's primary is today. Here's what's actually at stake. Polls are open right now- here's what you need to know before 6 p.m. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? Sign up for the free weekly By Shay McAlister • 4 min read
CREDIT: Berea Police Department Facebook Covering Kentucky Accused shooter's social media helped crack the case- what we know about the fatal KY bank robbery After a night that stretched law enforcement across Central Kentucky, Brailen Weaver is behind bars- and expected to face a federal judge Monday. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you new here? By Shay McAlister • 5 min read
Covering Kentucky "I don't regret anything I've said": Misty Noel speaks out in first interview since prison "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. This story is a 'Shay Original', which is available to paid subscribers only. You can become a member for $4.99/month and gain access By Shay McAlister • 11 min read
