Credit: Jordan Phillips Covering Kentucky 'I'm sure glad you were mine': Kentucky mourns Trooper Hayden Phillips The 28-year-old trooper turns 29 today. His wife is asking people to honor him every day. 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 By Shay McAlister • 4 min read
Covering Kentucky Suspect in KSP trooper's killing has a criminal history, records show Emonnie Branch is charged with murder of a first responder in the death of Trooper Hayden Phillips. Now, prosecutors are revealing a lengthy criminal past. I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Are you By Shay McAlister • 3 min read
Team Lucas and Levi; Lucas (left) and Levi (right) Covering Kentucky The families who make up Down Syndrome of Louisville are fundraising harder than ever Fundraising has always been part of how the nonprofit survives. This year, with a Medicaid rate cut looming, families say the stakes feel different. 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 By Shay McAlister • 10 min read
Photo by Alexander Grey / Unsplash Covering Kentucky Forgotten money may be waiting for you. Officials say more than $100M linked to Louisville residents. The search takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Here's when, where and what to bring to mind. 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 By Shay McAlister • 2 min read
Bardstown Cases One of three Crystal Rogers convictions is now in front of appeals judges The Crystal Rogers appeals are moving at different speeds. Steve Lawson's just got a panel. 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 • 5 min read
Credit: Frontier Nursing University Shay Originals From nurses on horseback to maternity deserts: The state of being a mother in Kentucky Kentucky once sent midwives on horseback to reach mothers where they lived. A century later, the state ranks near the bottom on nearly every measure of maternal and infant health, labor and delivery units are closing, and Medicaid cuts loom. Still- midwives, doctors, and a group of determined moms are By Shay McAlister • 14 min read
Covering Kentucky Kentucky officials confirm state is dismantling its SNAP fraud investigation team CHFS says budget cuts drove the reorganization. It didn't dispute employees' warnings that local offices aren't equipped to take this on. Multiple employees from different branches of Kentucky's Department for Community Based Services told me the same thing this month, independently: the team By Shay McAlister • 5 min read
Covering Kentucky Urgent search for missing Morehead State Student from Bardstown His family says he has no phone, no wallet and no ID. He was last seen driving south near Georgetown. 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 By Shay McAlister • 4 min read
Covering Kentucky Louisville priest resigns after lawsuit claimed he brushed off a worker's rape report A new lawsuit accuses the Archdiocese of Louisville of ignoring its own abuse policies, as more than 700 people sign a petition calling for Father David Sánchez's removal. I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
Sadie Flores original mugshot from August 2026 Covering Kentucky Grand jury indicts Graves County teacher, adds tampering charge to grooming case Sadie Flores now faces two charges- grooming and tampering with physical evidence- following Tuesday's grand jury indictment. 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 • 3 min read
The factory floor at the American Printing House for the Blind Shay Originals Please touch! Louisville's new museum breaks the oldest rule in the book The Dot Experience was designed to be the most inclusive museum on Earth, and its director says he doesn't want to hold that title for long. I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and By Shay McAlister • 13 min read
Shay Originals For decades, they didn't feel worthy of a welcome home. This flight is changing that. Honor Flight Bluegrass is evolving- and the shift says something important about how America is finally reckoning with Vietnam. Shay McAlister will travel with Honor Flight Bluegrass on the September 29th flight. You can follow along on her social media accounts on the day of, and look for in-depth By Shay McAlister • 15 min read
