Bardstown Cases Where was Nick Houck the day Crystal Rogers disappeared? The question at the center of his perjury case It comes down to one question about the day Crystal Rogers disappeared, asked six times before a grand jury. For months, one question has hung over Nick Houck's perjury case: what, exactly, is he accused of lying about? This afternoon in Nelson Circuit Court, we got the answer. By Shay McAlister • 9 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
Bardstown Cases Nick Houck's trial Is leaving Bardstown- now comes the hard part A judge approved a change of venue Thursday, gave attorneys three weeks to agree on a location, and made clear he's not waiting around. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. By Shay McAlister • 8 min read
Paid Subscriber Content The Commonwealth's case for keeping Joey Lawson behind bars A 97-page brief walks through jury selection, joint-trial concerns, and the evidence prosecutors say still holds up on appeal. "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 ' By Shay McAlister • 9 min read
Bardstown Cases Nick Houck's former boss says he always knew this day would come Rick McCubbin fired Nick Houck from the Bardstown Police Department over a decade ago. On Thursday, he was vindicated. "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 • 4 min read
Paid Subscriber Content "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 By Shay McAlister • 11 min read
Bardstown Cases Circumstantial Episode 10: The rest of my life The appeals. The unsolved Bardstown murders. A family's renewed push to find Tommy's killer. And Sherry Ballard's promise to never stop fighting. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
Crystal's daughters Ashley and Kyleigh and her mom Sherry speaking at Houck's sentencing Bardstown Cases Circumstantial Episode 9: Tell us where she is Life in prison for Brooks Houck. 25 years for Joseph Lawson. And the chance for the Ballard family to look them in the eye and speak their mind. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
Bardstown Cases Circumstantial Episode 8: "This man is guilty of murder" The judge laid out the entire case against Brooks Houck. The defense asked the jury to send him home to his son. And behind the scenes, attorneys debated whether to dismiss a juror who slept through the evidence. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an By Shay McAlister • 6 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 By Shay McAlister • 10 min read
Bardstown Cases Circumstantial Episode 6: "Shave her head, pull her teeth and the hogs would do the rest" The most horrific testimony of the trial. The witnesses who corroborated it. And the defense that nearly tore it all apart. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity. Circumstantial: The Crystal Rogers Trials By Shay McAlister • 6 min read
Bardstown Cases Circumstantial Episode 5: The white car Hair similar to Crystal's. A cadaver dog hit. And the moment I learned the Houck family was talking about me on their jail calls, officials feared for my safety. "I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest By Shay McAlister • 5 min read
