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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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. -
Tuesday's Democratic primary to choose who takes on Sen. Mitch McConnell this fall is suddenly competitive. Ex-Marine pilot Amy McGrath faces Charles Booker, an African American progressive.
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States are in dire financial trouble because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some Republican leaders in Washington D.C. have suggested states declare bankruptcy, but is that a possible option?
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Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, who lost his seat in November, has issued 428 pardons in his final days in office. Many of those pardoned are controversial, violent felons. Prosecutors are dismayed.
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More than a week after the election, in which he was 5,000 votes behind, Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin conceded the race to Democrat Andy Beshear, the state attorney general.
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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. -
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. -
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. -
Senate Majority Leader McConnell says there will be a debate on bills addressing gun violence. But he's up for re-election in 2020 and his home state is fiercely pro-gun.
