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Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Governor Comer? The most popular man at Kentucky's biggest political rally is open to it
FANCY FARM, Ky. — The "Comer for Congress" signs were hard to miss along KY-80. Dozens of them lined the eight-mile stretch between Mayfield and Fancy Farm over the weekend ahead of West Kentucky's famed political rally. The region is home territory for U.S. Rep. James Comer, a Tompkinsville native and powerful Republican congressional representative who's running for reelection next year. But even after his opponent spoke on stage at the Aug. 2 Fancy Farm rally, most speakers looked past next year's race when Comer's name entered the conversation. "My friends, aren't we ready to send a Republican back to the governor's mansion?" Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell asked the crowd. "Speaking of, I thank God every day for James Comer. But doesn't Governor Comer sound even better?" The Comer contingent in the crowd roared in approval. And the representative was open with reporters afterward. He has a 2026 race to consider, and he'd be walking away from a high-profile role as chair of the House Oversight Committee. But a run to replace term-limited incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in 2027 is something he's "very interested" in exploring. "I'm getting a lot of encouragement from people all over Kentucky, so it's something that we're looking very seriously at," he said, noting he has another run for Congress to tackle first. "... Just about every state legislator that's here today, even the ones as far east as Bell County, have said, 'We want you to run. We're all in for you.'" Beshear has repeatedly shut down speculation he'll enter the race for retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's seat in 2026, saying he isn't going anywhere while his second term is underway (with an exception for speaking engagements in other states, as he weighs a potential presidential run in 2028). Meanwhile, the Democrats' bench to replace him appears thin. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman has not said what she plans to do when Beshear's second term ends, and Beshear special advisor Rocky Adkins' name is also frequently brought up as a potential contender. Coleman had never held political office before joining Beshear's ticket and was trounced by longtime incumbent Republican state Rep. Kim King in her lone run for state office before then — a campaign for Central Kentucky's House District 55 in 2014. Adkins, a former state representative, ran against Beshear in the 2019 primary, finishing second in the race with about 32% of the vote. He has remained close to the governor in the years since he took office, often appearing with him in the aftermath of natural disasters that have hit Kentucky. Comer expressed skepticism that Adkins would be the nominee, citing previous stances — in 2019 he voted in favor of a bill to outlaw abortions immediately if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, for instance — that may not be in line with Democrats in party strongholds such as Louisville and Lexington. "Unless something happens, Jackie Coleman's the overwhelming favorite to be the Democratic nominee," Comer predicted. Through a spokesperson, Coleman declined to comment on his remarks. Coleman described herself as a "pro-life compassionate Democrat" during her 2014 campaign, though a representative in 2019 said she "does not believe politicians should impose their views on others" and believes in protecting reproductive rights. She called for the state to reopen abortion access in an op-ed last year. At a Democrat dinner the night before Fancy Farm, Coleman touched on her absence at the political rally, saying she would not be at the event 'partly because there are so many obvious jokes, but not much worth laughing about at this moment.' '… Although I do hear of some races, like in 2027, that might bring me back to the Fancy Farm stage,' she said. With Democrats a rare sight over the weekend at Fancy Farm — Comer's opponent, John "Drew" Williams, was the only one to take the stage — Comer was the talk of the small West Kentucky town. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell praised his work in the nation's capital, where he's served in the House of Representatives since late 2016 after four years as Kentucky's agriculture commissioner, calling him a "great congressman." U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, one of three Republicans running for McConnell's seat who spoke at the event, said the region will "have no better friend this side of Jamie Comer when it comes to supporting West Kentucky in the United States Senate," if Barr is elected to the chamber next year. As chair of the House Oversight Committee, Comer has led probes into former President Joe Biden and his family members, though critics have argued he's spent more time building his own profile than helping constituents in Kentucky and has chased conspiracy theories over legitimate investigations. He jokingly gave Williams an "endorsement from Joe Biden, signed by the autopen" during his Fancy Farm speech, a nod to the committee's ongoing inquiry into the former president's mental state during his time in office. Comer acknowledged that role has given him a leg up in name recognition, which would help in a year when the presidential race isn't on the ballot. "The governor's race is in an odd election year, and what happens is Louisville and Lexington and that triangle area, they have a big turnout, and the rural areas don't turn out because they don't have a connection to that candidate," Comer told reporters. "I believe I'm pretty well-known in rural America. "Rural America's conservative. Rural Kentucky's conservative. They watch a lot of conservative media outlets. I'm on Fox News and Newsmax a lot. ... There's a craving in this state for a conservative Republican governor, and that's why I think people are reaching out to me." State Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, said his fellow Western Kentucky native is the "odds-on favorite" to win the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2027, "even though he hasn't announced yet." "I'm going to 100% support Jamie Comer in whatever he decides to do, but especially in the governor's race," Meredith told The Courier Journal. "I don't think there is anybody that's more qualified for the position, and I don't think there's anybody who can have more electoral success at it on our side of the aisle. ... He loves Kentucky, he loves Western Kentucky, and we would love to have a governor like him." Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said Comer is "getting it done in Washington, D.C." But will he trade that seat for a chance to call the governor's mansion home? "It's going to be another year before that decision," Comer said. "... But I am humbled that we're getting so much support from people all over the state." More: On stage with Senate candidates, McConnell — and his legacy — looms large at Fancy Farm Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: James Comer weighs leaving powerful House seat to run for KY governor
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail again ahead of sentencing
Sean "Diddy" Combs has been denied bail ahead of his sentencing on prostitution-related charges. Judge Arun Subramanian said the hip-hop mogul had failed to show sufficient evidence he is not a flight risk and also cited admissions of previous violence made during his trial. Combs, 55, has been in prison since his arrest in September last year. During a two-month trial, jurors heard allegations that he had coerced former girlfriends, including singer and model Cassie Ventura, into having drug-fuelled sex marathons with male sex workers, while he watched and filmed them. In July, he was found guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution - but cleared of more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking, which carried potential life sentences. The rapper's legal team hailed this a "victory" and immediately applied for bail ahead of sentencing, citing his acquittal on the top charges. After this was denied, they submitted another application last week. Judge Subramanian has now rejected the request again. In denying the motion for bail, the judge found Combs had failed to show sufficient evidence to counter arguments he is a flight risk, writing in a court filing: "Increasing the amount of the bond or devising additional conditions doesn't change the calculus given the circumstances and heavy burden of proof that Combs bears." Read more: He also found that an argument by the music star's legal team that the squalor and danger of the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), where he is being held, did not warrant release. "The public outcry concerning these conditions has come from all corners," the judge wrote. "But as Combs acknowledges, MDC staff has been able to keep him safe and attend to his needs, even during an incident of threatened violence from an inmate." As well as Combs's bail application, his legal team has also filed a motion calling for him to be acquitted or given a new trial on the prostitution-related charges only. The judge has not yet responded to this application. How long could Diddy be jailed for? Combs is due to be sentenced on 3 October and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Discussions on sentencing guidelines which followed the jury's verdict suggest it is unlikely he will be jailed for this long, with an estimate of around two to five years, taking into account time already served. However, it is ultimately up to Judge Arun Subramanian to decide the rapper's punishment. On Friday, Donald Trump was asked during an interview about a potential pardon for Combs following speculation about the issue. The president said it was unlikely, adding that the rapper was "very hostile" during his presidential campaign. Combs, who co-founded Bad Boy Records and launched the career of the late Notorious BIG, was for decades a huge figure in pop culture - a Grammy-winning hip-hop artist and business entrepreneur, who presided over an empire ranging from fashion to reality TV. As well as the criminal conviction, he is also facing several civil lawsuits.
Fast Company
25 minutes ago
- Fast Company
AT&T to pay $177 million in data breach settlement. Here's how to claim up to $5,000
After suffering two significant data breaches in recent years, AT&T has agreed to pay $177 million to customers affected by the incidents. Some individuals could receive as much as $5,000 as part of the settlement. The cellular carrier faced two class-action lawsuits following separate breaches disclosed in 2024. The first was confirmed in April of last year, affecting 73 million current and former customers. A second breach, confirmed a short time later, in July, impacted 100 million customers. The compromised data varied by individual but may have included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and passcodes—raising concerns about identity theft. Although AT&T has denied the allegations, the U.S. District Court in Dallas granted preliminary approval of the settlement in June. With notification efforts beginning, here's what to know about eligibility and how to file a claim. Who qualifies for compensation in the AT&T data breach settlement? People who suffered damages as a result of the breaches will be prioritized for compensation. However, any current or former AT&T customer whose data was compromised is eligible. Two separate funds have been established: one with $28 million for the April breach, and another with $149 million for the July breach. After customers with direct losses are reimbursed, remaining funds will be distributed to those whose data was stolen but who did not experience direct harm. How much compensation am I entitled to? Customers affected by the April 2024 breach may be eligible for up to $5,000 if their losses are 'fairly traceable' to the incident. Those impacted by the July breach can receive up to $2,500. If your data was compromised but you did not incur specific damages, your compensation amount is still to be determined. How do I make a claim? The notification program for the settlement started August 4 and will continue through October 17. The deadline to submit claims is November 18. advertisement On December 3, the court is scheduled to hold a final approval hearing, which will make the payments final. You can begin the process of filing a claim at the website. When will payments go out? Payments are expected to be distributed to current and former AT&T customers in early 2026. How did the AT&T data breaches take place? The second breach was linked to a hack of Snowflake, AT&T's cloud storage provider. AT&T reported that hackers had 'unlawfully accessed and copied AT&T call logs,' making it one of the largest private communications data breaches in history. The first breach, however, may be even more concerning. In 2021, a hacker group called Shiny Hunters claimed to have accessed AT&T's systems starting in 2019. While AT&T initially denied the data originated from its systems, 70 million customer records were later posted for sale on the dark web in March 2024. Following further investigation, a security researcher discovered that stolen passwords could be easily decrypted. AT&T then reset account passwords and confirmed the breach on April 2.
