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Bevin Blasts Herald-Leader Over "Racist" Cartoon

Associated Press

Republican Gov.-elect Matt Bevin had some strong words for Lexington Herald-Leader political cartoonist Joel Pett Thursday.

Bevin’s already rocky relationship with Kentucky’s second largest newspaper just got a little rockier with the printing of a Pett cartoon that the incoming governor is calling “racist.”

The cartoon depicts Bevin cowering under his desk when shown a picture of one of his four adopted children from Ethiopia with an assistant saying, “Sir, they’re not terrorists… they’re your own adopted kids” – a reference to Bevin’s opposition to allowing Syrian refugees into the commonwealth.

In a statement, the incoming governor blasted the paper, saying, “Shame on Mr. Pett for his deplorable attack on my children and shame on the editorial controls that approved this overt racism.”

WUKY reached out to the Herald-Leader for comment, but has not yet received a response.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.