Well, well, well.
Apparently exposing public records, publishing facts, memes, and satire, and asking questions the “important folks” don’t want answered is now considered a criminal act in Falmouth, Kentucky.
Let’s get you up to speed, Whisper-style.
Earlier yesterday, after we submitted multiple open records requests regarding city government and law enforcement, the powers that be decided they’ve had enough of our truth-telling. Rather than responding like professionals. This morning I find they appear to have gone running to Frankfort or more likely to their friends screaming for someone to make the bad man stop posting. Enter Special Prosecutor Grant Axon, reportedly appointed by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office to investigate The Falmouth Whisper.
Yep. You read that right.
They’re trying to criminally investigate a grassroots news outlet and me, a journalist, because their feelings got hurt. Today! I have personally reached out to Special Prosecutor Grant Axon. I’ve also emailed Chief Marty Hart to ask what the alleged charges even are (spoiler: there aren’t any… yet). And I attempted to contact County Attorney Stacy Sanning to ask directly if she requested this witch hunt. So far? Crickets.
But what’s loud and clear is the implication: free speech is under attack in Pendleton County. This isn’t just about The Whisper. This is about whether we let public officials use backroom favors and taxpayer dollars to go after the press. To silence questions. To threaten everyday people who support transparency.
If we had to guess how this nonsense got greenlit, our money is on Mayor Sabrina Hazen and State Representative Mark Hart pulling strings. That’s how we got a special prosecutor from Gallatin County sniffing around Facebook posts and memes instead of corruption and infrastructure failures.
All because we told the truth.
And speaking of real people being affected, Tommy Weber, one of our supporters, was harassed at his workplace by people upset with The Whisper. For that, I publicly want to say: Tommy, I’m sorry. You didn’t sign up for this, and your courage means more than you know.
This isn’t just unethical. It’s unconstitutional.
Let’s talk about the law:
Kentucky’s Reporter Shield Law – KRS 421.100
“No person shall be compelled to disclose in any legal proceeding… the source of any information obtained by him in his capacity as a reporter…”
Translation: I don’t have to tell them who whispered to us. Not now. Not ever.
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
“Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…”
If you need a reminder, the press is protected, satire is protected, opinion is protected, and public accountability is not a crime. It’s a duty.
Kentucky Whistleblower and Free Speech Protections
KRS 61.102 protects whistleblowers from retaliation.
KRS 61.168 prohibits employers or officials from interfering with freedom of expression in public service or protected environments.
So let me ask the people directly:
Do you support criminal investigations into free press because public officials got embarrassed?
Do you think your tax dollars should fund a witch hunt instead of fixing roads, water lines, or hydrants that don’t work?
Do you want a town where truth is prosecuted and lies are protected?
Because that’s what this is. It’s been a hell of a day. I also reached out to the ACLU of Kentucky this afternoon, because if these people want to pick a fight with the Constitution, they’re not just fighting me anymore. I have a call with them on Friday morning, It is about to get really fun. And here’s the part that scares them the most: We’re not going anywhere. In fact… we’re expanding.
Whisper One Out.
– Chris Collins
Founder, The Falmouth Whisper