Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) “defended his controversial last-minute pardon of a man convicted of raping a 9-year-old, saying there was no physical evidence of her abuse,” the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

Said Bevin: “There was zero evidence… Both their hymens were intact. This is perhaps more specific than people would want, but trust me. If you have been repeatedly sexually violated as a small child by an adult, there are going to be repercussions of that physically and medically.”

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton (R) filed suit against Gov. Matt Bevin (R) on Thursday, asking for court orders that would restore her two fired staff members to their jobs, the Louisville Courier Journal reports.

“The 12-page lawsuit, filed in Franklin Circuit Court, argues the Bevin administration illegally dismissed Hampton’s chief of staff, Steve Knipper, in late January and her deputy chief of staff, Adrienne Southworth, in late May.”

Associated Press: “The dispute threatens to complicate Bevin’s efforts to win a second term in a state that has tilted heavily toward the GOP.”

“An ongoing federal lawsuit over Gov. Matt Bevin’s habit of blocking people on Twitter and Facebook shows the Republican leader has persisted in barring users from accessing his official accounts,” the Louisville Courier Journal reports.

“Newly released court records say the number of accounts prohibited from readily viewing Bevin’s social media has ballooned from about 600 to nearly 3,000 different users since the Courier Journal reported on his penchant for blocking two years ago.”

“I just have to say, this nitwit governor in Kentucky, saying that ‘Oh, we’re weak.’ These are kids who are going to be in subzero wind chill. No, cancel school! Stop it! I’m glad you’re not a teacher!”

— Weatherman Al Roker quoted by the HuffPost, on Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) who said that America was “getting soft” for closing schools in anticipation of record-breaking low temperatures.

A Democratic state legislator alleges Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) left a message threatening him and his district on his voicemail in December, one day after he refused to change parties, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

“Bevin made the call to Rep. Russ Meyer (D) at a time when Republicans were furiously trying to recruit party-switchers in the House following the November election that saw the GOP make great strides. Meyer was a top target because he represents a district that votes heavily Republican.”

Lexington Herald-Leader: “They have only eight weeks to campaign, but the outcome of their political races will greatly affect how Kentucky is governed. The field of candidates has been set for the four special state House elections that Gov. Matt Bevin (R) has scheduled for March 8.”

“Democrats have to win at least one of the elections to keep the majority they have enjoyed since 1921.”