ACLU of KY secures dismissal of charges against journalist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2025,

Eric King

Digital Communications Strategist

502-822-6111, [email protected]

ACLU OF KENTUCKY SECURES DISMISSAL OF CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALIST ARRESTED WHILE REPORTING AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY PROTEST

COVINGTON, Ky. - The ACLU of Kentucky and ACLU cooperating counsel Tom Pugh, Pugh & Roach, obtained dismissal of the remaining charges against a journalist who was arrested while covering a protest in Northern Kentucky at the Roebling Bridge. Today, the court entered an agreed order dismissing all remaining charges against Madeline Fening.
Ms. Fening, an investigative news reporter with CityBeat in Cincinnati, faced only misdemeanor charges in Kenton County District Court after Kenton Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders previously abandoned a felony charge of rioting that Covington Police also lodged against her.

“We are pleased that our client has been fully exonerated,” said Bethany Baxter, staff attorney for the ACLU of Kentucky. “The press should not be punished simply for being present where the news is happening.”

“I was just doing my job,” said Madeline Fening. “I am relieved this is over, and grateful to everyone who stood with me. I look forward to publishing my full account of what transpired that day on the Roebling Bridge.”

The ACLU of Kentucky is committed to protecting individuals’ civil liberties, including those of the press.

Ms. Fening is the second of two CityBeat journalists successfully represented by the ACLU of Kentucky and Mr. Pugh. CityBeat intern and University of Cincinnati student Lucas Griffith was also arrested on July 17, 2025, and initially charged with felony rioting and several misdemeanors. His felony rioting charge was also abandoned by the Kenton Commonwealth Attorney. On October 2, 2025, a Kenton County jury found Mr. Griffith not guilty of three of the four charges they were asked to consider. They found Mr. Griffith guilty of one charge, failure to disperse, and assessed a $50 fine and court costs.
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The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky is freedom's watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislature and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms. For additional information, visit our website at: www.aclu-ky.org.