WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026  ·  EASTERN KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITY NEWS HUB
All the news from the hollows & hills of Eastern Kentucky

Today's Stories 59 stories · Updated 05:35 PM

Harlan Enterprise35m ago

Genesis 16:12 "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of [...]

Mountain Top Media56m ago

ASHLAND, Ky. -- A Pike County man has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for making threats against a public official over Facebook. Ronald Ferguson Jr., 48, of Elkhorn City, pleaded guilty to a single count of interstate threat to injure back in December. In his plea agreement, Ferguson admitted making Facebook videos vowing to "hunt" down Pike County Judge-Executive Ray Jones and t

WTVQ ABC 3656m ago

JACKSON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Jackson County Public Schools will add 19 minutes to the end of each school day beginning Thursday, March 19, to make up for missed snow days, Superintendent Renee Smith announced. The change will push the last day of school to Friday, June 5, 2026. Smith said the district used all of its NTI days...

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

(ABC36 News Now) — A proposed change to Kentucky Senate Bill 4 would significantly reshape the school boards in two of the state's largest districts, reducing the number of elected members in Jefferson County and adding state-appointed seats in both Jefferson and Fayette Counties. A committee substitute to SB 4 passed the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee, the Kentucky...

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — A Pulaski County man accused of the 2023 murder of his grandfather and father in Science Hill is set to appear in court on Wednesday to change his plea, court documents reveal. Austin Prather was arrested and charged in November 2023 after police say he shot and killed 67-year-old Ardyth Prather Jr. and...

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) - Several people are facing charges following drug trafficking investigations in Montgomery County. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, deputies conducted a traffic stop and later executed a search warrant in Mount Sterling, leading to the arrests of Julian Piersawl, 29, of Mount Sterling, Keisha Powell, 29, of Morehead, and James Brown, 37, of...

Mountain Top Media1h ago

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky State Police Post 9 in Pikeville has a new commander. Captain Brad Riley took over as the new Post Commander on Monday. “It is an honor to serve as the Commander at Post 9,” Captain Riley said. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated troopers and staff while serving the citizens throughout the communities we represent.” Captain Riley began his career with the K

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) - A bill aimed at improving safety at railroad crossings is moving forward in Kentucky. Lawmakers in the Kentucky House of Representatives have passed House Bill 311, sponsored by Josh Calloway and co-sponsored by Nancy Tate. The legislation would require railroad companies to clear overgrown vegetation near railroad crossings to help drivers better see oncoming...

Harlan Enterprise3h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The Kentucky State Police (KSP) say current and former employees at two Kentucky state prisons are among those facing charges stemming from separate investigations. After Eastern [...]

Harlan Enterprise4h ago

If there's one thing that I've learned in this life, it's that what things look like and what they actually are may be very different things. Case in point, I [...]

Mountain Eagle6h ago

The Jenkins City Council has approved a resolution supporting a plan to renovate the former Elkhorn Country Club into a hotel. Letcher County currently has no motels or hotels following the closure of the Parkway Inn in Whitesburg. Bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals are the only lodging options. Now, Jonathan and Esther Brooke Tucker hope to convert the abandoned clubhouse at [...] The post

Mountain Eagle6h ago

A federal lawsuit filed against the Jenkins Independent Board of Education by a Letcher County vlogger is among several cases facing delays after a Whitesburg attorney was found in contempt of court and suspended from practicing in federal courts. Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning has suspended attorney Jennifer L. Taylor from practicing in the U.S. District Court for the [...] The post Judg

Mountain Eagle6h ago

Forty-four months after the Kentucky River rose more than three feet inside the Blackey Public Library, the building’s lower level remains gutted — and now the upper level could require major changes as well. The split-level library includes an addition at the rear that sits several feet higher than the front section. Although the upper level did not flood, it [...] The post Blackey library still

Mountain Eagle6h ago

After Kam Williams broke his foot against Texas on Jan. 21 and needed surgery, it seemed almost certain he would miss the remainder of Kentucky’s season. Williams’ father, Greg, knew that was a possibility but also noted there was a “chance” he might return for postseason play if all went well. Last week, Williams was back on the court for [...] The post Kam Williams puts team first first appeared

Mountain Eagle6h ago

Given the return to cold weather we’ve had this week, it might seem hard to believe that Friday is officially the first day of spring. The cool mornings, along with warmer days and evenings, will cause lake surface temperatures to slowly rise. As with everything in fishing, this happens for a reason. In early spring, pre-spawn bass begin moving into [...] The post Time to crank up the spring bite

Mountain Eagle6h ago

As I look out the window, at first it seems like a good day to be outside and do a little fishing. Then my eyes move to the trees bending in the wind, and I know better. The wind could carry you into the next county. Remember the old saying, “Looks can be deceiving”? This is one of those days. [...] The post Spring teases as turkey season nears first appeared on The Mountain Eagle .

Kentucky Lantern17h ago

FRANKFORT — Gun manufacturers and sellers would be shielded from lawsuits over the actions of their customers under a bill approved Tuesday by the GOP-controlled Kentucky House of Representatives. Rep. TJ Roberts, R-Burlington, sponsor of House Bill 78, told lawmakers that “criminals should be held liable for their actions — not manufacturers, not sellers who [...]

Mountain Top Media18h ago

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. - Prestonsburg High School announced Tuesday that Shawn Hager has been named the school's new boys head basketball coach. "I am very excited for this opportunity to be part of the Blackcat basketball program," Hager said. "I am looking forward to getting started and working with the players." As a player, Hager won three regional championships during his high school career, later

Kentucky Lantern18h ago

FRANKFORT — A bill that critics say would block Kentuckians from suing pesticide companies for failing to warn of their products' hazards narrowly passed the Republican-controlled House Tuesday over significant Republican opposition. Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would designate that the warning required under a federal law “shall be deemed a [...]

Kentucky Lantern22h ago

FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s Republican-controlled House and Senate overrode Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of a bill that would opt the state into a program of education grants for K-12 students promoted by the Trump administration and benefiting from a new federal tax credit. With little debate, the Senate voted 31-5 to overturn Beshear’s rejection of [...]

Mountain Top Media22h ago

A new report from Nielsen shows radio is the number-one way Americans listen to audio, far outpacing digital platforms. The report, titled “Audio Today 2026,” finds radio reaches 93 percent of all U.S. adults each month, making it the most widely used media platform in the country. Nielsen says radio also accounts for the majority of ad-supported audio listening, with about 61 percent of daily lis

Mountain Top Media23h ago

With March Madness right around the corner, this time of year brings up a lot of memories for basketball fans around the state. One team that comes to mind is the dominant Paintsville Tigers in the late 90s. This team was stacked from top to bottom, with a front court of Craig Ratliff, JR VanHoose, and Josh McKenzie; the Tigers were an impossible team to stop down low. On top of that, they were le

Mountain Top MediaMar 17

ASHLAND, Ky. -- A Pike County man has pleaded guilty in a federal child porn case that officials say involved thousands of images. Michael Wayne Hilliary, 58, of McCarr, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing child porn. Hilliary was arrested May 15, after police with a search warrant raided his home and found 20 pictures and videos of child porn on his computer. Later, a forensic examination of the

Mountain Top MediaMar 17

WEST LIBERTY, Ky. -- An investigation into illegal drug activity inside an Eastern Kentucky prison has resulted in the arrest of five people. Kentucky State Police and the Gateway Area Drug Task Force responded to a request to investigate from the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty. That investigation resulted in indictments being returned against two former correctional officer

Mountain Top MediaMar 17

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Johns Creek Archery Team walked away with some bragging rights following the National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament this past Friday. Team member Blake Mullins delivered an outstanding performance, shooting an impressive score of 274 out of a possible 300. Of the 1,585 middle school partipants, Mullins finished in 102-place. While his score fell just short o

Harlan EnterpriseMar 17

Phyllis Ann Day, 77, of Smith, died March 7, 2026. Eric Hurston Simpson, 46, of Watts Creek, died March 10, 2026. Betty Ann Bledsoe Fee, 62, of Harlan, died March [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 15

Six months into his nursing career, Jack Ward was recognized as one of Pikeville Medical Center’s Shining Stars, an honor bestowed on employees who exhibit excellence in patient care — a skill set his instructors at Big Sandy Community and Technical College emphasized when he was

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

SALYERSVILLE – The city has finally turned in the 2023 audit and is now in compliance with the Department of Local Government for state funding. Last week the City of Salyersville received their 2023 audit report and the Department of Local Government confirmed for the SI that they have now received the audit. As of [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

JOHNSON COUNTY – A Magoffin County man was killed in a one-vehicle wreck in Johnson County on March 5. A commercial vehicle, owned by Jackson Propane Plus and operated by Allen Skaggs, 49, of Salyersville, reportedly left the roadway and Skaggs lost control of the vehicle. Johnson County Sheriff Scott Hazlette told Mortimer Media Group [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 13

The annual prom dress giveaway at Valley Veterinary Clinic is in full swing, with hundreds of free gowns available for students to choose from.

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 13

A discussion on updating the City of Pikeville’s zoning ordinance was held during the March 9 city commission meeting.

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Animal Shelter has had a lot going on as of late, with donations, fundraisers and lots of new, lovable faces ready for their forever homes. The Magoffin County Animal Shelter sent in a video to Mortimer Media Group last week, with volunteer Melinda Watson discussing everything going on at the [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

SALYERSVILLE — Longtime leader Walker Russell led Magoffin County in both scoring and rebounding for the second straight boys’ high school basketball season. As a senior, Russell averaged a team-high 21.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for the Hornets. In 32 games, Russell scored 687 points and claimed 255 rebounds for the Hornets. Russell [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

SALYERSVILLE — Herald Whitaker Middle School hosted the final Magoffin County archery tournament of the 2025-26 season on Saturday, March 7. Several area teams competed in the tournament. During the tournament, Herald Whitaker Middle School and Magoffin County High School each placed third. A breakdown of Magoffin County’s top individual performers in the tournament for [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 13

Before you jump to conclusions that I have reverted back to the '70s and started to follow the now nearly all-dead Grateful Dead, my joint issue has a new meaning.

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 13

With two-thirds of the legislative session now behind us, lawmakers have already worked through a significant portion of this year’s agenda. By the Wednesday, March 4 deadline to file new legislation, House members introduced 938 bills. As is typical each year, only a small share