FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026  ·  EASTERN KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITY NEWS HUB
All the news from the hollows & hills of Eastern Kentucky

Today's Stories 61 stories · Updated 06:10 AM

WSAZ3h ago

Brush fires, damp and chilly winds and the Plasm Sunday weekend forecast highlight Tony's late night update.

Harlan Enterprise4h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. - First Lady Britainy Beshear announced the formation of the Human Trafficking Awareness Coalition. Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order establishing the 15-member coalition, with experts in [...]

Harlan Enterprise4h ago

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 25, 2026) - As we move into spring, it's common for people to increase their daily movement with activities like outdoor walks, yard work, pickleball and race [...]

Harlan Enterprise5h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Thursday that a Perry County man previously convicted of sexually assaulting multiple children received three life sentences with no possibility [...]

Kentucky Lantern6h ago

FRANKFORT — The Republican state auditor would get two appointments to an expanded Public Service Commission (PSC) under changes made to an advancing bill in the final days of this year’s regular legislative session. Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Smith, would expand membership of the utility regulator’s board from its current three members [...]

Kentucky Lantern7h ago

FRANKFORT — Kentucky judges and advocates issued a warning Thursday that, without more funding in the judicial branch budget, the state’s specialty courts could be closed. Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts said the General Assembly’s two-year budget, as it now stands, would underfund court system operations by $33 million. Courts at risk are drug, [...]

Kentucky Lantern7h ago

FRANKFORT — A top GOP leader is calling for a statue of longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell to be added to the Kentucky Capitol rotunda. Senate President Robert Stivers, of Manchester, said Thursday that he planned to file a resolution to request the Historic Properties Advisory Commission consider adding McConnell’s statue to the rotunda. [...]

Kentucky Lantern7h ago

FRANKFORT — A routine “elections cleanup bill” that morphed into omnibus legislation making significant changes — like having county clerks verify U.S. citizenship and raising political donations limits — is nearing final passage in the Republican-controlled Kentucky General Assembly. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear criticized the measure, telling reporters that making “voting harder is un-American.”

Kentucky Lantern8h ago

FRANKFORT — A day after a plan was unveiled to shave Kentucky State University’s academic offerings and assign it a new polytechnic mission, senators unanimously passed the measure as a way to move the institution forward. Senate Bill 185 received a vote of 38-0 Thursday afternoon in the state Senate, sending it on to the House. [...]

Salyersville Independent9h ago

Skylar Osborne is a 13-year-old student at Herald Whitaker Middle School. She recently attended the USAG State Gymnastics meet in Beckley, West Virginia. Osborne competed as a Level 7 gymnast, where she took the state title on vault and bars, runner-up on floor, and a 3rd-place finish on beam. She also became the state all-around [...]

Salyersville Independent9h ago

Magoffin County Health Department’s Abbie Conley was honored at the Kentucky Public Health Association Conference last week. Conley received the 2026 Sara C. Stice Award for her work as a health education coordinator. The Sara C. Stice Award honors one person from the state of Kentucky who has made an outstanding contribution in the field [...]

WTVQ ABC 3610h ago

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Great Crossing High School student and baseball player, Case Allen Wilson, died at the age of 16 on March 22 as a result of a Sunday morning collision in Scott County. Due to the expectation of a large crowd, the visitation and celebration for Case Allen Wilson will be held at Great Crossing...

Salyersville Independent10h ago

PIKEVILLE — Magoffin County defeated Pike County Central 8-3 for its first win in the 2026 high school baseball season on Monday, March 23. The win allowed Magoffin County to improve to 1-2. Magoffin County finished strong to secure the win. The Hornets led 4-3 at the end of the sixth inning. Magoffin County plated [...]

Salyersville Independent10h ago

SALYERSVILLE — Magoffin County High School senior Mason Nellipowitz is headed to the next level. Nellipowitz signed with the University of Pikeville football program during a ceremony held at MCHS on Wednesday, April 18. Among the leaders for Magoffin County on the gridiron in 2025, Nellipowitz produced both offensively and defensively during his high school [...]

WTVQ ABC 3610h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - A Perry County Circuit Judge has sentenced a 58-year-old Hazard man convicted of sexually assaulting multiple children to three life sentences without the possibility of parole. According to a press release by the Office of Attorney General Russell Coleman, in October, Harrison Cress was found guilty on two counts of sodomy in the...

WTVQ ABC 3611h ago

We saw a mixed bag of weather across Central and Eastern Kentucky Thursday with clouds and a cluster of thunderstorms across the northern half of the state during the morning hours followed by a summer-like afternoon with sunshine and strong southwest winds pushing temperatures into record territory. The combination of the sun and winds gusting over 30 miles per hour...

WTVQ ABC 3611h ago

(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Kentucky State University is partnering with state lawmakers on proposed legislation that would transition the school into a leading polytechnic institution over the next five years. Introduced by Chairman Chris McDaniel, with support from Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne, the plan includes a $50 million investment for a new Health Sciences...

Mountain Top Media11h ago

HAZARD, Ky. -- A Perry County man has been given three life sentences for charges related to the sexual abuse of children. Harrison Cress, 58, of Slemp, was found guilty two counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of incest, and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse back in October. All of the charges dealt with victims younger than 12 years old. Prosecutors say Cress groomed multiple childre

WTVQ ABC 3612h ago

ASHLAND, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Ashland Fire Department says that a 13-year-old is dead following a fire Tuesday evening involving multiple homes on Central Avenue in Ashland. According to officials, they received a call around 7:08 p.m. on Tuesday reporting a structure fire on Central Avenue. When arriving on the scene, officials say two homes were emitting...

Mountain Top Media13h ago

CLINTWOOD, Va. -- The Dickenson County School Board met recently to discuss administrative business, financial reports, and student recognition for achievements. Reports were heard from representatives of the Dickenson County Education Association (DEA) regarding budget negotiations and upcoming conventions. In the Good News segment from county schools, Supt. Haydee Robinson recognized Braden Hill

Mountain Top Media13h ago

CLINTWOOD, Va. -- The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors met March 24, addressing various administrative actions, grant approvals, resolutions and personnel matters. Supervisors approved a $30,000 grant application for new body cameras, with a county match of $7,302 in addition to approving the 2026 Cumberland Plateau Regional Waste Management Authority user agreement. The board also authorized

Mountain Top Media13h ago

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- Deputies responding to a report of a domestic disturbance ended up taking a man to jail on drug trafficking charges. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office was called Wednesday night to a home at Spurlock. When they arrived, they spotted one of the suspects allegedly involved in the disturbance -- Shawn Spurlock, 34, of Staffordsville -- running behind the home and up a hill. The c

Mountain Top Media14h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A Pike County man has entered a guilty plea to a federal drug charge involving pounds of meth. Adam Lee Little Jr., 51, of Elkhorn City, appeared in Frankfort federal court on Wednesday, where he entered a guilty plea to possession of more than 500 grams of meth with the intent to distribute before a magistrate. Police raided Little's home on April 21, 2021, where they seized nea

Mountain Top MediaMar 25

Paintsville baseball player Luke Stratton just achieved what every pitcher strives for. The junior right-handed pitcher was perfect on the mound Monday night against Shelby Valley. He threw six shoutout innings, struck out 11 batters, and did not allow a baserunner all night, and he did this only throwing 62 pitches with 51 strikes! He also ended the night with 2 RBI to help lead his team to a 10-

Mountain Top MediaMar 25

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- A man who was convicted of shooting a Prestonsburg police officer back in 2015 has been arrested once again, this time for drug trafficking. Robert L. Powers, 38, of Sitka, was arrested Tuesday morning, after he was pulled over for suspected DUI and police found meth, marijuana and other drugs, along with drug sales paraphernalia inside his vehicle. He and a passenger, Hillary

Mountain Top MediaMar 25

PRESS RELEASE: MARSHALL ATHLETICS HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University Baseball team (13-10) fell 3-0 to No. 17 West Virginia on Tuesday night at Jack Cook Field in Huntington, West Virginia. “It was a really good college baseball game tonight. We really appreciate Herd Nation for coming out. It was a great crowd, great atmosphere here,” Herd Baseball Head Coach Greg Beals said. “Give their

Mountain EagleMar 25

In golf, there are links courses, parkland courses and desert courses — and, of course, putt-putt. But down a muddy trail scattered with fallen limestone and sandstone from an old railroad cut, a completely different kind of course is taking shape in Jenkins. When finished, the Boulder Run Disc Golf Course will wind through the woods and climb the side [...] The post A new kind of golf takes fligh

Mountain EagleMar 25

Letcher County Schools will have a new superintendent this fall. Denise Yonts, who has served in the position for the past eight years, announced this week that she will retire at the end of June after 33 years in the district. The Letcher County Board of Education work with the Kentucky School Boards Association to conduct a search for her [...] The post Superintendent stepping down after eight y

Mountain EagleMar 25

As residents across eastern Kentucky struggle with rising electric bills — and worry about the next increase — Kentucky Power has asked state regulators to approve a nearly $200 million project at a coal-fired power plant that helps supply electricity to the region. The utility filed an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) earlier this year seeking permission [...] The pos

Mountain EagleMar 25

Kentucky Power Company is asking state regulators to reconsider parts of a recent decision on its proposed rate increase, arguing that cuts ordered by the Kentucky Public Service Commission could harm the company’s financial stability and electric service reliability. In a motion for rehearing filed with the PSC, the utility challenges several elements of the Commission’s February order in its [..

Mountain EagleMar 25

New filings in the Mitchell power plant case show that state regulators and outside groups are closely scrutinizing Kentucky Power’s proposal to spend nearly $200 million on a new cooling tower. The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and a group representing large industrial customers have filed detailed questions asking the company to explain how the project will be paid for and [...] The post Ne

Mountain EagleMar 25

Turkey populations may be improving statewide, but harvest numbers in Letcher County tell a different story. With Kentucky’s 2026 spring turkey hunting season arriving soon, state officials say recent data shows turkey populations have rebounded in recent years, offering encouraging signs for the 2026 spring season. However, harvest numbers in Letcher County have declined over the past several yea

Mountain EagleMar 25

Eighth-grader Pierre Rondo made his state tournament debut last week for North Oldham, and it’s clear he’s already ahead of schedule. Now in his second varsity season, Rondo averaged 14 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Of course, the name sounds familiar. His father, former University of Kentucky standout and NBA star Rajon [...] The post Kentucky’s nex

Mountain EagleMar 25

At last, it’s starting to feel like spring. We may still have a few scattered frosty mornings, but I believe the snow is probably behind us. I’m ready to get my garden started, get my boat ready, and head out for some early spring crappie fishing. There’s an old saying that when the dogwoods bloom, it’s time for crappie to [...] The post When the dogwoods bloom, it’s time to fish for crappie first

WYMTMar 24

Michael Brown, Anthony Browning, and Michael Shortridge were arrested in January 2025, each charged with murder after Kentucky State Police troopers found Christopher Lester shot dead in the Steele community.

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 24

We, the people of Pike County, raised enough cane on Facebook, TikTok and in fiscal court lately to get a controversial landfill voted down, but I’m not ready to celebrate. Rural Pike County is still a public dump.

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 22

A Pike man and woman are facing charges, including child endangerment, after Kentucky State Police responded to a report of an assault.