WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026  ·  EASTERN KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITY NEWS HUB
All the news from the hollows & hills of Eastern Kentucky

Today's Stories 66 stories · Updated 11:23 PM

Trump halts intel nominee confirmation hearing
WSAZ7m ago

The Senate postponed a confirmation hearing for director of national intelligence nominee Jay Clayton on Wednesday after President Donald Trump urged lawmakers to delay it.

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WSAZ36m ago

The weather is about to take a turn toward the stormy. Tony has the story.

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

We've enjoyed a nice stretch of weather so far this week across Central and Eastern Kentucky and that continued Wednesday with more sunshine and quiet weather across the area. With a breezy southwest wind gusting over 30 miles per hour at times combined with the mid-June sun, temperatures jumped back into the mid to upper 80s for afternoon highs with...

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

EUBANK, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) — Ronald Rose, 47, of Eubank, Kentucky, was sentenced to 25 years in prison following his guilty plea in connection with a fatal two-vehicle collision that killed two people in Pulaski County in 2022. Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones announced the sentencing, which was handed down in Pulaski Circuit Court. The...

WTVQ ABC 362h ago

(ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - After arriving on the campus of University of Kentucky on Monday, J Batt has already secured himself one of the most lucrative athletic director contracts in the country. Batt is set to make $2.6 million in guaranteed annual compensation during the first year of his six year contract, per his term sheet....

Mountain Top Media2h ago

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at the University of Pikeville Patton College of Education has earned an “A” from the National Council on Teacher Quality for how well they prepare future teachers to teach reading to elementary students. The report, “Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,” published on June 9, spotlights UPike for me

Mountain Top Media2h ago

GRETHEL, Ky. — A Floyd County man has been indicted on charges related to a 2022 traffic stop, including an allegation that he tried to bribe is way out of trouble. Luke McKinney, 39, of Grethel, is now charged with DUI, meth possession, fleeing police, bribery of a public servant and numerous traffic violations, following his indictment last week. He was arrested after being pulled over on Route

WTVQ ABC 362h ago

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - Danisha Martin plead guilty to an amended charge of complicity to vehicular homicide Monday in Whitley Circuit Court in connection with a moped crash that killed her 10-year-old daughter in August 2024. Martin's recommended sentence is 10 years. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 20. Commonwealth's Attorney of the...

WTVQ ABC 364h ago

(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman filed three lawsuits against prediction market platforms, a sweepstakes gambling platform and a cryptocurrency platform, accusing each of operating unlicensed and illegal sports betting and gambling platforms in the state. According to a news release from Coleman, the lawsuits were filed in Franklin Circuit Court against: Kalshi, a pred

WTVQ ABC 368h ago

Warm and Humid Conditions Return Across Kentucky After another beautiful start to the day with plenty of sunshine, temperatures are quickly warming across Central and Eastern Kentucky this afternoon. Highs are expected to climb into the mid to upper 80s, and unlike the past couple of days, you'll definitely notice the humidity making a comeback. Southerly winds are pulling warmer,...

Mountain Top Media8h ago

RICHMOND, Va. — Legal marijuana dispensaries are one step closer to opening in Virginia, after Gov. Abigail Spanberger and key legislative leaders announced a compromise Tuesday that will allow retail cannabis sales a little more than one year from now. Spanberger was joined by Sen. Lashrecse Aird and Del. Paul Krizek in announcing the deal, with the governor says addresses her concerns about publ

Kentucky Lantern8h ago

Editor's note: Shortly after the Lantern posted its story on the tax lawsuit by prediction market companies, AG Coleman announced his lawsuit against them. Republican Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is suing two prominent prediction market companies over allegations that they operate unlicensed and illegal sports gambling operations. The lawsuits announced filed Wednesday come less [...]

Harlan Enterprise9h ago

Confession time: I am not good at math. I use it, it's great, we went to the Moon with it, yada yada. But I don't think well mathematically and strive [...]

Harlan Enterprise9h ago

This is the true story of a good father, whose daughter was very sick. They lived in a bustling coastal town c.28 AD. On one particular day, the residents kept [...]

Harlan Enterprise10h ago

The holidays always stir something deep, especially Father's Day. For many, it's a weekend of celebration. For others, it's a tender ache ....remembering the dads who have gone before us, [...]

Mountain Eagle12h ago

Paul Wooton of Hyden and Annie Reynolds of Louisburg, N.C., respond to the caller’s command, “Swing Your Partner,” during the monthly Carcassonne Square Dance on Saturday, June 13, at the Carcassonne Community Center. The gathering is believed to be Kentucky’s oldest continuously operating square dance, having begun in the early 1960s. Following the well-attended June event, five dances remain on

Mountain Eagle12h ago

Letcher Fiscal Court members said they plan to attend a meeting of a group opposed to data centers in order to educate themselves before any proposal to build one in the county is brought forward. Judge/Executive Terry Adams said no one has approached the county about building a data center, but added that officials should learn more about the issue [...] The post County officials want educated on

Mountain Eagle12h ago

Reece Davidson knew his cousin, Reed Sheppard, was a “special player” when he played at North Laurel High School and then the University of Kentucky. However, even Davidson has been a bit surprised by Sheppard’s overall play the last two years with the Houston Rockets. “I can’t say I knew he would be where he is right now, especially this [...] The post Reed Sheppard’s NBA success is no surprise f

Mountain Eagle12h ago

In the mountains, we are taught from an early age that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and that good things come to those who wait. That certainly proved true for a recent fishing trip to Lake Erie near Monroe, Michigan. I paid for the trip in full back in February and was excited about [...] The post A delayed dream trip of ours finally reaches Lake Erie first appeared on

Mountain Eagle12h ago

We have been in a bad drought for quite some time now, and it has had a major effect on our lakes. Low water levels have impacted many aspects of fishing, especially the spring spawning season for species such as bluegill and bass. Normally, these fish move into the backs of creeks and along shallow banks to spawn when lakes [...] The post Drought changes fishing patterns across area lakes first a

Mountain Eagle12h ago

The much-anticipated UFO report from the federal government didn’t reveal any little green men, but here in the South we’ve had plenty of sightings of one very hungry alien. Green and voracious, it can grow up to a foot a day, crawling along the ground and gobbling up telephone poles, junk cars and even entire buildings. If you don’t know [...] The post Drones join battle against invasive kudzu fi

Mountain Eagle12h ago

A Pikeville man was sentenced to two days in jail and a $10 fine after being arrested for fleeing from police at speeds up to 120 miles per hour. According to the citation issued shortly after noon on April 13, Kentucky State Police Trooper Brandon Watts driving north on US 23 at Jenkins and running radar when he met Christopher [...] The post Pikeville man fined $10, costs after speeding over 120

Mountain Eagle12h ago

The Jenkins Head Start is opening a new Early Head Start classroom in Jenkins on June 29. LKLP’s Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers from six weeks to three years of age. Persons wishing to learn more information or apply may visit the Jenkins Head Start Center, call 606-435-7962. The post Head Start expanding first appeared on The Mountain Eagle .

Mountain Top MediaJun 16

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — Allegations of fraudulent billing practices continue to pile up against Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, as a fourth longtime employee has now filed suit against the company. Kendra Allen, of Prestonsburg, filed her complaint against Mountain Comp and subsidiary Mountain Plus Services on Monday.According to the complaint, Allen was an 18-year employee of the company, most re

Mountain Top MediaJun 16

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A trial date has been set for a man facing attempted murder and other charges, for allegedly locking three people inside a burning trailer. Marty Eugene Hurley, 50, of Stopover, is charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of kidnapping and one count of first-degree arson. He is accused of holding two women and a man at gunpoint with an AR-15-style rifle on May 3

Mountain Top MediaJun 16

PRESS RELEASE: MARSHALL ATHLETICS HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football had 11 players honored by Phil Steele Publications as 2026 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selections, including five players being named as Preseason All-SBC First Team honorees. Those being named as 2026 Preseason All-SBC First Team honorees include quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, wide receiver Adrian Norton, tight end

Mountain Top MediaJun 15

By RODERICK MULLINS BRISTOL, Tenn. — Four-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown secured his first-ever career victory at historic Bristol Dragway on Sunday, defeating points leader Shawn Langdon in a side-by-side final round at the 25th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals. The weekend event marked the ninth of 20 races in the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Matt

Kentucky LanternJun 15

Judy and I just reviewed our youngest grandchildren’s report cards (Their older siblings mysteriously can’t find theirs!) and those Brooks kids seemingly are doing well. The documents were filled with “Os” and “Ss,” which I guess are now the new “A” and “B.” In-depth narratives – generated by either AI or hard-working teachers – densely [...]

Mountain Top MediaJun 15

WHITESBURG, Ky. -- Attorneys for former Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines are speaking out about their belief that their client was not acting as himself when he shot and killed Letcher District Judge Kevin Mullins in September of 2024. Stines is now facing a murder charge for that shooting. But during a court hearing two weeks ago, his aunt testified about his mental state the day before

100 Days in AppalachiaJun 15

Throughout the Ohio River island’s history, flora and fauna have reacted and adjusted to human development like oil and gas wells. As humans abandoned the infrastructure, they've reclaimed their space. The post Muskingum: The End of an Island Refuge's Fossil Fuel Legacy appeared first on 100 Days in Appalachia .

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 14

The Appalachian Center of the Arts (The APP) is continuing its youth summer programs with the production “Madagascar — A Musical Adventure Jr.”

Salyersville IndependentJun 12

Magoffin County Special Olympics competed in the 2026 state summer games Saturday June 6, held in Richmond, KY, with the athletes placing as follows: Hunter Spradlin 1st place 100-meter dash, 3rd place softball ball throw Colton Bays 2nd place 50-meter dash, 3rd place softball ball throw, 1st place art contest photography Benjamin Miller 3rd place [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 12

SALYERSVILLE – A Magoffin County man took a plea deal with the Attorney General’s office for rape, sodomy and sexual abuse charges. In court on Friday, June 5, Justin McCoy Caldwell, 35, of Salyersville, changed his plea to guilty on the charges of third-degree rape, third-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse, in exchange for the [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 12

SALYERSVILLE – The now former longtime doctor for the nursing home and former administrator filed a civil suit against the Salyersville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center last month. On May 19, Cody P. McIlvoy, with Golden Law Office, out of Lexington, filed the lawsuit in Magoffin County Circuit Court on behalf of Dr. Charles Hardin and [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 12

SALYERSVILLE – A former Herald Whitaker Middle School teacher was sentenced in Magoffin County Circuit Court last week, receiving five years in prison on charges related to inappropriate communications with a juvenile. Jordan Cobb, 33, of Coon Creek Rd., in Salyersville, appeared in court on Friday, June 5, with Circuit Judge Kimberley Childers accepting his [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 12

PAINTSVILLE – A Staffordsville man died after a wreck in Paintsville on Monday. On Monday, June 8, the Kentucky State Police Post 9 was notified of a two-vehicle collision in Paintsville at 11:41 a.m. Kentucky State Police Post 9 Public Affairs Officer Trooper Michael Coleman tells the SI the initial investigation indicates that Ricky “Jarrod” [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 12

SALYERSVILLE – Summer is officially here, with the Ramey Memorial Pool now open! The pool opened to the public on Monday, June 8, after a brief delay to work on a leak that was discovered when it was filled at the end of May. Also at the park is the new, state-of-the-art and inclusive playground, [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 12

Pikeville Medical Center said in a statement on June 11 that a warning notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the federal hospital price transparency requirements was the result of a technical error.

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 12

If a company wanted to hand out $100 bills on Tuesdays and Fridays, people would complain because it’s not Mondays and Wednesdays.

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 12

Last month, under my leadership as Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, we successfully advanced critical funding for border security and other law enforcement agents of the Department of Homeland Security out of my committee.

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 12

A recent article in the News-Express implied the Pikeville Independent School District will establish an area technical center; however, what the district is implementing is a satellite health sciences class on its campus in partnership with Millard ATC.