THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026  ·  EASTERN KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITY NEWS HUB
All the news from the hollows & hills of Eastern Kentucky

Today's Stories 64 stories · Updated 06:03 PM

UPike generates more than $150 million annual economic impact in Eastern Kentucky
Mountain Top Media1m ago

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville generated an annual economic impact of $152.6 million in fiscal year 2025, demonstrating its continued role as a driver of economic growth, workforce development and regional vitality across Eastern Kentucky. According to an economic impact analysis prepared by UPike’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, the university’s influence extend

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WTVQ ABC 361h ago

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - Goldfish Swim School in Lexington is participating in the World's Largest Swim Lesson today, joining swim schools across the country to raise awareness about the importance of swim lessons and water safety for children. The American Association of Pediatrics says taking formal swim lessons reduces the risk of drowning by...

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - A new 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru has opened in Lexington at 2349 Remington Drive, and the company marked the occasion with a $7,308 donation to Golisano Children's at UK. To celebrate the opening, 7 Brew Lexington hosted a donation weekend June 12-14, where customers could try 7 Brew and pay what they want,...

Kentucky Lantern2h ago

When people hear the words Medicaid cuts, they often picture numbers on a spreadsheet. On Wednesday in Frankfort, those numbers were projected on a PowerPoint presentation. Yet several basic questions remained unanswered. Kentucky Medicaid Commissioner Lisa Lee and her team were asked about provider recoupments, Medicaid expenditures, and other financial data that could help explain how we [...]

Kentucky Lantern2h ago

The majority of U.S. states will soon have to pay 5% to 15% of federal nutrition assistance benefits in their state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s release Wednesday of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payment error rates. House Resolution 1, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was enacted in 2025, [...]

Mountain Top Media3h ago

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A Pike County couple is facing felony assault charges, following a fight with another couple in the Pikeville Walmart parking lot. It happened around 6:30 p.m., Wednesday. According to the police report, a woman was in the Community Trust Bank branch inside of Walmart, when Crystal Davidson, 38, allegedly approached her and began yelling at her, saying the woman had bullied David

Harlan Enterprise4h ago

Marion Middleton III, 53, of Wallins Creek, died June 19, 2026. Earl Williams, Jr., 46, of Harlan, died June 23, 2026. Kenneth Ray Hughes, 74, of Holmes Mill, died June [...]

Kentucky Lantern8h ago

On June 26, 1876, U.S. Seventh Cavalry trooper Michael P. Madden of Louisville gulped brandy before a surgeon amputated his right leg under fire during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The sawbones gave the Irish-born Kentucky enlistee another snort afterwards. Supposedly, Madden was so appreciative of the second drink that he invited the surgeon [...]

Harlan Enterprise13h ago

By Paul Lunsford Harlan Enterprise SMALL CLAIMS COURT Carolyn Lynn Walkowiak vs. Holly McDaniel — $2,100. Studio 606 Dance, LLC , vs. Courtney Huebner — $2,500. Marion Gene Colinger vs. [...]

Harlan Enterprise15h ago

By John Henson Managing Editor Harlan County Schools Superintendent Brett Johnson discussed the district’s Portrait of a Learner project that will go into effect during the 2027-2028 school year during [...]

Mountain Top Media23h ago

PHELPS, Ky. — Two Grundy residents were arrested in Pike County, after police found meth during a traffic stop. Kentucky State Police pulled over a vehicle on Route 194 at Phelps, after noticing it had a paper temporary tag that had blown upside down, rendering it unreadable. While talking with the driver, Tammy Lynn Smith, 33, officers noticed a passenger, who was later identified as Eric Brandon

Mountain EagleJun 24

Darrell Dean Cornett, 92, a retired NASA engineer from Arab, Alabama, carried on a family tradition dating back more than 70 years to the end of the Korean War when he rang the family dinner bell at the Cornett family reunion in Blackey. More photos appear inside. The post Bell still calls family together first appeared on The Mountain Eagle .

Mountain EagleJun 24

Letcher Volunteer Fire Department is back on its feet a year after the department went broke and its fire and ambulance services stopped. The fire service is back open, and officials say Neon Fire and Rescue is expected to move an ambulance into the station soon. The Neon service is currently taking calls in the area from its Whitesburg substation. [...] The post Letcher Fire Dept. reopens as ex-c

Mountain EagleJun 24

Tornado sirens are something western Kentuckians and those in other parts of Tornado Alley are used to. But there is a move now to install sirens in Letcher County and link them to stream gauges that will be installed around eastern Kentucky. According to Chris Back, a grant writer with the Kentucky River Area Development District, the U.S. Geological Survey [...] The post ‘Warning sirens’ in work

Mountain EagleJun 24

“Malachi always had a football in his hands,” said Torino Brown, Malachi’s father. “His uncle was about 6-foot-5, and Malachi always prayed for height and the other abilities that God has blessed him with. He was always doing drills as a kid, and I told him if he kept working, he could be special. He took me seriously and put [...] The post Family, football fuel UK recruit from Corbin first appear

Mountain EagleJun 24

It seems summertime has arrived for sure in our area. Daytime temperatures are reaching into the upper 80s and 90s, and the humidity can be very high, making it difficult to fish during mid-day. When we go fishing this time of year, we try to go early in the morning, late in the evening or even at night. The temperatures [...] The post Finding bass and crappie in the summer heat first appeared on

Mountain EagleJun 24

I have been telling you that after my Lake Erie fishing trip — where, after many setbacks, we still managed to catch a boatload of walleye — my next fishing adventure would be to St. Augustine, Florida, in August. Well, plans change, and this time they changed for the better. I have been invited to fish with Morgan’s Guide Service [...] The post The best part isn’t always about the fish you catch

Mountain EagleJun 24

When Arch and Artie Cornett hosted the first Cornett family reunion on the family homeplace off River Road in Blackey near the end of the Korean War, three of their children — Elwood Cornett, 88, Darrell Dean Cornett, 96, and Mildred Cornett Strunk — were there to take part. More than 70 years later, the three surviving members of the [...] The post Family tradition has endured over 70 years first

Mountain EagleJun 24

A Blackey man was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment after allegedly coasting his vehicle with two children inside down Pound Mountain in the wrong lanes of U.S. 23. Zachary Allen Jones, 28, 87 Iris Hill, Blackey, is charged with first-degree possession of controlled substance (first offense, methamphetamine), and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. According to Jenkins Poli

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 22

The City of Williamson has failed to provide documentation requested by the West Virginia Public Service Commission in reference to a complaint against the city. The PSC has now issued an order to compel for the materials.

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 21

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 it prepares future teachers to teach reading to elementary students.

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

BOWLING GREEN – The Magoffin County girls who traveled to Bowling Green for the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Pageant last week represented the county well, coming back with numerous awards and many once-in-a-lifetime memories. Miss Magoffin Erin Grace Rudd was absolutely breathtaking on stage, waking with grace and putting on a stellar performance, and making it [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressJun 19

Some things you're just not ready for. You don't realize that until that thing lands at your feet.

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

SALYERSVILLE – A Magoffin County man was arrested reportedly after nearly hitting a police officer head-on. On June 11, Salyersville Police Department Officer Donavon Watson was patrolling on KY Rt. 7 in the Gardner Trail area and was crossing the bridge going toward the red light at the junction of Rt. 7, Church Street and [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

SALYERSVILLE – The following indictment was released from a Magoffin County grand jury, dated December 22, 2025, as the defendant was picked up on an arrest warrant in the case last Sunday. Robert Spradlin, 44, of Auxier, is charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, greater than or equal to two grams [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

Ten Magoffin County High School students were recently recognized for their hard work and future aspirations during the annual senior scholarship awards ceremony held at the school on Tuesday, May 26. Through funds administered by Blue Grass Community Foundation, these students received financial support that will help them pursue higher education and prepare for successful [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

SALYERSVILLE – The Salyersville City Council met in regular session on June 15, discussing ongoing projects and hearing timed comments from the public. The council approved a Municipal Road Aid Agreement Resolution to make the City eligible for some state funding, but Mayor Stanley Howard said the state road aid funding is down this year. [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

SALYERSVILLE -The Magoffin County Fiscal met in regular session on Tuesday, discussing The court approved the following fund transfers from the general fund: $75,000 to the jail fund, and $20,000 to the road fund. Magoffin County Judge/Executive Don McFarland said he would work with the county attorney and the local judges to see if they [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

HONEYSUCKLE LANE – A mobile home was destroyed in an early morning fire on Wednesday. Salyersville Fire Chief Paul Howard told the Independent crews were called at approximately 3:30 a.m. on June 17 to a fire on Honeysuckle Lane, off of KY Rt. 40 near the Magoffin/Johnson county line. The mobile home, owned by Diana [...]

Salyersville IndependentJun 19

SALYERSVILLE, Ky. — Daegan Caudill, 16-year-old son of Shandie Howard and a sophomore at Magoffin County High School, has been accepted into the Kentucky State Police Youth Academy. He will be the first student from MCHS. This summer, Daegan will spend a week on Trooper Island, where he will participate in a hands-on program designed [...]

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 .