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

Today's Stories 57 stories · Updated 08:45 PM

Kentucky Lantern49m ago

FRANKFORT — Kentucky State University would be assigned a new polytechnic mission and undergo a “thorough review” of its academic offerings under legislation that moved out of a Senate committee Wednesday. Senate Bill 185, sponsored by Rep. Chris McDaniel, chairman of the Senate budget committee, comes on the heels of intense private discussions by lawmakers [...]

Mountain Top Media1h ago

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-

WTVQ ABC 362h ago

We enjoyed another quiet day of weather across Central and Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday as a broad area of high pressure over the Atlantic continued to dominate the region. Winds shifted around to the south allowing milder air to work back into the commonwealth so it was a really nice late March day from start to finish. After beginning the day...

Mountain Top Media3h ago

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

Kentucky Lantern3h ago

As an oncologist and hematologist, I strongly believe in a person’s right to access the care they need. I know having access to health coverage is one of the most important factors to surviving a cancer diagnosis, so I was shocked to learn that the Kentucky legislature is working to pass legislation that will take [...]

Mountain Top Media3h ago

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 Top Media4h ago

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A Pike County man has been charged with a sex crime against a child. Justin Damron, 34, of Mouthcard, was indicted on a charge of first-degree sodomy back on Feb. 26. According to the indictment, he is accused of subjecting a child younger than 12 to deviate sexual contact from July to December of 2024. The charge is a felony, punishable by 20-to-50 years or life in prison. Damro

Kentucky Lantern5h ago

FRANKFORT — Kentucky House lawmakers are ending impeachment proceedings against state Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine and Fayette County school board chair Tyler Murphy. The Lexington Herald-Leader first reported that the House Impeachment Committee would not move forward with the legislature’s two remaining impeachment petitions. A House GOP spokesperson confirmed that to the Kentucky Lante

Mountain Top Media5h ago

GRUNDY, Va. -- Police are investigating after a woman's body was found in a remote area of Buchanan County on Sunday. Buchanan County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a vehicle abandoned on an ATV trail, about two miles off of Old Wolf Road, at Looney's Creek. They found a pickup truck that appeared to have become stuck in mud. Nobody was in or near the vehicle, but deputies did find a

Harlan Enterprise7h ago

It All Depends on How You Are Looking at It Perspective is a fascinating thing. It's the reason two people can witness the exact same event and walk away with [...]

Harlan Enterprise8h ago

War is not an abstraction. It is death, displacement, and lasting destruction--and it is unfolding now in Iran and across the Middle East.We are told war is necessary. Necessary for [...]

Harlan Enterprise8h ago

Have you ever felt like your mind is taking in so much that it simply needs a release? The familiar questions begin to repeat themselves: Where are my keys? My [...]

Mountain Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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 Eagle9h ago

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

Kentucky Lantern23h ago

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Senate did not agree with changes to one of its priorities that was aimed at establishing a professional development program for Kentucky principals. With House changes, the bill has morphed into remaking school boards in the state’s two largest cities and disqualifying the current chair of the Fayette County Public Schools board. [...]

WTVQ ABC 36Mar 24

After a chilly start to the day with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark at daybreak in most locations, it was a pleasant late March Tuesday across Central and Eastern Kentucky. With high pressure sitting just to our northeast, we saw plenty of sunshine to go along with a few scattered clouds through the day. While afternoon highs did manage...

Mountain Top MediaMar 24

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- A Floyd County man's repeatedly delayed murder trial has a new trial date. Wesley Glenn Martin, 50, of Wayland, was arrested on a charge of murder in February 2019, after the body of 26-year-old Jordan Tackett was found buried in a shallow grave in his yard. On Monday, Floyd Circuit Judge Johnny Ray Harris set the case for trial May 18. A bond hearing is also scheduled to be h

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.

Mountain Top MediaMar 24

LONDON, Ky. -- Sentencing for former guard who revealed an "unofficial policy" of prisoner assault at the Martin County federal prison will take place next week, with the prosecution and defense differing widely on what his sentence should be. Terry Melvin, 60, who worked as a lieutenant at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to conspiracy against rights and deprivation of

Mountain Top MediaMar 23

The Tug Valley Panthers just won their third consecutive boys' basketball Class A championship after defeating the number one seed Great Beckley Christian 64-54. The Panthers are just the seventh team in West Virginia boys’ basketball history to win three state championships in a row, joining an impressive list of programs. This also makes this their sixth championship in school history. Tug Valle

Salyersville IndependentMar 23

SALYERSVILLE – Two local candidates who will be on the ballot in May officially have withdrawn from their respective races. Magoffin County Clerk Renee Shepherd announced over the past week that Magoffin County District 3 Magistrate Sam Bailey Jr. has removed his name from the Democrat Magistrate District 3 race, and Timmy Salyer has removed [...]

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.

Salyersville IndependentMar 20

DRY BREAD – A Magoffin County man was arrested at a residence on Dry Bread on Saturday and charged with multiple drug trafficking charges. After receiving a tip, the Magoffin County Sheriff Department served a search warrant at a home on Dry Bread Road, in Magoffin County, with deputies seizing several grams of cocaine, numerous [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 20

CONNELLEY FARM – Two were arrested Sunday night after reportedly attempting to evade police on a moped. According to the arrest citations, Magoffin County Sheriff Deputies C. Risner and N. Watson were on patrol on KY Rt. 30 when they reportedly observed a moped with two occupants traveling eastbound with a dim headlight and no [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 20

SALYERSVILLE – The Magoffin County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Tuesday, March 17, discussing spring cleanup dates, some upcoming grant opportunities and county road additions. Under financial business, the court approved the following fund transfers from the general fund: $59,000 to the jail fund and $21,000 to the LGEA fund. They also approved [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 20

JELLICO – The North Magoffin Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Jellico Road, with one of their own losing their home. On Monday, March 16, 2026, a North Magoffin Fire Department member, Scott Phipps, was at home and in the bed when the fire started, waking up to smoke. He quickly ran out [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 20

SALYERSVILLE – The following indictment, handed down on February 19 by a Magoffin County grand jury, was released this week: Eric D. Allen, 34, of Bloomington Road, in Salyersville, is charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, first offense, greater than or equal to 2 grams of methamphetamine (Class C felony). According to the [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 20

A Pikeville man was arrested on several charges, including felony marijuana trafficking, after Pikeville Police said they found a large quantity of marijuana while serving an arrest warrant.