Today's Stories 64 stories · Updated 09:28 AM

First Alert Weather Day

Dillon Gaudet has the forecast on this Monday morning.

West Virginia International Film Festival hosts Oscar watch party in Charleston

Local film organization uses 98th Academy Awards as annual fundraiser

Traffic Alert |Closure on 12th Street in Ashland

Lane closures on the major roadway are expected to last four weeks on weekdays

Portsmouth St. Patrick’s Day parade marks 20th anniversary

Scioto County residents gathered Saturday to celebrate the Emerald Isle on Main Street.

Kentucky Women’s Basketball draws James Madison in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team was selected as a five seed in the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship and will travel to Morgantown, West Virginia, for the First and Second Rounds.

Ky. eye care clinic reopens two years after lightning strike destroys building

A stormy night and a strike of lightning changed everything for a family run eye care center.

Kentucky Women’s Basketball draws No. 5 seed in NCAA Tournament

Kentucky Women's Basketball has been awarded a No. 5 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament and will face No. 12 James Madison (26-8) in the Fort Worth Regional.

Woman accused of stealing ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend’s car, ramming it into his house, police say

A woman in Oklahoma allegedly drove a stolen car through her ex-boyfriend’s house, according to authorities.

First Alert Forecast | Wind, Thunderstorms, and Snow

Slick roads for travel

Mingo County man charged with murdering wife

DELBARTON, W.Va. — A Delbarton man has been charged with murdering his wife. Deputies with the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office were called Friday morning to conduct a welfare check at the home of Leroy Hunt, 35, and Christina Hunt, 26. When they arrived, they found Christina Hunt’s body on the front porch, covered with a blanket. After a brief standoff, Leroy Hunt was arrested. Police say Leroy Hunt

Kentucky headed to St. Louis in NCAA Tournament

ST. Louis, Mo. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) -The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team is headed to St. Louis as the No. 7 seed in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Kentucky will face No. 10 seed Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball in the first round of the Midwest Region. The matchup is scheduled for Friday at 12:15 p.m. The...

No. 7 Kentucky to play No. 10 Santa Clara in opening round of NCAA Tournament

Kentucky basketball is a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament, playing No. 10 seed Santa Clara in the first round of the Midwest Region.

Family of missing NKY girl found dead in pond near home thanks community for support

The family of missing 9-year-old Jenny Dim who was found dead in a pond near her home releases a statement thanking the community for their support

UK and OSU are tournament bound

The tournament begins with the play-in games Tuesday night in Dayton.

Spring takes a wild turn: Severe storms, then snow, are coming to Kentucky

Buckle up. Kentucky is about to experience one of the most dramatic weather swings of the season as spring and winter collide over the next 24 hours, bringing severe storms this evening, followed by a dangerous cold crash and snow.

Kindergarten students at Cumberland study royalty

Kindergarten students at Cumberland Elementary School wrapped up their kings and queens unit recently with a royal ball and tea party. Students also enjoyed a special visit from Sir Richard [...]

Dragons setting lofty goals in ’26 after back-to-back district titles

By John Henson Managing Editor Elvis Presley was the king of rock and roll and Harlan County still had 12 high schools the last time the Harlan Green Dragons put [...]

HCHS goes in search of offense as the first step in turnaround

By John Henson Managing Editor A Harlan County High School baseball team that won only six times in 24 games a year ago can point to several reasons for their [...]

Wallins woman arrested on third-degree escape charge

By Paul Lunsford Harlan Enterprise A Wallins woman has been charged and arrested for third-degree escape. Candy Michelle Ball, 42, was arrested by Officer Lewis, of the probation and parole [...]

Beshear vetoes bill opting KY into K-12 scholarships supported by new US tax credit

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a GOP-backed bill that would opt Kentucky into a scholarship program for K-12 students promoted by the Trump administration and benefiting from a new federal tax credit. “Kentuckians have said loud and clear: Public dollars should only be used for public education. The Republican supermajority hasn't listened. I have,” [...]

Ward named Lady Blackcats head basketball coach

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. - Prestonsburg High School announced Friday that Rick Ward has been named the school's new girls basketball coach. The school said in a Facebook post that Ward is the perfect choice to lead the Lady Blackcats forward. "Coach Ward has been a dedicated member of the Prestonsburg basketball program for the past nine years, playing a key role in helping build the foundation and succe

Two killed, one injured in Johnson County crash

HAGER HILL, Ky. -- Kentucky State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash in Johnson County that killed two people. According to Kentucky State Police, Retina Meek was driving along Route 321 at Hager Hill around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, when she crossed the center line and struck a pickup truck driven by Jason Kinner. Meek and a passenger in her vehicle, Anita Meek, both died of injuries sustained

The madness behind the belief: Superstition expert explains fan rituals

by LINDSEY PIERCY LEXINGTON, Ky. — It’s the familiar March Madness frenzy: bracket predictions, buzzer-beater highlights and, of course, the quirks of fandom. Basketball fans have long found ways to feel like they can influence the outcome of a game — even from the couch. We embrace traditions that range from lucky attire to sitting in the same spot. While some might chalk these behaviors up to co

Pike couple enters Alford pleas in abuse case doctors likened to torture

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A Pike County couple has pleaded guilty in a child abuse case that doctors likened to torture. Jerome Norman, 44, and Mary Hall, 43, both of Raccoon, entered blind Alford pleas to one count of first-degree abuse and two amended counts of second-degree abuse. An Alford plea functions as a guilty plea, but allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging the evidence in

Kentucky would require photo ID to file open records request under bill passed by House

With no questions on the floor, the Kentucky House passed a bill that would allow public agencies to require photo IDs from residents who request public records. House Bill 567 from Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, gained approval from the House with a vote of 71-19 Friday morning. The 19 votes against the bill included [...]

15th Region Basketball Overview: What we see looking forward

My first year of covering 15th Region basketball has officially come to an end. This year was nothing short of exciting, the talent in this region on both the boys' and girls’ side is as good as it has been in years. There are so many amazing players spread across the region who are game changers for their teams, and most of them will be back next year. Here are my thoughts on players and teams to

New Pike BOE member sworn in

HWMS, MCHS earn third place finishes in tournament

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 [...]

Lawrence man arrested for sexual exploitation of children, animals

LOUISA, Ky. -- A Lawrence County man has been arrested on multiple counts related to child pornography. The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch began investigating Christopher Alan Price, 26, of Louisa, on suspicion that he was distributing child porn images online. That led to police obtaining a search warrant Thursday for Price's home, where they seized equipment believed to facilitate

Several arrested on drug charges

By PAUL LUNSFORD Harlan Enterprise Officers from the Harlan County Sheriff's Department made an arrest on a Harlan County resident recently. Angela Marie Scott, 54, of Pathfork, was arrested by [...]

Kentucky Senate passes bill exempting state energy planner from open records law

FRANKFORT — Republicans in the Kentucky Senate approved a bill Thursday that would exempt a taxpayer-funded commission that state lawmakers are looking to for advice on energy policy from Kentucky’s Open Records Act. Senate Bill 100, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson would exempt “information, records, data, files, documents, or correspondence” created by the [...]

Bill that would curb state environmental, health protections will not advance this year

FRANKFORT — A bill requiring Kentucky regulators to wait until people are actively being harmed before issuing new regulations to protect public health and the environment will not continue to advance in the state legislature this year. Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, told the Lantern Thursday his Senate Bill 178 had “conjured up a lot of [...]

Remembering those who died at Scotia — 50 years after disaster

Mining coal has always been dangerous work regardless of what mine you work in or what company you work for. Among the many tragedies that have unfolded across our region, [...]

Kentucky battles past Missouri in SEC Tournament

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Otega Oweh had 21 points as Kentucky held off Missouri 78-72 on Thursday in the second round of the 2026 Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament. Denzel Aberdeen made 7 of 8 from the free throw line on his way to 16 points, while Collin Chandler added 15 for the Cats. Kentucky (21-11) made 18 of 23 (78.3 percent) from the free throw line in the game, while Missouri m

The secret life of early spring wildflowers

A bonus for getting out into the woods in early spring is enjoying those wildflowers that bloom while everything else is still asleep and dead-looking. There is a short period [...]

SOAR accepting applications for spring business accelerator program

The Economic Development Administration recently approved a five-year grant for SOAR, which the organization is using to address community challenges, including population loss in eastern Kentucky.

50 years later, Scotia mine disaster still haunts families

It was a horrible thing to wake up to. Grover Mark Tussey was eight years old, still asleep with his mother, when someone started banging on the door. It was March 12, 1976, the morning after a second explosion ripped through the Scotia Mine at Oven Fork, adding another 11 men to the death toll. Tussey’s father, Grover Tussey, was [...] The post 50 years later, Scotia mine disaster still haunts fa

Lady Cougars are Sweet Sixteen bound!

The Letcher County Central High School Lady Cougars have earned another trip to the Girls’ Sweet Sixteen state basketball tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The Lady Cougars, runners-up in the 53rd District, defeated Knott County Central 43-37 Saturday night to win the 14th Region Tournament, which was held in Hindman. Letcher Central is scheduled to open Sweet Sixteen play [...] The post Lady

Clara Strack is a star

With the way she plays, Clara Strack is going to win awards. Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks believes his 6-foot-5 junior is the nation’s best center, and she has the numbers to back up her coach’s belief. “Obviously, you want to be the best you can be and live up to your potential, but awards are never on my mind,” Strack [...] The post Clara Strack is a star first appeared on The Mountain Eagle .

Jigs can be key to early spring bass fishing success

It is starting to look and feel more like early spring. We drove by Carr Creek Lake today and saw quite a few boats out on the water. We also noticed several boats on the road being pulled toward the lake. It’s safe to say a lot of anglers are getting out for some early spring bass fishing. I love [...] The post Jigs can be key to early spring bass fishing success first appeared on The Mountain Ea

A costly lesson after leaving decoys outside overnight

The year was 2001, and turkey season was in full swing. I had been hearing gobbling behind my house and planned to go hunting the next morning from a blind I had built years before. Sharon told me snow was on the way, but that didn’t concern me much. I had installed a Mr. Buddy heater in the blind so [...] The post A costly lesson after leaving decoys outside overnight first appeared on The Mounta

PMC first in region to implant world's smallest defibrillator lead

Joseph Souza, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Pikeville Medical Center, successfully performed Eastern Kentucky’s first implantation of the innovative Medtronic OmniaSecure; the world’s smallest defibrillator lead designed to treat dangerous heart rhythm disorders, according

House moves to address repeat offenders through successful model program

Inmates serving time in a Kentucky state prison could spend their days in an intensive, focused program learning a skilled trade, earning certifications, and gaining practical experience that positions them for employment upon release — all while surrounded by people who share th

Week nine of the 2026 Regular Session

As work continues in Frankfort during the 2026 Legislative Session, lawmakers are moving legislation through the process while continuing discussions on the state budget and other key priorities for the commonwealth.

Letters to the Editor

Restoration should be clear and consistent in every county

Pikeville man charged with indecent exposure

A Pikeville man was charged and arrested on March 5 on charges of second-degree indecent exposure and alcohol intoxication.

Family remembers 19-year-old lineman killed on the job in Harlan County

Family members are remembering Bryson Cottongim, a 19-year-old Clay County native who was killed while working as a lineman in Harlan County earlier this week.

Ketaco Suit & Co. hosts soft opening in downtown Hazard

The store sells suits, belts, shoes and other apparel. Co-owners Reda and Nicole Fugate, a mother and daughter, opened the business.

EKY elementary school celebrates ‘Read Across America’

Feltner said the involvement of high school students is a consistent highlight of the event.