THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026  ·  EASTERN KENTUCKY'S COMMUNITY NEWS HUB
All the news from the hollows & hills of Eastern Kentucky

Today's Stories 69 stories · Updated 10:43 PM

WTVQ ABC 3634m ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) - Kentucky State Police has released body camera footage tied to an excessive use-of-force case involving a former state trooper. According to KSP, the footage shows events involving former trooper Hayden Kilbourne, who has pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and third-degree terroristic threatening. KSP Public Affairs Commander Sgt. Matt Sudduth said the footag

Kentucky Lantern46m ago

FRANKFORT — The GOP-controlled Kentucky House voted Thursday to raise the age to gamble on sports to 21 and ban proposition bets, or “prop” bets, on Kentucky college athletes. Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland, the primary sponsor of House Bill 904, told a legislative committee earlier this month that the provisions had been worked on for [...]

WKYT46m ago

Despite a rocky confirmation hearing yesterday, Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination advanced out of committee on Thursday and is now one step closer to becoming the country’s next Homeland Security Secretary.

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) - A Pulaski County man has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in connection with a 2024 double homicide. According to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, Brandon A. Mullins, 28, entered the guilty plea during a court appearance in Pulaski Circuit Court on March 18. Authorities say Mullins pleaded guilty to the murders...

WTVQ ABC 361h ago

Courtesy: Office of Attorney General Russell Coleman (ABC36 News Now) — A former Magoffin County middle school teacher has pleaded guilty to child sexual exploitation charges, which will land them five years in prison, according to a press release by the Office of Attorney General Russell Coleman. On Thursday, 32-year-old Jordan Cobb of Salyersville pleaded guilty to one count of...

Salyersville Independent1h ago

SALYERSVILLE — Magoffin County High School senior Gavin Arnett is headed to the next level. Arnett signed with the University of Pikeville football program during a ceremony held at MCHS on Friday, March 13. A proven leader, Arnett made an impact both offensively and defensively for Magoffin County throughout his high school football career. Offensively, [...]

Salyersville Independent1h ago

SALYERSVILLE — Magoffin County is scheduled to host 15th Region rival Prestonsburg for its home opener in the 2026 high school softball season on Monday. March 23. Longtime rivals Magoffin County and Prestonsburg met twice during the 2025 high school softball season. Magoffin County and Prestonsburg split a pair of games in 2025. Magoffin County [...]

Kentucky Lantern1h ago

FRANKFORT — The Senate’s state budget proposal includes some funding for a long-delayed law to help Kentuckians raising minor relatives get financial support, but it’s nearly $10 million shy of what the Beshear administration says it needs to implement the law. The Senate’s plan also appears to rely on federal funding that the Beshear administration [...]

Mountain Top Media2h ago

SALYERSVILLE, Ky. -- A former Magoffin County middle school teacher has pleaded guilty a second time to charges related to sexual messages he sent to a 14-year-old student. Jordan Cobb, 32, of Salyersville, pleaded guilty Thursday to procuring the use of a minor by electronic means and harassing communications in Magoffin Circuit Court. He admitted to engaging in a conversation with a 14-year-old

Mountain Top Media2h ago

PHELPS, Ky. -- A Pike County man is facing burglary, wanton endangerment, unlawful imprisonment and other charges, after his wife reported him for trying to kill everyone in the house because he believed he had been poisoned. Ronald Coots, of Phelps, is being held in the Pike County jail. Police were called to his house on Friday, March 13, after his wife reported he was outside with a gun threate

Harlan Enterprise2h ago

I am writing to share my support of House Bill 496 to expand high-quality childcare options and to better support forest preschools as they serve families like mine across the [...]

WTVQ ABC 362h ago

VAN LEAR, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — Spring break looks a little different for some college students in Kentucky this year. While most college students are relaxing or heading to the beach this spring break, a group of volunteers chose to spend their week differently by giving back and working in eastern Kentucky. Students from Asbury University, Morehead State University,...

Salyersville Independent3h ago

SALYERSVILLE — The North Magoffin PTO Car & Bike Show is set to be held on Saturday, April 11. North Magoffin Elementary will host the upcoming event. Sponsorships are being sold for $50 apiece. The benefits of a sponsorship include the sponsor’s name on indoor school TVs and the outdoor event screen. All proceeds from [...]

Salyersville Independent3h ago

LOUISVILLE — Magoffin County senior Chloe Skaggs shot a 285 and placed ninth out of 634 high school girls during the KY NASP State 3D Tournament, which was held at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center Friday, March 13-Saturday, March 14. As a team, Magoffin County delivered a score of 1,570. Magoffin County placed 51st [...]

Harlan Enterprise3h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - A Senate joint resolution seeking to expand Dolly Partpon's Imagination Library in Kentucky, won unanimous approval from the House Families and Children Committee on Thursday. Senate [...]

Salyersville Independent3h ago

LOUISVILLE — Herald Whitaker Middle School competed in the 2026 KY NASP State 3D Tournament at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center. The Hornets delivered a team score of 1,376 in the state tournament, which was held Friday, March 13-Saturday, March 14. Seth Wright paced Herald Whitaker Middle School, shooting a 251 and finishing 169th [...]

Salyersville Independent3h ago

PIKEVILLE — Daylin Patrick is among the University of Pikeville women’s swimming team members that have been named Academic All-Conference. The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) honored Patrick and some of her UPike women’s swimming teammates. Patrick is a Magoffin County High School graduate. For a student-athlete to qualify for Academic All-AAC honors, they must be [...]

WTVQ ABC 363h ago

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — A massage therapist in Lexington is facing a first-degree sexual abuse charge after a client reported an assault during an appointment on March 14. Lexington Police Department officers arrested 25-year-old Caleb Howard on March 18 in connection with an incident that occurred at the Massage Envy on Bryant Road. According to the arrest citation,...

Harlan Enterprise3h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources researchers have found the genetic keys to unlocking the potential for bigger largemouth bass, the most popular species sought [...]

Harlan Enterprise3h ago

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) - The FBI Louisville Field Office has seen an increase in reported fraud schemes targeting Kentuckians through unsolicited phone calls, in which scammers impersonate law enforcement or [...]

Harlan Enterprise3h ago

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Legislation that would regulate the use of automatic license plate readers along with the data collected from the devices passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday. [...]

Kentucky Lantern3h ago

FRANKFORT — A Kentucky House committee advanced two bills expanding the membership of the state’s longstanding utility regulator and reshaping a relatively new energy planning agency, changing or removing language that had received strong pushback. The two bills, Senate Bill 8 and Senate Bill 100, unanimously approved by the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee [...]

Harlan Enterprise4h ago

Frankfort, Kentucky. Members of the House voted to pass legislation yesterday that would improve safety at railroad crossings across Kentucky. Representative Josh Calloway (R-Irvington) and Representative Nancy Tate (R-Brandenburg) are [...]

Kentucky Lantern6h ago

FRANKFORT — A Kentucky Republican bill to criminalize the sexual grooming of minors cleared another legislative hurdle Thursday. The Senate judiciary committee passed House Bill 4, which is a high priority for House Republicans. The bill needs approval from the full House and a signature from the governor to become law. HB4, which has 42 [...]

Kentucky Lantern7h ago

To locate recovery services in Kentucky, visit https://findhelpnow.org/ky. FRANKFORT— As Brittany Herrington and Jessica Ashby held hands in the audience, Kentucky lawmakers unanimously pushed a bill closer to law that would give parents and caregivers the chance for alternative sentences in an effort to keep more families together. Senate Bill 122 now needs only approval by [...]

Mountain Top Media9h ago

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State treks east to take on the Radford Highlanders in the opening round of the WNIT Friday evening in Radford, Va. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Morehead State returns to the court after a 15-day break since its last game. The Eagles were knocked off by Southeast Missouri 60-55 in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament in Evansville, Indiana, on M

Kentucky Lantern13h ago

For 50 years, Kentuckians have elected judges in nonpartisan elections. Canon 4 of the Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct says “A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary. This canon is to be interpreted consistent with [...]

Mountain Top MediaMar 18

Woman says student was forced to change schools, was dropped off at home without notice. The post Student’s treatment leaves family with questions appeared first on Mountain Top Media .

Mountain EagleMar 18

The Jenkins City Council has approved a resolution supporting a plan to renovate the former Elkhorn Country Club into a hotel. Letcher County currently has no motels or hotels following the closure of the Parkway Inn in Whitesburg. Bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals are the only lodging options. Now, Jonathan and Esther Brooke Tucker hope to convert the abandoned clubhouse at [...] The post

Mountain EagleMar 18

A federal lawsuit filed against the Jenkins Independent Board of Education by a Letcher County vlogger is among several cases facing delays after a Whitesburg attorney was found in contempt of court and suspended from practicing in federal courts. Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning has suspended attorney Jennifer L. Taylor from practicing in the U.S. District Court for the [...] The post Judg

Mountain EagleMar 18

Forty-four months after the Kentucky River rose more than three feet inside the Blackey Public Library, the building’s lower level remains gutted — and now the upper level could require major changes as well. The split-level library includes an addition at the rear that sits several feet higher than the front section. Although the upper level did not flood, it [...] The post Blackey library still

Mountain EagleMar 18

After Kam Williams broke his foot against Texas on Jan. 21 and needed surgery, it seemed almost certain he would miss the remainder of Kentucky’s season. Williams’ father, Greg, knew that was a possibility but also noted there was a “chance” he might return for postseason play if all went well. Last week, Williams was back on the court for [...] The post Kam Williams puts team first first appeared

Mountain EagleMar 18

Given the return to cold weather we’ve had this week, it might seem hard to believe that Friday is officially the first day of spring. The cool mornings, along with warmer days and evenings, will cause lake surface temperatures to slowly rise. As with everything in fishing, this happens for a reason. In early spring, pre-spawn bass begin moving into [...] The post Time to crank up the spring bite

Mountain EagleMar 18

As I look out the window, at first it seems like a good day to be outside and do a little fishing. Then my eyes move to the trees bending in the wind, and I know better. The wind could carry you into the next county. Remember the old saying, “Looks can be deceiving”? This is one of those days. [...] The post Spring teases as turkey season nears first appeared on The Mountain Eagle .

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 17

I've said it before and I'll say it again and again until I'm blue in the face — it's possible to hold two opinions simultaneously.

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 16

A Phelps man was arrested on several charges after allegedly threatening his wife and brandishing a firearm during a domestic dispute occurring on March 13, according to court records.

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 15

Six months into his nursing career, Jack Ward was recognized as one of Pikeville Medical Center’s Shining Stars, an honor bestowed on employees who exhibit excellence in patient care — a skill set his instructors at Big Sandy Community and Technical College emphasized when he was

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

SALYERSVILLE – The city has finally turned in the 2023 audit and is now in compliance with the Department of Local Government for state funding. Last week the City of Salyersville received their 2023 audit report and the Department of Local Government confirmed for the SI that they have now received the audit. As of [...]

Salyersville IndependentMar 13

JOHNSON COUNTY – A Magoffin County man was killed in a one-vehicle wreck in Johnson County on March 5. A commercial vehicle, owned by Jackson Propane Plus and operated by Allen Skaggs, 49, of Salyersville, reportedly left the roadway and Skaggs lost control of the vehicle. Johnson County Sheriff Scott Hazlette told Mortimer Media Group [...]

Appalachian News-ExpressMar 13

The annual prom dress giveaway at Valley Veterinary Clinic is in full swing, with hundreds of free gowns available for students to choose from.