A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Simple spring cleaning steps can help keep backyard birds healthy, prevent the spread of disease

Spring has arrived and with the warm weather and longer days, many Kentuckians will begin sprucing up their yards and gardens. Whatever your other spring tidying plans may include, be sure to clean your bird feeders. As spring migration gets in full spring, feeders around the yard provide a great way to attract and view migrating songbirds. However, it’s important they are cleaned on a regular basis...

Out-of-pocket costs for internet to rise in Kenton Co. because federal program is running out of money

By Tim Marema Daily Yonder One out of every five of Kenton County households may have to pay more for internet access by the end of April because a federal program that supports affordable broadband for lower-income families is running out of money. About 13,500 of Kenton County’s 67,400 households are currently receiving $30 a month from the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), according...

Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence releases ’24 Groundswell Community Profiles

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence has released their 2024 Groundswell Community Profiles, which provide an overview of the state of education in each Kentucky school district. The profiles include indicators of learning progress, from preschool through postsecondary, and show how a local school district compares to state averages on a variety of key education measures. To support community...

Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Spring wild turkey season opens in April; officials expect strong 2024 harvest

Spring is coming, and we’re all picturing it: trekking under budding trees, brushing past blooming daffodils, eyes and ears on hyperalert through the morning fog. The gear on your back becomes weightless and you forget about the predawn chill, or maybe even welcome it. After all, hunting is a sensory experience, and spring turkey season is a perfect call to the field. When you hear a gobble in the...

Art Lander’s Outdoors: Shelbyville’s Clear Creek Park Greenway offers natural escape from urban backdrop

Trails through green spaces in urban areas provide a welcome escape, an opportunity to stretch your legs, walk the dog, go for a bike ride, or engage in other active or passive outdoor recreational pursuits. One such area in central Kentucky is the Clear Creek Park Greenway, in Shelbyville, designated as Heritage Land on the State Nature Preserves website. Clear Creek Park Greenway (Map from Shelby...

KCTCS President Ryan Quarles to tour all 16 of school’s campuses; will visit Gateway April 1

By Tom Latek Kentucky Today Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) President Ryan Quarles has kicked off his Focus on the Future statewide tour, with stops being planned at all 16 community colleges. “With current workforce shortages and an enrollment cliff looming, it’s imperative that KCTCS lives up to its promise of being the biggest workforce development tool in Kentucky’s...

Kentucky Humanities accepting applications for Chautauqua living history presenters

Now is your chance to help Kentucky Humanities tell Kentucky’s story by portraying a person from the Commonwealth’s colorful past. Since 1992, our presenters have brought 80 Kentuckians to life as Kentucky Chautauqua characters. There are many more compelling stories out there — let us know which one you want to tell. Proposed Kentucky Chautauqua characters do not have to be famous, but their...

U.S. CBP at Port of Louisville intercepts shipment of counterfeit watches valued at more than $11.7 million

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville seized a de minimis shipment containing 35 counterfeit designer watches. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and if genuine, would have had a combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) over $11.7 million. (Photo from U.S. CBP) The...

KY House sends two bills (by NKY reps) to Senate for consideration: ‘Momnibus,’ easing teacher shortage

Staff report Two bills spearheaded by NKY representatives have been approved by the Kentucky House and are headed to the Senate for consideration. Most of the 1200-plus bills introduced in the legislature are still immersed somewhere in the system. So far, with just a few weeks of the 2024 session remaining, only three bills have become law, one of them as a result of an override of the Governor’s...

Frankfort’s Salato Wildlife Education Center opens Tuesday for 2024 season of animal adventures

Ready for an adventure? The Salato Wildlife Education Center reopens its doors for the 2024 season on Tuesday, March 12. Visitors can explore Kentucky’s diverse ecosystems and learn all about the commonwealth’s wildlife. From interesting indoor exhibits to outdoor animal encounters, Salato promises a memorable experience for the whole family. With more than 40 native animal species, including...

Kentucky County Clerks Association concerned over delays caused by new KAVIS system

The Kentucky County Clerks Association has important information for the public as they continue to work their way through the implementation of the state’s new vehicle registration system known as KAVIS. County Clerks are processing an increasing number of transactions each day, however, there are still significant delays and problematic transactions. KCCA leadership has expressed concerns and...

Art Lander’s Outdoors: The Red-winged Blackbird is a native species rarely observed up-close

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is a native species found year-round in Kentucky. But, their occurrence is somewhat irregular since some birds move south for the winter, while others join large, migrating flocks of birds from the northern reaches of their range, moving around the region. According to The Kentucky Breeding Bird Atlas, the Red-winged Blackbird is “most numerous in western...

Angler catches new Kentucky state record yellow perch at Lake Barkley breaking 14-year-old record

A Tennessee angler fishing Lake Barkley over the weekend caught Kentucky’s new state record yellow perch. Lynn Bumgardner’s fish weighed 1.58 pounds on a certified scale, eclipsing the old record of 1.44 pounds set in 2010. Bumgardner, of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, caught his fish on the Trigg County side of the lake March 2. “We were trolling grubs for crappie in Linton Bay on Lake Barkley,”...

Governor issues first veto of legislative session: HB 18 dealing with access to avoidable housing

Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by Louisville Councilman Phillip Baker, who represents Metro Council District 6, as he vetoed House Bill 18, which would make it harder for many Kentuckians – including those with disabilities, senior citizens, low-income families and homeless veterans – to access affordable housing. The bill removes local government control and autonomy, with the General Assembly dictating...

Kentucky’s Kyra Watts gets gold ticket on American Idol — is going to Hollywood

By Keith Taylor Kentucky Today Kentucky native Kyra Waits is going to Hollywood. Kyra Watts, American Idol screenshot Waits, who is from Berea, earned a gold ticket to the 22nd season of “American Idol” Sunday night following her impressive audition in front of judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on ABC. Waits performed “Up to the Mountain,” made popular by Patty Griffin. Perry...