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Celebrating agriculture in the classroom
BY DR. ROBBIE FLETCHER KENTUCKY COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION Getting the chance to speak with students involved in agriculture programs earlier this year, I saw just how eager students can be for education when it involves vibrant learning experiences that are relevant to the community and the world around them. One of the key pillars of…
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Kentucky’s children pay for federal cuts
BY DR. RHONDA CALDWELL CEO, KY ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS From the vast western plains to the rolling hills of eastern Kentucky, we are united by our core values: a strong work ethic, a commitment to our neighbors, and the resilience to build a brighter future for the next generation. However, we face a shared…
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Is Ukraine deal really a deal?
America has given Ukraine a lot of money. Does anyone really know? President Trump recently said $350 billion while other sources say we have spent less than $200 billion. A billion dollars is a billion dollars. Hundreds of billions of dollars mean Americans across our country are being taxed hard-earned dollars to send to another…
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Living through a disaster can be trying times
Living through the devastation of a flood like the Tug Valley went through a couple of weeks ago is very tough, both mentally and physically. Those affected have the psychological stress to go through when trying to evaluate the destruction. They have to figure out where to start. Cleaning up the mud and muck is…
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Tug Valley residents will rebound from recent flooding
There is no doubt the communities that make up the Tug Valley area in Mingo, Pike and Martin counties have had their share of disasters when it comes to flooding throughout the years. Most everyone with a few years on them remembers the historic 1977 flood, the worst flood on record, that literally changed the…
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Does the grocery store scare you? Can Washington care?
Does the grocery store scare you? What about buying eggs? Do you dread driving to Walmart? Do you remember a day when it was fun? I remember the old days of going to my Grandfather Hinkle’s grocery store in old Stidham, Kentucky. Today that would be South Milo Road in Tomahawk, Kentucky. I could buy…
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Supporting local newspapers puts community first; HB 368 will harm communities and newspapers
BY JANE ASHLEY PACE 2024 KPA PRESIDENT Every county in Kentucky has one local business that has been there longer than any other, most more than a century – while some are even closing in on two centuries. In many of these counties, that business is their local newspaper. I manage two of those local…
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Holler to Holler, Hand in Hand
BY JOSHUA BALL There’s a moment when the world, a region, stands still. When the rain won’t stop. When the rivers swell, creeping higher and higher until they are no longer rivers at all… but walls of water, tearing through everything in their path. Homes, memories, lifetimes… gone in an instant. And then comes the…
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A time for strength and prayer
The people of our area have faced hardship before, but the devastation and mud left in the wake of the recent flood is beyond what most have seen in a lifetime. Homes and businesses flooded, roads washed away and families displaced. Some have lost everything but their faith, while others have lost far more. Our…
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Nursing homes, Medicaid and DOGE
The average monthly cost of a nursing home in the United States is between $8,669 for a semi-private room and $9,733 for a private room. However, costs vary by location, the level of care, and the type of room and amenities. Factors affecting cost Location: The cost of nursing homes varies greatly by state, with…








