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Martin County EDA seeks grant to empower ‘tourism industry’
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a grant application that could provide micro-grants and training to local entrepreneurs. EDA Director Carolea Mills presented the proposal during a Feb. 11 meeting. Mills asked the board to authorize her to apply to the Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment Grant
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KY lawmaker wants EMS reimbursements increased to address shortages
by Sarah Ladd Kentucky Lantern February 4, 2026 FRANKFORT — Emergency responders are warning that in Kentucky’s ambulance deserts they are often overworked and underpaid and use old equipment to treat patients who may live 90 minutes from the nearest hospital. They gathered Tuesday in support of a bill that would result in higher reimbursements
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KY utility gets Trump administration funding for smog controls at coal-fired power plant
by Liam Niemeyer Kentucky Lantern February 12, 2026 Kentucky’s largest electric utility will share in $175 million the Trump administration unveiled to modernize and extend the life of coal-fired power plants in six states. Louisville Gas & and Electric and Kentucky Utilities will use the money to upgrade smog controls at its 53-year-old Ghent Generating
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Morehead State receives $7.54 million earmark for Space Science Center
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT MOREHEAD — Morehead State University’s Space Science Center will receive a $7.54 million federal Community Project Funding earmark secured by U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) to expand payload operations for government and commercial space stations. The funding will support aerospace education and engineering opportunities for students through partnerships with NASA and
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Kentucky lawmakers renew push to establish statewide residential utility disconnection protections
by Liam Niemeyer Kentucky Lantern February 2, 2026 Last month, on a frigid day in front of the state capitol building in Frankfort, advocates called on Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to halt residential utility disconnections through the winter via executive order. These groups, including the environmental advocacy nonprofit Kentucky Conservation Committee and Kentuckians for
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Kentucky Senate approves bill to clarify recent teacher and student electronic communication law
by McKenna Horsley Kentucky Lantern January 27, 2026 A bill that aims to revise restrictions on how Kentucky teachers communicate electronically with their students has passed out of the state Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, builds on her law from last year that required public school teachers and students to electronically
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Inez considers extending Creekside Trail
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — City officials are exploring plans to extend the Inez Creekside Trail east. This project could add up to a quarter mile to the trail. Commissioner Nita Collier presented a map of the extension in a special meeting Jan. 21 at City Hall. She said the Big Sandy Area
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Regional jail authority names new leadership, reports overtime strain, stronger revenue
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — The Big Sandy Regional Jail Authority elected new leadership Friday, while administrators reported persistent staffing shortages, heavy overtime and one of the facility’s strongest months for housing revenue. Board member Billy Patrick of Martin County was named chairman, with fellow Martin County representative Bradford Preece selected as co-chairman.
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Proposed bill would increase KY’s minimum wage to $10 per hour
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE A newly proposed bill would increase Kentucky’s minimum wage to $10 per hour, placing it above the federal baseline. The state’s hourly pay rate is among the lowest in the nation, currently matching the nationwide minimum of $7.25, which has not increased since 2009. Sen. Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, chair
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Big Sandy Regional Detention Center looks to Floyd County for female officers, cites no ‘hirable’ applicants in four counties
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Big Sandy Regional Detention Center will temporarily expand its search for female correctional officers to Floyd County after administrators said the jail has not received “hirable” applicants from Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin or Martin counties. The jail authority voted 4–3 at its Dec. 18 meeting to approve emergency hiring
