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Long-stalled Rockcastle Creek pedway project gains new momentum
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Sixteen years after engineers drew plans for a pedestrian bridge across Rockcastle Creek, Inez officials are laying the groundwork for a second attempt. This time they have a fresh strategy, hope for a new source of funding, and determination to sidestep the bureaucratic hurdles that doomed the project
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Martin County discusses flood damage, pushes for federal assistance
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court discussed significant damage to roads and bridges from April storms and flash floods during an April 17 meeting. Magistrates pointed to dozens of problem sites and the urgent need for repairs, outside contractors and federal disaster assistance. District 1 Magistrate Cody Slone said
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Study in contrasts: Racing, breeding shine in Kentucky as sport dims across America
BY TIM SULLIVAN Kentucky Lantern Beyond Kentucky’s borders, horse racing is a sport in steep decline. Within the commonwealth, however, wealth is common. Though no fewer than 48 American racetracks have closed since 2000, Kentucky operators continue to invest hundreds of millions in their facilities and are reaping an outsized return, and not only on
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Unions: NIOSH cuts will harm Kentucky workers
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to cut a majority of jobs at the federal agency responsible for worker health and safety is seen as a direct attack on Kentucky workers by labor unions in the state. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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Coal miners could pay if inspectors lose offices on DOGE list
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION Dozens of mine safety field offices in Kentucky and across the country would close under a proposal by the federal Department of Government Efficiency. According to an analysis by the nonprofit Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, offices in Barbourville and Harlan are on a list of seven in Kentucky slated
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KY education commissioner sounds alarm about sudden halt in federal COVID payments to schools
by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky LanternApril 1, 2025 Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher on Tuesday urged school superintendents to contact their lawmakers in Congress about a sudden halt in payments from federal pandemic relief funds. His call to action comes after U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon notified state education departments on March 28 that they
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Saying he is ‘grateful’ to lawmakers, Beshear signs bill for Kentucky flood aid into law
by McKenna Horsley, Kentucky LanternMarch 31, 2025 Gov. Andy Beshear signed a bill into law that sets up a new state aid fund for Kentucky communities affected by recent floods, though he has said the bill “isn’t enough.” House Bill 544, which received final passage in the General Assembly Friday with bipartisan support, establishes a
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Kentucky Infrastructure Authority board to meet April 3
FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) board of directors will meet Thursday, April 3, at 1 p.m. EDT. The session will take place on the third floor of the KIA offices at 100 Airport Road in Frankfort. Board Chair Matt Sawyers will preside over the meeting, which the public can view live on YouTube.
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Water bill battle: Kermit Council resolves dispute after resident’s arrest and jail time
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN KERMIT, W.Va. — With a misdemeanor case still pending, the Kermit Council agreed to resolve the issue of an alleged broken lock and damaged water meter that led to the arrest of a resident. Officials gave Etta Kiser until March 21 to pay $175 for the damaged meter and labor
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Martin County ‘cheated’ out of water and wastewater funding
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — When House Joint Resolution 30 came up for a vote in the state Legislature on Feb. 27, Representative Bobby McCool voted “no,” citing the bill’s failure to allocate funding to Martin County despite its long-standing water and wastewater issues. McCool congratulated the water and wastewater recipients listed in
