A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

University of Kentucky, partners to host maple syrup production workshop Oct. 16 in Boone County

By Jordan Strickler University of Kentucky In 1930, a sugar shortage hit Kentucky, compelling residents to tap into their resourcefulness and try their hand making maple syrup. Over the years, this craft gradually faded into obscurity. Workshop participants will receive both classroom and hands-on maple syrup production experience. (Photo by Steve Patton) But in recent years, Kentucky’s maple syrup...

Our Rich History: How softball joined the ranks of elite sports at Thomas More — Bors and Wegman stand out

By Michael Pagano Thomas More University The Saints softball program is one of the most successful on the Thomas More University campus. Bors delivers a pitch against Trine University. (Photo by Richard Fields.) Eight conference tournament championships and 10 NCAA tournament appearances since 2005 will put any program on the map not only regionally but nationally. That said, it was a rocky road for...

Governor declares ‘Recovery Month,’ supports more recovery spending from Opioid Abatement funds

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News More than 200 people attended an event to mark National Recovery Month on Friday in the state Capitol, hearing a message that recovery is possible — along with “grave concerns” from Gov. Andy Beshear about how the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission may spend the millions coming to the state from lawsuit settlements with opioid makers and...

Erlanger sends summer packing with 3rd annual Summer Sendoff at Silverlake Park

By Patricia A. Scheyer NKyTribune reporter The city of Erlanger sent summer packing Saturday with their third annual Summer Sendoff event at Silverlake park. Arlinghaus is the title sponsor for the event. The coney-eating contestants. (Photo by Patricia Scheyer/NKyTribune) Noticeably missing this year was the pie eating contest, in the past sponsored by Colonial Cottage, a memorable contest which leaves...

KCTCS board receives updates on Huron Study, presidential search, workforce and technology

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents received updates on several key reports at its meeting last week. Acting President Larry Ferguson shared a progress report on the Huron Study, which is a comprehensive assessment of the system’s physical resources, programs and administrative support structures. The study’s purpose is to maximize system resources by improving...

NKU ranks 40th on top 50 Wall Street Journal list for ‘exceptional value,’ putting grads on paths to careers

The Wall Street Journal has recognized Northern Kentucky University as one of the top universities in the country for exceptional value and putting graduates on the path to lucrative careers. NKU ranks 40th of out 50 universities around the country when it comes to best value. The study looked at how quickly a degree from NKU pays for its cost through the salary earned by students after graduation. According...

Amye Bensenhaver: Arkansas rebuffs Gov. Sanders’ efforts to upend state’s Freedom of Information Act

It’s doubtful that Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders anticipated the national firestorm she would ignite on September 8 when she called the state’s General Assembly into special session — commencing September 11 — to enact legislation aimed at upending the state law governing the public’s right to know — the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Clearly, she...

Prep Sports Report: Walton-Verona girls reach title game in All “A” Classic state soccer tournament

By Terry Boehmker NKyTribune sports reporter The Walton-Verona girls soccer team made it to the championship match of the All “A” Classic state tournament for the first time on Sunday and lost to Bardstown Bethlehem, 3-0, to bring home the runner-up trophy. Macey Sawyer, left, and Campbell Christy were two of the four Walton-Verona soccer players named to the state all-tournament team. (Photo from...

The River: As a second grader, he was glued to the radio listening to the tragic news of the Island Queen

By Capt. Don Sanders Special to NKyTribune (The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders is sharing the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This story was first told in 2021.) I was born before television became a required fixture in every American home. Radio provided the primary contact with the world beyond our family home...

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra to kick off its 32nd season next month — get your season tickets now

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and music director James R. Cassidy kicks off its 32nd season next month. The orchestra, founded in 1992 to make symphonic music and the concert experience “attractive, accessible and affordable” for Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati residents, has fashioned a thematic, unique brand of culture and entertainment in the Tristate. For its 2023-24 subscription...

Covington to begin citywide repaving project next week; includes 29 streets in 13 neighborhoods

All or part of 29 streets in Covington are about to get a smoother surface. Almost 62,000 square yards of asphalt will be laid one and a half inches thick on the streets as part of a $927,540 contract with Riegler Blacktop Inc. that will get underway this week in the Westside neighborhood. Riegler Blacktop Inc. will then work its way south on the list of streets provided by the City, said Bill Matteoli,...

Matt and Jennifer Westwood named ‘community health care champions’ for Chelsea Ryann Festival

Staff report WellCare of Kentucky, one of the companies that manages Medicaid coverage for the state, honored nine people as “community health champions” for their efforts to improve the physical and mental well-being of Kentuckians. Matt and Jennifer Westwood of NKY were among the winners of one of the eight regional awards. Gov. Andy Beshear spoke at the event recognizing the health-care...

Latest CPE progress report shows more of Kentucky’s students are succeeding in college

College graduation and retention rates are on the rise in Kentucky, and graduate degree production increased 9.8%, according to the 2023 Progress Report from the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. After several consecutive years of declines, undergraduate enrollment has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, although bachelor’s degrees awarded are down 2.1%, and KCTCS credentials fell...

Kentucky farmers are at the mercy of Mother Nature as uncommonly dry conditions persist

By Aimee Nielson University of Kentucky    Across Kentucky, pastures are dry. Kentucky farmers are feeling the impact of a familiar situation. Low water levels on the Mississippi River are adding another challenge. University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment agricultural meteorologist Matt Dixon said places like Breckinridge County are seeing some of the driest...

Summer is gone and fall is here — and that’s the way the Earth spins; winter must be on the way

By Tom Latek Kentucky Today It’s fall. It came officially at 2:50 a.m. Saturday at what is known as the Autumnal Equinox or the first day of fall, because that is when day and night at the Equator are each 12 hours long, caused by the Earth’s spin as it orbits the sun. That spin is not exactly vertical, instead the Earth has a spin axis of 23 ½ degrees, which produces not only night and day,...