Kentucky Public Radio
@kentuckypublicradio.org
KPR is a network of stations covering Kentucky state government & all 120 counties.
We're @lpm.org, @weku.bsky.social, WKU & @wkmsfm.bsky.social. Posts by @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, @joesonka.lpm.org, @ryanvanvelzer.bsky.social & @justinhicks.lpm.org
We're @lpm.org, @weku.bsky.social, WKU & @wkmsfm.bsky.social. Posts by @sylviaruthg.lpm.org, @joesonka.lpm.org, @ryanvanvelzer.bsky.social & @justinhicks.lpm.org
The entire workforce at the BlueOval SK electric vehicle battery park in Kentucky is being laid off, as Ford announces it is repurposing the Glendale plant to manufacture battery storage for energy customers. From WKU:
BlueOval SK in Kentucky is out of the EV battery business and will lay off entire workforce as Ford announces restructuring
The entire workforce at the BlueOval SK electric vehicle battery park in Hardin County is being laid off as Ford announces a major restructuring.
www.wkyufm.org
December 15, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The entire workforce at the BlueOval SK electric vehicle battery park in Kentucky is being laid off, as Ford announces it is repurposing the Glendale plant to manufacture battery storage for energy customers. From WKU:
LPM’s Bill Burton spoke with the Metropolitan Housing Coalition’s executive director, Tony Curtis, about their 2025 report on housing needs in Jefferson County.
LISTEN: A conversation about Louisville’s latest housing report
The Metropolitan Housing Coalition recently released its 2025 housing report focusing on Louisville and Jefferson County.
www.lpm.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
LPM’s Bill Burton spoke with the Metropolitan Housing Coalition’s executive director, Tony Curtis, about their 2025 report on housing needs in Jefferson County.
A hemp company opened a new production facility in Louisville, but Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said it's in jeopardy due to legislation passed by Congress last month. He hopes Congress changes course before the hemp THC ban goes into effect next November.
Rand Paul tours Kentucky hemp facility, calls for changing law that will ‘destroy’ industry
A hemp company opened a new production facility in Louisville, but Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said it may go out of business due to legislation passed by Congress last month.
www.lpm.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
A hemp company opened a new production facility in Louisville, but Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul said it's in jeopardy due to legislation passed by Congress last month. He hopes Congress changes course before the hemp THC ban goes into effect next November.
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Kentucky and 21 others in a lawsuit, barring the Trump administration from unlawfully withholding FEMA disaster funds. From @weku.bsky.social
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Kentucky and 21 others in a lawsuit involving funds from FEMA
The ruling bars the Trump administration from unlawfully withholding disaster funds.
www.weku.org
December 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Kentucky and 21 others in a lawsuit, barring the Trump administration from unlawfully withholding FEMA disaster funds. From @weku.bsky.social
Kentucky electricity customers could save $2.6 billion by 2050 by moving away from fossil fuels and toward more renewables and battery storage, according to a report commissioned by a coalition of Kentucky groups. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social #kyga26
New report says Kentucky's fossil fuel dependence threatens the affordability of electricity
Kentucky electricity customers could save $2.6 billion by 2050 by moving away from fossil fuels and toward more renewables and battery storage, according to the report.
www.weku.org
December 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Kentucky electricity customers could save $2.6 billion by 2050 by moving away from fossil fuels and toward more renewables and battery storage, according to a report commissioned by a coalition of Kentucky groups. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social #kyga26
Early voting is underway for a Kentucky Senate #kyga26 special election in southwest Louisville ahead of Election Day. Find out more about each candidate, from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Kentucky’s state Senate has a special election in Louisville on Tuesday. Here are the facts
Early voting is underway for a special state Senate election in southwest Louisville ahead of Election Day. Find out more about each candidate.
www.lpm.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Early voting is underway for a Kentucky Senate #kyga26 special election in southwest Louisville ahead of Election Day. Find out more about each candidate, from @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Local newsrooms in Kentucky grapple with how and when to utilize artificial intelligence in journalism. From @wkmsfm.bsky.social
Local newsrooms in Kentucky grapple with AI’s role in journalism
The emergence of artificial intelligence is prompting changes in several industries, including journalism, as they contemplate how to utilize the new technology.
www.wkms.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Local newsrooms in Kentucky grapple with how and when to utilize artificial intelligence in journalism. From @wkmsfm.bsky.social
A South Korean company is ending its joint venture with Ford to build batteries for electric vehicles, casting uncertainty on the massive plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
Ford, South Korean company end partnership on EV battery plant in Kentucky
A South Korean company is ending its joint venture with Ford to build batteries for electric vehicles, casting uncertainty on the massive plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A South Korean company is ending its joint venture with Ford to build batteries for electric vehicles, casting uncertainty on the massive plant in Glendale, Kentucky.
Reposted by Kentucky Public Radio
Latest from me: Kentucky Gov. Beshear talks pre-K for all, federal cuts and Democrat midterm strategy
Check out the story to hear my full interview with the governor:
Check out the story to hear my full interview with the governor:
Kentucky Gov. Beshear talks pre-K for all, federal cuts and Democrat midterm strategy
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is looking ahead to the legislative session, where lawmakers will pass the last two-year budget of his governorship, and toward the midterm elections where Democrats hope to...
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Latest from me: Kentucky Gov. Beshear talks pre-K for all, federal cuts and Democrat midterm strategy
Check out the story to hear my full interview with the governor:
Check out the story to hear my full interview with the governor:
Reposted by Kentucky Public Radio
Immigrants who had received letters inviting them to a citizenship ceremony in downtown Louisville were turned away at the door Thursday. All are from countries deemed “high-risk” by President Donald Trump. From @lpm.org's Roberto Roldan
Ready to become citizens, some immigrants in Louisville turned away at the door
Immigrants who had received letters inviting them to a citizenship ceremony in downtown Louisville were turned away at the door Thursday. All are from countries deemed “high-risk” by President Donald ...
www.lpm.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Immigrants who had received letters inviting them to a citizenship ceremony in downtown Louisville were turned away at the door Thursday. All are from countries deemed “high-risk” by President Donald Trump. From @lpm.org's Roberto Roldan
Fayette County Public Schools has chosen a Texas accounting company to perform an audit of its financial practices.
FCPS school board approves external financial audit by Texas accounting firm
Fayette County Public Schools is tapping a Texas accounting company to perform an audit of its financial practices.
www.weku.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Fayette County Public Schools has chosen a Texas accounting company to perform an audit of its financial practices.
Police identify father of a Kentucky State University student as the suspect in a shooting on campus that killed student De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr. and hospitalized another. From @weku.bsky.social
Police identify the father of a Kentucky State University student as suspect in shooting
Jacob Lee Bard, of Evansville, is charged with murder and assault after the shooting in Frankfort. Court records show previous charges of assault and threatening.
www.weku.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Police identify father of a Kentucky State University student as the suspect in a shooting on campus that killed student De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr. and hospitalized another. From @weku.bsky.social
Reposted by Kentucky Public Radio
A great rundown of what’s going to be a top issue for the Republican-run Kentucky Legislature next year: Powering AI data centers.
A year after passing tax breaks to lure AI data centers to Kentucky, lawmakers have more plans for them in #kyga26, addressing concerns related to power generation, utility bills and local opposition.
The AI data center boom is coming for Kentucky. What will lawmakers do about it?
Kentucky lawmakers plan to address data centers in the upcoming session, as utilities seek more power generation to serve them and locals fight new projects.
www.lpm.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
A great rundown of what’s going to be a top issue for the Republican-run Kentucky Legislature next year: Powering AI data centers.
Kentucky coal production slipped in the third quarter to a low not seen since the COVID lockdowns of 2020. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Kentucky coal production fell to near COVID-era low in 3rd quarter
Kentucky produced less than 5.5 million tons of coal from June to September, according to the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s coal dashboard.
www.weku.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Kentucky coal production slipped in the third quarter to a low not seen since the COVID lockdowns of 2020. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
The president of the American Soybean Association, who operates a farm in Magnolia, says Trump's $12 billion bailout will help farmers, but not make up for all of the harms caused by trade wars and increased costs.
‘Band-Aid on an open wound.’ Kentucky soybean farmer reacts to Trump’s $12B bailout
The president of the American Soybean Association says the $12 billion payments will help farmers, but will not make up for the harms caused by trade wars and increased costs.
www.lpm.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
The president of the American Soybean Association, who operates a farm in Magnolia, says Trump's $12 billion bailout will help farmers, but not make up for all of the harms caused by trade wars and increased costs.
A suspect is in custody after the shooting at Kentucky State University that left one person dead and another in critical condition, according to the Frankfort Police Department. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
One dead, another in critical condition after shooting at Kentucky State University
A suspect is in custody after the shooting that left one person dead and another in critical condition, according to the Frankfort Police Department.
www.lpm.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM
A suspect is in custody after the shooting at Kentucky State University that left one person dead and another in critical condition, according to the Frankfort Police Department. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Reposted by Kentucky Public Radio
Had a Louisville story featured on NPR's Morning Edition today, about how our local water company tracked a spike in one type of forever chemical up the Ohio River to a West Virginia factory. You can listen here: www.npr.org/2025/12/09/n...
How a Kentucky water plant tracked the spike in a 'forever chemical'
After a water plant in Louisville, Kentucky, saw a spike in a certain "forever chemical," their quest for answers led them hundreds of miles away.
www.npr.org
December 9, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Had a Louisville story featured on NPR's Morning Edition today, about how our local water company tracked a spike in one type of forever chemical up the Ohio River to a West Virginia factory. You can listen here: www.npr.org/2025/12/09/n...
The Trump administration withdrew a document making major changes to funding for local efforts to end homelessness amid a Democrat-led lawsuit, leaving Kentucky organizations unsure of next steps. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
‘Intentional chaos’: Judge rebukes HUD over turmoil scrambling Kentucky homelessness programs
The Trump administration withdrew a document with major changes to funding for local efforts to end homelessness amid a Democrat-led lawsuit, leaving Kentucky organizations unsure of next steps.
www.lpm.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The Trump administration withdrew a document making major changes to funding for local efforts to end homelessness amid a Democrat-led lawsuit, leaving Kentucky organizations unsure of next steps. From @sylviaruthg.lpm.org
Afghan refugees in Kentucky fear for their status after the shooting of National Guard members in Washington D.C.
Tom Martin of @weku.bsky.social spoke with Kentucky Refugee Ministries executive director John Koehlinger about the backlash and immigration crackdown.
Tom Martin of @weku.bsky.social spoke with Kentucky Refugee Ministries executive director John Koehlinger about the backlash and immigration crackdown.
Afghan refugees in Kentucky fear for their status after the shooting of National Guard members in Washington D.C.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. Executive Director John Koehlinger discusses what Afghan refugees are going through, with immigration crackdowns and fearing backlash from the shooting.
www.weku.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Afghan refugees in Kentucky fear for their status after the shooting of National Guard members in Washington D.C.
Tom Martin of @weku.bsky.social spoke with Kentucky Refugee Ministries executive director John Koehlinger about the backlash and immigration crackdown.
Tom Martin of @weku.bsky.social spoke with Kentucky Refugee Ministries executive director John Koehlinger about the backlash and immigration crackdown.
East Kentucky Power Cooperative told state regulators Monday it has applied for $90 million of federal funds from the Trump administration to extend the lives of its coal plants. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
East Kentucky Power seeks Trump funds for coal plants
President and CEO Tony Campbell told the Kentucky Public Service Commission Monday that the cooperative applied for a $90 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
www.weku.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
East Kentucky Power Cooperative told state regulators Monday it has applied for $90 million of federal funds from the Trump administration to extend the lives of its coal plants. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
A year after passing tax breaks to lure AI data centers to Kentucky, lawmakers have more plans for them in #kyga26, addressing concerns related to power generation, utility bills and local opposition.
The AI data center boom is coming for Kentucky. What will lawmakers do about it?
Kentucky lawmakers plan to address data centers in the upcoming session, as utilities seek more power generation to serve them and locals fight new projects.
www.lpm.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
A year after passing tax breaks to lure AI data centers to Kentucky, lawmakers have more plans for them in #kyga26, addressing concerns related to power generation, utility bills and local opposition.
London city meetings canceled amid ongoing feud between Kentucky mayor, city council
London city meetings canceled amid ongoing feud between mayor, city council
A special-called meeting for London City Council was canceled Thursday after most councilmembers no-showed.
www.weku.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:00 PM
London city meetings canceled amid ongoing feud between Kentucky mayor, city council
A coalition of community and environmental groups say the incomes of LG&E/KU customers have not kept up with the increasing cost of electricity in Kentucky. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
LG&E and KU customer incomes haven't kept up with bills, groups say
KU rates have risen more than 23% in the past five years, the groups say, while LG&E rates have gone up 20% in that time. Meanwhile, incomes for the lowest earners have increased 13% in Kentucky and 9...
www.weku.org
December 8, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A coalition of community and environmental groups say the incomes of LG&E/KU customers have not kept up with the increasing cost of electricity in Kentucky. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Records show LMPD's chief ordered an investigation of whether an officer improperly used the city’s license plate reader data to aid federal immigration enforcement just 4 days after KyCIR alerted LMPD & requested comment, then expanded investigation after publication. From @morganwatkins.lpm.org
Records show LMPD chief widened probe of officer for immigration data searches
The Louisville police chief wants to know if an officer improperly gave federal agents his login credentials for the city’s license plate surveillance database.
www.lpm.org
December 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Records show LMPD's chief ordered an investigation of whether an officer improperly used the city’s license plate reader data to aid federal immigration enforcement just 4 days after KyCIR alerted LMPD & requested comment, then expanded investigation after publication. From @morganwatkins.lpm.org
Louisville Metro Council members voted on a handful of high-profile ordinances Thursday night, including an attempt to prevent federal agents from wearing masks and an extension of property tax break for Churchill Downs until 2055.
Louisville extends Churchill Downs tax break, rejects ICE masking ban
Louisville Metro Council members held their second-to-last meeting of 2025.
www.lpm.org
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Louisville Metro Council members voted on a handful of high-profile ordinances Thursday night, including an attempt to prevent federal agents from wearing masks and an extension of property tax break for Churchill Downs until 2055.