Monica Kast
@monicakast.bsky.social
Covering higher education @heraldleader.bsky.social. Kentucky native, WKU alum, previously wrote for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Pumpkin pie enthusiast & lots of posts about pop culture.
At the UK board meeting today, protesters gathered after the university canceled graduation ceremonies for LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation students.
April 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
At the UK board meeting today, protesters gathered after the university canceled graduation ceremonies for LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation students.
UK will expand the Gatton College of Business building as enrollment continues to grow. This is the third expansion since the building opened in 1963.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
UK to expand College of Business building, receives $4.9M donation for project
The donation comes from the Bill Gatton Foundation, a longtime supporter of UK and the College of Business.
www.kentucky.com
April 25, 2025 at 5:37 PM
UK will expand the Gatton College of Business building as enrollment continues to grow. This is the third expansion since the building opened in 1963.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
From the inbox: On Thursday, the Lindsey Wilson College board of trustees will vote to become Lindsey Wilson University.
April 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
From the inbox: On Thursday, the Lindsey Wilson College board of trustees will vote to become Lindsey Wilson University.
New this evening: UK says a group of international students have had their visas revoked by Homeland Security. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
UK student visas revoked by Department of Homeland Security, university says
The University of Kentucky said late Friday afternoon “a small number of international graduate students at UK” had their F-1 student visas revoked.
www.kentucky.com
April 4, 2025 at 9:42 PM
New this evening: UK says a group of international students have had their visas revoked by Homeland Security. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
I'm looking to interview KY college seniors about what it’s like to be finishing school in the current political climate, job market & changes to higher education. If you're about to graduate -- or know someone who is -- please get in touch! www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
We’re writing about life in Kentucky after college graduation. Seniors, tell us your story
The Herald-Leader wants to interview college seniors in Kentucky as they approach graduation. Help us give insight into what it’s like to be finishing college at this moment in American history.
www.kentucky.com
April 1, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I'm looking to interview KY college seniors about what it’s like to be finishing school in the current political climate, job market & changes to higher education. If you're about to graduate -- or know someone who is -- please get in touch! www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed House Bill 4, a GOP-backed bill aimed at restricting, and in some cases dismantling, Kentucky public universities’ efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion. Story w/ @austin-horn.bsky.social & @aacquisto.bsky.social www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
‘HB 4 is about hate.’ Gov. Beshear vetoes anti-diversity, equity, inclusion bill
“We love and we accept everyone. This bill isn’t about love. House Bill 4 is about hate,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a video highlighting his action.
www.kentucky.com
March 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed House Bill 4, a GOP-backed bill aimed at restricting, and in some cases dismantling, Kentucky public universities’ efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion. Story w/ @austin-horn.bsky.social & @aacquisto.bsky.social www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Monica Kast
The Herald-Leader examined 12 years of open records and open meetings appeals filed with the attorney general’s office. Universities were found to have violated the law on appeal about 65% of the time. Story from @monicakast.bsky.social & @kendallstaton.bsky.social : www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
March 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The Herald-Leader examined 12 years of open records and open meetings appeals filed with the attorney general’s office. Universities were found to have violated the law on appeal about 65% of the time. Story from @monicakast.bsky.social & @kendallstaton.bsky.social : www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
New from @kendallstaton.bsky.social & me: We looked at 12 years of open records appeals filed related to Kentucky universities. The majority of the time an appeal is filed, the AG finds the university in violation of open records law. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
‘Culture of resistance to transparency’: Kentucky universities regularly break open records law
The Herald-Leader examined 12 years of open records and open meetings appeals filed with the attorney general’s office. Universities were found to have violated the law on appeal about 65% of the time...
www.kentucky.com
March 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
New from @kendallstaton.bsky.social & me: We looked at 12 years of open records appeals filed related to Kentucky universities. The majority of the time an appeal is filed, the AG finds the university in violation of open records law. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
New this morning: UK is one of more than 50 schools being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for its DEI practices. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
UK one of more than 50 universities facing federal investigation for DEI programs
The Department of Education announced it was investigating more than 50 universities around the country to “to end the use of racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.”
www.kentucky.com
March 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
New this morning: UK is one of more than 50 schools being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for its DEI practices. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Monica Kast
After falling short of passing a similar bill in 2024, Kentucky Republicans gave final passage to a bill to dismantle all diversity, equity and inclusion programs, offices and initiatives at public higher education institutions.
By @aacquisto.bsky.social & @monicakast.bsky.social:
By @aacquisto.bsky.social & @monicakast.bsky.social:
Kentucky lawmakers approve bill to ban DEI initiatives on public college campuses
House Bill 4 requires state universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to defund all DEI initiatives and outlaws any diversity trainings.
www.kentucky.com
March 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
After falling short of passing a similar bill in 2024, Kentucky Republicans gave final passage to a bill to dismantle all diversity, equity and inclusion programs, offices and initiatives at public higher education institutions.
By @aacquisto.bsky.social & @monicakast.bsky.social:
By @aacquisto.bsky.social & @monicakast.bsky.social:
Reposted by Monica Kast
In a 6-month long investigation and more than 3 dozen open records requests, I found that 234 people died inside KY jails since 2020.
Roughly 7/10 had not been convicted of the crime for which they were being held. And the deaths have been increasing.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
Roughly 7/10 had not been convicted of the crime for which they were being held. And the deaths have been increasing.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
234 people have died in Kentucky jails since 2020. Critics call it a ‘systemic failure’
The Herald-Leader analyzed 5 years of KY Department of Corrections death logs, lawsuits, autopsy reports and death certificates. Here’s what we found.
www.kentucky.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:18 PM
In a 6-month long investigation and more than 3 dozen open records requests, I found that 234 people died inside KY jails since 2020.
Roughly 7/10 had not been convicted of the crime for which they were being held. And the deaths have been increasing.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
Roughly 7/10 had not been convicted of the crime for which they were being held. And the deaths have been increasing.
www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
Reposted by Monica Kast
A bill that would require public colleges and universities to implement a performance evaluation system for faculty members — including tenured professors — passed out of the state House on Wednesday.
Read more from @monicakast.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Read more from @monicakast.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Bill requiring university job evaluations passes in KY House, critics worry about tenure
Critics of the bill have voiced concern about the bill’s potential impact on tenure at Kentucky universities. It would give schools the ability to end employment based on performance evaluations.
www.kentucky.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A bill that would require public colleges and universities to implement a performance evaluation system for faculty members — including tenured professors — passed out of the state House on Wednesday.
Read more from @monicakast.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Read more from @monicakast.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Monica Kast
Heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and strong wind gusts resulted in dangerous conditions in KY.
Here’s a numeric breakdown from @monicakast.bsky.social of what we know so far. Numbers could grow as rescue efforts continue.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Here’s a numeric breakdown from @monicakast.bsky.social of what we know so far. Numbers could grow as rescue efforts continue.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
How much rain did we get? How many parts of the state flooded? Kentucky storm by the numbers
Multiple days of rain last week, followed by constant heavy rain on February 15, resulted in severe flooding and at least 8 deaths in Kentucky.
www.kentucky.com
February 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and strong wind gusts resulted in dangerous conditions in KY.
Here’s a numeric breakdown from @monicakast.bsky.social of what we know so far. Numbers could grow as rescue efforts continue.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Here’s a numeric breakdown from @monicakast.bsky.social of what we know so far. Numbers could grow as rescue efforts continue.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
After heavy rain all day yesterday, Lexington and Central Kentucky had snow this morning. More on the winter weather here: www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Central Kentucky sees heavy snowfall Sunday as state grapples with flooding fallout
A winter weather advisory has been issued for most of the state, with 1-2 inches of snow accumulation predicted for Sunday. Slippery road conditions are expected after a day of heavy rainfall.
www.kentucky.com
February 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
After heavy rain all day yesterday, Lexington and Central Kentucky had snow this morning. More on the winter weather here: www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Reposted by Monica Kast
At least 2 dead. Emergency disaster declared. More than 300 roads closed.
Stay tuned for more coverage as we update you about the weekend's flooding event and impact.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Stay tuned for more coverage as we update you about the weekend's flooding event and impact.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
At least 2 dead in ‘historic’ Kentucky flooding. Emergency disaster declared
President Donald Trump declared an emergency in Kentucky Sunday after significant rainfall that flooded areas across the state.
www.kentucky.com
February 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
At least 2 dead. Emergency disaster declared. More than 300 roads closed.
Stay tuned for more coverage as we update you about the weekend's flooding event and impact.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Stay tuned for more coverage as we update you about the weekend's flooding event and impact.
www.kentucky.com/news/weather...
Reposted by Monica Kast
Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, one of the most vocal opponents of diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives in the Kentucky legislature, has filed two new bills to end DEI in K-12 schools and state & local government.
Per @monicakast.bsky.social & @aacquisto.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Per @monicakast.bsky.social & @aacquisto.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Kentucky senator wants to ban “discriminatory concepts” of DEI in K-12 schools, government
A pair of bills filed by Republican Sen. Lindsey Tichenor aim to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion practices in state and local government and in public schools in Kentucky.
www.kentucky.com
February 14, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, one of the most vocal opponents of diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives in the Kentucky legislature, has filed two new bills to end DEI in K-12 schools and state & local government.
Per @monicakast.bsky.social & @aacquisto.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Per @monicakast.bsky.social & @aacquisto.bsky.social: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Rep. Jennifer Decker has again filed a bill targeting DEI at public colleges and universities in KY. HB4 would prohibit schools from any spending on DEI initiatives & require them to close all DEI offices by June 30. Story w/ @aacquisto.bsky.social www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
Kentucky GOP lawmaker revives her effort to ban DEI offices, spending at public colleges
House Bill 4, filed Wednesday, would prohibit Kentucky’s public colleges and universities from spending any money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and require them to close DEI offices b...
www.kentucky.com
February 12, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Rep. Jennifer Decker has again filed a bill targeting DEI at public colleges and universities in KY. HB4 would prohibit schools from any spending on DEI initiatives & require them to close all DEI offices by June 30. Story w/ @aacquisto.bsky.social www.kentucky.com/news/politic...
New this morning: What does the 15% cap on indirect funding from the NIH mean for Kentucky universities? At UK, a loss of at least $40 million, the university said. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Federal funding cap on colleges would cut at least $40M from research at UK
A policy announced last week would cap indirect funding on grants given from the National Institutes of Health, which could impact millions of research dollars at Kentucky universities.
www.kentucky.com
February 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
New this morning: What does the 15% cap on indirect funding from the NIH mean for Kentucky universities? At UK, a loss of at least $40 million, the university said. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
Reposted by Monica Kast
If the U.S. Department of Education is abolished, what happens to Kentucky education funding?
www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article299695214.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article299695214.html#storylink=cpy
If the US Department of Education is abolished, what happens to KY education funding?
President Donald Trump has signaled he will sign an executive order weakening the department. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie has filed a bill to abolish it.
www.kentucky.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:59 AM
If the U.S. Department of Education is abolished, what happens to Kentucky education funding?
www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article299695214.html#storylink=cpy
www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article299695214.html#storylink=cpy
And one thing about me is I love to have a little fun at work www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/res...
We were skeptical of Graeter’s Skyline Spice Ice Cream, but its uniqueness left an impact
As one of our reviewers put it, the Graeter’s Skyline Spice Ice Cream pairs well with “three to seven cheese coneys.”
www.kentucky.com
January 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM
And one thing about me is I love to have a little fun at work www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/res...
Folks, we have tried the Skyline Chili-Graeter’s Ice Cream collab. Taste test coming soon!
January 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Folks, we have tried the Skyline Chili-Graeter’s Ice Cream collab. Taste test coming soon!
Railbird 2025 lineup is out! www.kentucky.com/entertainmen...
Railbird Music Festival announces 2025 lineup. Headliners are breakout country stars.
The festival will feature more than 30 artists and take place May 31 and June 1 at the Infield at Red Mile in Lexington.
www.kentucky.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Railbird 2025 lineup is out! www.kentucky.com/entertainmen...
It's that time of year: The UK employee salary database is live. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
What are the current salaries of University of Kentucky employees? Search this database
The average salary of all UK employees is $77,981 in the 2024-25 fiscal year. See all salaries in this searchable database.
www.kentucky.com
January 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
It's that time of year: The UK employee salary database is live. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
I don't think we're talking enough about how Lexington is dropping a giant blue horse on NYE. www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
A year-long party: Lexington announces lineup for its 250th birthday celebration in 2025
The yearlong celebration of the birth of Kentucky’s second-largest city will begin on New Year’s Eve with the dropping of a Blue Horse at Central Bank Center
www.kentucky.com
December 18, 2024 at 7:28 PM
I don't think we're talking enough about how Lexington is dropping a giant blue horse on NYE. www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...
How do you work to preserve and restore art and cultural items after a natural disaster? One group started at UK is paving the way. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...
www.kentucky.com
December 2, 2024 at 6:13 PM
How do you work to preserve and restore art and cultural items after a natural disaster? One group started at UK is paving the way. www.kentucky.com/news/local/e...