WUKY In Depth

Appalachian College Students Look for Job Opportunities Beyond Coal

Brenna Angel — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:31:16 +0000

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - Colleges and universities in central Appalachia are struggling to retain students. Roughly half the freshmen at the University of Pikeville don’t come back the following year. For the students who stay, many wonder if there will be jobs available in a region that for decades relied on coal mining as its primary industry.

“We feel like if you can teach them in the mountains, train them in the mountains, they’ll stay in the mountains,” says James Hurley, President-elect of the University of Pikeville.

Appalachian Colleges Struggling to Keep Students

Brenna Angel — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:03:19 +0000

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - For a lot of college students, summer is a chance to kick back and relax-- maybe do an internship -- before resuming classes in the fall. But some students in Appalachia won’t be returning to campus next August, at least not at the school where they originally enrolled.

In Depth: Lexington Parks And Priorities

Josh James — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:59:28 +0000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - It’s often said that if you want to know what a community really cares about, look no further than its budget. WUKY is beginning a series of reports digging deeper into the priorities of Lexington’s Urban County Council members as they begin the process of crafting a spending plan for the city. First, Josh James has this look at a summertime favorite: parks.

Some In Eastern Kentucky Wondering About Life After Coal

WMMT Radio's Sylvia Ryerson — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:45:00 +0000

WHITESBURG, Ky. - New statistics released by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet show a staggering drop in coal production and a sharp rise in unemployment in the southeastern Coalfields, particularly in Letcher, Harlan, Knott and Perry counties. According to the report, Eastern Kentucky coal production has reached the lowest level since 1965.

Gala Event Celebrates Finale Of Community Reading Project

Alan Lytle — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:45:00 +0000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Best-Selling Author Erin Morgenstern and a host of circus performers will be bringing her award winning novel, The Night Circus, to life at a gala event tonight from 7 to 11 at the Red Mile Round Barn. The celebration will serve as the finale to this year’s One Book One Bluegrass, community reading program sponsored by seven Central Kentucky Library Systems. WUKY's Alan Lytle got a preview from the author and the Lexington Public Library's Doug Tattershall.

Kentucky Theatre To Screen, Hold Q & A On "Invisible War"

Chase Cavanaugh — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:47:10 +0000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - In 2011, the Department of Defense reported about 28,000 violent sex crimes in the military. But why do outside estimates put the numbers much higher? And why do most service members choose not to report their assault? WUKY Reporter Chase Cavanaugh has the details on an upcoming local screening of an Oscar Nominated film that hopes to answer these questions.

Mondays With The Mayors: Jim Barnes, Richmond

WUKY Staff — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:40:00 +0000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - This week we welcome back Richmond Mayor Jim Barnes. The mayor discusses the latest developments in the I-75 connector project and speculates what budget cuts at Eastern Kentucky University might mean for his city.

Mondays With The Mayors: Ed Burtner, Winchester

Alan Lytle — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:40:00 +0000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - This week on Mondays With The Mayors Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner discusses how the city plans to respond to a lawsuit filed by a gun rights group, the economic impact of the the new Amazon.com customer service center, and the mayor also responds to a listener's question about a recent increase in municipal water and sewer fees.

Mondays With The Mayors - Jim Gray, Lexington

WUKY Staff — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:40:00 +0000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Mondays With The Mayors returns with a visit with Lexington Mayor Jim Gray. The mayor discusses the passage of House Bill 430 which alters the pension agreement between the city and the police and fire departments, and addresses a concern about downtown parking sent in from one of our listeners.

Mondays With The Mayors - Fred Siegelman, Versailles

Josh James — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Versailles Mayor Fred Siegelman chats with Josh James about his city's new privatized garbage collection as well as the challenges of attracting new businesses and urging citizens to shop local.