WKU Public Radio | The Public Radio Service of Western Kentucky University

Justin Hicks

AMSN

Federal mine regulators move to loosen a major black lung safety rule

Justin Hicks

Mine regulators released changes that would give mines more discretion over toxic silica dust monitoring. Black lung prevention groups call it an “earlier death sentence.”

The exterior of a stately stone building. One side is covered in scaffolding and under construction. The sky is clear blue.

Jess Clark

LPM

Kentucky Republicans say General Assembly losses driven by national headwinds

Sylvia Goodman

Johnathan Wright (above, left) was diagnosed with black lung disease in 2023. Rates of the disease among some coal miners are now at their highest since the 1970s, the new documentary ‘Coal’s Human Cost’ explores.

Frontline

PBS

How an attempt to protect coal miners from black lung fell apart

Patrice Taddonio

Gov. Andy Beshear appears briefly in Zach Dembo and the DCCC's new campaign ad comparing Ralph Alvarado to former Gov. Matt Bevin.

Screenshot

KPR

These maps show how Kentucky Democrats flipped a deep red congressional district

Joe Sonka, Justin Hicks

Latest from WKU Public Radio

News

'You are the eyes and ears': AG Coleman urges Kentuckians to report election violations

Lisa Autry

Attorney General Russell Coleman is asking Kentucky voters to speak up if they see something they believe could be election fraud. Coleman spoke Tuesday morning at the Election Integrity Command Center in Frankfort, which is staffed by investigators, prosecutors and support staff.
News

Man charged in shooting of KSP trooper enters not guilty plea

Lisa Autry

The man charged with fatally shooting a Kentucky State police trooper has entered a not guilty plea. Emonnie Branch was in Warren County Circuit Court on Tuesday for arraignment.
News

Data center concerns give grassroots organizing new focus in southcentral Kentucky

Michael J. Collins

The debate over data center development continues to dominate many voters’ conversations in the lead-up to Election Day. What remains uncertain is how those conversations will play out at the polls.
Inside the Daviess County ‘Sister Slate’ as candidates prepare to take on the upcoming election

Hope Heffley

For the first time since 2018, Daviess County Democrats are fielding candidates in all four state legislative races.
News

WKU breaks ground on project to elevate campus housing

Lisa Autry

Western Kentucky University has broken ground on a new era in student housing. The multi-year initiative will replace aging residence halls with modernized facilities that move away from community-style living.

Latest from NPR

Jose Luis Magana

/

FR159526 AP

Federal government failed to hold Epstein accountable, Republican committee says

Ava Berger

The Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee released a scathing report after a 15-month investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. It faulted the federal government with decades of failing to hold Epstein accountable.
Chip Somodevilla

/

Getty Images

House votes to effectively end the impeachment effort against Pete Hegseth

Jason Breslow

House Republicans managed to short-circuit a floor vote on the impeachment effort brought against the Defense Secretary by Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie.
Jim Watson

/

AFP via Getty Images

Supreme Court seems split over federal agencies' ability to fine for law violations

Nina Totenberg, Xochi Hopz

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case related to temporary worker visas. The company involved says enforcement issues should go through the courts, not the federal agency alone.
Should you trust new AI agents with your money and data?

Stephan Bisaha, John Ruwitch

Tech companies want agentic AI to be the new way you shop. But should you trust AI when your money's involved?
Halle Zander

Testing the new generation of AI-enabled fire-extinguishing drones

Halle Zander

Drone makers are testing new, big drones that can deliver water or fire retardant with AI assistance. Aspen, Colorado is the first place trying them out. Cool and expensive? Yes. Effective? TBD.
Lian Yi

/

Xinhua via Getty Images

U.S. boycotts U.N. human rights review for second year running

Imogen Foulkes

The U.S. has skipped a key U.N. human rights review for the second year running. Rights groups warn the absence risks undermining global accountability.