WKMS
@wkmsfm.bsky.social
Murray State University's NPR affiliate. A public radio station covering western Kentucky, southern Illinois and northwest Tennessee.
Vecindarios 901 was established to report on Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in Memphis during the first Trump administration. Thousands now rely on the group's videos, photos and eyewitness reports chronicling the activities of the Memphis Safe Task Force. via @tennesseelookout.com
In Memphis, volunteers document Task Force arrests and provide aid to those left behind
The volunteer group, Vecindarios 901, responded to 3-5 calls each day about immigration enforcement activities in Memphis during the first Trump administration. Now it gets up to 140 calls daily.
www.wkms.org
December 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Vecindarios 901 was established to report on Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in Memphis during the first Trump administration. Thousands now rely on the group's videos, photos and eyewitness reports chronicling the activities of the Memphis Safe Task Force. via @tennesseelookout.com
Republicans won a special congressional election in Tennessee, but only by 9 points in a district the Republican candidate last year won by 22 points. It's a sign of a potential 2026 wave that could hand control of the House of Representatives to Democrats.
Takeaways from the latest special election and what it means for control of the House
There was yet another sign this week of a potential 2026 wave that could hand control of the House of Representatives to Democrats.
www.wkms.org
December 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Republicans won a special congressional election in Tennessee, but only by 9 points in a district the Republican candidate last year won by 22 points. It's a sign of a potential 2026 wave that could hand control of the House of Representatives to Democrats.
The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from next year's calendar of entrance fee-free days for national parks and added President Donald Trump's birthday – which coincides with Flag Day – to the list.
National parks fee-free calendar drops MLK Day, Juneteenth and adds Trump's birthday
The Trump administration, which has railed against what it describes as "woke" policies, removed MLK Day and Juneteenth from next year's list of fare-exempt days for visitors at dozens of national…
www.wkms.org
December 7, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from next year's calendar of entrance fee-free days for national parks and added President Donald Trump's birthday – which coincides with Flag Day – to the list.
The death of one West Virginia National Guard solider and the wounding of another has many in their home state questioning the rationale for sending troops to Washington D.C.
West Virginians question National Guard deployments after attack on 2 of their own
Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom was fatally shot in Washington, D.C., while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was seriously wounded. Trump says the deployments are necessary to fight crime, but…
www.wkms.org
December 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The death of one West Virginia National Guard solider and the wounding of another has many in their home state questioning the rationale for sending troops to Washington D.C.
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Levine's official portrait at the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters now has her previous name typed below it.
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
www.wkms.org
December 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Levine's official portrait at the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters now has her previous name typed below it.
Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they'll meet on Saturday for a third day of talks aimed at ending the nearly 4-year-old war.
Russia unleashes drone and missile attack on Ukraine as diplomatic talks continue
Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they'll meet on Saturday for talks aimed at ending the war.
www.wkms.org
December 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they'll meet on Saturday for a third day of talks aimed at ending the nearly 4-year-old war.
Swooping, swirling, gleaming, sculpted — Frank Gehry made buildings we'd never seen before. The architect behind the Guggenheim Museum in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA transformed contemporary architecture died Friday at his California home. He was 96.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
Frank Gehry, whose designs defied gravity and convention, dies at 96
Gehry transformed modern architecture with exuberant buildings such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Guggenheim Museum. "I've always been for optimism and architecture not being sad," he said.
www.wkms.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Swooping, swirling, gleaming, sculpted — Frank Gehry made buildings we'd never seen before. The architect behind the Guggenheim Museum in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA transformed contemporary architecture died Friday at his California home. He was 96.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
New research estimates suggest that 2025 will be the first year this century that child deaths have gone up instead of down. An NPR health reporter tries to figure out how that could be.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
For the first time this century, child deaths under age 5 will likely rise. Why?
A dramatic drop in mortality for youngsters under age 5 has been one of the great accomplishments in global health. But estimates suggest that in 2025 child deaths will go up.
www.wkms.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:45 PM
New research estimates suggest that 2025 will be the first year this century that child deaths have gone up instead of down. An NPR health reporter tries to figure out how that could be.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
A new Christmas-themed work from an award-winning playwright is set to make its world premiere on a western Kentucky community theatre stage Friday night.
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
Mayfield theatre hosting world premiere production of new Christmas play
A new Christmas-themed work from an award-winning playwright is set to make its world premiere on a western Kentucky community theatre stage Friday night.
www.wkms.org
December 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A new Christmas-themed work from an award-winning playwright is set to make its world premiere on a western Kentucky community theatre stage Friday night.
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
Netflix has struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the legacy Hollywood giant behind "Harry Potter" and "Friends," to buy its studio and streaming business for $72 billion.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
Netflix will buy Warner Bros' studio and streaming businesses for $72 billion
The merger, announced Friday, would bring two of the industry's biggest players in film and TV under one roof. Beyond its television and motion picture division, Warner owns HBO Max and DC Studios.
www.wkms.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Netflix has struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the legacy Hollywood giant behind "Harry Potter" and "Friends," to buy its studio and streaming business for $72 billion.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
NPR was in court this week for a pivotal hearing arguing that the Trump administration had broken the law with its treatment of public media.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
NPR battles Trump executive order in court
NPR was in court for a pivotal hearing arguing that the Trump administration had broken the law with its treatment of public media.
www.wkms.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
NPR was in court this week for a pivotal hearing arguing that the Trump administration had broken the law with its treatment of public media.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
The CSX Santa Train recently made its 83rd annual voyage across parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia to greet thousands of people and deliver gifts to kids of all ages.
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
Santa swaps his sleigh for a train to spread Christmas cheer along the rails in Appalachia
The CSX Santa Train recently made its 83rd annual voyage across parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia to greet thousands of people and deliver gifts to kids of all ages.
www.wkms.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:45 PM
The CSX Santa Train recently made its 83rd annual voyage across parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia to greet thousands of people and deliver gifts to kids of all ages.
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
www.wkms.org/arts-culture...
Earlier this year, the Trump administration gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leading to canceled federal grants. Now, after a court order, those grants are being reinstated.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
Libraries and museums get federal funding back after Trump cuts
Earlier this year, the Trump administration gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leading to canceled federal grants. Now, after a court order, those grants are being reinstated.
www.wkms.org
December 4, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Earlier this year, the Trump administration gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leading to canceled federal grants. Now, after a court order, those grants are being reinstated.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
The FBI arrested a man believed to be responsible for placing pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol complex nearly five years ago, three sources familiar with the matter confirmed to NPR.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
FBI arrests suspect in investigation into pipe bombs planted near DNC, RNC before Jan. 6 attack
The FBI has spent years searching for the person who put bombs near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters, hours before the assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
www.wkms.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The FBI arrested a man believed to be responsible for placing pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol complex nearly five years ago, three sources familiar with the matter confirmed to NPR.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
The Trump administration has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after President Donald Trump, despite an ongoing fight over the institute's control.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
Trump is fighting the Institute of Peace in court. Now, his name is on the building
The Trump administration has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after President Donald Trump, despite an ongoing fight over the institute's control.
www.wkms.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The Trump administration has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after President Donald Trump, despite an ongoing fight over the institute's control.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...
Countering a House GOP leader, the Kentucky Senate’s top Republican says he will not push for an income tax cut in the coming session, adhering to budget trigger rules.
Kentucky Senate GOP leader won’t push for tax cut after state misses budget triggers
Countering a House GOP leader, the Kentucky Senate’s top Republican says he will not push for an income tax cut in the coming session, adhering to budget trigger rules.
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Countering a House GOP leader, the Kentucky Senate’s top Republican says he will not push for an income tax cut in the coming session, adhering to budget trigger rules.
The families of two victims of the Louisville UPS plane crash last month are suing UPS along with other companies involved in the manufacturing and inspection of the plane.
'Completely unforgivable': Families of UPS plane crash victims file wrongful death lawsuit
Families of victims who died in the UPS plane crash in Louisville filed the first wrongful death lawsuits on Wednesday.
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The families of two victims of the Louisville UPS plane crash last month are suing UPS along with other companies involved in the manufacturing and inspection of the plane.
Kentucky Democrat Charles Booker, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate twice before, is once again campaigning for the office. He joins a growing field of Democrats looking to compete for the office Mitch McConnell is vacating next year.
Kentucky Democrat Charles Booker to run again for U.S. Senate seat
Kentucky Democrat Charles Booker, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate twice before, is once again campaigning for the office.
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Kentucky Democrat Charles Booker, who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate twice before, is once again campaigning for the office. He joins a growing field of Democrats looking to compete for the office Mitch McConnell is vacating next year.
Attorneys for a Tennessee death row inmate who's scheduled to be executed next week are fighting for information about the state’s lethal drug supply. A Knox County judge will soon decide whether they get it. via @wpln.bsky.social
Tennessee law protects lethal drug seller identities. A judge will decide how broad that secrecy is.
Tennessee is set to execute Harold Wayne Nichols. His attorneys want to confirm the state's lethal injection drugs are safe.
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Attorneys for a Tennessee death row inmate who's scheduled to be executed next week are fighting for information about the state’s lethal drug supply. A Knox County judge will soon decide whether they get it. via @wpln.bsky.social
Laurie Couch is the second of four finalists to interview for the position of Murray State University's provost. At a town hall meeting Tuesday, Couch said while she is not an expert in artificial intelligence, she wants to infuse it into every academic program.
Couch advocates for AI at Murray State's second provost finalist town hall meeting
Laurie Couch is the second of four finalists to interview for the position of Murray State University's provost. At a town hall meeting Tuesday, Couch said while she is not an expert in artificial…
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Laurie Couch is the second of four finalists to interview for the position of Murray State University's provost. At a town hall meeting Tuesday, Couch said while she is not an expert in artificial intelligence, she wants to infuse it into every academic program.
The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications for people from 19 countries banned from travel earlier this year, as part of sweeping immigration changes in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard troops.
Trump administration halts immigration applications for migrants from 19 nations
The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications such as requests for green cards for people from 19 countries banned from travel earlier this year.
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications for people from 19 countries banned from travel earlier this year, as part of sweeping immigration changes in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard troops.
Republican Matt Van Epps has won Tennessee’s 7th Congressional seat, in a special election that turned into an unexpected battleground. via @wpln.bsky.social
Republicans keep Tennessee congressional seat in unexpectedly close race
Republican Matt Van Epps fended off Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn with nearly 53% of the vote, a much narrower margin than previous years.
www.wkms.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Republican Matt Van Epps has won Tennessee’s 7th Congressional seat, in a special election that turned into an unexpected battleground. via @wpln.bsky.social
Last year, the federal government issued a new rule requiring self-insured coal mines to prove they can cover 100% of future black lung disease costs. Two Democrats say they’ve heard the Trump administration isn’t following the rule.
Democrats suspect Trump administration isn’t enforcing a benefits rule for coal miners
Last year, the federal government issued a new rule requiring self-insured coal mines to prove they can cover 100% of future black lung disease costs. Two Democrats say they’ve heard the Trump…
www.wkms.org
December 2, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Last year, the federal government issued a new rule requiring self-insured coal mines to prove they can cover 100% of future black lung disease costs. Two Democrats say they’ve heard the Trump administration isn’t following the rule.
Hellbender salamanders used to be common in streams across Kentucky, but their numbers have been on the decline in recent years. A recent study tested a new way of detecting these amphibians to try and pinpoint exactly where in the commonwealth they can still be found.
UK hellbender study uses new detection method to try and find salamanders’ current habitats
Hellbender salamanders used to be common in streams across Kentucky, but their numbers have been on the decline in recent years. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Kentucky…
www.wkms.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Hellbender salamanders used to be common in streams across Kentucky, but their numbers have been on the decline in recent years. A recent study tested a new way of detecting these amphibians to try and pinpoint exactly where in the commonwealth they can still be found.
A judge heard lawyers' arguments Monday in a years-long lawsuit brought by a Jewish woman against Kentucky's near-total abortion ban. A ruling could happen soon.
Jewish woman's lawsuit against Kentucky abortion ban gets a new day in court
A judge heard lawyers' arguments Monday in a years-long lawsuit brought by a Jewish woman against Kentucky's near-total abortion ban. A ruling could happen soon.
www.wkms.org
December 2, 2025 at 6:04 PM
A judge heard lawyers' arguments Monday in a years-long lawsuit brought by a Jewish woman against Kentucky's near-total abortion ban. A ruling could happen soon.