Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1h

The shutdown is forcing the closure of a number of America's beloved cultural institutions starting Sunday. Twenty-one Smithsonian museums, its research centers and the National Zoo are all affected.

Smithsonian museums and National Zoo set to close as shutdown takes its toll

The shutdown is forcing the closure of a number of America's beloved cultural institutions starting Sunday. Twenty-one Smithsonian museums, its research centers and the National Zoo are all affected.

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3h

Lawyers for Luigi Mangione asked a judge Saturday to dismiss some criminal charges, including the only one for which he could face the death penalty, from a federal indictment brought against him in the December assassination of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive.

Luigi Mangione's lawyers seek a dismissal of federal charges in CEO killing

Mangione's lawyers asked a federal judge to dismiss some criminal charges, including the only count for which he could face the death penalty, from a federal indictment brought against him.

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5h

President Trump has signed a proclamation declaring Monday to be Columbus Day, in an effort to "reclaim" what he called the famed explorer's "extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue."
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Trump issues a Columbus Day proclamation to 'reclaim' the explorer's legacy

President Trump said "left-wing radicals" have tried to tarnish Columbus' legacy, and the proclamation is a way to preserve it. Some experts say it's a way to erase the heritage of Native Americans.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 22h

Several Kentucky GOP legislators say the governor needs to find the funds to bolster the commonwealth’s senior meal program, or he should call a special session.

Kentucky GOP lawmakers demand more funds for senior meals — even if it takes a special session

Several GOP legislators say the governor needs to find the funds to bolster Kentucky’s senior meal program, or he should call a special session.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

John Candy was one of the most beloved comedic actors of his time, with starring roles in Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck. His life and work are celebrated in a new documentary, "John Candy: I Like Me."

Sorry, dad! Colin Hanks says John Candy was the 'nicest guy in Hollywood'

John Candy was one of the most beloved comedic actors of his time, with starring roles in Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck. His life and work are celebrated in a new Amazon Prime…

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is joining Democratic state officials in a legal action against President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in U.S. cities and calling on Republican governors to also speak out against what Beshear called “political stunts.” via @kentuckylantern.com

Beshear denounces Trump’s ‘un-American’ deployment of military to U.S. cities

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is joining Democratic state officials in a legal action against President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in U.S. cities and calling on Republican…

www.wkms.org

3 13

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for "her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."

Venezuela's opposition leader María Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuela's opposition leader María Corina Machado has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

University of Tennessee at Martin’s student group “People for Black History” held a rally Tuesday to raise awareness for what they call “attacks from the Trump administration” on Black history education and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

UT Martin student organization holds rally in support of Black history education, DEI

University of Tennessee at Martin’s student group “People for Black History” held a rally Tuesday to raise awareness for what they call “attacks from the Trump administration” on Black history and…

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

Kentucky independent pharmacists are hailing a decision by Attorney General Russell Coleman they say greenlights the state’s ability to fully enforce a new law meant to restrict pharmacy benefit managers from steering business to their own chains. via @kentuckylantern.com

Independent pharmacies wait for Beshear administration to enforce new law after AG ruling

Kentucky attorney general says state can restrict pharmacy benefit managers from steering business to their own chains

www.wkms.org

2 6

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

China introduced new restrictions on exports of rare earths and related technology on Thursday, in what analysts say is an attempt to boost Beijing's leverage in trade talks with the United States ahead of an upcoming leaders' meeting.

China curbs rare earth exports, raising stakes before Trump-Xi talks

Analysts say Thursday's announcement is China's bid to strengthen its leverage in trade talks with the U.S., ahead of a planned leaders' meeting.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

Fewer Tennesseans are traveling out of state for abortion care — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re getting fewer abortions. via @wpln.bsky.social

How Tennesseans are getting abortion care without leaving the state

Fewer people are traveling out of state for abortion care — but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re getting fewer abortions.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

For the first time, renewable energy has overtaken coal as the primary source of electricity around the world, a new report says.

Renewable energy outpaces coal for electricity generation in historic first, report says

For the first time on record, renewable energy generated more electricity for the planet than coal, a new report says.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

Dozens of Bob Ross paintings — many of them created live on the PBS series that made him a household name — will be auctioned off in the coming months to support public television.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Dozens of Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to help public TV after funding cuts

Thirty of Ross' trademark landscapes will be sold at a series of auctions starting in November. He painted many of them live on The Joy of Painting, which started airing on PBS in the 1980s.

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

Former FBI Director James Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges of false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Former FBI director Comey pleads not guilty to federal charges of lying to Congress

The former FBI director, who has long been one of President Trump's most vocal critics, was indicted last month on two counts stemming from his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in…

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman co-authored a letter in late September urging the Environmental Protection Agency to move forward with a Trump administration proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding.

Kentucky Attorney General pushing for EPA to repeal federal carbon emission regulations

In an 88-page letter to the EPA, Attorney General Russell Coleman is encouraging the agency to move forward with a proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding.

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman co-authored a letter in late September urging the Environmental Protection Agency to move forward with a Trump administration proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding.

Kentucky Attorney General pushing for EPA to repeal federal carbon emission regulations

In an 88-page letter to the EPA, Attorney General Russell Coleman is encouraging the agency to move forward with a proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

About 900 hikers, guides and other staff who were stranded by a weekend snowstorm on the Chinese side of Mount Everest have reached safety, state media said late Tuesday.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Hundreds of hikers rescued from Mount Everest after severe snowstorm

About 900 hikers, guides and other staff who were stranded by a weekend snowstorm on the Chinese side of Mount Everest have reached safety, state media said late Tuesday.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

Former Tennessee commissioner Matt Van Epps will face off against state Rep. Aftyn Behn in December’s general election to replace U.S. Congressman Mark Green.
www.wkms.org/government-p...

Trump pick Van Epps to face Rep. Behn in fight for open Tennessee congressional seat

Former Tennessee commissioner Matt Van Epps will face off against state Rep. Aftyn Behn in December’s general election.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

The crime rate on Murray State’s main campus has gone up for the third straight year, according to an annual university safety report released last month. School police leadership ties the rise not to an uptick in crime, but to an increased public awareness of how to report incidents on campus.

Crime reports on Murray State University campus climb for third year in a row

The crime rate on Murray State’s main campus has gone up for the third straight year, according to an annual university safety report released last month.

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

Data from the study shows one county jail in Kentucky had contracted with ICE to hold roughly 120 detainees in January. By August, nine county jails held more than 900.
www.wkms.org/2025-10-07/r...

Report: Kentucky jails contracting with ICE have 659% increase in detainees this year

Data from the study shows one county jail in Kentucky had contracted with ICE to hold roughly 120 detainees in January. By August, nine county jails held more than 900.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

Former Louisville Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in prison on Thursday for his role in the raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment.
www.wkms.org/criminal-jus...

Ex-officer convicted of violating Breonna Taylor's rights ordered to report to prison

Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in prison for his role in the raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

A Tennessee congressional primary today will determine the final matchup for the Dec. 2 general election to replace former District 7 Congressman Mark Green, who announced an early retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives less than six months into his term. via @wpln.bsky.social

What to know before you vote in Tennessee’s special congressional primary

Tuesday’s congressional primary will determine the final matchup for the Dec. 2 general election to replace former District 7 Congressman Mark Green. Green announced an early retirement from the U.S.…

www.wkms.org

1

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

ICYMI it on @npr.org's Morning Edition, WKMS news director @doperle.bsky.social's feature takes a look at California-based General Matter's privately developed uranium enrichment plant in western Kentucky and what it means in the grand scheme of things when it comes to nuclear energy in the U.S.

First privately funded uranium enrichment plant in U.S. to be built in Kentucky

A California-based firm plans to build the first privately funded uranium enrichment plant in Kentucky amid efforts to bolster the country's domestic uranium enrichment.

www.npr.org

6 3

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before a Senate panel Tuesday amid mounting concerns that the DOJ under her leadership is being weaponized to go after President Trump's perceived enemies.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Bondi set to give testimony to Senate at first hearing since Comey indictment

Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before a Senate panel Tuesday amid mounting concerns that the DOJ under her leadership is being weaponized to go after President Trump's perceived enemies.

www.wkms.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

Psychiatrists have joined other public health groups in calling for the removal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary.

Psychiatrists call for RFK Jr. to be replaced as health secretary

Two groups are calling for new leadership at HHS after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions on substance abuse treatment and mental health medications, among other issues.

www.wkms.org

1