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@porchlightnews.bsky.social
The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom is partnered with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Louisville Public Media, WKU Public Radio, WPLN, WUOT, WKMS and WEKU.
A company that wants to develop a massive data center in KY has sued a county fiscal court over a recently passed ordinance. The ultimate end user of the prospective data center has not been revealed to the public.
www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
Data center developer sues Simpson County government over land use ordinance
A company that wants to develop a massive data center in Kentucky has sued Simpson County over a recently passed ordinance requiring it to obtain a conditional use permit.
www.lpm.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Four Tennesseans have died in the winter storm, and officials are bracing for days of recovery from widespread power outages and recovery efforts slowed by ice and downed trees. More from @wpln.bsky.social: wpln.org/post/winter-...
Updates: 4 dead in Tennessee winter storm; 'prolonged' outages expected as cold sets in
Four Tennesseans have died in the winter storm, and officials are bracing for days of recovery from widespread power outages and recovery efforts slowed
wpln.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Much of the southern United States, including Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, will face severe winter weather this weekend, with high estimates for snowfall and ice accumulation.

Here are some ways folks can prepare for the winter storm ahead of time. www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
January 23, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said President Donald Trump's plan to acquire Greenland is "dumb as hell."
January 21, 2026 at 7:26 PM
A Tennessee House bill, that passed the chamber the first day of the 2026 session, would classify establishments as an adult-oriented business if they hold one drag show, or sexually-related activity, in a year.
January 16, 2026 at 12:02 AM
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments from two states Tuesday, including West Virginia, regarding laws that restrict transgender athletes from playing in girls sports in high school and college.

Read more from @wvpublic.bsky.social: wvpublic.org/story/govern...
January 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
A Republican lawmaker has filed two bills designed to keep naturalized Americans and those with dual citizenship from serving in local or state elected offices in Kentucky.

Read more: www.lpm.org/news/2026-01...
January 9, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is renewing his push for a universal pre-K program. The governor’s budget calls for $40.5 million in the fiscal year beginning July 2027 for the “initial phase” of his Pre-K for All program, which would be implemented over several years.
January 8, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Nonprofit organizations serving refugee communities across Kentucky are preparing for major changes to refugee resettlement, employment opportunities, and food assistance.

Read more: www.wkyufm.org/2025-12-22/r...
January 5, 2026 at 5:29 PM
The Porch Light newsletter is your go-to spot for news, history and culture in the Appalachian region across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Sign up today: forms.gle/38wjoWR41MMb...
#appalachia #south #kentucky #tennessee #westvirginia
January 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Reposted
Hey there, I'm Andrew. I was born & raised in the Appalachian foothills of northeast KY. I'm heading up a newsletter that I want to serve as the go-to place for news, history & culture in the Appalachian region. The first issue is Jan. 8. Don't miss it, sign up today: forms.gle/sw7eyqedzvur...
December 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
An atmosphere of fear and uncertainty has set in on campuses across Appalachia where at least a dozen faculty and staff at colleges and universities have lost their jobs after sharing negative opinions about the conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Read more: www.wuot.org/news/2025-12...
December 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Hundreds of people gathered in Atlanta, GA earlier this year for the largest shape note singing event in recent memory.

More here: www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...

#shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharp #shapenotes
December 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Shape note singing began as tunes handed down by settlers from the British Isles and quickly morphed into something unique to America. #shapenote #shapenotesinging #sacredharp

Listen here: www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
December 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Shape note singing is one of the oldest musical traditions in this country. It’s a practice that began in colonial America, and after centuries of ups and downs in popularity, today it’s finding an expanded and surprisingly diverse new following. www.lpm.org/news/2025-12...
December 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM