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WKMS

@wkmsfm.bsky.social

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Murray State University's NPR affiliate. A public radio station covering western Kentucky, southern Illinois and northwest Tennessee.

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WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 53m

Former coal miners and their families held a rally in front of a Department of Labor building in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. They say they're frustrated and tired of delays to enforcement of a safety measure designed to protect miners from toxic silica dust.

Victims of black lung disease protest ongoing delays for toxic silica dust protections

During the Biden administration, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration created a safety rule long-sought by black lung associations. Days before it could be enforced, a lawsuit froze…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2h

University of Louisville police detained and cited a student earlier this week during a pro-Palestinian protest for a recently-suspended student group, Student for Justice in Palestine.

UofL student cited in campus protest after Students for Justice in Palestine chapter suspended

Citing the institution’s “use of grounds” policy, University of Louisville President Gerry Bradley placed the Students for Justice in Palestine on an interim suspension.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4h

On a sunny morning in early October, students took their brushes and rollers and put paint to brick working on two new murals that pay homage to Hopkinsville.

Students paint two new murals in Hopkinsville as part of art camp

On a sunny morning in early October, students took their brushes and rollers and put paint to brick working on two new murals that pay homage to Hopkinsville.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 6h

From @doperle.bsky.social: A new book from a Kentucky native details the last public hanging in the United States, which took place in Owensboro in 1936, and examines it through the lens of lynch culture in America.

20,000 people watched a Black man hang in Owensboro 90 years ago. A new book looks at why

A new book from a Kentucky native details the last public hanging in the United States, which took place in Owensboro 1936, and examines it through the lens of lynch culture in America.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 7h

Simone & the Sound, a new R&B and pop outfit from Paducah, will make their Sounds Good Live Lunch debut this Friday, October 17, at 12 pm. Listen at wkms.org.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 9h

A major redistricting case returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday could not only determine the fate of the federal Voting Rights Act, but also unlock a path for Republicans to pick up a slew of additional congressional seats.

A Supreme Court ruling on voting rights could boost Republicans' redistricting efforts

A Supreme Court case over Louisiana's congressional map could determine the future of Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination and allow Republicans to draw 19 more House seats.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 22h

The NPR Shop is back, with old favorites and fresh new gear. And all October long, every purchase helps support WKMS! What you wear funds what you hear. shopnpr.org

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

Hype is increasing around the future of nuclear — and the Tennessee Valley Authority is leaning into it. The utility now has three projects underway to bring nuclear plants online in Tennessee and potentially beyond by the 2030s. via @wpln.bsky.social

Nuclear hype is building. TVA plans to buy in.

Hype is increasing around the future of nuclear — and the Tennessee Valley Authority is leaning into it. The utility now has three projects underway to bring nuclear plants online in Tennessee and…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

D'Angelo, the visionary R&B singer who helped pioneer the neo soul sub genre, has died following a battle with cancer, according to a statement from his family. He was 51.

D'Angelo, R&B's reluctant icon, has died at 51

The expressive singer made just three albums, including his 1995 debut, Brown Sugar, but retreated from the public after each. He had been battling cancer, according to a statement from his family.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

Key Tennessee lawmakers are taking different views toward Gov. Bill Lee’s desire to expand the state’s new private-school voucher program. via @tennesseelookout.com

Debate over private-school voucher expansion looms in Tennessee

Key Tennessee lawmakers are taking different views toward Gov. Bill Lee’s desire to expand the state’s new private-school voucher program.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 1d

Some companies are pouring billions of dollars into data centers, which increasingly are being built to support AI models. In the communities where these projects are being proposed, residents worry the centers will have dire consequences for the environment, power prices and surrounding areas.

Data centers are booming. But there are big energy and environmental risks

How tech companies and government officials handle local impacts will shape the industry's future in the U.S.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

Videos taken by eye witnesses of federal agent encounters with immigrants in Chicago and elsewhere have shown increasingly tense incidents. Immigrant advocates and observers say they're indicative of a larger trend of aggression among federal immigration officers.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Tackles, projectiles and gunfire: Many fear ICE tactics are growing more violent

Videos taken by eye witnesses of federal agent encounters with immigrants in Chicago and elsewhere have shown increasingly tense incidents. Immigrant advocates and observers say they're indicative of…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

Preteens using increasing amounts of social media perform poorer in reading, vocabulary and memory tests in early adolescence compared with those who use no or little social media.
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Kids who use social media score lower on reading and memory tests, a study shows

Data from a large, ongoing study of adolescents shows a link between increasing social media use and lower cognition and memory in teens.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 2d

Multiple sources tell NPR that, as part of the Trump administration's latest reduction-in-force, the U.S. Department of Education has gutted the office that handles special education.

Amid shutdown, Trump administration guts department overseeing special education

Multiple sources tell NPR that, as part of the Trump administration's latest reduction-in-force, the U.S. Department of Education has gutted the office that handles special education.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

After an appeals court again blocked the government's attempt to deploy the National Guard in the Chicago area, Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration will "litigate this as much as we can."
www.wkms.org/npr-news/202...

Vance says administration will keep fighting to send National Guard to Chicago

On Saturday, a federal appeals court blocked the Trump administration from deploying federalized National Guard troops in Illinois.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

After the federal government shutdown cut staffing and services at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, local governments and nonprofits in the region stepped up to foot the bill and keep the park open during the peak fall season.
www.wkms.org/2025-10-09/d...

Despite federal shutdown, local and state funds keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open

After the federal government shutdown cut staffing and services at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, local governments and nonprofits in the region stepped up to foot the bill and keep the park…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

Diane Keaton, the Oscar-winning star of "Annie Hall," "The Godfather" films and "Father of the Bride," whose quirky, vibrant manner and depth made her one of the most singular actors of a generation, has died. She was 79.

Diane Keaton, Oscar-winning star of 'Annie Hall' and 'The Godfather,' dies at 79

The actor, known for her quirky, vibrant manner and depth was 79. Across her decades-long career, she worked with prominent filmmakers including Francis Ford Coppola, Woody Allen and Nancy Meyers.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 3d

President Trump's announcement comes days before active duty members would have missed their first full paycheck as the shutdown of the federal government continues.

Trump directs Pentagon to use 'available funds' to pay military during shutdown

President Trump's announcement comes days before active duty members would have missed their first full paycheck as the shutdown of the federal government continues.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 4d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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.