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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 · 5h

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 · 9h

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 · 11h

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 · 13h

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 · 16h

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 1d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 2d

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 · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 3d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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 · 4d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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…

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 5d

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.

WKMS @wkmsfm.bsky.social · 6d

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.