News

On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear marked his final regularly scheduled COVID-19 briefing by thanking Kentuckians for their hard work and sacrifices that saved countless lives in the commonwealth.

Having a solid year on the football field and a solid career in the classroom can indeed earn one a prestigious honor.

Morehead State senior linebacker Cameron Barrett is one of just 54 student-athletes who have earned spots on the 2021 Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team. He is one of only five selected among the 54 from the Pioneer Football League.

Dr. Ronald D. Morrison, professor of English at Morehead State University, has published a new book "Thomas Hardy: A Companion to the Novels." The volume appears in the McFarland Companions to 19th Century Literature series, published by McFarland & Company. 

Thomas Hardy is best known for his realistic portrayal of English rural life in the later part of the 19th century in works like "Far from the Madding Crowd" and "Tess of the d'Urbervilles." Hardy also wrote 14 novels, including an early detective novel, a historical romance and an experimental satirical fable. 

A group of five recent graduates from Morehead State’s Department of Art and Design recently painted a mural at the City of Morehead Don Greenhill Park.  

Students who worked on the mural were Madison Anderson from Hagerhill, Abby Caines from Ashland, Nancy Lewis from West Liberty, Sam Neal from Morehead, and Kaylee Thornsberry from West Liberty.

All of the student artists graduated in May.  

(Editor’s note: The following statement provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, District 9)

The Kentucky Department of Highways has closed US 60 where it crosses Tygarts Creek at Upper Tygart (milepoint 4.1) in Carter County after flash flooding washed out the roadway at a bridge construction site. The road is closed between the Flat Fork (KY 1662) and Dry Branch (KY 1626) intersections.

Crews and contractors are making repairs as soon as possible, but US 60 will remain closed overnight. It will likely be into the day Thursday, or later, before it can be reopened.

Muddy Bottom Blues

Program #247 (June 11 at 8:00pm and June 12 at 3:00pm)

Very few bands stick around for 30 years. Even fewer bands leave a legacy that marks them as a truly special, once-in-lifetime type band. And no band has done all that and had as much fun as Leftover Salmon. 

A service operation in five Eastern Kentucky counties, Operation Gateway Kentucky Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Medical Mission will provide free, general medical, dental and optometry services to approximately 1,800 uninsured or underinsured Kentuckians.

The Paramount Arts Center in Ashland is excited to announce the return of the popular 'Jazz Alley' series.

These events are unique in that they take place entirely on the Paramount stage.

Limited seating, beverages and snacks, all on the stage together, make for an intimate experience unlike anything else done at the theater.

This Friday, June 11th the series kicks off with ‘Queen City Vintage Vibe’ at 8pm.

The Upward Bound (UB) program is returning to the Morehead State campus for its 55th year. 

UB has two distinct programs, UB Classic and UB Math and Science, serving students from 18 schools in 17 Eastern Kentucky counties including Bath, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Harrison, Johnson, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Robertson and Rowan. The programs seek to engage low-income and potential first-generation college students and equip them with the skills to prepare them for college.

Big Band Boulevard

Program #30 (June 13, 2021 at 8 p.m.)

Big Band and swing tunes with selections from Bobby Sherwood, Jimmie Lunceford, and Harry James. Also a Big Band Remote with Earl Hines and His Orchestra, recorded live at The Grand Terrace, Chicago, IL on August 3, 1938.

Morehead State Public Radio (WMKY, 90.3FM) staff and students took home a total of 13 awards in the 2021 Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) Impact Broadcast Awards. The awards recognize the best in television and radio journalism for the calendar year of 2020.

The awards were announced for both professional and college entries.

Steven Middleton (Class of 2004 and 2008) has spent most of his documentary film career capturing the unique stories, places and people of the Bluegrass State. Now, viewers will have the chance to see his latest film project on a Kentucky candy icon. 

"History of Sweetness: 100 Years of Ruth Hunt Candy" will debut on the Kentucky Educational Television (KET) family of networks this month. It will premiere on KET at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13. Subsequent airings will occur on KET 2 and KET KY throughout the summer. 

Sommai Purintun LeBron-Cooke (92) has a passion for philanthropy, education and economic and social justice. Through the creation of a scholarship endowment with the MSU Foundation, she can support these causes that are important to her. 

Lebron-Cooke grew up in Morehead and graduated from Rowan County Senior High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in philosophy from MSU in 1992. She also holds a certification in sports philanthropy from The George Washington University School of Business. She now resides in the San Francisco Bay area.

Muddy Bottom Blues

Program #246 (June 4 at 8:00 p.m. and June 5 at 3:00 p.m.)

Grace Pettis epitomizes the term singer/songwriter. As a singer, her voice is both powerful and beautiful, and she uses it like a fine arts painter to color and craft her songs.

Sunday Night Jazz Showcase

Program #329 (June 6 at 8:00pm)

A San Francisco Bay Area native, guitarist/composer Steve Erquiaga's career has touched many areas of the music world. He has recorded and toured with such varied artists as Bobby McFerrin, Joe Henderson, Les McCann, John Scofield, David Byrne, The Turtle Island String Quartet, Paulo Bellinati, Jim Nichols, Andy Narell, and Paul McCandless.

Try your hand at fishing in Kentucky at no charge June 5-6, 2021 during free fishing weekend.

With summer nearly here, the first weekend of June is a great time to grab a fishing pole and enjoy spending time with family and friends at the state’s beautiful lakes, streams and rivers.

Whether you are visiting from outside the state or you live in Kentucky, free fishing weekend is open to all. You won’t need a fishing license or a trout permit, but make sure you still follow the size and number limits on what you catch.

Sporting 250-plus career victories, four National Tournament appearances and one Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year honor, Cayla Petree has been tabbed to head the Morehead State women's basketball program.

The Morehead State University community is mourning the loss of retiree and professor emeritus Dr. Earle Louder, who died Wednesday, May 26, at age 88.  

Louder began his career at MSU in 1968 as a music professor, specializing in euphonium and tuba. In 1987, he was awarded the MSU Alumni Association's Distinguished Faculty Award and the Kentucky Music Education Association's Teacher of the Year Award, which he would win again the following year. In 1994, he was named a lifetime member of the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA), of which he was a founding member. 

FEMA staff will be available to meet in person with Kentucky survivors affected by the severe storms and flooding to answer questions and help with their disaster assistance applications at Individual Assistance (IA) Registration Support Centers in Breathitt, Johnson and Powell counties June 5, 7 and 8.

The longest tenured assistant coach for Morehead State men's basketball has been elevated to Associate Head Coach. Jonathan Mattox, who began his Eagle coaching career as graduate manager before rising in the ranks, is the new Associate Head Coach with Preston Spradlin.

Advocates for military families and veterans say many are going hungry.

A report by the hunger-fighting group MAZON:A Jewish Response to Hunger found food pantries operate on or near almost every military base in the country.

The House Rules Committee recently held a roundtable highlighting persistent food insecurity in the military and among veterans.

Liza Lieberman, director of communications for MAZON, said service members typically do not call attention to their situation because of shame, stigma, and even fear of retribution.

Chris Cain – Raisin’ Cain (Alligator)

Tia Carroll – You Gotta Have It (Little Village)

Curtis Salgado – Damage Control (Alligator)

Skylar Rogers – Firebreather (Independent)

Shemekia Copeland – Uncivil War (Alligator)

Alastair Greene – The New World Blues (Whiskey Bayou)

Steve Cropper – Fire It Up (Provogue)

Kim Wilson – Take Me Back (M.C.)

A Time For Tales

Program #437 (May 30 at 3:00 p.m.)

“Special People”

Program performers:

Sheila Kay Adams

Guy Davis

Elizabeth Ellis

Dr. Rex M. Ellis

Kevin Kling

Syd Lieberman

Jennifer Munro