LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 30, 2026) – Central Appalachia has powered the nation for generations — fueling industry, building cities, and supporting economic growth far beyond the region itself. But as coal and other extractive industries decline, communities across Appalachia are once again facing transition. The question, as many have learned through hard experience, isn’t whether change is coming — it’s whether that change will be just.

On this episode of Behind the Blue, Shaunna Scott, a recently retired associate professor of…

By Lindsey Piercy and Kody Kiser 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 26, 2025) —…

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 2, 2025) — This March, the University of Kentucky Alumni Association honored six recipients of this year’s Great Teacher Awards.

Launched in 1961, they are the longest-running UK award recognizing accomplished and passionate educators.

In order to receive the honor, teachers must first be nominated by a student. The …

By Lindsay Travis

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2025) — The University of Kentucky is leading a five-year, $20 million Research Infrastructure Improvement award from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research  with $4 million in additional funding…

By Kody Kiser and Steve Shaffer

By Kody Kiser and Steve Shaffer 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 25, 2024) – The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been…

By Kody Kiser and Tom Musgrave 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2024) — The interconnectedness of Black arts and cultural institutions is essential to the mission of community impact and affecting change. That’s one of the observations made by University of Kentucky Assistant Professor Jaleesa Wells, Ph.D., from the Department of Arts Administration.

For 12…

By Kody Kiser and Lindsey Piercy 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2024) — As the 2024 election approaches, voters across the country are preparing for a pivotal year in American politics. While the presidential race naturally dominates headlines, many states, including Kentucky, are also focusing on crucial down-ballot races that will shape the future of local and…

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 17, 2024) — The University of Kentucky Alumni Association started the Great Teacher Award program in 1961 to honor excellent teaching at the university. There have been more than 300 teachers honored since that first year. Nominations may only be submitted by current students.

To receive the award, a candidate must:

• Hold the rank of full-time lecturer or above and have been a member of the faculty for the past three years at UK.
• Have superior knowledge of the subject matter.
• Have original and innovative…

By Lindsay Travis

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2024) — Fourteen University of Kentucky students spent the summer expanding their research skills through the Commonwealth Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Fellowship program, sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of the…