Middle Tennessee’s Dickson County is known for being the filming location for Ernest Goes to Camp, which grossed upwards of $20 million in the late 1980s. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, WPLN’s Jewly Hight looked into the area’s earlier lore about mysterious creatures of the night.

Direct-to-consumer tests like full-body scans are marketed as a way to catch diseases early and establish a baseline. But there are financial, physical and psychological risks to all medical tests — and in some cases, not getting a test could be better for your health. From the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, HealthQ hosts Cara Anthony and Blake Farmer speak with UCSF Cardiologist Dr. Rita Redberg. 

Many cryptids are said to lurk in the shadows of Appalachia, including West Virginia’s Flatwoods Monster.

During spooky season, popular attention turns toward ghosts and goblins – or if you live in Appalachia – cryptids. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Bill Lynch, producer of Inside Appalachia, brings us the story of the Flatwoods Monster.

Across the Appalachian Mid-South, local law enforcement is doing more to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining people. Morgan Watkins with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting analyzed the latest data on ICE arrests in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Louisville Public Media’s Bill Burton spoke with her about what she learned. 

Signal species are constantly sending humans messages about our changing world, and the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom produced an hourlong radio special all about them.

In recent years, physicians across the country have monitored surges of a condition known as Alpha-Gal Syndrome, which can cause allergic reactions to red meat. Hannah Saad with Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom member station WKMS reports that, now, farmers, restaurateurs and the afflicted are flocking to a new source of protein.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control found that black lung rates are the highest they’ve been since the 1970s. The disease can be debilitating, even for young miners. Justin Hicks reported for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom on the new CDC report. Longtime investigative reporter Howard Berkes assisted, continuing his years of reporting on black lung, as previously featured on Inside Appalachia. Following the story’s release, Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams reached out to dig deeper.

The mayor of Gallatin, Tennessee, says a hyperscale Meta data center is the city’s largest taxpayer and has done a lot of charitable giving in the community. But two years into operation, residents in the northern Tennessee town still have concerns about its effect on utilities, the environment, and property values.

The mayor of Gallatin, Tennessee, says a Meta hyperscale data center is the city’s largest taxpayer, but residents still have concerns about its effect on utilities, the environment and property values. Travel up I-65 and data center fights are playing out in several Kentucky communities. Lisa Autry from the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom went to Gallatin to find out if Big Tech is a good neighbor. 

Every week, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom’s Bill Burton and meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know – and what we don’t – about the climate and weather in the region. This week, we’re talking about when different areas of the country have their hottest days.

Elon Musk’s xAI runs one of the nation’s largest data centers in Memphis. It’s powered by about 60 gas turbines that emit a loud, unsettling noise.

Noise pollution has reached dangerous levels for residents living near the Memphis-Mississippi border. That’s the home of Elon Musk’s X-AI data center campus that runs Grok, the AI chatbot for the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, WPLN’s Caroline Eggers reports on what’s becoming an emerging model of data center – and unchecked noise pollution. 

As data center proposals spring up in communities across Kentucky, residents want more answers about their would-be neighbors from developers and their own public officials.

As developers rapidly propose data centers across Kentucky, their neighbors are struggling to find out what it will mean for them. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Sylvia Goodman reports that residents are calling for more transparency from developers and their own public officials.  

It’s thunderstorm season, but not all of them are the same. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Bill Burton and meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know – and what we don’t – about the climate and weather in the region. This week, they examine different types of thunderstorms. 

Opposition to hyperscale data centers is stoking bipartisanship in Kentucky, with Republicans and Democrats finding common cause in their resistance to local proposals.

For the third installment in our series on data centers, we look at how data centers proposals are provoking outrage from local opponents. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Kentucky Public Radio’s Joe Sonka reports that such fights are increasingly common — and bipartisan. 

In July, U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ordered company associates to pay $18 million in a 2012 lawsuit filed by New London Tobacco Market and Fivemile Energy.

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that black lung rates are the highest they’ve been since the 1970s. Justin Hicks and Howard Burkes reported on that for the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom. Inside Appalachia’s Mason Adams spoke with Hicks and Burkes to dig a little deeper.  

Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Sanders’ iconic items earned big bucks at auction. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, reporter Andrew Henderson went to the auction and hung around for the fried chicken.

Residents across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia have packed public meetings in recent months to speak out against data centers, with a recurring concern being how they could affect the cost of electricity.

Residents across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia have packed public meetings in recent months to speak out against data centers. A recurring concern is how the developments could affect the cost of electricity.

Wednesday, Chairman and CEO Paul Prager told investors the company is looking to double the power of what it calls the Muskie Data Campus.

Federal health researchers at the CDC have a new report about black lung disease among the most experienced coal miners in Appalachia. They are suffering from the incurable disease at the highest rates in nearly half a century.

Rates are now as bad as the 1970s, with thousands of miners sick and dying. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.

Data center development is a fast-growing industry, with projects popping up in seemingly every corner of the country. But that’s not been the case in West Virginia so far. Now, state officials are rolling out the red carpet for the expensive and increasingly expansive projects.

Data center development is a fast-growing industry, with projects popping up in seemingly every corner of the country. But that’s not been the case in West Virginia so far. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Chris Schulz reports state officials are rolling out the red carpet for the expensive and increasingly expansive projects.

Traditional Appalachian ballads have found new life in the form of an audio drama podcast produced by the Appalachia Book Company. We look at a reimagined story of a traditional railroad disaster ballad. 

On this West Virginia Morning, blind athletes rely on sound to hit the ball and run to a base in beep baseball.

On this West Virginia Morning, the spike-covered hawthorn is unique to our region but little known, and the heat you feel might be more about how humid it is than the temperature.

The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom recently wrapped up a month-long series about signal species. These are animals, plants and other organisms that offer us clues about the changing world around us – if you pay close enough attention. LPM’s Bill Burton sat down with deputy managing editor John Boyle to discuss how the series came together with our partners in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. 

Diseases like white-nose syndrome and climate change have caused mass population loss among bat species, and the consequences could be costly.

Bats are the subject of myths and legends, often in a negative light. But that goes against the reality of their role in ecosystems, including critical agricultural services for humans. Bat populations have dropped significantly in the face of a changing climate and disease. 

Freshwater mussels are scattered throughout waterways in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. But populations are dwindling, and researchers want to better understand the causes.

On this West Virginia Morning, freshwater mussels play a vital role in the health of the region’s waterways, but their populations have dwindled over the years.

This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a new book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.

The nine-banded armadillo has become an indicator of rising temperatures in Kentucky and the surrounding region, as the species moves farther north.

On this West Virginia Morning, an Appalachian distillery has rediscovered an old technique for aging their bourbon and whiskey products.

On this West Virginia Morning, the nine-banded armadillo has become an indicator of rising temperatures in Kentucky and the surrounding region.

Abandoned oil and natural gas wells are scattered throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region, leaking toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, and the state doesn’t know where they all are.

Kudzu is an invasive vine that’s become a persistent problem in the American South. But there are efforts to tackle it.

Throughout the Southern United States, you’ll often find three-pronged leaves with hairy vines swallowing entire sections of forests. It can be a beautiful sight at first glance. But the invasive plant causes persistent ecological problems in the region. We look at the efforts to tackle the ‘vine that ate the south.’

Earlier this week, Gov. Andy Beshear welcomed a proposal by TeraWulf to build a gigawatt data center at an industrial park west of Ashland. He cautioned, though, that any project of that scale would pay for 100% of its own electricity.

If your aging parent needs surgery, you might need to take time away from work to care for them. A federal policy called the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives many employees job-protected leave for caregiving. But it has noteworthy limitations.

While baseball fields are run of the mill in most communities, there’s a certain type of diamond that’s less common: it’s called a “Miracle Field.” There are three of these in West Virginia – in Morgantown, Wheeling and Green River. These are accessible baseball facilities that can accommodate players with disabilities.

Black bear encounters are on the rise in Tennessee, and climate change is often a hidden culprit, tampering with ecosystems in unexpected ways.

Black bears now inhabit all 55 counties of West Virginia, and bear encounters are on the rise across Appalachia. Climate change is often a hidden culprit. But state wildlife managers are working to promote peaceful coexistence.

America’s foster care crisis is serious for nearly 400,000 kids who rely on the system. In the latest episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay looks into the shortage of licensed foster homes – and the wide range of agencies and nonprofit organizations who offer help navigating what can be a complicated system.

Researchers have spent almost two decades restoring a threatened species of orchid in southern Kentucky. But those efforts were disrupted when an EF-4 tornado swept through the area in May 2025, carving visible lines in the landscape. We learn about recovery efforts.

A small federal grant program aimed at increasing first-time farmers’ access to land, training and tools was finding fertile ground in West Virginia. But in March, the Trump administration suddenly terminated it, leaving local partners uncertain about their futures. 

A small federal grant program aimed at increasing first-time farmer’s access to land, training and tools was finding fertile ground in West Virginia. But in March, the Trump administration suddenly terminated it, leaving local partners uncertain about their futures.

Last weekend was the first anniversary of a tornado that devastated communities in nearby southern Kentucky. A Day of Remembrance event honored those who lost their lives, and reflected on a year of recovery. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Shepherd Snyder has this report.

On this West Virginia Morning, an historic steam locomotive that occupied Nashville’s Centennial Park for decades will soon hit the rails again.

On this West Virginia Morning, a conversation about some of the challenges that lie ahead for hospitals and those who need them in the Mountain State.

Across the country, old railroads have been converted into multi-use trails for folks to get out and enjoy nature. An ambitious vision to connect communities in West Virginia to Pittsburgh via rail trail is taking a big step towards completion.

Prices at fuel pumps have surged since the United States went to war with Iran. But the Middle East conflict is also having major impacts on international shipping and supply chains. Those issues are taking a major toll on Appalachian corn farmers.

In an effort to attract more horse racing competitors this year to West Virginia, the state Legislature increased the funding cap to $2 million for certain races – and neighboring states are taking similar action.  When Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, his owner, trainer and jockey won an estimated $3.1 million winning purse.  For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Justin Hicks reports much of that growth can be attributed to increased gambling on historical horse racing games. 

In March, solar came as close as it ever has to generating as much power nationwide as coal.

Fluorspar is a little-known mineral used to make everything from steel, aluminum and gasoline to uranium fuel and batteries. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, WKMS’ Lily Burris reports the largest known deposit of the critical mineral in the U.S. is in western Kentucky – and its applications in artificial intelligence (AI) could reawaken the region’s mining industry. 

GLP-1s have quickly become one of the most popular weight loss drugs in America, but it takes more than a regular shot to be successful. Also, extreme weather and aging infrastructure are a tough combination for many rural communities. One impact? The quality of drinking water.

We speak with Ron Flanary, co-author of “Big Emma,” a book that explores the story of a powerful steam locomotive that hauled passengers, freight and coal in eastern Kentucky. Also, state officials want to keep the public informed about the launch of new rural health programs.

With a final budget now approved by both the House and Senate and headed to Gov. Patrick Morrisey for a signature, West Virginia budget watchers say there are looming expenses that haven’t been taken into consideration. Also, more Americans than ever have access to a kind of savings account that lets them set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses. But this option takes a little effort to set up and navigate.

Kentucky Power customers will pay $3 more each month for a new cooling tower at the Mitchell plant than West Virginia customers will pay.

Kentucky Power has told the Kentucky Public Service Commission what it will cost to build a new cooling tower at its Mitchell plant.

Recovering from substance use disorder is hard at the best of times. How did people working on recovery during the February 2025 floods hold on to their sobriety? As we approach the one-year anniversary of those deadly floods, we wanted to check in on this often overlooked issue.

A challenge lawmakers are struggling with this session is how to pay for public schools in a state where there’s falling enrollment, especially in rural counties. Also, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom explains snow mold.

We hear from Senate President Randy Smith who in last week’s episode of The Legislature Today discussed his goals for supporting small businesses in the state. Also, the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom examines how cold can affect your body.

We hear from House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, who outlines his goals for the 2026 West Virginia Legislative session. Also, if you’re newly pregnant and haven’t been able to afford health insurance, there’s a good chance you qualify for Medicaid.

Kentucky Power has formally notified state regulators of its plan to build a new cooling tower at its Mitchell plant in West Virginia.

A winter storm is expected to spread from the Midwest across much of the eastern U.S. with ice and snow.

Pearls are prized gemstones that have been crafted into jewelry for millennia. They can be found in the wild, but they’re also cultivated on farms. We hear a report from North America’s lone freshwater pearl farm located along Kentucky Lake in Tennessee.

If you’re looking to sign up for a new gym membership this year, it’s worth looking into whether your health insurance will help with some or all of the cost. And, soaring electricity costs and the slow growth of renewable energy.

Kentucky Power has offered a settlement to state regulators for its rate increase proposal, according to a series of filings Friday.

If you feel under the weather, how do you know when it’s time to see a doctor? Also, a growing movement to make Appalachia the “truffle capital of the world,” is being led by a small-town farmer in southern Kentucky.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission last week approved Kentucky Power’s plan to maintain its ownership of the Mitchell plant in West Virginia.

A job loss or an unexpected change in coverage costs might mean that you’re starting the year without health insurance. If you’re looking for care, there might be an affordable option near you that you’ve never heard of.

The 54-year-old plant in West Virginia has a concrete cooling tower with structural problems, and the utility will need to seek permission to charge electricity customers to pay for a fix.

Eastern Kentucky is full of isolated, rural towns that have experienced decline alongside the coal industry. But some who want to stick around are trying to revitalize the region’s downtown spaces. For the Appalachia Mid-South Newsroom, Shepherd Snyder reports.

Low-head dams across Appalachia have been responsible for many deaths, causing state officials to label them as public safety hazards. But some community members are hesitant to have the fixtures removed.

Joseph Mitchell was one of two coal miners killed in West Virginia this month. Mitchell was pinned underneath the supply car after it and two locomotives derailed after striking another piece of equipment, MSHA’s preliminary report says on the Nov. 6 incident.

A miner was killed at the Mountain View Mine in Tucker County, West Virginia, on Nov. 6, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Alliance Resource Partners owns the mine. That company is owned by Kelly and Joe Craft, who are prominent political donors in Kentucky.

The settling parties want the Kentucky Public Service Commission to approve Kentucky Power’s proposal to preserve its half of the Mitchell plant beyond 2028.

Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they’re paying for two coal plants. Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Managing Editor Ryan Van Velzer spoke with WVPB’s Curtis Tate about his reporting on those plants.

Behind the rates paid by the companies’ customers is a hidden cost that doesn’t show up on their bills. Customers receive electricity from two aging, out-of-state coal plants that lose a lot of money.

On this West Virginia Week, despite a government shutdown and the closure of national parks across the country, parks in West Virginia are staying open – for now. Also, a new book looks at the last public hanging in America. And, they’re out …

Fall brings with it many changes, but perhaps none more striking than the turning of the leaves. West Virginia officials are working to make sure leaf peepers visiting the state maximize their autumn experience.

Mon Power customers paid $10.3 million more for electricity than the market price from the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation from 2018 to 2024.

Curtis Tate of West Virginia Public Broadcasting reported the story for the Appalachia-Mid-South Newsroom. He spoke with deputy managing editor John Boyle about his work.

Public anger is growing over rising electricity prices nationwide. In West Virginia, Appalachian Power customers have been paying hundreds of millions of dollars in hidden costs.

On this West Virginia Morning, staffing cuts at National Parks are being felt by visitors and demand for energy is raising prices in the region.

Despite a drop, the issue of student-athlete harassment by bettors has become more prevalent in recent years with the rise of online gambling. So has the prevalence of problem gambling among younger bettors.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear from those shaping the debate over transgender rights and a mother and son from Gaza have spent two months in Louisville, Kentucky for medical care that would be nearly impossible to get back home.

On this West Virginia Morning, we hear about grassroots opposition to an energy project in Tucker County, and dive into a unique form of Appalachian singing.

On this West Virginia Morning, cicadas annoy some, but have profound meaning to others. And a new radio and television series highlights some of the brightest, clearest skies in the nation.

On this West Virginia Morning, a festival highlights the grassroots movement to reclaim the Black roots of folk and country music, and a new tourism trail highlights the brewers and distillers of southern West Virginia.