Morgan Watkins

Morgan Watkins

@morgreports.lpm.org

Investigative reporter covering health, the environment & more for @lpm.org & the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting (KyCIR). Formerly w/ Courier Journal, Gainesville Sun. Think an issue needs coverage? Email me: mwatkins@lpm.org

550 followers455 following256 posts

Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

The Louisville airport was the location of two high-profile immigration arrests this summer. Because of that, I dug into what public records reveal about airport arrests in town and asked regional airports how they’re approaching ICE operations on their property. Here's the story:

lpm.orgICE in SDF: Records detail immigration arrests at Louisville airportAirports say they can’t prevent it, and aren’t tracking how many arrests ICE is making on their property.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

This is just an awesome project, celebrating an influential piece of Kentucky history and culture, that our public radio partners put together. You can hear it here👇📻

WKMS@wkmsfm.bsky.social

“Harlan County USA at 50," a new audio special from WKMS and the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, is now available online! Listen to learn more about Barbara Kopple's transformative documentary "Harlan County USA" and its lasting impacts on Kentuckians, artists and labor movements.

wkms.orgThe Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Presents: Harlan County USA at 50Oct. 15 marks 50 years since the premiere of "Harlan County USA." The Academy Award-winning documentary shined a light on an eastern Kentucky coal mining community and their fight for a union…
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

Really cool thing they’ve put together for the anniversary of a big cultural moment for KY.

WKMS@wkmsfm.bsky.social

This month marks 50 years since the premiere of “Harlan County USA.” WKMS and the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom are presenting a new one-hour audio special detailing the transformative documentary’s legacy in Kentucky and its lasting influence on filmmakers, musicians, and labor movements.

wkms.orgNew radio special from WKMS, AMSN to commemorate 50th anniversary of award-winning documentary ‘Harlan County USA’A new one-hour audio special from WKMS and the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom taking a look at the impact of "Harlan County USA" as the transformative documentary turns 50 years old will premiere…

Morgan Watkins reposted

WKMS
@wkmsfm.bsky.social

This month marks 50 years since the premiere of “Harlan County USA.” WKMS and the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom are presenting a new one-hour audio special detailing the transformative documentary’s legacy in Kentucky and its lasting influence on filmmakers, musicians, and labor movements.

wkms.orgNew radio special from WKMS, AMSN to commemorate 50th anniversary of award-winning documentary ‘Harlan County USA’A new one-hour audio special from WKMS and the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom taking a look at the impact of "Harlan County USA" as the transformative documentary turns 50 years old will premiere…

Morgan Watkins reposted

Kentucky Public Radio
@kentuckypublicradio.org

Retired coal miners, their families and policy groups are lobbying Congress to uphold worker protections and pass legislation that updates black lung disability programs. From @justinhicks.lpm.org

lpm.orgAppalachian coal miners ask lawmakers in DC for better disability benefits and worker protectionsRetired miners, their families and policy groups are lobbying Congress to uphold worker protections and pass legislation that updates black lung disability programs.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

More Flock camera news in Kentucky.

Louisville Public Media@lpm.org

Lexington resident Will Penn posted doorbell camera footage to Facebook after the incident. It's since been shared thousands of times. www.lpm.org/news/2026-09...

lpm.orgFlock search that led Lexington police to surround wrong home intensifies debate over the techLexington resident Will Penn posted doorbell camera footage to Facebook after the incident. It's since been shared thousands of times.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

For KyCIR and our regional partner stations, I analyzed the newest ICE arrest data for Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. I found local law enforcement making more arrests for ICE, while jails also contribute - in a couple different ways - to ICE's mass detention efforts. Learn more:

lpm.orgAcross Appalachian Mid-South, local law enforcement helps drive immigration crackdownIn three Appalachian states, data show state and local police arrested more people for ICE in recent months, including during a national surge in immigration arrests this summer.

Morgan Watkins reposted

Tessa Duvall
@tessaduvall.bsky.social

Today is my last day at the Lexington Herald-Leader. After more than seven years as a journalist in my home state of Kentucky and more than four on this wonderful team, I'm embarking on a new (and unknown) chapter. But first, I'd like to recap some of my favorite work for @kentucky.com.

Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

🎸💖

Melvira@onairmel.lpm.org

Friday is 925– Dolly Day! It encourages people to wear pink, support local nonprofits & donate to her Imagination Library. We’re celebrating w/ the Diner on WFPK by playing your favorite Dolly tunes! What do you want to hear? (1 x person)Listen tomorrow starting at 8: 91.9 WFPK, lpm.org, LPM app!

Morgan Watkins reposted

Melvira
@onairmel.lpm.org

Friday is 925– Dolly Day! It encourages people to wear pink, support local nonprofits & donate to her Imagination Library. We’re celebrating w/ the Diner on WFPK by playing your favorite Dolly tunes! What do you want to hear? (1 x person)Listen tomorrow starting at 8: 91.9 WFPK, lpm.org, LPM app!

Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

Learn about a Louisville arts legend!

Louisville Public Media@lpm.org

Since 1987, Josette Miles has created many of the Kentucky Opera’s extraordinary costumes. ⁠Now, at 90, Miles is receiving her flowers. She was recently named a Kentucky Colonel. And she says she has no plans of slowing down any time soon.⁠ Learn more: www.lpm.org/news/2026-09...

Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

New KyCIR report from @storiesbyjess.bsky.social about the data-sharing agreements JCPS has with education tech companies - and what we know, and don't, about the data they're collecting on students and how they're using it. She searched for, and then read, a bunch of contracts to figure this out.

lpm.orgJCPS uses hundreds of ed tech products. How safe is student data?The ed tech boom has reshaped education in JCPS and turned over a massive amount of student data to tech companies.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

The layoffs today at the Lexington Herald-Leader are brutal. A personal loss for great journalists I know, and a community loss for the Kentuckians they've worked hard to report local news for.

Kentucky Public Radio@kentuckypublicradio.org

McClatchy laid off 12 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader and eliminated a majority of its positions, as a part of its deep, nationwide layoffs. It leaves the second-largest newspaper in Kentucky with just two reporters left to cover city and state government.

lpm.orgMcClatchy guts Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom, among nationwide layoffsMcClatchy laid off 12 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader and eliminated a majority of its positions, as a part of its deep, nationwide layoffs.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

It's an especially great day to support your local public radio crew @lpm.org - because it's not just the first day of our fall fundraising drive, it's also Give for Good Louisville! When you donate today, you can help us win extra prize money. 💸📻📡

giveforgoodlouisville.orgSupport Louisville Public Media on Give for Good LouisvilleLouisville Public Media provides independent and courageous news, music and experiences that serve the needs and aspirations of our diverse community. Because of LPM’s work, more people in our communi...
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

🐷vs🐮vs🐥vs🐴. Read to find out who won the 👑 from @sarahelizabethladd.bsky.social

Kentucky Lantern@kentuckylantern.com

We are serious journalists at the @kentuckylantern.com, and @sarahelizabethladd.bsky.social turned her skills to an important topic. I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair  kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/28/i...

kentuckylantern.comI went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair  • Kentucky LanternApparently there is no blue ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair just for being cute. Well, at the risk of igniting controversy: There should be.

Morgan Watkins reposted

Kentucky Lantern
@kentuckylantern.com

We are serious journalists at the @kentuckylantern.com, and @sarahelizabethladd.bsky.social turned her skills to an important topic. I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair  kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/28/i...

kentuckylantern.comI went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair  • Kentucky LanternApparently there is no blue ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair just for being cute. Well, at the risk of igniting controversy: There should be.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

We now have a case in Kentucky of an officer charged with using Flock cameras to track a woman. Other officers in the U.S. also have been investigated for using Flock license plate readers to track somebody they know personally. Here's a roundup of such cases: ij.org/police-have-...

Kentucky Public Radio@kentuckypublicradio.org

An officer with the Shively Police Department is suspended without pay and facing criminal charges for allegedly using the department’s Flock camera system to conduct more than 2,000 searches on the license plate of a woman he tracked and harassed in Kentucky and Indiana.

lpm.orgShively Police officer arrested for using license plate readers to track womanThe arrest came after the officer ran thousands of unauthorized searches.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

Unexpected horror entry at #7.

Tessa Duvall@tessaduvall.bsky.social

🚨 Kentucky has announced the finalists in its "I Voted" sticker contest. 🚨 Per the Secretary of State: Kentuckians can vote for their favorite sticker at the SOS's booth at the State Fair from August 20-30.

Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

Detailed story here laying out the new legal case being fought over a local woman’s detention by ICE at the Clark County jail in Jeffersonville. Plus, hear from community members trying to support her.

Louisville Public Media@lpm.org

Armelle Bondonga was detained by ICE last week when she and her husband appeared for an interview as part of her green card process. A federal judge has given the government seven days to respond to a habeas corpus petition filed this week. www.lpm.org/news/2026-08...

lpm.orgLouisville attorney seeks release of youth leader detained by ICEArmelle Bondonga was detained by ICE last week when she and her husband appeared for an interview as part of her green card process. A federal judge has given the government seven days to respond to a habeas corpus petition filed this week.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

I've got 2 stories out on the rise in ICE detainers targeting immigrants at the Louisville jail since Mayor Craig Greenberg started giving ICE a full 48 hours to arrest immigrants there. Story #1 gives new data analysis showing the mayor underestimated how many people would be affected:

lpm.orgLouisville mayor said an ICE policy shift would impact 100 people annually. He was wrong.Data show Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg underestimated how many people would be targeted when he agreed to give ICE more time to detain immigrants at the city jail.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

Story #2 on ICE detainers at the Louisville jail looks at @acluofky.bsky.social's call for Mayor Craig Greenberg to give a full accounting of his policy change's impact ... and the mayor's assertion that it has cost taxpayers little to keep some immigrants behind bars an extra two days for ICE.

lpm.orgLouisville mayor says jailing immigrants for ICE has little taxpayer costCivil liberty advocates want Louisville’s jail to tell the public what it costs to hold immigrants for an extra 48 hours for ICE. The mayor says the expense is negligible.

Morgan Watkins reposted

Louisville Public Media
@lpm.org

Last year, Black drivers were more than twice as likely as white drivers to be searched by Louisville police officers during a traffic stop. That’s the topline finding in a report given to the Louisville Metro Police Department from its own hired consultant. www.lpm.org/news/2026-08...

lpm.orgLouisville police watchdog 'alarmed' after data shows potential bias in LMPD traffic stopsLast year, Black drivers were more than twice as likely as white drivers to be searched by Louisville police officers during a traffic stop. That’s the topline finding in a report given to the Louisville Metro Police Department from its own hired consultant.

Morgan Watkins reposted

Louisville Public Media
@lpm.org

After an LPM News investigation uncovered errors that caused voters to get the wrong ballots in Jefferson County, a review by a state specialist discovered potential issues at more than 2,100 addresses in Jefferson County. www.lpm.org/news/2026-07...

lpm.orgState elections expert confirms voting assignment issues in LouisvilleAfter an LPM News investigation uncovered errors that caused voters to get the wrong ballots in Jefferson County, a review by a state specialist discovered potential issues at more than 2,100 addresses in Jefferson County.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

You can get a cute tiny bag and support local journalism (and music and events!) all at once today ⭐ Donate at lpm.org.

Sylvia Goodman@sylviaruthg.lpm.org

It's drive day at LPM! If you donate at lpm.org today you get this teensy tote (if you're a new member, it's just $5/month!) Personally I desperately need this tote to carry my General Assembly essentials: Capitol badge, extra SD card and Pepcid

Morgan Watkins reposted

Louisville Public Media
@lpm.org

After Louisville officials shut down Atomic in June citing dangerous conditions, the Bardstown Road venue says it will reopen Friday enacting new steps for safety. www.lpm.org/news/2026-07...

lpm.orgAtomic nightclub on Bardstown Road to reopen Friday with enhanced safety measuresAfter Louisville officials shut down Atomic in June citing dangerous conditions, the Bardstown Road venue says it will reopen Friday enacting new steps for safety.

Morgan Watkins reposted

Louisville Public Media
@lpm.org

State officials are pushing back on claims by the Jefferson County Clerk, David Yates, that voter assignment errors identified in an LPM News investigation are not limited to Louisville. www.lpm.org/news/2026-07...

lpm.orgJefferson County Clerk, state elections officials offer dueling takes on ballot errorsThe Jefferson County Clerk’s office may need additional funding from Louisville Metro to complete an audit of precinct assignments for nearly 600,000 addresses.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

This blockbuster finding grew out of @byrobertor.lpm.org's initial reporting on a dozen voters who got the wrong ballot in May's Louisville Metro Council primary. In both cases, the county clerk only learned of these issues because @lpm.org journalists notified him. Good local journalism matters.

lpm.orgA dozen Louisville voters were wrongly prevented from voting in a Metro Council raceTwelve voters in Louisville got the wrong ballot in the May 19 primary election. The County Clerk’s office is now reviewing the problem.
Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

Background on what's going on with the big $ cuts to Louisville's Lee Speciality Clinic, which serves adult patients with developmental and intellectual disabilities👇

lpm.orgLISTEN: 1,000 Kentuckians with disabilities to lose medical services, Beshear blames budget cutsThe state-owned Lee Specialty Clinic serves 1,300 patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration has slashed its budget by millions, blaming state budget...
Sylvia Goodman@sylviaruthg.lpm.org

Here at the Medicaid oversight and advisory board meeting in Frankfort. Staff has just opened the second overflow room. Supporters of the Lee Speciality Clinic have come en masse to fight back against major cuts affecting roughly thousand disabled Kentuckians

Morgan Watkins
@morgreports.lpm.org

An @lpm.org reporter pressed Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg on how he wants to spend the city's opioid settlement money in the next budget ... and found his plan goes against recommendations by local advocates and by well-regarded John Hopkins Univ. guidance on how the money should be spent.

lpm.orgLouisville could use opioid settlement ‘blood money’ to cover existing expensesLouisville officials and local advocates disagree over how to spend opioid settlement funds in the next city budget.

Morgan Watkins reposted

Joe Sonka 😐
@joesonka.lpm.org

Attorneys for ARC have filed a motion to withdraw as their counsel in the ongoing lawsuit of lenders suing the company for defaulting on payments, which is at the heart of this indictment. They want to withdraw because ARC/Robinson owe them $75,000 in legal fees.

Kentucky Public Radio@kentuckypublicradio.org

ARC has been under federal investigation for alleged Medicaid billing fraud for two years, but owner Tim Robinson’s indictment was for an unrelated tax credit fraud scheme.

lpm.orgKentucky Addiction Recovery Care owner Tim Robinson indicted for fraud schemeARC has been under federal investigation for alleged Medicaid billing fraud for two years, but Tim Robinson’s indictment was for an unrelated tax credit fraud scheme.