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: [email protected]
Think an issue needs coverage? Email me: [email protected]
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
I work with some high school journalists in Kentucky. The journalists laid off from the Herald-Leader today are among those I've heard students mention by name, and whose stories they read, share, and aspire to. All those journalists deserved better than this.
September 10, 2026 at 8:57 PM
I work with some high school journalists in Kentucky. The journalists laid off from the Herald-Leader today are among those I've heard students mention by name, and whose stories they read, share, and aspire to. All those journalists deserved better than this.
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.
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.
It leaves the second-largest newspaper in Kentucky with just two reporters left to cover city and state government.
McClatchy guts Lexington Herald-Leader newsroom, among nationwide layoffs
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.
www.lpm.org
September 10, 2026 at 8:36 PM
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.
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. 💸📻📡
Support Louisville Public Media on Give for Good Louisville
Louisville 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...
www.giveforgoodlouisville.org
September 10, 2026 at 3:12 PM
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. 💸📻📡
🐷vs🐮vs🐥vs🐴. Read to find out who won the 👑 from @sarahelizabethladd.bsky.social
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...
I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair
kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/28/i...
I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair • Kentucky Lantern
Apparently there is no blue ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair just for being cute. Well, at the risk of igniting controversy: There should be.
kentuckylantern.com
August 28, 2026 at 3:02 PM
🐷vs🐮vs🐥vs🐴. Read to find out who won the 👑 from @sarahelizabethladd.bsky.social
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
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...
I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair
kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/28/i...
I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair • Kentucky Lantern
Apparently there is no blue ribbon at the Kentucky State Fair just for being cute. Well, at the risk of igniting controversy: There should be.
kentuckylantern.com
August 28, 2026 at 12:01 PM
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...
I went on a quest to find the cutest animal at the Kentucky State Fair
kentuckylantern.com/2026/08/28/i...
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
Minor league baseball’s initiative The Nine honors Black baseball pioneers and teams. In Louisville, these stories are still told on and off the field. Listen: www.lpm.org/news/2026-08...
Louisville Bats celebrate the Black Caps, a lesser-known Negro League team
Minor league baseball’s initiative The Nine honors Black baseball pioneers and teams. In Louisville, these stories are still told on and off the field.
www.lpm.org
August 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Minor league baseball’s initiative The Nine honors Black baseball pioneers and teams. In Louisville, these stories are still told on and off the field. Listen: www.lpm.org/news/2026-08...
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-...
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.
Shively Police officer arrested for using license plate readers to track woman
The arrest came after the officer ran thousands of unauthorized searches.
www.lpm.org
August 26, 2026 at 6:01 PM
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-...
Unexpected horror entry at #7.
🚨 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.
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.
August 20, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Unexpected horror entry at #7.
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.
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...
Louisville attorney seeks release of youth leader detained by ICE
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
August 19, 2026 at 9:44 PM
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.
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:
Story #1 gives new data analysis showing the mayor underestimated how many people would be affected:
Louisville 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.
www.lpm.org
August 19, 2026 at 2:48 PM
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:
Story #1 gives new data analysis showing the mayor underestimated how many people would be affected:
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
The Louisville Metro Council is expected to vote Thursday on a proposed moratorium on new data centers. Catch up on the background: www.lpm.org/news/2026-08...
August 12, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The Louisville Metro Council is expected to vote Thursday on a proposed moratorium on new data centers. Catch up on the background: www.lpm.org/news/2026-08...
I got files from LMPD’s investigation of the death of a woman crushed by a Louisville city garbage truck’s hydraulic claw. Here’s what they tell us about the fatal accident.
Louisville police, prosecutors won’t seek criminal charges after trash truck death
No one will be prosecuted for the death of a woman who was crushed by the hydraulic claw of a Louisville Metro dump truck, records show.
www.lpm.org
August 6, 2026 at 8:27 PM
I got files from LMPD’s investigation of the death of a woman crushed by a Louisville city garbage truck’s hydraulic claw. Here’s what they tell us about the fatal accident.
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
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...
Louisville police watchdog 'alarmed' after data shows potential bias in LMPD traffic stops
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
August 4, 2026 at 9:30 PM
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...
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
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...
State elections expert confirms voting assignment issues in Louisville
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
July 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM
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...
You can get a cute tiny bag and support local journalism (and music and events!) all at once today ⭐ Donate at 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
Personally I desperately need this tote to carry my General Assembly essentials: Capitol badge, extra SD card and Pepcid
July 17, 2026 at 5:42 PM
You can get a cute tiny bag and support local journalism (and music and events!) all at once today ⭐ Donate at lpm.org.
Shelter in place order from the city just ended.
🚨Shelter in place order for a half-mile radius around Louisville's Chemours plant.
Emergency alert in Louisville for hazardous material incident at the address of the Chemours plant in Rubbertown
July 17, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Shelter in place order from the city just ended.
🚨Shelter in place order for a half-mile radius around Louisville's Chemours plant.
Emergency alert in Louisville for hazardous material incident at the address of the Chemours plant in Rubbertown
July 17, 2026 at 3:33 PM
🚨Shelter in place order for a half-mile radius around Louisville's Chemours plant.
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
Retta Folsom has spent much of her life telling stories to children with the help of puppets she's created through the decades. www.lpm.org/news/2026-07...
West Kentucky puppetry exhibition highlights intersection of folk art and storytelling
Retta Folsom has spent much of her life telling stories to children with the help of puppets she's created through the decades.
www.lpm.org
July 13, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Retta Folsom has spent much of her life telling stories to children with the help of puppets she's created through the decades. www.lpm.org/news/2026-07...
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
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...
Atomic nightclub on Bardstown Road to reopen Friday with enhanced safety measures
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
July 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
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...
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
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...
Jefferson County Clerk, state elections officials offer dueling takes on ballot errors
The Jefferson County Clerk’s office may need additional funding from Louisville Metro to complete an audit of precinct assignments for nearly 600,000 addresses.
www.lpm.org
July 1, 2026 at 9:40 PM
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...
Investigative, community-driven reporting at its finest right here: @justinhicks.lpm.org and @byrobertor.lpm.org uncovered technical errors that mis-assigned some Louisville voters to the wrong precincts - which affect what races they can vote in - in the May primary election.
Voters across Louisville may have gotten the wrong ballots – for years
LPM News uncovered that voters from more than 1,800 households may have cast incorrect ballots due to an error by the Jefferson County Clerk’s office. In some instances, this affected where they voted...
www.lpm.org
July 1, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Investigative, community-driven reporting at its finest right here: @justinhicks.lpm.org and @byrobertor.lpm.org uncovered technical errors that mis-assigned some Louisville voters to the wrong precincts - which affect what races they can vote in - in the May primary election.
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👇
June 24, 2026 at 5:13 PM
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👇
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
Kids with type diabetes can face difficulties in finding safe and accessible summer childcare, including one 10-year-old in Louisville.
www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
Louisville YMCA camp disenrolled 10-year-old, saying his diabetes was too difficult to manage
Kids with type diabetes can face difficulties in finding safe and accessible summer childcare, including one 10-year-old in Louisville.
www.lpm.org
June 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Kids with type diabetes can face difficulties in finding safe and accessible summer childcare, including one 10-year-old in Louisville.
www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
Reposted by Morgan Watkins
Kentucky Addiction Recovery Care owner Tim Robinson pleaded not guilty to three federal felony charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud multiple lenders. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
ARC owner Tim Robinson pleads not guilty to federal fraud charges
Kentucky Addiction Recovery Care owner Tim Robinson pleaded not guilty to three federal felony charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud multiple lenders.
www.lpm.org
June 17, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Kentucky Addiction Recovery Care owner Tim Robinson pleaded not guilty to three federal felony charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud multiple lenders. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
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.
Louisville could use opioid settlement ‘blood money’ to cover existing expenses
Louisville officials and local advocates disagree over how to spend opioid settlement funds in the next city budget.
www.lpm.org
June 17, 2026 at 1:58 PM
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.