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Morgan Watkins

@morgreports.lpm.org
549 followers 453 following 251 posts

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

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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 6h
More Flock camera news in Kentucky.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 29/09/2026
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.org
Across Appalachian Mid-South, local law enforcement helps drive immigration crackdown
In 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.
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Tessa Duvall @tessaduvall.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 24/09/2026
🎸💖
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Mel @onairmel.lpm.org · 24/09/2026
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!
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 22/09/2026
Learn about a Louisville arts legend!
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 22/09/2026
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.org
JCPS 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.
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Rainesford Stauffer @rainesford.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 10/09/2026
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 10/09/2026
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.org
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...
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 28/08/2026
🐷vs🐮vs🐥vs🐴. Read to find out who won the 👑 from @sarahelizabethladd.bsky.social
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Kentucky Lantern @kentuckylantern.com · 28/08/2026
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.com
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 27/08/2026
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...
lpm.org
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 26/08/2026
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-...
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 20/08/2026
Unexpected horror entry at #7.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 19/08/2026
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 19/08/2026
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.org
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 12/08/2026
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...
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 06/08/2026
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.
lpm.org
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 04/08/2026
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.org
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 21/07/2026
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.org
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 17/07/2026
You can get a cute tiny bag and support local journalism (and music and events!) all at once today ⭐ Donate at lpm.org.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 17/07/2026
Shelter in place order from the city just ended.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 17/07/2026
🚨Shelter in place order for a half-mile radius around Louisville's Chemours plant.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 13/07/2026
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...
lpm.org
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 08/07/2026
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.org
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 01/07/2026
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.org
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 01/07/2026
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.
lpm.org
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...
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 24/06/2026
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.org
LISTEN: 1,000 Kentuckians with disabilities to lose medical services, Beshear blames budget cuts
The 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...
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 18/06/2026
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...
lpm.org
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.
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Reposted by Morgan Watkins
Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 17/06/2026
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...
lpm.org
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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 17/06/2026
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.org
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.
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Reposted by Morgan Watkins
Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 15/06/2026
A grand jury indicted former Louisville Metro Police Officer Nathan Stotts on charges of manslaughter and reckless homicide linked to the fatal shooting of Martin Nitzken Jr. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
lpm.org
Former Louisville police officer who shot unarmed man indicted for homicide, manslaughter
Nathan Stotts shot Martin Nitzken Jr. while he was showing signs of a mental break.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 15/06/2026
Louisville officials and local advocates disagree over how to spend opioid settlement funds in the next city budget. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
lpm.org
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.
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Joe Sonka 😐 @joesonka.lpm.org · 09/06/2026
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.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 09/06/2026
Stacey Abrams joins LPM’s “Race Unwrapped” to discuss the power of storytelling. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
lpm.org
Author, activist Stacey Abrams explains using about storytelling to make people feel smarter
Stacey Abrams joins LPM’s “Race Unwrapped” to discuss the power of storytelling.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 08/06/2026
Louisville Metro Police say officer Nathan Stotts, who killed an unarmed man in late May, is no longer employed by the department. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
lpm.org
Louisville officer who fatally shot unarmed man resigns before being fired
Louisville Metro Police say officer Nathan Stotts, who killed an unarmed man in late May, is no longer employed by the department.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 08/06/2026
Kudzu is an invasive vine that's become a persistent problem in the American South. But there are efforts to tackle it. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
lpm.org
How kudzu became the 'vine that ate the South'
Kudzu is an invasive vine that's become a persistent problem in the American South. But there are efforts to tackle it.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 05/06/2026
Bevin requested additional time, but his motion was denied by the judge hearing his divorce and child support case. www.lpm.org/news/2026-06...
lpm.org
Matt Bevin sentenced to jail time after failing to turn over financials
Bevin requested additional time, but his motion was denied by the judge hearing his divorce and child support case.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 05/06/2026
KY's Shelby County school district settled with a basketball coach/teacher who appealed his firing, after he was accused of grooming a teenage girl and inappropriately messaging other girls. @storiesbyjess.bsky.social got a copy of the settlement.
lpm.org
Former Shelby County basketball coach accused of sexual misconduct will get salary pay, avoid firing
Records show that rather than terminate Chris Gaither, the district is allowing him to resign.
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Joe Sonka 😐 @joesonka.lpm.org · 04/06/2026
JUST IN: Kentucky Addiction Recovery Care owner Tim Robinson indicted for fraud scheme
lpm.org
Kentucky Addiction Recovery Care owner Tim Robinson indicted for fraud scheme
ARC 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.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 04/06/2026
Neat: Me & my colleagues won a regional Edward R. Murrow award for our investigation of Louisville police's use of Flock surveillance cameras. Our work led to an internal investigation, disciplinary action and policy changes by LMPD.
lpm.org
LPM News clinches three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
Local news on Kentucky that tackled data centers, government surveillance and civic knowledge won three prestigious awards.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 04/06/2026
Louisville is one of nearly two dozen big U.S. cities that don't answer 911 calls fast enough. An @revealnews.org reporter talked to the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting about his investigation👇
lpm.org
In Louisville, 911 calls wait too long, report finds
A new investigative report finds Louisville dispatchers below national standard for 911 answer time.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 26/05/2026
We analyzed a lot of public data and records to make this report. Check out the interactive map by @justinhicks.lpm.org that shows how ICE shuffles people through Kentucky detention centers.
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Kentucky Public Radio @kentuckypublicradio.org · 22/05/2026
It’s been one year since a devastating tornado destroyed multiple neighborhoods in London, Kentucky, killing 17 people in Laurel County. Residents are still working to rebuild their homes, many with future disasters in mind. From @justinhicks.lpm.org
lpm.org
Kentucky is rebuilding after last year’s deadly tornado, with eyes towards the next severe storm
It’s been one year since a devastating tornado destroyed multiple neighborhoods in London, Kentucky, killing 17 people in Laurel County. Residents are still working to rebuild their homes, many with f...
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 14/05/2026
Another Derby, another public records dive by KyCIR / @lpm.org to see how the Louisville mayor spent taxpayer $ this time around to show guests a good time at the city's biggest party.
lpm.org
Golfers, movie makers and the festival guy: Mayor spends $95k on Derby guests
Keeping with tradition, taxpayers pay for the Louisville mayor’s Derby fun.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 14/05/2026
First day of early voting in Kentucky is today! Louisville Public Media has a voter guide that gives you a personalized ballot based on your address and party registration: www.lpm.org/news/2026-04...
lpm.org
Louisville's 2026 primary election voter guide
The 2026 Kentucky primary race guide from LPM and Kentucky Public Radio.
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Morgan Watkins @morgreports.lpm.org · 12/05/2026
“I wish I could tell you that this is the first time I've ever heard this story, but it's not." Louisville officials have said little about the young man who died recently in the city jail. Information I obtained on his cause of death raises more questions about what happened to him behind bars.
lpm.org
‘How can that be?’ Records reveal cause of recent Louisville jail death
Dehydration contributed to the death of a 21-year-old immigrant inside Louisville’s jail in February, according to his death certificate.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 06/05/2026
Louisville Tool Library founding volunteer Katherine Keeney talks about how a volunteer-run lending library for tools became a growing community hub for classes, projects and connection. www.lpm.org/news/2026-05...
lpm.org
Louisville Tool Library builds connection beyond borrowed gear
Louisville Tool Library founding volunteer Katherine Keeney talks about how a volunteer-run lending library for tools became a growing community hub for classes, projects and connection.
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Louisville Public Media @lpm.org · 30/04/2026
LPM’s Giselle Rhoden shares some upcoming affordable events around Louisville. www.lpm.org/news/2026-04...
lpm.org
Arts, Culture, Et Cetera: Some Derby-themed fun
LPM’s Giselle Rhoden shares some upcoming affordable events around Louisville.
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