Columns

The news Thursday that 13 skilled journalists in Lexington were laid off was heart-breaking but also frightening. The suggestion that AI can replace reporters who are trained to observe, interpret, and ask the tough questions is unrealistic. AI is a tool and a resource, but it cannot replace a human reporter. The real danger here is the declining number of journalists in the field. It is not just newspapers. We have witnessed veteran broadcast journalists who have been sidelined as TV goes through its own shakeout. So, what are we losing? What is the real value of journalism? Journalism gives citizens the facts they need to make informed decisions. This information is...

When it comes to golf and specifically the British Open, Corbin native Scott Williamson has an interesting distinction. Aside from the Masters Tournament, which is played each year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, most major championships in golf are played at different courses each year. The British Open, which is the oldest tournament in golf, has been played at 14 different locations throughout the United Kingdom (UK), which is composed of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The tournament is typically played now at one of 10 courses, including Royal Liverpool (Hoylake), Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal Troon, Royal St. George’s, Royal Birkdale, Carnoustie, Turnberry, Muirfield, Royal...

The end of the MLB season is less than a month away, and some awards are going to be a blowout while others are going to be close. Some awards have been closer as of lately. These are my predictions for the MLB awards. First, the Cy Young in the National League (NL), where I believe that it will come down to Chris Sale and Jacob Misorowski. This year Sale has had a 2.10 ERA with 184 strikeouts (K) to go with only 29 walks. He also has a 14-9 record, and a 1.01 Whip in 150 innings pitched (IP) and 11 K/9. Now, Miskorowski’s resume, he has a 1.97...

The 43rd Annual Old Fashioned Trading Days festival is almost upon us. It takes place Thursday through Saturday in downtown Williamsburg. Back when we had an office in Williamsburg, for me, one of the best parts of Old Fashioned Trading Day was being able to step out of my office, walk a few feet and have lots of choices in terms of places to eat for lunch. Back then the options in Williamsburg were much more limited. The Whitley County Cattlemen’s Association is always one of my “go to” places to eat at these local festivals. They have an efficient set up where the food basically goes from the freezer to...

A couple of months ago, my wonderful wife, Cecelia, and I did something I had never done before. We purchased a new vehicle. I am not talking about a “new to me” vehicle. I am talking about a “brand new” vehicle. I am not going to lie. I enjoyed driving it home. When I pulled into the garage, the odometer displayed 85 miles part of which I put on it during two test drives. (I am sure this happiness will be much less, so when we make the first payment, which I think is due any time. Cecelia takes care of the bill paying…LOL.) For all intents and purposes our Mazda SUV...

When it comes to golf in Bell County, the course one typically hears people talk about is Wasioto Winds Golf Course at Pine Mountain in Pineville. There is good reason for this. Built in 2001, Wasioto Winds is an 18-hole championship course. It was designed by acclaimed golf architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan. He created a layout, which embraces the properties bottomland terrain and scenic Appalachian surroundings, as the Kentucky State Parks website describes it. Unlike most courses you see in Kentucky, Wasioto Winds is a links style course with lots of water and lots of bunkers. From what I recall, it is relatively flat and does not have a lot of trees...

Recently, the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers played in one of the most interesting series. The Braves ended up sweeping this series, but the sweep can’t describe the amount of drama that was in this series. This is my recap of the Braves vs Dodgers series. First, in Game 1, the Braves won 4-3. In the 1st, after the Dodgers go down 1-2-3 in the top, Drake Baldwin gets a single, followed by an Acuna pop out and a Matt Olson single sending Drake Baldwin to 3rd. After that Mauricio Dubon singles to right, scoring Drake Baldwin and sending Matt Olson to 3rd. After that, Michael Harris also singled...

How cool would it be to have two sitting federal judges at the same time from the little town of Williamsburg? I think I can speak for most people in Williamsburg, Whitley County and even Corbin when I say it would be pretty darn cool. While it probably won’t make the history books, Aug. 18, 2026, may be a date a lot of Williamsburg residents remember for a very long time. Early that afternoon, a ceremony was held at the federal courthouse in London renaming the building the Eugene E. Siler Jr. United States Courthouse in honor of the longtime judge. It is the only federal building in Kentucky bearing someone’s name. Siler served...

Congratulations to Corbin High School golfers Makena Myatt and Kalyn Watkins, who recently advanced to the state finals. Myatt improved on her own personal best and set the lady’s course record firing a five under 67 at Wasioto Winds Golf Course at Pine Mountain State Park on Aug. 18 to win the Kentucky 2A Section 7 Girls’ Qualifier. Myatt sank a birdie putt on the final hole. Watkins held her own shooting an 82 on what I can personally attest is a tough golf course. I imagine the course set-up for a tournament, like this one, was even tougher than usual. (I always used to take old balls when I played Wasioto...

Starting in 2017, the MLB started hosting a MLB game in Williamsport, PA. This year we had a match up between two first place teams, the Atlanta Braves vs the Milwaukee Brewers. This game was a close one. Here is my recap of the 2026 Little League Classic. First, I want to mention  the pitching in the game. The match up we saw was the Braves Tyler Mahle vs the Brewers Shane Drohan. First, Tyler Mahle was amazing for Atlanta, he pitched 5 innings letting up 6 hits, and 1 earned run, while getting out of countless jams. For Drohan, he pitched solidly, letting up 8 hits and letting up...