Kaitlyn Robinson came to help pick up storm debris with her daughter, Olivia, strapped to her back on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Justin Hicks / KPR )In 2025, public radio reporters from across Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia captured scenes of harrowing destruction from tornadoes, floods and ice storms; the joy of a child re-learning how to walk, the largest Sacred Harp singing in a living memory and much, much more. The Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom is a partnership of seven public media stations committed to reporting the news across our region. Our multi-platform storytelling informs the communities, providing accessible information and in-depth coverage of important local and regional issues. January Heavy snow fell across Louisville Sunday, with more snow expected into the afternoon Monday.(Ryan Van Velzer / KPR )Winter Storm Blair swept through Kentucky, blanketing the region in snow as people battled icy roads and power outages.FebruaryFlooding in downtown Hazard on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (David Sandlin / permission) Survivors of flooding in February 2025 gut a house left covered in mud.(Justin Hicks)Flooding inundated all 120 counties in mid-February. At least nine people died, and tens of thousands lost power, water and sewer services. Local swiftwater teams got in place ahead of the flooding and performed more than a thousand water rescues in the first 24 hours, many of which were in eastern Kentucky.MarchA roadside memorial to the 29 coal miners who died on April 5, 2010 at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. It is among the deadliest mine disasters in recent history.(Justin Hicks)President Donald Trump signed an executive order to boost mineral production “to the maximum possible extent” in March as whistleblowers warn federal budget cuts are severely weakening the agency meant to keep mine workers safe.April A man looking out over flooding in Frankfort, Kentucky, on April 7, 2025. (Justin Hicks / KPR)High floodwaters and severe weather led to several fatalities and destroyed homes across the mid-south region, including Tennessee and Kentucky, in February. May Kaitlyn Robinson came to help pick up storm debris with her daughter, Olivia, strapped to her back on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Justin Hicks / KPR )Volunteers came out en masse to help people recover from tornado damage in Kentucky after a tornado capable of wind speeds as high as 165 miles per hour passed through Laurel County on the weekend before. JuneA mother and son from Gaza spent two months in Louisville for medical care that would be nearly impossible to get back home.People demonstrated across Kentucky in June for the first "No Kings" protest to express their outrage at President Donald Trump’s administration.JulyClouds of steam rise above US Nitrogen's processing facility in Tennessee. In November, a failed plant startup could have released over 900 pounds of nitrous oxides to escape into the air in less than 15 minutes. Since then, US Nitrogen has moved to seal data regarding the incident, and has dodged violation fines from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.(Pierce Gentry / WUOT News)A nitric acid plant in a rural corner of Greene County, Tennessee has leaked chemicals into the air and water several times in the last decade. In July, WUOT News' reported US Nitrogen is under investigation by a federal watchdog.August Stable workers at Louisville’s Churchill Downs say they’re feeling the effects of a recent immigration raid at a Louisiana racetrack.(Ryan Van Velzer / LPM)In the aftermath of a raid at a Louisiana racetrack, Kentucky's equine community spoke to WEKU Reporter Shepherd Snyder about worries of what increased immigration enforcement could mean for the industry's workforce.SeptemberJose Camacho-Cerna leads the singing of his tune -- named "Lowndes" after the Georgia county where he lives -- during a weekend-long celebration of a new edition of "The Sacred Harp."(Justin Hicks)Hundreds of singers from all over the world gathered in Atlanta to debut a new music book called “The Sacred Harp.” It’s central to shape note singing — one of the oldest American musical traditions. Listen to the hour-long radio special here. October"It's got a really nice, smooth surface. When we're lucky, it's a real thick body that glows beautifully. The light is distributed beautifully through it," said Alene Day about the pumpkins the artists get from local farmers. (Giselle Rhoden / LPM)Thousands of intricately carved pumpkins are prepared for Louisville’s Iroquois Park for the 13th annual Jack O’Lantern Spectacular.(Justin Hicks / KPR)During the Biden administration, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration created a safety rule long-sought by black lung associations. Days before it could be enforced, a lawsuit froze enforcement. ‘No Kings’ protests drew thousands to downtown Louisville and even more across the state for peaceful demonstrations in October. NovemberSmoke form the UPS plane crash in Louisville on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025(Ryan Van Velzer / KPR )In November, a UPS cargo plane crash killed 14 people and injured 24 more. The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report airport surveillance video shows the left engine of the MD-11 plane caught fire and detached during takeoff, moments after the front of the plane had already left the ground. The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm is the only operation of its kind in North America.(Will Darnall / WKMS)For thousands of years, pearls have been a prized gemstone used to craft jewelry and other adornments. But North America has just one freshwater pearl farm that cultivates the shiny objects, located at Kentucky Lake in western Tennessee.December Santa Claus waves to spectators during the annual CSX Santa Train. (Jacqui Sieber / WUOT News)The CSX Santa Train recently made its 83rd annual voyage across parts of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia to greet thousands of people and deliver gifts to kids of all ages. ...read more read less