Kentucky News Sources Online: Most Trusted KY Newspapers
Discover the best Kentucky news sources organized by region and topic for easy access. Eastern Kentucky features Appalachian news sites, while Central Kentucky is covered by the Lexington Herald-Leader. Western Kentucky residents rely on the Courier-Journal for updates.
Find hyperlocal coverage for your town or explore topics like KY politics, education, and community events. Save time and stay updated on everything from local happenings to statewide developments with trusted sources tailored to your needs.
Table of Contents:
Statewide & Major Metro
Courier Journal
Kentucky's largest newspaper and Pulitzer Prize winner, renowned for investigative reporting and Louisville-centric coverage. Provides in-depth analysis of bourbon industry trends, Derby culture, and state politics.
Lexington Herald-Leader
Central Kentucky's paper of record covering UK Wildcats basketball, horse racing, and Appalachian issues. Known for its "True Kentucky" opinion section and coal industry reporting.
Kentucky Today
Frankfort-based news service with conservative editorial perspective on state government and faith-based issues. Affiliated with Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Northern Kentucky
NKyTribune
Nonprofit digital outlet covering Covington, Newport, and Cincinnati metro area issues. Strong focus on Ohio River development and regional politics.
The River City News
Hyperlocal site for Covington and Northern Kentucky, tracking bridge projects, local businesses, and community events.
Eastern Kentucky
Appalachian News-Express
Pikeville-based paper covering coal industry transitions, mountain culture, and University of Pikeville athletics.
The Mountain Eagle
Whitesburg weekly famous for its "Letcher County" section and unflinching coverage of Appalachian issues since 1907.
Western Kentucky
Paducah Sun
Reports on Ohio River commerce, Barkley Dam operations, and McCracken County government. Strong local sports coverage.
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Covers western Kentucky's bourbon distilleries, riverfront development, and Daviess County agriculture.
Central Kentucky
Bowling Green Daily News
South-central Kentucky's primary source for WKU Hilltoppers sports, Corvette plant news, and Warren County growth.
Richmond Register
Covers EKU Colonels athletics, Bluegrass Army Depot, and Madison County community news.
Louisville Area
LEO Weekly
Louisville's alternative weekly featuring restaurant reviews, political commentary, and "Best of Louisville" awards.
Louisville Business First
Essential for Derby City corporate news, healthcare industry updates, and real estate deals.
Special Interest
Kentucky Lantern
Nonprofit newsroom providing free state government and policy coverage with progressive lean.
The Rural Blog
Institute for Rural Journalism's roundup of Kentucky small-town news and rural issues.
Kentucky Sports Radio
Leading UK Wildcats fan platform with daily sports talk and recruiting news.
Business & Agriculture
The Lane Report
Business magazine featuring "Kentucky's Most Admired CEOs" and economic development stories.
The Farmer's Pride
Agricultural newspaper serving Kentucky's cattle, tobacco, and equine industries.
College Media
Kentucky Kernel
UK's independent student newspaper with award-winning campus reporting since 1908.
College Heights Herald
WKU's student-run publication covering Bowling Green and Hilltopper sports.
Digital Startups
Kentucky Health News
Focused on rural healthcare disparities, addiction crisis, and Medicaid policy.
Hoptown Chronicle
Nonprofit digital outlet covering Hopkinsville and Christian County issues.
Lifestyle & Culture
Kentucky Monthly
Premier lifestyle magazine featuring bourbon trail guides, Kentucky authors, and "Best of Kentucky" lists.
The Voice-Tribune
Louisville society magazine highlighting philanthropy, luxury homes, and Derby events.
Additional Notable Outlets
Ashland Daily Independent
Northeastern Kentucky's trusted source for Ohio River industry news, AK Steel updates, and Boyd County community events since 1885.
Danville Advocate-Messenger
Central Kentucky's award-winning daily covering Boyle County politics, Centre College traditions, and Bluegrass region agricultural developments.
Elizabethtown News-Enterprise
Hardin County's premier outlet for Fort Knox military news, Heartland Parkway updates, and Lincoln Trail tourism coverage.
Frankfort State Journal
Kentucky's capital city newspaper delivering legislative updates, bourbon industry trends, and historic preservation stories along the Kentucky River.
Glasgow Daily Times
Southcentral Kentucky's voice for Barren River Lake recreation, Cave Country tourism, and Mammoth Cave National Park announcements.
Harlan Daily Enterprise
Appalachian Kentucky's coal country chronicler, documenting mountain culture, black lung issues, and Pineville tourism developments since 1911.
Henderson Gleaner
Ohio River community's paper covering Ellis Park racing, riverport commerce, and Western Kentucky's tobacco heritage along the I-69 corridor.
Jessamine Journal
Nicholasville's weekly tracking Keeneland sales, Jessamine County schools, and Bluegrass region equine industry news.
Mayfield Messenger
Western Kentucky's authority on December 2021 tornado recovery, Jackson Purchase agriculture, and Mississippi River floodplain issues.
Maysville Ledger Independent
Buffalo Trace region's historic paper documenting bourbon barrel production, Ohio River bridges, and Rosemary Clooney legacy events.
Murray Ledger & Times
Calloway County's daily covering Murray State University Racer sports, Kentucky Lake tourism, and West Kentucky rural broadband expansion.
Somerset Commonwealth Journal
Southern Kentucky's source for Lake Cumberland houseboat news, Pulaski County politics, and Appalachian tourism developments.
Winchester Sun
Clark County's community paper reporting on Ale-8-One bottling operations, Bluegrass Army Depot news, and Winchester downtown revitalization.
WKMS News
Murray-based NPR station producing "Sounds Good" and in-depth coverage of Land Between the Lakes ecology and West Kentucky cultural events.
WEKU News
Richmond's public radio station offering Appalachian policy analysis, EKU Colonels sports, and Bluegrass music heritage programming.
