Here in Hoptown

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , Public Information Officer Amanda Brunt sits down with Diane Turner, the liaison between the Small Business Commission and the City of Hopkinsville. Diane shares details about the upcoming Small Business Conference—a one-day event designed to empower local entrepreneurs, connect community leaders, and celebrate the spirit of innovation that drives Hoptown...

In this episode of Take 5 , we're recapping the Hopkinsville Town Hall, where Kentucky's state legislators—Senator Craig Richardson and Representatives Myron Dossett and Walker Thomas—sat down to talk about the issues shaping Christian County's future. Whether you're concerned about the state budget, the cost of living, or how local investments are shaping Hopkinsville's future, this e...

From the breaking update on the Blue Streak Building's “Unsafe Building Declaration” to new developments in downtown incentives , tax rate debates , and Hoptown 311 , this episode gives you a five-minute snapshot of what's shaping Hopkinsville's future. Tune in to hear how city leaders are working to balance preservation and progress while keeping our community safe, vibrant, and engag...

Before we begin, we want to take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Kristina Scott , who recently passed away. Kristina devoted her time and energy to preserving the history and spirit of Hopkinsville's Trail of Tears Commemorative Park . In this conversation, recorded before her passing, Kristina shared her deep knowledge, passion, and care for this sacred place — ensuring the stories...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we sit down with City Administrator and Chief of Staff, Troy Body , the author of the city's official blog. Troy shares the inspiration behind his writing, the stories that motivate him, and his vision for the future of Hopkinsville. From leadership to community pride, this inside look offers listeners a deeper understanding of how our city works—and the...

Margaret Prim joins Here in Hoptown to share the story behind Jazz on Stage, a four-part concert series kicking off in October. In this episode, we talk about how the series began, what it takes to bring these shows to life, and why jazz continues to play such an important role in our local arts scene. We also reference a previous conversation about Jazz on Stage from last year—if you missed...

This week, the council pulled a doubleheader — a Special Called meeting and the Committee of the Whole — and we've got the essentials in just five minutes. From setting property tax rates and debating net profits taxes to major sewer rehabilitation projects, downtown development extensions, and exciting updates from the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, this episode is pack...

Hear how the council is weighing the fate of the historic Blue Streak building, the ambitious $8.5 million plan from The Salvation Army, new regulations on recycling and special purpose vehicles, and the city's latest financial snapshot. Catch the highlights here, then watch the full meeting at www.youtube.com/@CityofHopkinsvilleKY!

Join us for a straight-talk session with Kentucky's Secretary for Economic Development, Jeff Noel ! He unpacks his "common sense" vision behind Kentucky's record $39 billion investment and 70,000 new jobs . Noel shares insights on building generational companies, tackling workforce housing, future energy needs (including nuclear!), and how every community leader makes a difference. Don't miss his...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown's Take 5 , we're breaking down the key moments from the September 2nd City Council meeting. From celebrating promotions and retirements in our Fire and Police Departments to big discussions on recycling, city finances, and upcoming community events — there's plenty you'll want to know. Stay connected to the conversations shaping Hopkinsville — tune in...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown's Take 5 , we recap the August 19th Hopkinsville City Council meeting — and it was a big one. From heartfelt community moments to tough budget realities, this session had it all. Hear a bilingual invocation from a local business owner, disaster loan opportunities for storm victims, and an impassioned plea to save the city's curbside recycling program. We'll...

In this first episode of Here in Hoptown's Take 5 series , we bring you a quick, five-minutes-or-less recap of the August 5th Hopkinsville City Council meeting. Highlights include promotions within the Fire Department, resident concerns about property programs and neighborhood improvements, updates from Mayor Knight, and key council decisions on rezonings, capital investments, recycling, and more....

Flooded streets. Pesky potholes. Overgrown lots. They're the kinds of issues everyone notices — but what does it take to fix them? In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we sit down with Hopkinsville's Public Works team to talk about how they tackle flooding and drainage concerns, keep roads drivable, and address properties that need attention. You'll hear how they partner with the Surface and...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we dive into the findings of the newly released Hopkinsville Housing Needs Assessment—a comprehensive report conducted by Bowen National Research that takes a hard look at our city's housing landscape. City leaders and housing stakeholders joined forces to examine key issues such as housing affordability, residential blight, workforce housing shortages, a...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we're joined by Pam Hale, one of the coordinators behind this year's Blvd Bash—a community celebration bringing energy and excitement back to one of Hopkinsville's key corridors. Now in its second year, the event is gaining momentum thanks to a unique collaboration between one of the Boulevard's oldest businesses and one of its newest. Tune in to learn ho...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we sit down with Kristina Scott—self-described overseer of Hopkinsville's Trail of Tears Commemorative Park. Kristina shares the powerful history behind the park, its cultural significance, and the role it plays in preserving Native American heritage. Learn about the park's amenities, the annual pow wow, and how visitors can respectfully engage with this...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we're joined by Summer Brown from the University of Kentucky to talk about a hands-on STEM opportunity for local students this summer. UK and the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library have partnered to host a free, three-day STEM camp focused on common Kentucky disasters —from flooding and tornadoes to other earth and weather-related events. Design...

Ever wonder how a city budget comes together? In this episode of Here in Hoptown , City Administrator Troy Body sits down with Chief Financial Officer Melissa Clayton to pull back the curtain on Hopkinsville's finances. They break down where the city's money comes from, how it gets spent, and the careful planning that goes into balancing services, infrastructure, and long-term priorities. Whether...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we sit down with the City of Hopkinsville's new Administrative Budget Officer, Cory Alexander. From what drew him to our community to his favorite local hangout, we get to know the person behind the spreadsheets.

Recorded during EMS Week in May—also recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month—this episode highlights the resilience and dedication of Hopkinsville's EMS professionals. We explore the mental, emotional, and physical challenges of life as a first responder, and how Hopkinsville is working to ensure our teams are supported and prepared for every emergency. One EMT even shares a memora...

In this special Police Week edition of Here in Hoptown , we sit down with Hopkinsville Police Chief Jason Newby and Public Information Officer Royale Marfil for an honest, insightful, and surprisingly lighthearted conversation about policing in our community. From department achievements and future goals to everyday moments that remind them why they serve, this episode offers a personal look at th...

Senator Craig Richardson, Representative Myron Dossett, and Representative Walker Thomas recap the 2025 General Assembly, highlight key takeaways, and answer real community questions. Hear how state decisions impact Hopkinsville and Christian County—and how you can stay involved. Reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. Craig. Richardson@kylegislature.gov Myron. Dossett@kylegisla...

This April, Here in Hoptown continues our focus on Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month by welcoming back members of The Network, a local group providing vital support to foster families in Western Kentucky. In this episode, we explore what foster care looks like in our community, the challenges and rewards for families who say "yes," and how The Network steps in to provide encouragement, co...

In this episode of Here in Hoptown , we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month with a meaningful conversation featuring the Pennyrile & Purchase Regional Network Coordinator for PACS/Community Collaboration for Children. She shares how her team works directly with families through in-home support services, the impact of prevention-focused community programs, and the importance of engaging fath...

In our latest Here in Hoptown episode, we continue our series introducing Hopkinsville's newest city council members! This time, we're talking with Elizabeth Draude of Ward 12—originally from Texas, but now a proud and self-proclaimed “successful transplant” to Hopkinsville. Elizabeth shares what led her to run for office, her goals for Ward 12, and what she hopes to bring to the...