The Murray Sentinel

12/21/2025

A message from Sentinel board member Steven Hunter:

If you're anything like me, you've grown distrustful of media. That frustration has grown out of corporate capture and implicit bias. I recently joined the board of The Murray Sentinel after having followed their work.

As a non-profit, there are no cooperate interests. To say there's no bias wouldn't be fair, because we all have biases. However, the reporting is objective without a detectable agenda.

I recently became a monthly donor, and I want to ask you to join me in supporting this hyperlocal organization to bring us the unvarnished truth. Join our village of supporters, be part of what keeps Murray informed.

👉 Become a Monthly Donor: donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village
🗓️ All gifts matched through Dec. 31

With gratitude,
Steven Hunter
Board Member, The Murray Sentinel

12/21/2025

One $50 donation will put
Truth Takes a Village over the halfway mark.
donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village

12/21/2025

From Sentinel board member Jereme Rose:

I’m proud to serve on the Board of Directors for The Murray Sentinel. I’m also a sustaining, monthly donor – because I believe deeply in the role The Sentinel plays in our community.

As a monthly donor, I can say this is the easiest and most meaningful way I’ve found to support the work. Monthly contributions – at any level – provide steady, dependable support that helps The Sentinel budget responsibly, invest in reporting, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Whether you give once or choose to become a sustaining member, your support makes a real difference. Right now, thanks to and our local match partners Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, CFSBank and The Murray Bank, all gifts up to $1,000 will be matched, and new monthly donations will be matched at the full 12-month value.

If you value having a hometown news source that shows up consistently for our community, I hope you’ll join me in supporting The Murray Sentinel.

👉 Become a Monthly Donor: donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village
🗓️ All gifts matched through Dec. 31

With gratitude,
Jereme Rose
Board Member & Monthly Donor
The Murray Sentinel

(In the photo: Jereme and Elle Rose)

12/20/2025

A message from Sentinel Board Secretary Constance Alexander:

Small towns have big news stories, but how can those events and situations be understood when traditional media outlets are closing at an alarming rate, with few options to fill the gap?

The Murray Sentinel, a hyper-local, online news site is providing exceptional and timely coverage of important issues: MSU HR practices, recent dismissals of city and county school officials, telephone scams, tornado warning signals that don't work. The list goes on...

I am proud to serve on the board because I believe in The Sentinel's mission. We are establishing a new model of local news coverage and our efforts are working.

Between now and December 31, you have an opportunity to secure a dollar-for-dollar match for your donation thanks to our partnerships with , Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, CFSBank and The Murray Bank.

Give now: donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village

Your contribution will help us continue local coverage and expand our capabilities as the need continues to grow...

With gratitude and hope for the future,
Constance Alexander
Board Secretary, The Murray Sentinel

12/20/2025

From Sentinel Board Chair, Chad Lampe:

This year, I’ve seen firsthand how much Murray values trustworthy, local news. The Sentinel’s readership has grown dramatically, more neighbors than ever are turning to us for independent reporting that keeps our community informed and connected.

That growth inspires me. It also reminds me how vital your support is.

Right now, during our Truth Takes a Village campaign, your gift goes twice as far. Thanks to and our local partners Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, CFSBank and The Murray Bank, every dollar you give will be matched — and if we reach 50 new monthly donors at $10 or more, The Sentinel will earn an additional bonus to expand our local reporting.

Local news doesn’t happen without local support. Will you join me in strengthening The Murray Sentinel today?

👉 Become a Monthly Donor: donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village
🗓️ All gifts matched through Dec. 31

With gratitude,
Chad Lampe
Board Chair, The Murray Sentinel

12/19/2025

Breaking News: Matt B's has run out of dough. You are looking at the end of an era. Minutes ago, these lucky customers bought the last pizza made under the tutelage of Murray Legend Matt B.

The pizzeria will reopen in January under new ownership.

12/19/2025

The lunch line is out the door at Matt B's today as patrons say goodbye to owner and namesake Matt Bartholomy, who retires today.

Matt B's will open under new ownership in January.

12/19/2025

We did it again!! We received notice from the Kentucky Press Association... evidently, we've got an awards banquet to go to in January!!! 🥳

Please consider supporting our award-winning work by contributing to our Truth Takes a Village campaign. Now is the time to support independent local media because Blalock-Coleman, CFSB, The Murray Bank and NewsMatch are matching donations up to $1,000 from now until the end of the year. Take advantage and double your impact!

Here is the link: donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village

12/19/2025

Happy 100th Birthday, Margaret Trevathan!!

The Calloway County Public Library honored its founding librarian with a celebration today in the library's children's area, which was dedicated to her in 2023. The event include a special Story Hour that featured guest “storytellers,” sharing their own stories about Trevathan.

12/18/2025

At The Sentinel, we don’t sugarcoat the truth — including our own.

As of today, Truth Takes a Village is $21,000 short of its $35,000 goal - and the clock is running out. We still have $12,000 in matching funds to unlock before year's end.

Independent local journalism only survives if the community shows up. If you value accountability, transparency and local reporting, this is your moment.

Help us tell the stories that matter... because Murray deserves the truth: donorbox.org/truth-takes-a-village

12/17/2025

The Calloway County Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 18) at the central office. See agenda below (additional pages are posted in the comments).

12/17/2025

There seems to be some inconsistent reporting regarding newly appointed MSU Provost Rose Marie Ward's current job position. We did a little more digging. Here's what we found:

Ward currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Provost at the University of Cincinnati, according to MSU Executive Director of Marketing and Communication Shawn Touney.

From July 2022 to May of this year, she was UC’s vice provost and dean of the Graduate College. Previously, she spent 20 years at Miami University and ultimately rose to the rank of associate dean of the graduate school.

Earlier this year, prior to submitting her application at Murray State, she applied for the provost position at West Virginia’s Marshall University.

We also confirmed that Ward's starting annual salary is $250,000.

Want to read more? Click the link.

MURRAY – During its regular quarterly meeting today, the Murray State University Board of Regents approved the appointment of Rose Marie Ward to be the univ ...