News director, managing editor @889weku. Past: Service j editor @heraldleader @mcclatchy, managing editor & politics @newstimesonline | @UncAvl grad | She/her
Lexington, KY
Joined September 2013
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A daily twitter ritual:
*log on*
*see what industry discourse/outrage is the topic of the day*
*immediately log off with eye twitching*
Jackie Starkey retweeted
My first column for Inside Kentucky Basketball. Why I decided to join @InsideKentucky and his new venture. insidekentuckybasketball.com…
I’m so proud to call @InsideKentucky my colleague and friend.
Big personal news: I've left the Herald-Leader, but I'll still be covering the Kentucky men's basketball team full time.
If you enjoyed my coverage in the past, I’ll need your support to make this work.
Here’s more on my new (independent!) approach: insidekentuckybasketball.com…
Jackie Starkey retweeted
Today is my last day at the Lexington Herald-Leader. After seven-ish years as a journalist in my home state of Kentucky & more than four on this wonderful team, I'm embarking on a new (and unknown) chapter.
But first, I'd like to recap some of my favorite work for @heraldleader.
Jackie Starkey retweeted
It's been a little over a week since McClatchy's mass layoffs. I wrote about what's at stake when communities lose local journalists.
McClatchy laid me off. The need for local journalism didn’t go with me. poynter.org/commentary/2026/…
Jackie Starkey retweeted
Last week, McClatchy laid off 30% of its unionized workers. Here's how you can help some of the 90 journalists and media workers who lost their jobs.
Jackie Starkey retweeted
Throwing this out into the world, no promises of follow-up. Two questions:
1️⃣ What would YOU want to see from an independent newsletter focused on KY HS sports? What do you want to read/hear/watch?
2️⃣ What’s the most YOU would pay for that?
No wrong answers. RTs encouraged!
Jackie Starkey retweeted
Though he joined the H-L less than a year ago, @austinrramsey has arguably done some of the best stories published in that time.
He had big shoes to fill as the Eastern Kentucky reporter following Bill Estep — and he did a great job.
I'd like to highlight some of my faves.
Jackie Starkey retweeted
Last week, half of my coworkers at the Lexington Herald-Leader were laid off. Veteran reporters who have been here for 25 years along with recent hires who moved to Kentucky in the last year for the job were let go.
If you can, please consider:
gofund.me/0aa1a04a2
Jackie Starkey retweeted
John Cheves of the Herald-Leader on Comment on Ky: “It’s popular in some quarters to sneer and mock newspapers or to greet with apathy the demise of newspapers. But I can assure you—you’re gonna miss us when we are gone.”
This is out here now, so it’s time for me to say how proud I am of Belleville, too. How hard they work, what an intense geographic area they serve. How dedicated @tceschman is to each of his reporters, his newsroom, the mission. It’s all so awful. stlpr.org/news-briefs/2026-0…
How lucky we were to have Alex’s thoughtful reporting and beautiful writing serving Kentucky for years. She produced some of the H-L’s best feature work, both in long form and breaking. Wherever she lands will be much better for it, so if you have an opening, pick her.
Hey all, I was one of the reporters laid off yesterday at the @heraldleader .
I came to the H-L in 2019 as a Report for America fellow covering public health in Eastern Ky. To say it has been a privilege reporting in my home state is an understatement.
bit.ly/4r9sN6s
Caroline is a talented writer, versatile reporter and committed to mission-based sports journalism. Hire her.
My job at the Herald-Leader was eliminated yesterday; my last day will be Sept. 25. I’m grateful for the years I had. A vet once told me you’re not a real sportswriter until you get laid off, so I'm feeling hopeful about whatever's next.
You can reach me at [email protected]
Jackie Starkey retweeted
hey for no reason whatsoever just sharing this little tidbit about the last time McClatchy did layoffs
journalism is not really dying. it's being stripped for parts by people who have never cared about it miaminewtimes.com/news/mccla…
Jackie Starkey retweeted
The SPJ Louisville Pro Chapter Board of Directors issued the following statement regarding the layoffs of 12 journalists at the Lexington Herald-Leader:
Jackie Starkey retweeted
Heartbreaking to hear that so many of my former colleagues at the Lexington Herald-Leader were laid off today. They approached the role of a journalist with thought and care. As someone who got the McClatchy axe last year I just wanna say: don't let the bastards get you down.
Monica is a workhorse in the newsroom. Jumping in and contributing in ways that far exceed her job title. Any outlet would be lucky have her.
If you have an opening, Piper is sharp, tuned in and talented. Snap her up.
my position covering lexington's business scene and regional economic development was one of a dozen @heraldleader eliminated today by mcclatchy as the hedge fund restructures its newsrooms. my last day is sept. 25. thanks, as always, for reading and for trusting me
I have a lot to say, but for now: Kentucky is far worse off than it was yesterday. Local journalists are vital to a functioning democracy.
I am so, so incredibly proud of each of every one of the journalists at @heraldleader. My colleagues, my friends. weku.org/the-commonwealth/20…
