🍲 Berea Arts Council ‘Chili Night Out’ Is More Than Dinner and a Concert — It Is a Fundraiser That Keeps Arts Access Open

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — The Berea Arts Council (BAC) is inviting the community to Churchill’s on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for Chili Night Out, a benefit dinner and concert featuring live music by Mud Pi and a chili dinner catered by Honeysuckle (with vegan options available).

🎟️ Tickets & Details

  • Cost: $45 for current Arts Council members; $55 for non-members.
  • Note: Space is limited.
  • Get Tickets

💡 Where the Money Goes

That is the what. The why is where this event matters.

The Berea Arts Council describes its core purpose simply: creating outlets for artists of all ages and talents. Keeping that mission active takes year-round operating support, not just big annual festivals.
About the BAC

On its support page, the Arts Council explains that its commitment to arts access includes keeping exhibits free to the public and offering many programs at no cost to participants. Fundraisers like Chili Night Out help cover the behind-the-scenes costs that make that possible, like staffing, space, supplies, and programming.

If you want a concrete example of where community support turns into direct youth programming, the Council’s summer Art Camp shows the scale of what it offers. The camp includes five full days of instruction across disciplines like pottery, weaving, puppetry, and storytelling, plus meals and an end-of-week exhibition. The Council also notes that limited scholarships are available.
Camp Info

🎶 A Quick Profile of Mud Pi

Mud Pi is a Berea-based group that has described its sound in the Americana and folk-rock lane, and it has built a loyal local following over the years. VisitBerea’s listing highlights the band’s local roots and identifies the lineup as Glen Dandeneau, Carol O’Brien, Jeff Richey, and Robert Rorrer.
Band Info

🍽️ What You Get for the Ticket

Chili Night Out is meant to feel like a true night out. The Arts Council is pairing live music with a full dinner experience at Churchill’s, rather than asking supporters to donate in the abstract.

🤲 How to Support the Arts Council (Even If You Cannot Attend)

If Feb. 21 does not fit your schedule, the Arts Council lists several other ways to help:

🖼️ A Local Note on Why This Works

Berea’s arts economy runs on shared rooms. Gallery openings, concerts, workshops, and school performances all rely on neighbors showing up in person. That is part of why arts fundraisers matter here. They help keep doors open for the next student, the next maker, and the next audience member.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

The Spotlight Playhouse Website

Berea Arts Council

Louisville Orchestra Tour

🏆 Champions: Berea Elementary Academic Team Takes 1st Place Overall at District Governor’s Cup

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Pirate Pride was on full display this week as the Berea Community Elementary School Academic Team earned 1st place overall at the District Governor’s Cup, according to an announcement posted by Berea Independent School District.

The district also recognized individual first-place winners who helped secure the team victory:

  • Bodhi Hammond: 1st Place in Math
  • Matthew Taylor: 1st Place in Science and 1st Place in Language Arts

Source: Berea Independent Schools Live Feed

🫶 Community Support in Action

In the same post, the district thanked Today’s Family Dental for supporting the team and helping sponsor an ice cream party to celebrate the students’ work.

🌟 Why This Matters

Governor’s Cup is one of those competitions that rewards more than talent. It rewards practice, teamwork, and the kind of confidence that grows when students learn how to perform under pressure. For a small community, these wins also become shared wins. They are the stories grandparents repost, coaches brag about, and classmates remember.

🤝 The Community Piece

Berea schools often talk about being a community effort, and this is a good example of what that looks like in real life. Students and coaches do the work, families support the time and travel, and local partners step in to help celebrate the moment. The shout-out to Today’s Family Dental might sound small, but it is exactly the kind of support that helps kids feel seen and valued.

Full District Recognition

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

The Spotlight Playhouse Website

Berea College Music

🏅 Farristown Middle Earns Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Distinction After Full-Scale Evaluation

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Farristown Middle School has been named a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School after completing an extensive evaluation through Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, a process designed to identify a school’s strengths and build a practical plan for improvement.

Madison County Schools said Farristown went through the evaluation during the 2024–2025 school year, which measures schools across nine performance standards. The district said Farristown achieved its improvement goals and was notified during the first semester of the 2025–2026 school year that it had earned the Blue Ribbon distinction and the Lighthouse School title.

📝 What a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Evaluation Looks At

In the district’s summary, the evaluation is organized around nine performance standards:

  • Student Focus and Support
  • School Organization and Culture
  • Challenging Standards and Curriculum
  • Active Teaching and Learning
  • Technology Integration
  • Professional Community
  • Leadership and Educational Vitality
  • School, Family, and Community Partnerships
  • Indicators of Success

🗣️ Why the Stakeholder Feedback Mattered

A key part of the process included surveys and interviews with parents, staff, students, and community members. Farristown Principal Angie Alexander wrote that hearing feedback from multiple viewpoints helped the school map out improvement goals, then work toward them.

👩‍🏫 Principal Angie Alexander on the Recognition

In the district post, Alexander credited both staff and students for the result:

“I appreciate the distinction on behalf of my staff. They pour everything into our kids every single day, and they deserve this honor. In addition, our students work so hard, and it’s good for them to see their hard work is recognized as well.”

🌟 Why This Matters to Farristown and the South End

Farristown is a community with deep roots and a distinct identity in southern Madison County. A recognition like this becomes more than a plaque or a banner. It is a public signal that the school is building a culture where students are supported, expectations are clear, and improvement is intentional.

🔗 A Berea Connection: Beyond the Classroom

Berea has always understood the value of giving people a place to grow, then recognizing the work it takes to get there. That is why Farristown’s Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School honor matters.

It fits a local pattern you can see in the Berea Community Elementary School Academic Team’s recent Governor’s Cup success, in the Berea Arts Council’s work celebrating local creativity, and in Spotlight Acting School at The Spotlight Playhouse, where young performers build skills through rehearsal, feedback, and the confidence that comes from stepping onstage.

🏗️ Blue Grass Army Depot Lines Up New Post-Chemical Mission With Military Container Project, Planning Money in Place

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — As the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) continues its transition away from the chemical weapons destruction era, local and state officials say a new mission is taking shape that could help stabilize employment in southern Madison County.

The most concrete public step so far is federal funding for the planning and design phase of a proposed military shipping container production facility at the depot. Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor’s office said the project is part of a job replacement strategy as the chemical demil site winds down, and that it would help keep the depot a long-term economic anchor for the region.
Madison County Announcement

📦 What the New Mission Is

The project under discussion is a facility to produce 20-foot metal shipping containers used in Department of Defense logistics. Several public summaries of the project note that many of these containers are currently manufactured overseas, and the stated goal is to strengthen domestic supply chains.

Background Sources:

💵 How Much Money Is Actually Confirmed?

If you have heard “nearly one billion dollars,” that figure is showing up in reporting, but it is important to separate two different streams of investment to understand what is happening right now.

1. Confirmed for the Container Facility ($27 Million)

Madison County’s post describes a federal award of $27 million that supports planning and design for the container facility. This is the “start-up” money to get the project on paper and ready for construction approval.
Link

2. Separate, Larger Funding for “Energetics” (~$903 Million)

Recent reporting has described nearly one billion dollars in federal investment connected to other work at the depot, specifically for energetics (explosives) manufacturing. That is a separate line item from the container planning funding, though both signal a federal commitment to keeping BGAD active.
Reference

👷 What It Could Mean for Jobs

Local leaders have framed the container project as a way to preserve and replace jobs as chemical demil operations conclude and related employment changes ripple through the region.
Context on workforce transition

🔭 What to Watch Next

For residents and businesses in southern Madison County, the next milestone will be moving from “planning dollars” to “construction dollars.” In practical terms, watch for announcements that answer these three questions:

  • Will the facility be fully authorized for construction after the design phase?
  • How many positions will be created on-site?
  • What is the timeline for breaking ground?

Official Depot Site

BereaOnline will continue tracking this story as it moves from planning to on-the-ground commitments.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

The Spotlight Playhouse Website

Berea College Music

📚 Black History Month at Hutchins Library: Displays and Events Highlight Dr. Carter G. Woodson Legacy

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Hutchins Library is marking Black History Month with month-long displays and related events in collaboration with Special Collections and Archives, inviting the public to explore materials that connect Berea’s local story to national Black history.

A central thread this month is the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Berea College alumnus (Class of 1903) widely known as the “Father of Black History.” Berea College’s Black Cultural Center notes that campus-wide Black History Month programming pays tribute to Woodson and his work.

🗂️ What You Can See at Hutchins Library

Special Collections and Archives maintains a Carter G. Woodson collection that includes clippings, publications, Berea College news releases, copies of academic records, letters, and exhibit items related to his life and work.

The library’s February displays are designed to make those materials more accessible to the community, especially for visitors who have never stepped into the archives before.

🏛️ When and Where

  • Location: Hutchins Library (Lobby and Display Walls), Berea College campus
  • Dates: Displays are viewable throughout February.
  • Check the Schedule: To confirm times for specific programs, check the Library Calendar (look for “Black History Month Event”).

🌟 Why This Matters in Berea

In a town where history often shows up as scenery, Berea College’s archives offer something rarer: receipts.

These are the letters, records, publications, and primary source materials that show how people lived, studied, organized, and built community. Woodson’s story is a reminder that major cultural movements are often shaped by people with small-town roots and deep persistence.

🏛️ Mayor Fraley Highlights City Finances in State of the City Recap as 2026 Mayor Race Field Grows

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley’s annual State of the City message put the spotlight on finances, with the City of Berea emphasizing budget savings and reserves as evidence the city is on steady footing.

In the city’s recap, officials reported Berea finished the 2023–2024 fiscal year having spent $1.75 million less than budgeted. The same recap states the city set aside $3.7 million in a rainy day fund and $3.4 million in the Capital Sinking Fund for major purchases such as equipment and vehicles.
City Recap Source

A separate recap and additional context from the event was also reported by The Edge.
The Edge Report

🗳️ The 2026 Mayor Race Is Already Taking Shape

While the election is still months away, the field is already forming. The Madison County Clerk’s current candidate list shows three people have filed for Mayor, City of Berea in the 2026 election cycle:

  • Bruce Fraley (Filed 11/7/2025)
  • Troy Lane (Filed 1/8/2026)
  • Ricky Clontz (Filed 1/9/2026)

Candidate Source

📅 Upcoming Events in Berea

A few dates to put on your calendar:

Spotlight Playhouse

Berea College Music

Hands-On Valentine Event

⚖️ Court Date Set in Berea College Forest vs. EKPC Dispute Over Proposed Power Line Route

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — The legal fight between Berea College and East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) is headed toward a major court hearing.

According to reporting by The Edge, Madison County Circuit Court Judge Kristin Clouse has set a hearing for Feb. 26, 2026, in EKPC’s case seeking the right to take about one mile of the Berea College Forest in southern Madison County for a new electric transmission line.

🔌 What EKPC Is Proposing

EKPC says the project, referred to publicly as Big Hill to Three Links, would build about 8.5 miles of new 69 kV transmission line and include a new substation intended to improve reliability for Blue Grass Energy members in southeastern Madison County.

EKPC states that an existing substation serving the area is near becoming overloaded and that a new substation would allow the load to be split and fed more flexibly.

🌲 Why Berea College Opposes the Route

Berea College has said it opposes the proposed route through the College Forest and has raised concerns about potential impacts to the forest and to the Owsley Fork Reservoir watershed, which supports the public water supply for the City of Berea and parts of Madison and Garrard counties. The College has also said it has sought additional information related to environmental impacts and project need.

🏛️ What the Hearing Could Determine

The Edge has reported the case is expected to address whether EKPC has the right to take the property for the project (eminent domain), with a potential later phase focused on compensation and damages if the taking is allowed.

🎻 Louisville Orchestra Brings Its “In Harmony” Tour to Berea on Feb. 25 With Two Free Performances

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Berea gets a two-part Louisville Orchestra visit on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with an intimate afternoon performance downtown and a full orchestra concert that evening.

First, a string quintet from the orchestra will perform at the Berea Arts Council at 2:30 p.m. Later the same day, the full Louisville Orchestra will present a free evening concert at Madison Southern High School starting at 7:30 p.m.

📝 How to RSVP (Required for Evening)

While the evening concert is free, the Louisville Orchestra treats it as a ticketed event to manage capacity.

Where to Reserve:
Attendees must reserve seats in advance at LouisvilleOrchestra.org/InHarmonyTour (look for the Berea date on the schedule).

Note: You do not need to RSVP for the afternoon string quartet performance at the Arts Council; that event is open to the public as space allows.

🎶 What the “In Harmony” Tour Is

The Louisville Orchestra describes the In Harmony Tour as a statewide effort to bring live orchestral music to communities across Kentucky, with free admission and community partnership at its core.

For Berea, the format makes the day feel like a “choose your own adventure.” You can catch the close-up chamber sound in the afternoon, then return for the full-scale orchestral experience at night.

🎼 Afternoon Concert: Berea Arts Council

The Berea Arts Council preview describes the afternoon program as an intimate performance by a Louisville Orchestra string group in the gallery setting.

  • When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m.
  • Where: Berea Arts Council, 444 Chestnut St.
  • Cost: Free (No RSVP required)

🎺 Evening Concert: Madison Southern High School

The main event takes place at Madison Southern High School, with doors opening one hour before the concert.

  • When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Madison Southern High School, 279 Glades Road
  • Cost: Free (RSVP required via website)

Your Louisville Orchestra “In Harmony” Tour feature is clear, detailed, and makes it easy for readers to plan their experience. Here’s a visually enhanced version with your original wording, ready for publication:

🎻 Louisville Orchestra Brings Its “In Harmony” Tour to Berea on Feb. 25 With Two Free Performances

By BereaOnline Staff | Published Feb. 4, 2026

BEREA, Ky. — Berea gets a two-part Louisville Orchestra visit on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with an intimate afternoon performance downtown and a full orchestra concert that evening.

First, a string quintet from the orchestra will perform at the Berea Arts Council at 2:30 p.m. Later the same day, the full Louisville Orchestra will present a free evening concert at Madison Southern High School starting at 7:30 p.m.

📝 How to RSVP (Required for Evening)

While the evening concert is free, the Louisville Orchestra treats it as a ticketed event to manage capacity.

Where to Reserve:
Attendees must reserve seats in advance at LouisvilleOrchestra.org/InHarmonyTour (look for the Berea date on the schedule).

Note: You do not need to RSVP for the afternoon string quartet performance at the Arts Council; that event is open to the public as space allows.

🎶 What the “In Harmony” Tour Is

The Louisville Orchestra describes the In Harmony Tour as a statewide effort to bring live orchestral music to communities across Kentucky, with free admission and community partnership at its core.

For Berea, the format makes the day feel like a “choose your own adventure.” You can catch the close-up chamber sound in the afternoon, then return for the full-scale orchestral experience at night.

🎼 Afternoon Concert: Berea Arts Council

The Berea Arts Council preview describes the afternoon program as an intimate performance by a Louisville Orchestra string group in the gallery setting.

  • When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m.
  • Where: Berea Arts Council, 444 Chestnut St.
  • Cost: Free (No RSVP required)

🎺 Evening Concert: Madison Southern High School

The main event takes place at Madison Southern High School, with doors opening one hour before the concert.

  • When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Madison Southern High School, 279 Glades Road
  • Cost: Free (RSVP required via website)

🎟️ Why This Matters

A touring orchestra does more than fill a calendar slot. It strengthens the local arts economy, gives students and families a front-row experience with world-class musicians, and adds another night where Berea gathers around something shared.

🎶 Folk Roots Ensemble “Ballad Night” Returns Feb. 13 — A Living Piece of Berea’s Musical Identity

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Berea’s cultural DNA has always included the unamplified kind of music—the kind passed hand-to-hand, voice-to-voice, where the story matters as much as the sound.

That tradition gets a spotlight on Friday, Feb. 13, when the Berea College Folk Roots Ensemble hosts Ballad Night at 7:30 p.m. in the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center. The event is free and open to the public.

🎤 What “Ballad Night” Is

Ballads aren’t background music. They’re narrative songs, often centuries old, built to carry history, humor, warning, love, grief, and community memory in a form that’s easy to remember and share. In Appalachia, ballad singing has long been one of the ways families kept stories alive long before most people had libraries in their homes.

Ballad Night is a chance to hear that tradition performed with care by students who study and practice roots music as a craft, not as a museum piece, but as something still alive.

🪕 Why It Fits Berea So Well

Berea has earned its reputation as a place where traditional arts aren’t just “nice to have,” they’re part of civic life, seen in long-running programs and gatherings on campus and in town. The Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, in particular, exists to engage the public in Appalachian culture and community partnership, so an event like Ballad Night is right in its lane.

📝 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

What: Folk Roots Ensemble — Ballad Night
When: Friday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Loyal Jones Appalachian Center (Berea College campus)
Cost: Free

🎭 Make It a Full Arts Weekend in Berea

If you’re building weekend plans, this date also lands in the middle of Spotlight Playhouse’s Valentine’s weekend run of The Tomb, a murder mystery dinner show (Feb. 13–15)—an easy way to pair campus tradition with downtown theater in one night.

🏠 Redeeming Hope Survivor Housing in Berea Is “Under Roof” and Debt-Free — Here’s How to Help Get It Across the Finish Line

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — A survivor-support project years in the making is nearing a major milestone. In a recent public update, Redeeming Hope confirmed that its new facility is now “under roof” and debt-free—a key step toward opening a safe, trauma-informed home for girls who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Plans described in prior updates put the new home at roughly 7,000 square feet and capable of housing up to 12 girls, pending final approvals and inspections (including critical fire safety systems).

Redeeming Hope is a Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) serving girls ages 14–18, with a mission that reaches statewide.

🏗️ Why “Under Roof” Matters

For any nonprofit build, “under roof” is a turning point: the structure is protected from weather, interior work (like the recently started HVAC installation) can accelerate, and the path to inspections becomes clearer.

Redeeming Hope’s founders have emphasized building debt-free so that future operating funds can go directly toward care, staffing, and programming rather than mortgage interest.

🙌 How to Help the Final Stretch

If you want to support the final push toward opening day, Redeeming Hope lists several concrete ways the community can step in:

  1. Donate Funds
    The organization directs supporters to donate through its website, with current fundraising tied to completing the interior and furnishing the home.
  2. Volunteer (Time, Skills, Events)
    Redeeming Hope says volunteers are needed for building support, events, fundraising, and awareness.
  3. Donate Expertise/Labor/Materials
    They have specifically called for skilled trade support and materials. As the project moves to the interior phase, needs often include electricians, plumbers, flooring installers, and HVAC support, as well as general contractors to help manage the finish work.
  4. Share the Mission
    Even a simple step—sharing their information and explaining what the project is—helps expand the donor and volunteer base as they move toward opening day.

📢 GET INVOLVED

Website:RedeemingHopeKY.org (Donations, mission info, updates)
Phone: (859) 582-1010
Email: Contact options are listed on their website.

🚨 Need Help?

If you or someone you know needs help, Redeeming Hope points people to the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, available 24/7 with support in many languages.

🎭 Spotlight Playhouse Preview: Three Shows, Three Weekends — Your February–March Plan Starts Here

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — If you’re looking for a simple “what are we doing this weekend?” answer, The Spotlight Playhouse has a strong late-winter run lined up: a Valentine’s-weekend murder mystery dinner, a youth “Lion King” double-cast run, and a teen-led Shakespeare comedy.

Here’s the full preview—with a little more about what each show actually is.

1. “The Tomb” — Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Dates: Feb. 13–15, 2026

What it’s about:
Set in 1899 Egypt, The Tomb drops you into an era of archaeology fever, old-world intrigue, and whispered motives—then asks you to solve a murder while you eat. The story plays out around you as characters mingle, clues surface, and the room becomes part of the action.

What it feels like:
This isn’t a sit-in-the-dark-and-watch kind of show. It’s interactive theater: you’ll get the fun of following the plot, spotting suspicious behavior, and comparing notes with your table. You can be as involved as you want—some people go full detective, others just enjoy the ride.

Why it’s a Valentine’s weekend pick:
Because it’s dinner + theater + a built-in conversation starter. If you’ve ever struggled to pick between “date night” and “something different,” this is the rare option that’s both.

2. Disney’s “The Lion King KIDS” — Spotlight Acting School (Ages 4–11)

Dates: Feb. 20–March 1, 2026 (Two Casts, Two Weekends)

  • Blue Cast: Feb. 20–22
  • Purple Cast: Feb. 27–March 1

What it’s about:
The kid-friendly stage version of The Lion King follows Simba, a young lion who’s meant to become king, as he learns what courage and responsibility look like—helped along by unforgettable friends and music most families already know.

What it feels like:
This one is pure family joy: bright costumes, big songs, and the special kind of energy you only get when kids take the stage and own it. It’s also a “Berea tradition” kind of night out—parents and grandparents turning out to support young performers.

Why two casts matters:
Spotlight Acting School splits performances into casts so more kids get a chance to shine, which is part of what makes these youth shows such a community magnet.

3. “The Taming of the Shrew” — Spotlight Acting School (Ages 14–18)

Dates: March 6–15, 2026

What it’s about:
One of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies, The Taming of the Shrew is a fast, messy, battle-of-wills story built around courtship, pride, performance, and power—and the chaos that happens when strong personalities refuse to back down.

What it feels like:
This is where teens get to show range: big language, quick timing, physical comedy, and character work that demands confidence. Shakespeare can sound intimidating until you remember this is theater built for laughs, momentum, and audience reaction—and a youth cast often makes it feel immediate and surprisingly accessible.

A quick note for modern audiences:
Shrew is often discussed through a contemporary lens because of its themes. Directors and casts frequently approach it thoughtfully, leaning into comedy, irony, and character agency in ways that make it land for today’s audiences while still honoring the classic text.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Venue: The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea
Tickets & Times: Available at thespotlightplayhouse.com

Why this run matters:
This is peak “Berea weekend planning” content: three consecutive show windows that bring families, grandparents, and visitors out to support local performers—fueling dinners, babysitters, and all the small-town ripple effects that keep arts-driven communities healthy.

🤖 The “AI Agents” Shock Hits Markets: Anthropic’s New Claude Plug-ins Rattle Software, Apple Adds Agentic Coding to Xcode

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — If you want a snapshot of how fast “agentic AI” is moving from demo to disruption, look at what happened this week: Anthropic shipped new Claude “Cowork” plug-ins aimed at legal, sales, marketing, and data work—and markets reacted immediately.

In U.S. trading, Thomson Reuters fell nearly 18% in a single session, while the selloff spread globally into software and services names.

In India, where much of the IT sector is built around large, staffing-intensive delivery models, the reaction was even more direct: the NIFTY IT index dropped 6.3%, its steepest fall since early 2020, with major firms like Infosys and TCS sliding sharply.

🔄 What Changed: “Assistants” Are Becoming “Doers”

A year ago, most workplace AI was pitched as copilots: help you write, summarize, or brainstorm. This week’s anxiety is about something else—agents that complete tasks end-to-end (pull documents, run workflows, produce deliverables) and can substitute for chunks of human-in-the-loop professional work.

Reuters reports that Anthropic’s new plug-ins specifically raised fears about automation pressure in legal, financial, sales, and related information-services businesses.

🗣️ Jensen Huang’s Counterpoint: “Illogical” to Think AI Replaces Software

At a Cisco-hosted AI event in San Francisco on Wednesday, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang pushed back on the narrative that AI “replaces software.” He called the fear “illogical,” arguing that AI systems still depend on software tools and infrastructure rather than making them obsolete.

That tension is the heart of the moment: markets are trading the near-term fear (services revenue gets compressed) while platform leaders argue the longer-term reality (more AI means more tooling, more infrastructure, more demand for software).

🍏 Apple’s Timing Didn’t Help the “Everything is Fine” Vibe

One day before Huang’s comments hit wires, Apple published its own signal that the tooling layer is changing fast: Xcode 26.3 adds “agentic coding” support.

This update lets developers use coding agents—including Anthropic’s Claude Agent and OpenAI’s Codex—directly inside Xcode to tackle tasks autonomously (explore a project, run tests, fix bugs, and more).

This isn’t just “autocomplete for code.” It’s Apple saying: the mainstream IDE can now host agents that operate like a junior developer who never gets tired.

🌏 And Yes, Pricing Is Getting More “Global”

On the consumer side, OpenAI is continuing to push a lower-cost subscription tier. The ChatGPT Go plan, which initially launched in India at ₹399/month (about $4.50), is now part of a broader push to localize pricing. This aggressive pricing strategy suggests the “agent economy” will be volume-based, not just luxury-priced.

📝 My Read: This Isn’t “The End of Software” — It’s a Brutal Repricing of Labor-Heavy Models

The hottest take is that “AI just deleted software.” The more accurate take is messier:

  • Software isn’t going away. It’s becoming the substrate agents run on.
  • Labor-heavy workflows are being repriced. If a tool can do the first 60–80% of routine work quickly, the value shifts to oversight, domain expertise, and the last-mile decisions.
  • Markets move faster than reality. Stock selloffs are often an early, emotional proxy for slower operational change.

In plain English: the band isn’t playing on the Titanic—but the ship is absolutely turning, and entire business models are trying to keep their footing while it does.

About the Author

Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show “Tech Talk with Chad Hembree” throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he’s based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse—proof that some careers don’t pivot, they evolve.

🏆 Madison County Sports Hall of Fame Names Class of 2026 — Nine Inductees, Three Teams

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — The Madison County Sports Hall of Fame, a volunteer-led organization with its public exhibit housed inside the Madison County Public Library in Richmond, has announced its Class of 2026—a group that includes former NFL players Damien Harris and Luke Stocker.

Even if you’re not a sports fan, the Hall’s purpose is easy to understand: it’s a public record of local achievement—the athletes, coaches, teams, and community builders who shaped school spirit and county identity across generations. It keeps those stories from fading into “remember when,” and it gives younger students something tangible to point to and say, “That started here.”

🥇 Induction Dinner: May 16

The Hall of Fame says the induction dinner will be held at 5 p.m. on May 16 at the EKU Perkins Building in Richmond.

⭐ Class of 2026

Individuals (9):

  • Jeff Cruse
  • Larry French
  • Damien Harris
  • Goebel “Tex” Ritter
  • Benny Roop
  • Bill Maupin
  • Luke Stocker
  • Sylvia (Tracy) Powell
  • Ray Vencill

Teams (3):

  • 1960 Madison-Model football
  • 1961 Madison High football
  • 2012–13 Madison Central boys basketball (state champions)

🙌 How to Support the Hall of Fame

The Hall notes that tickets and sponsorships support the annual ceremony and the ongoing exhibit, with sponsorship levels that include banquet tickets.

🩺 AI in Breast Screening: A Swedish Mega-Trial Shows How the Technology Can Help People, Not Just Stir Arguments

Posted on by Chad Hembree

There’s no shortage of controversy around AI right now—some of it deserved. We argue about job loss, deepfakes, privacy, and whether we’re building systems faster than we can understand or regulate them.

But this is the part worth holding onto: when AI is built for a narrow job, tested in the real world, and kept under human supervision, it can measurably improve outcomes. A newly published Swedish trial on breast cancer screening is one of the clearest examples of that “AI for humanity” case.

🔬 What Sweden Studied

Researchers in Sweden ran what has been widely described as the largest randomized controlled trial of AI-supported mammography screening, tracking more than 100,000 women over about two years within the national screening program.

In the AI-supported group, the system reviewed mammograms and triaged cases by risk—routing low-risk exams differently than higher-risk exams, and highlighting suspicious findings to assist radiologists. The goal wasn’t to “replace doctors,” but to use AI as a filter and a second set of eyes inside an established clinical workflow.

📈 The Headline Results

Across the study period, the AI-supported approach was associated with:

  • Higher screening detection: 81% of cancers detected at screening in the AI group vs 74% in standard screening.
  • Fewer cancers diagnosed between screening rounds (“interval cancers”): about a 12% lower subsequent diagnosis rate.
  • Signals of earlier / less advanced disease among interval cancers: reporting on the findings notes 27% fewer aggressive subtype cancers and fewer large tumors in the AI arm compared with standard screening.
  • Lower workload for radiologists: earlier publications/analyses tied to the same broader trial program reported a 44% reduction in screen-reading workload, largely by changing which exams require two human readers.

One reason these numbers matter: “interval cancers” are a key measure of screening effectiveness—cancers that appear (or are found) between routine appointments can be more likely to be aggressive.

🧐 My Take: This Is What “Good AI” Looks Like

If AI is going to earn trust, it won’t be through hype or sci-fi demos. It’ll be through trials like this:

  • Clear task (screening support, not general “medical intelligence”)
  • Real population (not a lab-only benchmark)
  • Measured outcomes (detection rates, interval cancers, workload)
  • Human accountability stays in the loop (radiologists still decide)

That’s the version of AI most people can get behind: a tool that helps clinicians focus their time where it matters most and gives more people a chance at catching disease earlier.

⚠️ The Necessary Caveat

Even the most optimistic coverage stresses caution: results from one national program don’t automatically transfer everywhere. Any broader rollout needs careful monitoring, consistent performance checks across different populations, and transparent reporting of tradeoffs like recalls and false positives.

About the Author

Chad Hembree is a certified network engineer with 30 years of experience in IT and networking. He hosted the nationally syndicated radio show Tech Talk with Chad Hembree throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, and previously served as CEO of DataStar. Today, he’s based in Berea as the Executive Director of The Spotlight Playhouse—proof that some careers don’t pivot, they evolve.

🎡 Berea Had a “Wheel of Fortune Night” — and Samantha Thomas Was the Reason

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — For a lot of families, “Wheel of Fortune” is background noise at the end of the day. This month, it wasn’t background at all.

Berea resident Samantha Thomas appeared on the long-running game show recently, and suddenly the familiar routine turned into something else: neighbors messaging neighbors, friends texting screenshots, and the town leaning a little closer to the screen.

It’s not every day you see Berea, Kentucky attached to a national stage.

🎬 What It’s Like to Step Onto a Stage Millions Watch

Getting on a show like “Wheel” is one thing. Standing under the lights is another.

Even for people who’ve watched for years, the set changes everything: the pace is fast, the cameras are everywhere, and the smallest moment feels bigger when you know your hometown might be watching.

Thomas didn’t leave with the night’s top prize, but she did something that’s hard to measure in dollars: she made a whole town feel briefly connected through one shared moment.

🔥 Fire & Fern Glass Studio Announces Valentine’s Season Glassblowing Lineup for February

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — Looking for a Valentine’s plan that isn’t dinner-and-a-movie? Fire & Fern Glass Studio is leaning into the season with a slate of hands-on experiences designed for couples, friends, and anyone who’d rather make something memorable than buy it.

The studio’s February schedule features two offerings available throughout the month—plus a special event on Friday, Feb. 13—all built around the same idea: gathering around the furnace, learning a new skill, and leaving with a handmade piece you can actually keep.

Fire & Fern says it added Make Your Own: A Glassblowing Social after a previous popular glassblowing night sold out, creating more room for guests who want a relaxed, community-style evening in the hot shop.

💕 February Highlights at Fire & Fern

Blown Together: A Valentine’s Pair (offered all month)
A two-person glassblowing experience where participants create a matching set of hand-blown drinkware—choices include stemless wine glasses, captain’s cups, lowball tumblers, or pint glasses.
Cost: $150 per pair.

Dichroic Heart: Paperweight Class (offered all month)
Participants shape a heart-shaped glass paperweight accented with dichroic glass, known for its shimmering, color-shifting look.
Cost: $75 per person.

Make Your Own: A Glassblowing Social (Friday, Feb. 13, 2026)
A come-as-you-are evening focused on creativity and community. Guests create a hand-blown ornament or bud vase, with light snacks and refreshments provided.
Time: 5:45–7:45 p.m. (listed on VisitBerea).
Cost: $65 per participant.

📝 Know Before You Go

All events take place at Fire & Fern Glass Studio in Berea. Tickets and full details are available through the studio’s website.

Tickets & info:FireandFernglass.com
Media contact:Create@FireandFernglass.com | (859) 985-0150

💡 Make It a Full Valentine’s Weekend in Berea

If you’re planning a Friday-night date in town, Feb. 13 lines up with another big Valentine’s-weekend draw: “The Tomb,” a murder mystery dinner show at The Spotlight Playhouse (Feb. 13–15).

Glassblowing at Fire & Fern plus dinner-theater at Spotlight is the kind of “Berea night out” that feels both local and memorable—creative, cozy, and just different enough to become a tradition.

🏗️ Farristown’s Long-Closed Bridge Is Finally Coming Down — Replacement Targeted for Nov. 1

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — After nearly five years of detours, the Menelaus Road / KY 1983 bridge in Farristown is entering the “no turning back” phase: demolition of the old one-lane wooden bridge is expected soon, and a new two-lane steel girder bridge is targeted to open by Nov. 1, 2026, according to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 7.

The bridge crosses over the CSX railroad at about milepoint 2.45, and it has been closed since May 2021 due to deteriorating/unsafe conditions.

🚧 What KYTC Says Is Happening Next

In a District 7 release, KYTC said the contract was awarded to Central Bridge in fall 2025 and that work is expected to begin around mid-February once final approvals are complete. The old structure will be demolished and replaced with a single-span steel girder bridge.

The City of Berea, summarizing KYTC’s announcement, reported demolition would begin “in the coming days” and noted a pre-construction meeting occurred in December.

Bottom line: demolition/start dates can shift with weather and railroad coordination, but the project is now moving in visible, on-the-ground ways.

🌉 Why This Bridge Matters to Farristown — and to Drivers Who Don’t Live There

Mayor Bruce Fraley told the city’s news blog the closure “literally separated two different sections of Farristown,” and he emphasized the bridge’s importance for commuters headed toward the industrial park and area schools.

The city also noted the replacement was delayed by right-of-way issues and additional considerations because the bridge spans active railroad property.

🛣️ Detours Remain in Place During Construction

KYTC says the bridge will remain closed throughout construction. Drivers are advised to continue using the long-standing alternate routes:

  • Southbound traffic: KY 1983 North → US 25 South
  • Northbound traffic: KY 1983 South → KY 956 West → I-75 North

🌱 FreeSkool Launches at HomeGrown HideAways This Weekend With Tour and Seed Swap

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — A new community learning initiative called FreeSkool is launching in Berea this weekend at HomeGrown HideAways, starting with an orientation and site tour on Saturday and a garden planning session with a seed swap on Sunday.

FreeSkool is being promoted as a grassroots, place-based learning series where community members can share skills and teach short classes in an informal setting. This first weekend is designed to introduce the concept and help people plug in as both learners and potential instructors.

🗓️ Saturday, Feb. 7: Info Session & Tour

  • Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • The Plan: The kickoff is an information session and tour that highlights what resources are available at HomeGrown HideAways (kitchens, pavilion, trails) for hosting future classes and workshops. It’s the best starting point for anyone interested in teaching or organizing a session later in the year.

🌻 Sunday, Feb. 8: Garden Planning & Seed Swap

  • Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • The Plan: Sunday’s gathering focuses on practical spring prep. It’s a “garden planning” meetup plus a seed swap, open to anyone ready to think ahead to planting season. Bring seeds if you have them, or just bring questions.

📍 Where It Is

All events take place at HomeGrown HideAways, a farm and event venue located at 500 Floyd Branch Rd, Berea.

📝 How to Attend

Registration and full event details are managed directly through the venue. You can find the official listings and sign-up links via their website.

Website:HomeGrownHideAways.org (Check the “Events” tab)

⚡ Are You Signed Up for BMU Alerts? Here Is Where to Check First During Outages, Plus What a Boil Water Advisory Means

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — When the lights flicker or water pressure drops, the fastest way to cut through rumor is to know where your utility posts updates.

Berea Municipal Utilities (BMU) says its customer notification system can send alerts about scheduled power outages, major service interruptions, and boil water advisories by text or automated voice calls. Customers can list up to three phone numbers.

📲 Step 1: Sign Up for BMU Alerts

You can register directly through the utility’s website: Sign Up Here

The form asks for your name, account number, and service address, plus the phone numbers you want to receive alerts. BMU says you can provide up to three numbers and receive notices by text or automated voice messages.

🗺️ Step 2: Know Where BMU Posts Updates

If you are trying to confirm what is happening right now, BMU maintains two key resources:

  • Outage Maps: Designed to show active disruptions. (Note: The page states that if your outage is not reflected on the map, you should call BMU).
  • BMU News & Updates: This is where the utility posts items like Boil Water Advisories and notices when advisories are lifted, including affected streets and timing.

☎️ Step 3: Report Problems the Right Way

If you need to report an issue, use the dedicated lines rather than social media:

  • Weekdays (7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.): (859) 986-4391
  • After-Hours Emergencies: (859) 986-8483

🚱 What Triggers a Boil Water Advisory?

A boil water advisory does not automatically mean the water is contaminated. It often means the system experienced conditions where contamination could enter.

Common triggers include:

  • Loss of pressure: Kentucky guidance states that if a public water system experiences pressure below 20 psi (often due to a main break or pump failure), a precautionary advisory is typically required.
  • Distribution issues: Breaks or leaks that compromise the sealed system.

💧 What an Advisory Means in Plain English

A boil water advisory is a precaution that tells customers to treat tap water used for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, or food prep until the utility confirms water quality is safe again.

Utilities issue advisories until testing verifies the system is clear. BMU typically posts both the Advisory and the Lifted Notice on its updates page, with specific location details.

✅ Quick Checklist for Berea Residents

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS IN BEREA

The Spotlight Playhouse Website

Berea College Music

Community

🚧 Stoney Creek Residents Push for Pause on New Building Until a Second Exit Is in Place

Posted on by Chad Hembree

BEREA, Ky. — As Berea’s housing growth continues north of town, residents in the Stoney Creek subdivision are raising a concern that’s easy to summarize and hard to ignore: if there’s an emergency, one way in and out doesn’t feel like enough.

At a recent public meeting, residents urged city officials to pause new approvals until a second egress/exit is completed. The request highlights a growing frustration: the neighborhood has expanded significantly, yet the long-promised second connection remains unfinished.

🏘️ The “Moratorium” Debate

During the discussion, residents asked for a formal moratorium on new construction. However, Codes and Planning Administrator Amanda Haney cautioned that the city has limited legal power to halt projects that meet all existing zoning and building codes.

Haney noted that while the Planning Commission hears the safety concerns, voting against a plan that is technically compliant could face legal challenges. This creates a difficult tension: residents want a pause for safety, while the city is bound by its own regulations to let compliant development proceed.

🚗 The Second Exit: Where It Stands

The debate often circles back to Crestview Road, a potential connection point. While future plans include tying Stoney Creek into Crestview to provide that crucial second exit, the timeline remains a sticking point.

Residents argue safety should come first—meaning no new rooftops until the road is open.

City Staff have indicated that street acceptance and bond releases are separate administrative processes, which can make it difficult to use them as leverage for the exit.

🏡 Why This Resonates Beyond One Neighborhood

Stoney Creek isn’t the only place in Berea where residents have pushed for additional entry/exit routes. The city has pointed to emergency access as a priority in other connector discussions as well.

In other words, this isn’t just a Stoney Creek story. It’s a snapshot of Berea’s broader growing pains: more rooftops, more traffic, and increasing strain on the “one way in” patterns that worked when neighborhoods were smaller.

🔜 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

City staff indicated the Planning Commission will continue addressing the second-exit need at upcoming meetings. Residents are encouraged to check the city’s agenda center for dates, as schedules can shift.

The video below captures the full discussion from the recent City Council meeting where these development concerns were reviewed.

The video below captures the full discussion from the recent City Council meeting where these development concerns were reviewed.

City Council 1/20/26

This video documents the Jan. 20, 2026, Berea City Council meeting, providing the primary source for the council’s response to development and infrastructure concerns.