Lily Burris

Lily Burris is a features reporter for WKMS. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Western Kentucky University. She has written for the College Heights Herald at WKU, interned with Louisville Public Media, served as a tornado recovery reporter with WKMS and most recently worked as a journalist with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting and baking.

Crop cashed out? Fewer than 1,000 Ky. farms are still growing tobacco 20 years after major reform

As the United States continues to see a decline in the number of smokers, farmers like Christian County's Dale Seay are pulling the plug on their tobacco growing operations.

By Lily Burris

Lawmakers, military officers cut ribbon on first in series of renovated Fort Campbell barracks

Originally built in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, the barracks came into use as the U.S. was transitioning away from using a drafted army.

By Lily Burris

Are Kentucky judges disclosing everything they should?

Judges and judicial candidates are expected to file financial disclosures each year in order to limit conflicts of interest. But an analysis by KyCIR revealed that the forms aren’t specific enough and don’t actually reveal much about their financial holdings.

By Lily Burris

Sen. Paul proposal would allow coronavirus relief money to be used for disaster recovery

Under the Prioritizing Disaster Relief Act, unspent COVID-19 funds could be used in tornado and flooding recovery efforts.

By Lily Burris

Beshear disburses $3M in SAFE Funds to tornado communities

The money can be used to help local governments, nonprofit or public utilities groups, state agencies or school districts.

By Lily Burris

OSHA alleges safety violations at Mayfield plant that collapsed in an EF-4 tornado

Officials with the candle factory are contesting the violations, which carry fines totaling $40,000.

By Lily Burris

Ky. transportation secretary gives update on flood recovery, points to lessons from tornado outbreak

By Lily Burris

Where Ky. tornado recovery programs are more than seven months after storms

In the past seven months, roughly $52 million in donated funds has gone to a variety of assistance programs.

By Lily Burris

Enhanced punishment taking effect for crimes committed during states of emergency

In the days after the December tornado outbreak, some impacted communities experienced looting of homes and businesses destroyed by the storms

By Lily Burris

Tornado fund providing direct assistance to individuals in Western Kentucky

To date the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund has received $52 million in donations; about $12 million will go to individuals.

By Lily Burris

Christmas in July events held for children affected by December tornadoes

Along with presents for children, a $4.65 million check was presented to expand internet services in Fulton, Hickman, Graves and Carlisle counties.

By Lily Burris

More than $3M from tornado fund to assist grain farmers

The funding comes from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, which has received donations totaling more that $52 million dollars.

By Lily Burris