What does the data tell us about our kids? Kentucky Youth Advocates’ latest edition of the annual KIDS COUNT Data Book is out and we discuss key findings about the condition of Kentucky children with KYA executive director, Shannon Moody.

Appalachian journalist James Branscome returns to revisit a provocative idea that comes up in conversation from time to time: “What if the mountain counties of Central Appalachia — parts of Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee” — were joined to form a single 51st “State of Appalachia”? There are lots of devils in the details. But the concept itself speaks of long-held grievances.

We’re joined by Zachary Tackett, a Pike County nurse and founder of “The Creek Don’t Rise Coalition.” It’s a grassroots Eastern Kentucky advocacy group pushing for transparency and accountability in utility rates, demanding fair conditions for regional energy customers, and keeping a close eye on the development of data centers.

Daily Yonder science reporter Donavyn Coffey discusses her article, “The Appalachian Cities That Never Sleep.” Coffey looks at new research from the University of Kentucky and its partners finding strikingly high rates of insomnia and other sleep issues in a dozen economically distressed Eastern Kentucky counties.