Weekly news from the four rivers region. Produced by Paxton Media Group in cooperation with WPSD Local 6 and the Paducah Sun.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/4/21/d1f3825b-8e3b-48a4-9ab0-14eb0ef79ede_ayed_on_Your_Brain_911_stories_that_touch_home_128k.mp3

25 years later, the stories of September 11, 2001, are still etched into the memories of the people who lived them.This week on the Crossroads Suncast, we hear four very different 9/11 stories — from a Western Kentucky native who found himself in Lower Manhattan that morning, to a local man serving as an Army bomb technician in New York City, to a local restaurant owner whose small diner became a place of refuge for first responders in the days that followed, to a local doctor asked to assemble a triage center for victims.

9/11: Stories That Touch Home

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/12/22/4719d49c-4706-467c-bd88-ab37f6e281e2_where_are_they_now_chris_p_bacon.mp3

Twelve years ago, a tiny pig in a wheelchair became an internet sensation, and a WPSD anchor’s uncontrollable laughter became just as famous. This week on the Crossroads Suncast, we revisit the viral moment that still makes people smile, and answer the question: what happened to Chris P. Bacon? Plus, why Chris P.’s name is still showing up at a minor league ballpark hundreds of miles away.

Where Are They Now?: Chris P. Bacon

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/11/20/5e64648b-46a2-40ab-b15a-adfefb5102d7_brates_stewardship_in_paducah-mccracken_county.mp3

The new book &#34;Seven Visions One Legacy&#34; by William &#34;Bill&#34; Jones captures the history and impact seven bank presidents had on Paducah-McCracken County. The book chronicles how and why the men focused on stewardship, community, vision and commitment to the town.

"Seven Visions One Legacy" celebrates stewardship in Paducah-McCracken County

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/31/14/14ba6114-04c1-4402-8bba-90b5494d3d7f_cs_hitching_post_podcast.wav

For 85 years, The Hitching Post in Aurora, KY has been making memories. Grandparents bring grandchildren to experience the same soda tastings they grew up with, kids become regulars, and visitors leave planning their next trip back. This week on the Crossroads Suncast, why this small roadside stop has become such a meaningful tradition for so many families.

The Hitching Post still connects generations after 85 years

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/22/20/5d8e35cd-cdb3-4686-9435-8345196c9430_ucing_evening_co-anchor_chanel-taylar_mccarthy.mp3

In this special edition of the Crossroads Suncast, meet our new evening co-anchor Chanel-Taylar McCarthy! Hear from Chanel-Taylar about her background, her first impressions of Paducah, and what she brings to the table as the newest member of the WPSD team.

Introducing evening co-anchor Chanel-Taylar McCarthy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/19/18/a22014d2-bc69-4415-9b5f-908f3f65f357_eme_court_decision_ignites_open_records_debate.mp3

A recent Supreme Court of Kentucky ruling has open records advocates sounding the alarm about the future of the law in the state. In this month&#39;s episode of the Crossroads Suncast, what the ruling means, and why both sides say there are misconceptions about the decision.

Personal privacy vs. public business: KY Supreme Court decision ignites open records debate

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/20/4/cee0207f-6956-4a8a-b5b6-7f02b4376f74_entucky_primary_reaction_with_dr._brian_clardy.mp3

Catch up on all the results from Tuesday&#39;s primary election in Kentucky in this special edition of the Crossroads Suncast. WPSD evening anchor Todd Faulkner and political pundit Dr. Brian Clardy do a deep dive on significant races. Coverage includes ones with national importance, like the race to replace longtime Sen. Mitch McConnell and the battle between Rep. Thomas Massie and President Trump.

Decision 2026: Kentucky primary reaction with Dr. Brian Clardy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/12/18/adfa77b6-6cf7-41de-a588-21d90cb7ab0f__2026_-_mccracken_county_judge_executive_forum.mp3

In this special edition of The Crossroads Suncast, we bring you the full audio from the Republican primary forum for judge executive in McCracken County, hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Local 6 Anchor Todd Faulkner. The forum features candidates Matt Moore, incumbent Craig Clymer, and Richard Abraham.Hear where each candidate stands on local economic issues like job growth, housing, the workforce, and more.

Decision 2026: Republican McCracken County Judge Executive Forum

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/8/19/f2f641e2-c9ab-45f1-a65b-4c70187de7cf_on_2026_-_republican_u.s._senate_primary_forum.mp3

In this special edition of The Crossroads Suncast, we bring you the full audio from the Republican primary forum, hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Local 6 Anchor Todd Faulkner. The forum features candidates Andy Barr and Daniel Cameron as they compete for their party’s nomination in one of the most closely watched races in the region.Hear where each candidate stands on local economic issues such as nuclear energy, AI data centers and West Kentucky&#39;s role in the overall state economy.

Decision 2026: Republican U.S. Senate Primary Forum

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/27/19/aa5cca1f-4ba9-4ee2-a0a3-63d1bc528b84_sion_2026_democratic_u.s._senate_primary_forum.mp3

In this special edition of The Crossroads Suncast, we bring you the full audio from the Democratic primary forum, hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Local 6 Anchor Todd Faulkner. The forum features candidates Amy McGrath, Charles Booker, and Pamela Stevenson as they compete for their party’s nomination in one of the most closely watched races in the region.Hear where each candidate stands on local economic issues such as nuclear energy, AI data centers and West Kentucky&#39;s role in the overall state economy.

Decision 2026: Democratic U.S. Senate Primary Forum

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/15/19/890dcc2e-bc79-47a9-a6de-6f0a44a4a309_the_faces_of_homelessness.mp3

Homelessness in one western Kentucky community is up 16%, and the trend mirrors a growing national concern. But the numbers don&#39;t tell the full story. This month&#39;s episode is told from the perspective of the real people battling homelessness - and why the reality is far more complex than many assume.

The Faces of Homelessness

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/26/1/6a68bf13-8a51-467f-991b-14af3e0fb7fa_the_game_of_change_part_2.mp3

After days of chaos involving a court injunction, a decoy team, and death threats, the &#34;Game of Change&#34; finally tips off. This week&#39;s episode is the second part in our series on the historic Civil Rights Movement-era college basketball game that involved players from Southern Illinois and West Kentucky. Listen to hear why some argue to this day that the game didn&#39;t really change that much. Special thanks to the authors who took the time to share this story with us. Read more of their work on The Game of Change at the links below:Kyle Veazey, &#34;Champions for Change&#34;: https://tinyurl.com/52prjyvrJason Peterson, &#34;Full Court Press&#34;: https://tinyurl.com/mw6pu8vnMike Lenehan, &#34;Ramblers&#34;: https://tinyurl.com/54jby8sa

The Game of Change: Part Two

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/24/17/df9f0d64-7a18-4810-a722-8f4a23ccc7ee_we_live_here_-_bryce_patterson.mp3

In this week&#39;s episode, senior executive producer Morgan Reagle and voice of the Crossroads Suncast Bryce Patterson reflect on what the project has meant- and the future of the podcast as Bryce moves on from WPSD. One additional thank you that didn&#39;t make it into the episode: Todd Faulkner has been the show&#39;s biggest fan and a huge supporter from the very beginning. Special thanks from Bryce and Morgan.

We Live Here: Bryce Patterson

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/19/21/716df88a-07f4-4197-b368-190a760befbd_the_game_of_change_-_part_one.mp3

In 1963, a basketball game between a segregated southern team and an integrated northern one prompts death threats, a court injunction, and a decoy team loading onto a plane. This week&#39;s episode explores the roots of Mississippi State&#39;s team in Southern Illinois and West Kentucky, and the fight to get them to the NCAA tournament. Special thanks to the authors who took the time to share this story with us. Read more of their work on The Game of Change at the links below:Kyle Veazey, &#34;Champions for Change&#34;: https://tinyurl.com/52prjyvrJason Peterson, &#34;Full Court Press&#34;: https://tinyurl.com/mw6pu8vnMike Lenehan, &#34;Ramblers&#34;: https://tinyurl.com/54jby8sa

The Game of Change: Part One

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/12/20/2a4c5ba4-ccfc-47bb-86e4-de5111187e2b_curity__and_the_2026_midterm_elections_suncast.mp3

From ongoing federal lawsuits to access to sensitive voter data to a push for citizenship checks at the polls, this week&#39;s episode explores the legislative and judicial battles being fought ahead of the midterms. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams and representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union and Black Voters Matter each weigh in on the best ways to ensure fair elections.

Voter ID, Election Security, and the 2026 Midterms

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/5/19/04bda5ad-427d-44f4-a76b-343d3527f734__reshaping_weight_loss__and_changing_medicine_.mp3

GLP-1s may have started as medications for diabetes, but they&#39;ve exploded in popularity for their role in weight loss. This week&#39;s episode explores why these drugs have such a range of impacts and how they&#39;re changing culture around food and body image.

How GLP-1 Drugs are Reshaping Weight Loss (and Changing Medicine)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/26/20/c2a3e371-d56e-4591-90fd-3b01274b4431_the_roots__impact__and_scars_of_segregation.mp3

From healthcare to travel, school, shopping, and eating: this week&#39;s episode of the Crossroads Suncast explores the ways ways Jim Crow laws shaped the lives of people in our region.

The Roots, Impact, and Scars of Segregation

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/20/20/1e47b72e-c2f9-45af-9279-6368d04a7776_we_live_here_-_reporter_zoe_lewis.mp3

Zoe Lewis joined the team at WPSD Local 6 in January- and is already telling stories that matter for this region. In this week&#39;s episode, she reflects on her roots in Marshall County, and how they inform her journalism.

We Live Here: Reporter Zoe Lewis

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/19/22/46221ea4-c60a-4b3f-ad1e-9dae75304cd6_life_and_impact_of_reverend_jesse_jackson.mp3

This week&#39;s episode of the Crossroads Suncast explores Reverend Jesse Jackson&#39;s time organizing for civil rights in our region- and reflects on his impact nationally and across the globe.

The Life and Impact of Reverend Jesse Jackson

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/10/23/8f471db8-225f-470b-90be-6279fc8fc7bb_he_cost_and_promise_of_artificial_intelligence.mp3

This episode of the Crossroads Suncast explores the potential impacts of an AI data center on the health and economy of the region- as well as the ways AI is reshaping education and healthcare.

The Cost and Promise of Artificial Intelligence

A weekly news program produced by Paxton Media Group in cooperation with WPSD Local 6 and the Paducah Sun.