Emily Bennett

Anchor/Reporter, WYMT

Hazard, Ky.

I was born and raised in Eastern Pennsylvania on an 85-acre farm. I’m a country girl through and through, and my heart will always be in my little home town of New Tripoli.

I was homeschooled through high school before I went to college south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Waynesburg University. At first, my sights were set on becoming a sports broadcaster. I have always had a passion for sports and played softball through high school. During my sophomore year of college, that changed as I began taking classes with a professor who had more than 20 years of experience as a TV news reporter. As she taught me and told stories from her career, my passion for news formed.

I interned in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania going into my senior year of college. That summer solidified this career was what I wanted to pursue. I wanted to tell stories and serve a community. I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless.

I am so excited to be a part of the “Mountain News Family” and serve the people here in Eastern Kentucky. My dreams are coming true here in the mountains, and I am so blessed to be able to tell your stories.

When I have free time, you’ll find me watching sports or HGTV, hiking to a waterfall, or traveling to the nearest beach! Being outside in God’s incredible creation is my time to de-stress and refocus.

If you have any story ideas you can contact me anytime!

emily.bennett@wymt.com

News

‘The birthday party she never had’: Somerset girl and volunteers decorate child graves

Updated: Oct. 16, 2020 at 5:43 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Volunteers walked the cemetery, decorating nearly 600 graves.

News

2020 Census deadline arrives, Owsley County’s response rate is the lowest in the state

Updated: Oct. 15, 2020 at 8:02 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

This week, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump Administration can end the census count on October 15 instead of the end of the month.

News

'I had taken every precaution’: Bell Co. Judge Executive talks his experience with COVID-19

Updated: Oct. 14, 2020 at 8:52 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

In a Facebook post in mid-September, Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock announced he tested positive for COVID-19, along with some of his family.

News

Senator Mitch McConnell makes stops in Bell County, talks CARES Act impact

Updated: Oct. 13, 2020 at 9:57 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made several stops Tuesday in Southeastern Kentucky, beginning in Corbin and ending in Middlesboro.

News

More than $450,000 in grants awarded to Bell County Tuesday

Updated: Oct. 13, 2020 at 6:46 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

During two of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s stops in Southeastern Kentucky, Hilda Legg with the United States Department of Agriculture announced hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for Bell County.

News

Frontier Medical Associates opens new clinic in Paintsville, offers After Hours clinic

Updated: Oct. 12, 2020 at 7:39 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Starting October 19, the urgent care will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

News

‘The Lord wasn’t done with me yet’: Harlan Co. man arrives home after 75 days in the hospital fighting COVID-19

Updated: Oct. 11, 2020 at 9:39 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

After 75 days, Gregg returned home Friday with a new perspective on life.

News

Laurel County surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 cases, schools continue in-person learning

Updated: Oct. 8, 2020 at 8:40 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

As of Thursday evening, the county has 1,064 cases. 29 of which were reported Thursday. The county is seeing an average of 16 cases reported each day.

News

Pike County Fiscal Court cancels traditional trick-or-treating as COVID-19 cases surge

Updated: Oct. 7, 2020 at 8:27 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Tuesday night, the Pike County Fiscal Court voted against allowing traditional trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events.

News

'It’s not a life sentence’: Local clinic helps breast cancer survivors with areola restoration tattoos

Updated: Oct. 6, 2020 at 6:00 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Flawless Beauty in Prestonsburg is helping women regain their confidence after fighting breast cancer.

News

’He was one of a kind’: Longtime Laurel County attorney dies

Updated: Oct. 6, 2020 at 4:52 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Steve Cessna was 65 years old and had pancreatic cancer

News

“A message of unity”: Jackson Co. football coach’s inspiring pregame speech goes viral

Updated: Oct. 5, 2020 at 6:51 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Jackson County High School football coach John Hallock used the game he loves to send a message of unity.

State

Harlan County hosts event to help small businesses

Updated: Oct. 2, 2020 at 5:49 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

The Harlan Safe Shop Hop will go until 9:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.

News

Moonbow Tipple Coffee and Sweets reopens in Harlan

Updated: Oct. 2, 2020 at 3:53 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Moonbow Tipple closed on April 11th due to the pandemic.

News

“Prayer works”: Together 2020, a one month long prayer event kicks off in Perry County

Updated: Oct. 1, 2020 at 11:02 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Together 2020 is a one month long event calling churches of all denominations across the county to cry out to God in prayer.

State

Protesters demand answers in death of Matthew Asher, Perry Co. Commonwealth Attorney says no wrongdoing

Updated: Oct. 1, 2020 at 4:19 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Matthew Asher died nearly two years ago, around Christmas time.

News

Update: More cases reported at Laurel County nursing home

Updated: Sep. 29, 2020 at 8:56 PM EDT

By Evan Hatter and Emily Bennett

Numbers from the Kentucky Department of Public Health indicate an outbreak at Hillcrest Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laurel County.

News

Whitley County Health Department hosts COVID-19 as cases spike across county

Updated: Sep. 29, 2020 at 7:22 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

32 cases were reported in the county on Friday, 24 on Monday and 14 Tuesday

Regional

Family, friends remember Dr. Carolyn Sundy and the legacy she leaves behind

Updated: Sep. 27, 2020 at 1:12 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Dr. Carolyn Sundy, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at SKCTC, died early Sunday morning according to the College's president Dr. Vic Adams.

News

Harlan County High School, Wallins Elementary delays in-person learning due to staff testing positive for COVID-19

Updated: Sep. 26, 2020 at 11:44 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

The school has decided to postpone in-person instruction at the elementary school for one week. They will begin on October 5.

News

Gov. Beshear: 973 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths reported Saturday

Updated: Sep. 26, 2020 at 4:45 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

At least 66,036 Kentuckians have contracted the virus. The death toll is now at 1,154.

News

Charter Communications donates $20,000 to Red Bird Mission School

Updated: Sep. 25, 2020 at 7:01 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Senator Stivers met with Red Bird officials about the needs for the school year. After hearing the needs, he reached out to Charter Communications to see if they could help.

News

Senate President Robert Stivers reacts to Breonna Taylor verdict

Updated: Sep. 25, 2020 at 6:35 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Senator Stivers says he expects serious police reform to occur, especially in the next few years.

State

Eastbound lanes of the Mountain Parkway closing for two weeks beginning Friday

Updated: Sep. 25, 2020 at 4:02 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

The repairs will be completed by October 31st.

State

Peaceful candlelight vigil held for Breonna Taylor in Hazard

Updated: Sep. 24, 2020 at 5:45 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

The vigil will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the farmers market by Triangle Park.

News

Leslie County charities ask Frontier Nursing to donate Wendover complex

Updated: Sep. 16, 2020 at 7:23 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Wednesday, the Leslie County Community Foundation sent a letter to every FNU board member asking them to donate the entire Wendover complex to the charities.

News

Pulaski County tops 700 COVID-19 cases, first in our region

Updated: Sep. 15, 2020 at 4:52 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Stuart Spillman tells WYMT, the county has not seen an increase from Labor Day weekend, but expects to see it before the end of the month.

News

COVID-19 and vaping, a high risk combination for teens

Updated: Sep. 14, 2020 at 6:53 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Last month, Stanford University School of Medicine released a study showing those ages 13 to 24 who used e-cigarettes, were five to seven times more likely to contract COVID-19.

News

New game day procedures for football fans at Perry Central

Updated: Sep. 11, 2020 at 6:01 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

The KHSAA has limited high schools to 50 percent capacity, and then the schools can decide if they want to drop that number even lower.

News

Frontier Nursing donates campus in Hyden to Leslie County, community reacts

Updated: Sep. 10, 2020 at 6:03 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

In a release Thursday morning, Frontier Nursing University announced it is donating its campus in Hyden to Leslie County.

News

‘It’s about surviving right now’: One month in, local bar owner talks about Gov. Beshear’s restaurant curfew

Updated: Sep. 9, 2020 at 9:48 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Brandon Shepherd, owner of Shep's Place, says the curfew cuts out the restaurant’s peak time and alcohol sales help keeps them afloat and keeps bartenders and servers employed.

News

Amy McGrath announces ‘Partnering with Rural Kentucky’ plan during stop in Martin County

Updated: Sep. 8, 2020 at 6:28 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Amy McGrath tours Eastern Kentucky

News

Authentic wins 146th Kentucky Derby

Updated: Sep. 5, 2020 at 7:15 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Authentic won the 146th Kentucky Derby over heavily favored Tiz The Law.

News

Kentucky State Police advises caution on roads as Labor Day weekend begins

Updated: Sep. 4, 2020 at 4:51 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Kentucky State Police are urging caution on the roads this holiday weekend.

News

‘I want them to be remembered’: Somerset girl raising money to decorate child graves

Updated: Sep. 3, 2020 at 3:33 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Gracie Honeycutt is raising money to decorate every grave in Somerset cemetery of children 12 and younger with pinwheels.

News

U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath makes campaign stop in Perry County

Updated: Sep. 2, 2020 at 9:18 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Amy McGrath spoke at Perry County Park during a stop on her Mission: Rebuilding Kentucky tour Wednesday.

News

Downtown Corbin thriving despite pandemic, vinyl record store opens

Updated: Sep. 1, 2020 at 10:37 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Despite several challenging months, the streets of Corbin are coming back to life.

State

University of the Cumberlands student dies unexpectedly

Updated: Sep. 1, 2020 at 5:15 PM EDT

By Brooke Marshall and Emily Bennett

Grant Brace died Monday night after wrestling practice.

News

‘Don’t ever give up hope’: Local soldier’s remains returned home 70 years after missing in action

Updated: Aug. 28, 2020 at 10:59 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Friday, family and friends came together for a military honor service to recognize his sacrifice to the U.S.

News

Sen. Mitch McConnell visits Eastern Kentucky, talks about CARES ACT

Updated: Aug. 27, 2020 at 1:59 PM EDT

By Madison Pergrem and Emily Bennett

Sen. Mitch McConnell visits Eastern Kentucky, talks about CARES ACT

News

New ice cream shop coming to downtown Corbin

Updated: Aug. 26, 2020 at 11:27 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

Sweeties Ice Cream and Mini Doughnuts is planning to open within the next few weeks

News

‘It’s about time I graduated’: 92-year-old woman earns degree from Union College

Updated: Aug. 25, 2020 at 6:16 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

On August 12, a virtual ceremony was held and Union College President Marcia Hawkins conferred Opal’s degree over Zoom.

News

Middlesboro AMC theatre may be closed for good

Updated: Aug. 22, 2020 at 7:25 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

According to AMC Theatres website, its location at the Middlesboro Mall will not be reopening.

News

Gov. Beshear: 814 new COVID-19 cases, eight new deaths reported Saturday

Updated: Aug. 22, 2020 at 5:53 PM EDT

By Emily Bennett

WYMT independently confirms all coverage area positive COVID-19 cases, along with any coronavirus-related deaths, with local health departments before publishing any details.

News