Inquire: Recent Episodes
Messenger-Inquirer
The Messenger-Inquirer's behind-the-scenes glimpse at news and events in Owensboro and western Kentucky.
Inquire host Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer reporter Bobbie Hayse talk with Bill Thompson and Morgan Palmiter, the two original Daviess County Sheriff's investigators in the cold case of the three men found murdered inside a van in 2008. The two investigators are now retired and the case remains open.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks to one of the slain men's sisters about what she recalls about the disappearance in 1998 and then police finding the remains 10 years later inside a van that had been submerged in a lake in southern Daviess County. Twenty-two years after the men initially went missing, the case is still unsolved.
Inquire host Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer reporter Bobbie Hayse introduce a 22-year-old cold case of three Ohio County men who went missing in 1998 and were found 10 years later inside a van submerged in a southern Daviess County lake. Their murders remain unsolved.
Messenger-Inquirer reporter Christie Netherton talks with Tayvis Akpan who is known around Owensboro as "the Dancing Man." In this episode, Tayvis talks about why he dances and what he thinks about the attention he's received from it.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks to state apiarist Tammy Potter about the chances of the "Murder Hornets" spreading to Kentucky.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger about the steps he and his staff are taking to avoid a major COVID-19 outbreak inside the Daviess County Detention Center that was housing more than 700 inmates before the pandemic.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks to Owensboro native Kevin Eans about living in New Rochelle, which was one of the first COVID-19 hotspots in the United States.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Owensboro native Mick Jeffries about creating a virtual children's show in an effort to make something positive out of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Jon Garrett, editor of The Messenger newspaper in Madisonville, about how Hopkins County ranks in the top 5 in coronavirus cases despite ranking 23 in the state in total population.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Dr. Michael Kelley, OHRH chief medical officer, about 8 staff members who tested positive for the coronavirus and how the hospital is coping in the midst of the virus.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Owensboro native Justin Whittinghill who now lives in Japan. The two talk about how the COVID-19 hasn't escalated there as it has in the United States and other parts of the world.
Inquire host Don Wilkins covers student feeding site at Owensboro High School and talks with Messenger-Inquirer health reporter Renee Beasley Jones about her coverage.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Clay Horton, health director of the Green River District Health Department, about the coronavirus.
Inquire host Don Wilkins discusses the approaching fairness vote by the Daviess County Fiscal Court with Messenger-Inquirer reporter Renee Beasley Jones.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks to Messenger-Inquirer education reporter Bobbie Hayse and cops reporter Jim Mayse about the Daviess County Public School District's decision to establish its own police department.
Messenger-Inquirer arts and entertainment reporter Bobbie Hayse shares the story of Carl Davis who has been the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra's stage manager for nearly a half century.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks to M-I county government reporter Jacob Mulliken about a new development in the $69 million lawsuit involving a local hemp processor.
Inquire host Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer county government reporter Jacob Mulliken discuss the troubles of hemp and how growers have been unable to sell their crops from 2019.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with new Owensboro city government reporter Trey Crumbie about two large projects — the demolition of Gabe's Tower and the relighting of the downtown Blue Bridge.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Billy Pfeiffer about his drug recovery journey and how it inspired him to open the region's first sober bar.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Owensboro resident Julius Maddox who broke the world record raw bench press on Aug. 31.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Joe Welsh who is approaching the 10th anniversary of his felony drug arrest and how Kentucky law doesn't allow for Class C felons to apply for expungement despite working for the past decade to atone.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with brothers Rodney and Tony Newton who have created their own podcast called "The Criminal Minded." Their podcast largely focuses on Tony Newton's life in and out of prison and how he's trying to turn his life around through recovery.
Inquire host Don Wilkins discusses the stunning annexation reversal of Daviess County school properties by the Owensboro City Commission. He's joined by city government reporter Austin Ramsey.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with ROMP musicians such as Jake Workman, guitarist for Ricky Skaggs, and Jenni Lyn Gardner, mandolin player for Della Mae. He also talks with campers and others who were part of this year's ROMP experience.
Host Don Wilkins talks with M-I crime reporter Jim Mayse about the six murders in six months and what's turning into a violent trend. Also on the show is Adrew Boggess who is the public information officer for the Owensboro Police Department.
Host Don Wilkins and M-I city government reporter Austin Ramsey discuss the city's proposed forcible annexation of Daviess County Public Schools' properties.
Inquire host Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer city government reporter Austin Ramsey discuss the dispute over an ambulance contract that has put the county and Owensboro Health Regional Hospital at odds.
Host Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer sports writer Mark Mathis talk about the Derby experience and what horses they like for this year's Derby.
In part 2 of our Fighting Addiction series, Don Wilkins discusses the Green River District Health Department's recently adopted needle exchange program.
In Part 1 of our Fighting Addiction series, Don Wilkins talks with a recovering heroin addict and the Friends of Sinners executive director.
Don Wilkins talks with M-I reporters Bobbie Hayse, Austin Ramsey and James Mayse about being journalists amidst a so-called fake news climate.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Chuck Clark, director of WKU's student publications, about challenges journalists face today and young journalists are being prepared while journalism school.
Don Wilkins talks with cops reporter James Mayse about the October shooting involving an Owensboro Police Department officer.
Don Wilkins talks with city government reporter Austin Ramsey about the city's newest rehabilitation project.
Don Wilkins continues his discussion with area independent filmmakers, PJ Starks and Eric Huskisson.
Don Wilkins sits down with local filmmakers PJ Starks and Eric Huskisson about their past, current, and future independent film projects.
Don Wilkins talks with city government reporter Austin Ramsey about the RiverPark Center, how it was founded and what its future looks like.
Diabetes caused Sheryl Lott to go blind later in life. She shares the emotional and physical process, along with how her guide dog Pepsi and a local support group have helped her adjust to her new life without sight.
Host Don Wilkins talks to Rick Boggess, a visually impaired educator, about living without sight, teaching and local support organizations.
Don Wilkins talks with Daviess County Clerk David "Oz" Osborne about how he came into his position, and his upcoming retirement plans.
Don Wilkins talks with two Goodfellows board members about the club's history, and what it means for the children of Owensboro and Daviess County
Don Wilkins talks with M-I city government reporter Austin Ramsey about the City's consideration of allowing open alcoholic containers downtown.
Don Wilkins and M-I county government reporter Jacob Dick discuss the 13th District House race that proved every vote does matter.
Don Wilkins talks about the importance of Veterans Day with Cathy Mullins, director of Kentucky Remembers.
Don Wilkins talks with M-I county government reporter Jacob Dick about the Remember in November movement.
Don Wilkins talks with Adam Edelen, former Auditor of Public Accounts, about being a Democrat in a red state, and Edelen's potential run for governor.
Don Wilkins and Jacob Dick talk with features editor Steve Vied who will be retiring in early December after 41 years at the paper.
In the final episode of the special project on Owensboro's homeless population, Don Wilkins talks to people who partner with local homeless shelters to offer more support, and talks to Health and Human Services Reporter Renee Beasily Jones about how reporters can effectively tackle homelessness and poverty.
In part two of our three-part series on homelessness in Daviess County and Owensboro, Don Wilkins talks with the directors of the Pitino Shelter and St. Benedict's, as well as volunteers.
In part one of a three-part Messenger-Inquire series on homelessness, Don Wilkins speaks with individuals who live at St. Benedict's Homeless Shelter and the Daniel Pitino Shelter.
This is part two of our Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame series. Don Wilkins talks with Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Executive Director Chris Joslin about how he got into bluegrass music, what brought him to Owensboro, and what folks can expect when the new museum and concert hall has its grand opening in October.
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum Executive Director Chris Joslin takes Don Wilkins on a tour of the new facility in downtown Owensboro, which is slated for a grand opening next month. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, where we hear more about Joslin himself.
Don Wilkins talks with Messenger-Inquirer county government reporter Jacob Dick and McLean County News reporter and editor Seth Dukes about hemp farmers in the area, and how state and federal regulations regarding the plant may be changing in the future.
Inquire host Don Wilkins talks with Messenger-Inquirer county government reporter Jacob Dick about Real IDs.
Don Wilkins talks with city government reporter Austin Ramsey about the Owensboro Human Relations Commission seeking a new executive director.
Owensboro Municipal Utilities has asked for an over 30 percent water rate increase to help pay for infrastructure projects, including the expansion of one of its water plants. It also asked to borrow over $60 million to pay for the contruction. Host Don Wilkins talks to City Government Reporter Austin Ramsey about why the publical utility is asking for the rate increase and what public reaction as been like since the announcement.
Don Wilkins talks with Messenger-Inquirer reporter Bobbie Hayse about the Daviess County Public Schools' two stadium projects coming up in the near future.
Don Wilkins and city government reporter Austin Ramsey discuss the potential moves of prominent organizations downtown.
Don Wilkins sits down with Messenger-Inquirer interns who spent the summer photographing and reporting for the newspaper.
Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer reporters Jacob Dick and Austin Ramsey discuss the city's recent water main breaks and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear's campaign announcement.
Don Wilkins and entertainment reporter Bobbie Hayse discuss the 15th annual ROMPFest that took place last weekend at Yellow Creek Park. This episode includes interviews with Sam Bush and Ricky Skaggs' banjo player, good tunes, and more!
A new episode Inquire will now launch every Monday to help you start your work week. We will continue to bring you the interesting and sometimes odd stories you love in the same feed. Stay informed and have some fun with us starting July 9. As always, subscribe on the Apple Podcast app to catch every episode as soon as it launches.
Don Wilkins talks with vinyl connoisseur Sam Alford about his collection, and the do's and don'ts of the hobby.
The second day of ROMP Fest 2018 coverage from Inquire. Meet festival veteran "Dancing Dave" and the Criswell famility from South Carolina. More episodes to follow each day of ROMP Fest.
A special podcast extra featuring the sights and sounds of ROMP Fest 2018. Join us each day until Saturday, June 30 for a short look into the Bluegrass phenomenon known as Romp Fest.
Music: "River Valley Breakdown" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Host Don Wilkins talks to Doug Byers, owner of Owensboro record shop Hard Copies, about the passion of record collecting, the rise of a once endangered medium and his experiance as a record store owner.
The conclusion of a two part series inspired from a story by Police Reporter Jim Mayse exploring the issues Kentucky's law enforcement entities face with retaining experianced officers and attracting the next generation of qualified cops. Host Don Wilkins talks to State Trooper Corey Kind of Kentucky State Police Post 16-Henderson about what the patrolmen of the state's highways and rural communitites experiance.
Part one of a two part series exploring the issues Owensboro Police Department and police departments statewide face in retaining experianced officers. Host Don Wilkins speaks to OPD Chief Art Ealum and Police Reporter Jim Mayse.
Host Don Wilkins talks to Sarah Adkins, director of Owensboro Regional Recovery, about the history of the recovery center and the issues it faces as its budget continues to decrease. Also, special quest and former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher talks about how his administration first formed the Recovery Kentucky network and why he is continuing work toward introducing it across the country.
Guest Host Bobbie Hayse talks about a dark time in U.S. military history when the government sanctioned the use of herbicide that has had lasting effects on the Americans who served during the Vietnam War. Don Wilkins, who reported the story more than a year ago now, remembers his own personal experiences and those of others who Agent Orange touched.
Changing political dynamics at City Hall led to an encounter online that has left people representing the Castlen Dog Park wondering what's next. Inquire Host Don Wilkins asks that of City Government Reporter Austin Ramsey.
Inquire host Don Wilkins reviews the taxpayer-funded ConnectGRADD program to provide rural areas with inernet service. Daviess and McLean county reporters Jacob Dick and Seth Dukes weigh in on what issues remain.
The International Bar-B-Q Festival in Owensboro is just around the corner, and host Don Wilkins talks this week with festival chair Sharon NeSmith and Bill Glenn, team leader of the Our Lady of Loudes Catholic Church Cooking Team.
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin appointed several new allies to the Kentucky Board of Education last week -- a board that subsequently pushed out Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt. Some believe the education shake-up in Frankfort is a sign of the Republican administration's eagerness to install charter schools in the commonwealth. Host Don Wilkins discusses Pruitt's abrupt resignation and the charter school concept with Messenger-Inquirer education reporter Bobbie Hayse and Jim Waters, president and CEO of the Bluegrass Institue for Public Policy Solutions.
The Owensboro City Commission has tabled a repeal of the four-year-old restrictions on food trucks selling within 100 feet of brick-and-mortar restaurants. That has the restaurant owners themselves roiled up, but the law may not be on their side. Host Don Wilkins talks with city government reporter Austin Ramsey.
Host Don Wilkins remembers 25 years of entertainment at Owensboro's RiverPark Center with Executive Director Roxi Witt.
Host Don Wilkins talks to the first ever women to serve on the Owensboro Fire Department.
Host Don Wilkins and County Government Reporter Jacob Dick discuss recent budget cuts at Western Kentucky University and its Owensboro campus.
Don Wilkins talks with McLean County News reporter Stephanie Salmons about ongoing drama amid the public school board there. Superintendent Terry Hayes may or may not have resigned over misconduct allegations — no one really seems to know for sure.
As flood waters along the Ohio and Green rivers recede, host Don Wilkins talks about what local residents saw during the region's worst flooding event in more than two decades with government reporters Jacob Dick and Austin Ramsey.
Host Don Wilkins and state government reporter Jim Mayse talk about the major pieces of legislation on the docket in Frankfort this week.
Host Don Wilkins previews the ribbon cutting of the new Owensboro Community & Technical College Industry Innovation Center with President Dr. Scott Williams.
Now former Owensboro Municipal Utilities General Manager Terry Naulty unexpectedly resigned this week after placing himself on administrative leave the week before. Officials remain tight-lipped about what exactly led to his resignation, but Host Don Wilkins uncovers details with the journalist who first broke this story, Messenger-Inquirer city government reporter Austin Ramsey.
Host Don Wilkins and Messenger-Inquirer health reporter Renee Beasley Jones talk about the highest number of reported flu cases in the area in over a decade with Green River District Health Department Senior Epidemiologist Jessica Austin.
Gov. Matt Bevin's budget proposal targets reserve funds at public school districts across the commonwealth. Host Don Wilkins explores what that could mean for western Kentucky with education reporter Bobbie Hayse and Owensboro Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake.
Host Don Wilkins discusses the importance of First Amendment protections for the media, as highlighted by Steven Spielberg's most recent film, "The Post." Westen Kentucky University journalism professor Mac McKerral offers historical insight and Messenger-Inquirer Features Editor Steve Vied remarks on how those protections still extend to newspapers -- both local and national -- today.
Host Don Wilkins talks about research City Government Reporter Austin Ramsey has done on millennial homebuyers in Owensboro and what reasons surveys indicate they've come here. Later, McLean County Reporter Stephanie Salmons discusses the generational gap.
Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson and Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly delivered their state of the community addresses last week. Host Don Wilkins alongside government reporters Austin Ramsey and Jacob Dick discuss the expected — and unexpected — things they said.
We're back! After months of technical difficulties, Inquire is back with a conversation among friends and colleagues about the top 10 stories of the year for the readers and the reporters who covered them. Host Don Wilkins, County Government Reporter Jacob Dick and City Government Reporter Austin Ramsey chat about those stories and what they meant.
Host Don Wilkins discusses the economic impact of development in Owensboro's downtown district. Business reporter Keith Lawrence weighs in. This is the second in a tow-part series.
Downtown Owensboro, Kentucky, complete with Smothers Park and all its ongoing economic development wasn't always that way. Inquire Host Don Wilkins goes back in time with City Reporter Steve Vied to explore what happened, how and why. This is the first in a two-part series.
Inquire Host Don Wilkins and Jim Mayse review charges that have been filed against Billy Joe Miles, a prominent local farmer and businessman.
In just a matter of days, a rare celestial fluke of nature will take place right in Owensboro's backyard. Host Don Wilkins talks Monday's 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse with local experts.
Inquire Host Don Wilkins discusses open meetings laws in Kentucky and how a pair of reporters tackled an attorney general complaint against the McLean County Joint Planning Commission in July.
Introducing Inquire — a new, weekly podcast that takes you inside the Messenger-Inquirer. Look for a new podcast every Friday at the Messenger-Inquirer or iTunes.