Four more schools stepped onto the big stage in Dallas at SEC Media Days. 11 Personnel is here to dish on the latest from Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Georgia.

Even though Kentucky doesn’t take the stage until Thursday, the Cats got a nice bump today from Brady Cook and the Georgia Bulldogs. Bush Hamdan and Brock Vandagriff received glowing reviews from their former SEC colleagues. We’ll touch on that and speak with On3’s JD PicKell in a new LIVE edition of 11 Personnel. Highlights:

— Georgia’s NIL collective is fining bad drivers.
— A Tennessee reunion for Tennessee’s Josh Heupel at Oklahoma.
— Eli Drinkwitz (shockingly) did a good thing.
— Who’s the best quarterback in the SEC?
— Too many folks are sleeping on LSU.

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KSR’s coverage at media days is presented by the team at Friends of Coal. Friends of Coal is dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky citizens about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. They provide a united voice for an industry that has been and remains a critical economic contributor to Kentucky. By working together, they can provide good jobs and benefits for future generations. Coal is RESILIENT, RELIABLE, and AFFORDABLE.

Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization. All are invited to be a part of the organization, which consists of proud Kentuckians as well as residents from beyond our borders. Head to friendsofcoalkentucky.org to learn more. 

More UK News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

Summer months offer relaxation and more free time for Kentucky’s youth. However, recovery care officials warn the summertime also presents more opportunities for substance use by children and adults. Officials with Addiction Recovery Care said first-time use and relapse rates have the potential to spike in the summer and offering quality care is a priority.

Data from the CDC shows between 2011 and 2021 more than 321,000 children lost their parents to a drug overdose. ARC West Region Chief Operating Officer Kevin Schmidt said the trauma from substance-related loss can cause future issues for young people.

“If you lose a parent to a drug overdose or to going to the penitentiary, being incarcerated, that’s traumatic for kids. If you take that and mix it with peer pressure, maybe kids in the neighborhood using, and then they find out that ‘hey if I drink a little bit or do something else it helps me not think about the bad things going on,’” said Schmidt.

Studies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show more than 11,000 youth drink for the first time on a typical June or July day. Schmidt said more free time creates more opportunities for exposure to substances.

“There’s more social gatherings and things happening. So, not only could that be a pitfall for young kids who may be experimenting with alcohol or drugs for the first time, but also it could be a pitfall for people who are in recovery as they have to learn to navigate social functions,” said Schmidt.

Officials said ARC’s recovery services, including inpatient and outpatient care, are available to anyone in need. People can call (606)-638-0938 for a free screening and referral to services suited to their needs.

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations for 2025-2026 Kentucky Poet Laureate.

Nominations may be made by individuals or organizations inside or outside of Kentucky, and will be assessed on:

The Kentucky Poet Laureate’s minimum duties over the two-year term are to make a presentation at the Kentucky Arts Council’s annual Kentucky Writers’ Day — held on or around April 24 — and to promote the literary arts in Kentucky through readings of their work, workshops and presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences, schools and libraries across the state.

The Kentucky General Assembly established the Kentucky Poet Laureate position in 1991. The governor appoints the poet laureate for a two-year term. The word poet in the position’s title is interpreted in its broadest sense to include professional writers whose accomplishments are in any recognized literary form, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting and screenwriting.

The nomination deadline is Sept. 30.

Kentucky Arts Council