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Kentucky’s ‘Cornbread Mafia’ documentary to debut at SXSW film festival

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Kentucky’s ‘Cornbread Mafia’ documentary to debut at SXSW film festival


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An infamous chapter in Kentucky history will make its big screen debut at the renowned 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival, held in Austin, Texas in March.

Part true crime, part cartoon — and featuring a whole lot of weed — festival organizers announced that “Cornbread Mafia,” directed by Louisville native Evan Mascagni and produced by Merry-Kay Poe, CEO of Unbridled Films, will make its world premiere at the annual event.

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“This is a true Kentucky grown story and we are really excited and honored to have the film included in the lineup at the 2026 SXSW,” Poe told the Courier Journal. “This is the second largest film festival in the country after Sundance so it’s a big deal for the project and the Kentucky film industry.”

The festival will be the Kentucky-made documentary’s world premiere, telling the true story of the Cornbread Mafia, a group of Kentucky farmers, all sons of tobacco farmers, moonshiners, and bootleggers, who built the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history.

What followed was straight out of Kentucky folklore: lion cubs on the farm, backroad police chases, and a code of silence that baffled prosecutors. Part true crime and part cartoon, the film blends community, the war on drugs, and a whole lot of weed with the humor and heart of the folks who lived it.

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The Cornbread Mafia was run by Johnny Boone, a charismatic modern-day folk hero who came to be known as the “Godfather of Grass.” Boone died in 2024 but several living members of the group, including Joe Keith Bickett, Jimmy Bickett, and Bobby Joe Shewmaker, will attend the SXSW film premiere in March and sit on a panel.

“Cornbread Mafia” is scheduled to screen three times at SXSW on March 12, 16 and 18.

“After ‘Cornbread Mafia’ screens at the festival, our plan is to sell the documentary to a streaming service,” Poe said. “We’d also like to created a scripted series. It’s such a crazy story.”

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The SXSW Festival, founded in 1987, features conferences, festivals and workshops and is known as a major destination for innovation. The 2026 SXSW Festival runs March 12-18.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.



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Kentucky

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

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Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football


A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.

After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.

When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.

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With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.



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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report: The usual suspects are out

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Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report: The usual suspects are out


As for the Aggies, the only name on the report is Mackenzie Mgbako, a one-time Kentucky target who remains out for the season after undergoing foot surgery. Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMilan said today that Mgbako will return next season, which would be a big boost for the Aggies before the offseason begins.

Kentucky vs. Texas A&M Injury Report



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Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge

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Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge


COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.

Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.

“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”

The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)

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Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.



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