The Student News Site of University of Kentucky

Kentucky Kernel

The Student News Site of University of Kentucky

Kentucky Kernel

The Student News Site of University of Kentucky

Kentucky Kernel

Jaclyn Okorley and Abigail Brannon prepare for their radio show soundwaves in the WRFL studio in the Gatton Student Center on Sunday, Dec. 2. 2023, in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Matthew Mueller | Staff

WRFL after dark: Student-DJs navigate late-night airwaves and make connections in campus radio

Natalia Garcia, Reporter February 1, 2024

As students and faculty slowly filter off campus and the sun starts to set, familiar buildings become enveloped in a blanket of darkness.  In this quiet stillness of campus after dark, the WRFL...

Sign outside of CD Central on Monday, Sep 4th, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Matthew Mueller| Staff

WRFL partners with local music stores to present Slimestone

Ale Scrivner, Reporter September 6, 2023

WRFL, the University of Kentucky’s student-run radio station, partnered with music stores CD Central and The Album on Monday, Sept. 4 to present Slimestone. The event serves as a way for students...

R.O.D. performs at WRFL’s 35th Birthday Bash on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Burl in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Stephanie Foster | Staff

UK’s student radio station celebrates 35 years on air

Stephanie Foster, Reporter March 20, 2023

The University of Kentucky’s student-run radio station, WRFL 88.1, held a “birthday bash” on March 11, at the Burl, to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Saturday night featured musical performances...

Illustration by Allie Hall

UK’s student fees should be optional for students who don’t partake in what they cover

Karrington Garland, Opinions Editor February 2, 2023

As an out-of-state college student, my tuition at this university is steep – upwards of $50,000 a year. However, thanks to a scholarship that takes care of a large amount of it, I am fortunate enough...

WRFL maintains broadcasting streak while quarantined

Emily Girard May 20, 2020

In over 30 years, UK's student-run radio station, WRFL 88.1, has never gone off the air — not even now, during a pandemic, when the station has moved its operations outside the studio for the first time...

Bands Lylak and Johnny Conqueroo perform for students on Dec. 3, 2018. 

Lylak, Johnny Conqueroo bring stress relief as UK nears finals week

Hailey Peters December 4, 2018

To bring a rocking and refreshing night to campus during dead week, WRFL Radio Lexington held a free concert in the Grand Ballroom featuring the bands Lylak and Johnny Conqueroo.Sporting unique combinations...

Kakie Urch at the WRFL mic in the Student Center studios as a professor of multimedia in the School of Journalism and multimedia. 

Kakie Urch: From UK student to teacher, role model

April 20, 2018

In 1985, a UK student wrote a letter to the editor to the Kentucky Kernel that explained the importance of student-led radio. UK was one of the few SEC schools not to have a radio station, she wrote.In...

Students Michael Ayers, Curtis Franklin and Hunter Mitchell celebrate their awards at the Kentucky Associated Press Broadcast Journalism Awards alongside professor Mel Coffee. Brady Trapnell, who is studying abroad in London, also placed. Photo provided by Michael Ayers. 

UK student journalists win big at Kentucky AP Broadcast awards

Rick Childress April 17, 2018

A day before the whole journalism world looked to the Pulitzer Prize winners on Monday, a different group of journalists were celebrating their own victories.UK student-journalists did well this past weekend...

UK MBB vs. ETSU

Kernel Keep Up: Nike’s new deal, SEC tournament, Baseball on fire and more

March 5, 2018

It's Monday. Already behind on the week? Us too. So, we're introducing Kernel Keep Up—your weekly catch-up on what's important this week and last. Here's all the news you need to know to tackle the...

Radio Free Lexington is a student run organization at the University of Kentucky with a mission to provide professional radio training and management and offer its listeners with music, news and other programming. Taken Sunday, March 5, 2017. Photo by Arden Barnes | Staff

WRFL rides the wave of success into its 30th year

Akhira Umar February 28, 2018

Lexington radio station WRFL was born from a little column that made a big splash.In 1985, then-sophomore Kakie Urch wrote a weekly opinions column for the Kentucky Kernel. When local radio stations refused...

Woman dances during Thriller Parade on Friday, October 28, 2016 in Lexington, Ky. Photo Arden Barnes | Saff

Zombies will walk the streets of Lexington at Halloween event

Taylor Kettle October 27, 2017

Sunday is thriller, thriller night in Lexington.On Sunday, Oct. 29, the city of Lexington will come together to show tribute to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to celebrate Halloween.The event is a...

Provided by Ethan Fedele, WRFL Design Director

Queerslang continues to spark conversation, awareness

Editorial Board October 26, 2017

Imagine a college campus and surrounding community where straights, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered individuals, and anyone anywhere in between on the spectrum can walk around freely, in unison,...

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