Over 279,000 people have applied for unemployment insurance in Kentucky since the outbreak began. That kind of unprecedented demand would challenge even the most modern unemployment systems. But Kentucky’s technology is decades old, and it’s added another hurdle for both the state government and newly unemployed during an unprecedented disaster.

Sharon Bayens has worked at Kroger for 38 years and she’s seen plenty of “snow scares,” but she’s never seen anything like what’s happened over the last month because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s been one week since Jefferson County Public Schools started non-traditional instruction, or NTI. The district of 100,000 students has moved to online and distance learning through at least May 1st so that schools can stay closed to protect against the spread of COVID-19. So how is N-T-I going one week in? WFPL’s Jess Clark has this look.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed virtually everything about how we gather and celebrate. Easter this year was no different as most churches across the state closed.

But, not all church leaders heeded calls from government officials to halt on holding service.

Jake Ryan with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting visited one church that held Easter service in the parking lot.

Nurses and other healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be stressful and frightening - not just for them, but also their families.

Jake Ryan with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting has this story about a nurse, her family, and how they wonder when they’ll see each other again.

Costumers create the costumes that dress performers when the opera and theater are open. Now, with time on their hands and a desire to help out, these designers are swapping costume making for mask making, hoping they can help curtail the spread of coronavirus.

Like millions of Americans, artists watched much of their income vanish as venues shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, that hasn’t kept them from creating and then putting their art online, often for free. There are some efforts taking shape in Louisville to make sure artists get paid for that art — while still offering it to the community at no charge.

For Some Workers Returning To GE Appliances, 'It Feels Like A Hostage Situation' by 89.3 WFPL News Louisville

Before nursing homes restricted visitors, Julie Sullivan used to go sit at lunch with her mother and her friends at the Westport Place Health Campus, and push all the tables together "so we could have a big party."

Since three weeks ago, when nursing homes had to start restricting visitors, she takes her place instead each day outside her mother's window.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for pretty much everyone, especially for families with children. Closures of schools and businesses due to the coronavirus have upended schedules, forced friends and family members apart, and many parents have lost their jobs. And on top of all of it, parents are trying to keep their children engaged in learning.