Von Smith

Gina Anzicek (right) and her mother Pam check the position of the moon while waiting for a total solar eclipse at Bob Noble Park in Paducah, Ky. On April 8, 2024. Anzicek adorned a hand-made mushroom costume for her cousin Benjamin Wilhite’s medieval fantasy themed wedding at the park amphitheater.

A child reaches to touch a stingray with the help of his father at the New Port Aquarium in Newport, Ky on May 27th, 2023.

Tabitha Foster of Brooklyn, NY shares her collection of Barbie dolls adorned in her handcrafted clothing while in line for President-elect Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again Victory Rally a day ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration in downtown Washington, D.C. on Jan. 19, 2025. The dolls featured representations of Margot Robbie, Catherine Johnson, Beyonce, and of course President-elect Donald Trump.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul listens to his wife, Kelley Paul, address a question from the press involving the implication of Amendment 2 in rural counties after the “Yes On 2” rally at the La Gala event center in downtown Bowling Green, Ky. on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Megan Inman of Tennessee cries after embracing Drag performer and transgender rights advocate Jasmine St. James at the 9th Annual WKU Housing and Residence Life Drag Show at Knicely Conference Center in Bowling Green, Ky. on April 4, 2024. “[the community] was so warm and welcoming when I came out, if it wasn’t for the Queens I wouldn’t be here,” Inman said.

Local mechanic Terry “Tooter” Shipley, 66, stands next to a painting gifted to him by artist and chiropractor Dr. John Erskines in his downtown service center in Bowling Green, Ky. on April, 15, 2024. Tooter recalls being awakened by his father Jimmy Shipley with a familiar saying, “My god you get your ass out of bed and go to work— if you’re well enough to get out of bed you’re well enough to work.” Tooter now operates the service center as its sole employee, working 6 days for up to 60 hours every week.

Maddy Hayes of Webster, Ky. balances her son Wyatt Hayes in one arm and a Steven’s Model 20-gauge single-barrel shotgun in the other outside of “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.

Freedom Walker’s protestor Kelly Benton (right) stares down Justin Reesy (left) after engaging in a verbal altercation following the speaking event of controversial right-wing figure Kyle Rittenhouse outside of Western Kentucky University’s Downing Student Union in Bowling Green, Ky. On Mar. 26. 2024. Reesy did not come to protest in support of Rittenhouse, but became involved in several verbal altercations with Benton after being surrounded by a group of Freedom Walker protestors.

Eager shoppers snatch up deals inside a Nike store at the Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass in Simpsonville, Ky. on Black Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Nationally, consumers are expected to spend upwards of $979.5 billion on holiday shopping alone, a 2.5% increase over last year, despite complaints over rising prices on consumer goods and poor economic performance.

Tennessee State Capitol police monitor the events unfolding on the steps of the capitol during an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 Movement as part of a larger coordinated protest across the nation’s state capitols. Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Western forward Tyrone Marshall Jr. (24) rejects a layup attempt from Jackson State guard Marcus Watson Jr. (21) during WKU’s game against the Jackson State Tigers on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in E.A. Diddle Arena. Marshall contributed 6 points to WKU’s 40-28 first half lead.

Children pause from their play at the Bryant Way apartments in Bowling Green, Ky. on April 4. 2024.