Herald Newsletter 06-18-2026

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Demolition begins for new residence hall

The Den by Denny’s torn down on June 15, 2026, as they make room for the construction of a new large dorm hall set to house around 1,000 students. (Josh Baumgardner)

Demolition has begun on Douglas Keen and Hugh Poland dorms, as well as onThe Den by Denny’s restaurant andThe Pit Stop convenience store on campus.

WKU plans to replace these facilities with a 1,000-bed dorm hall set to open inAugust 2028.

Read more by Josh Baumgardner

WKU performance funding goes down forthe fourth year

WKU’s state performance funding has decreased forthe fourth yearin a row, dropping from $5.3 million in 2025-26 to $4.4 million for the 20262027 year.

WKU blames the drop on a performance funding model that it says favors Kentucky’s two R1 institutions, University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

Read more by DiegoAlcaraz-Monje

The sounds of chants and honking cars from protestors permeated into the Board of Commissioners meeting room as they discussed the future of data centers in Bowling Green.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the data center regulations, which primarily restrict land and water use. Following public comments, Commissioner Dana Beasley-Brown asked forthe moratorium to be put back on the agenda. MayorToddAlcott and Commissioners Melinda Hill and Sue Parrigin again struck it down.

Faculty House dodges demolition

The historic Faculty House on campus will remain in place after community outcry shielded the building from demolition.

“President (Timothy) Caboni has decided it (Faculty House) will remain in its current location as a reminderof the unique student and faculty engagement that happens atWKU today,” said Jace Lux, directorof media relations and WKU spokesperson. However, he said,WKU has no plans forspending any money to stabilize or improve the building.

Warren County takes action against data centers

Astorm this morning brought heavy rain toWKU’s campus, causing minorflooding in the Creason parking lot.

Aflood watch is in place until Tuesday evening forparts of Indiana and Kentucky as more rain rolls through this afternoon.There is expected to be around 1 to 2.5 inches of rainfall total, according to the National WeatherService.

The College Heights Herald is the independent, student-run news organization operating on the campus of Western Kentucky University, emphasizing accuracy and truth while being a public forum for the fair display of diverse opinions and viewpoints. The Herald works to be steadfast and unwavering in its pursuit of truth while being true to the tenets of the WKU Student Publications mission to grow exceptional journalists and innovative leaders through real-world experiences and a strong educational and ethical foundation centered on principled journalism. All creative and editorial decisions are made by the Herald’s student leadership, and all consequences of those decisions are the sole responsibility of these student leaders. While editorially and operationally independent from the university, the Herald participates in the mission of WKU to prepare students of all backgrounds to be productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society, both within and outside of its newsroom. Views expressed are diverse and, as an independent publication, should not be taken as representative of views of WKU and any of its administration, faculty, staff, student body or other constituency

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