Introducing Monica Kast & Cameron Drummond

We want you, our readers, to know who it is that’s bringing you the news you’re reading here at the Lexington Herald-Leader. You’ve likely seen the names that accompany a story, but that’s still a bit impersonal.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll introduce you to the reporters, editors, producers and other staffers who work here at the Herald-Leader — the folks who work hard to bring you the news you’ve come to rely on and trust over the years.

To continue this ongoing series, meets two more of our reporters.

Monica Kast

I’m Monica Kast, the Herald-Leader’s higher education reporter! I spend a lot of time on college campuses, talking to professors, students and administrators about the things that impact them.

I was born and raised in Louisville, and have spent my career covering higher education. In college, I was an intern at the Herald-Leader, and always dreamed that I’d get the chance to return to this newsroom.

I love that I get to report on my home state, covering a topic that’s important to the Commonwealth. This job also means I get plenty of fun opportunities, like interviewing Jack Harlow on the red carpet at the Derby, or writing about a UK grad’s engagement at the Taylor Swift concert.

I’m beyond proud and grateful that I get to be a part of the Herald-Leader staff, working every day with local journalists who care deeply about this community. Feel free to reach out and say hello, talk about higher education, or chat about Taylor Swift at mkast@herald-leader.com!

Read some of Monica’s latest work:

• Enrollment is shifting at KY universities. How will that change the college experience?

• University of Kentucky Title IX lawsuit: What happened during the three-day trial?

• UK HealthCare plans $2 billion expansion in the coming years. See what’s included.

• ‘An absolute emergency.’ How KY is working to address the teacher shortage ‘crisis’

• It’s a ‘Love Story.’ UK alum’s engagement at Cincinnati Taylor Swift concert goes viral

Cameron Drummond

As a sports reporter at the Herald-Leader, I get to connect with readers on a daily basis about the players, teams and topics that drive their passion for sports in Central Kentucky. From high school basketball recruiting to Lexington Sporting Club, I’m proud to cover a wide variety of sports at this newspaper, and strive to always put stories in the proper context for readers, be it about the region’s new soccer-specific stadium or when describing UK basketball’s chances to land a five-star recruit.

At the same time, sports are also big business. In addition to the on-field occurrences, my colleagues and I at the Herald-Leader take pride in pulling back the curtain to provide a comprehensive look at the administrators, coaches and officials associated with the commonwealth’s top sports programs.

For the last two years, I’ve been fortunate to cover everything from high school wrestling to UK basketball games in New York City for the Herald-Leader. None of it would be possible without readers and subscribers, and I hope to continue providing work that is befitting of your time. You can reach me at cdrummond@herald-leader.com.

Read some of Cameron’s latest work:

• College hoops is back. Here’s how much Division I coaches in KY will earn this year.

• After do-it-all high school career, Reed Sheppard is finding his role with UK basketball

• As college recruiting changes, Duke and Kentucky still battling for nation’s top prospects

• Contract released for UK swim coach, after previous one resigned amid investigation

• ‘A destination place.’ Lexington Sporting Club locks in plan for soccer stadium

Thank you for being a reader, and hopefully a subscriber as well, although if you’re not the former we do encourage you to remedy that. We’ll see you back here next week with more smiling faces to introduce.

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This story was originally published November 10, 2023 at 11:35 AM.