MADISONVILLE, Ky. (March 20, 2024) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 2 announced Monday the hiring of longtime area journalist Matt Hughes as its new public information officer (PIO). He replaces Keirsten Jaggers who retired at the end of 2023.
“Our nation’s interstate and highway system is one of our most important resources, and I’m excited about this opportunity to work alongside the people who keep those roadways moving here in Kentucky,” Hughes said. “There are many exciting things happening across the District 2 region, both now and in the near future, and I look forward to being a part of that growth.”
A Webster County native, Hughes joins KYTC from Kentucky-based Paxton Media Group, where he served as editor of The Journal-Enterprise newspaper in Providence for the past 12 years. For the last three years, he has been based in Madisonville, where he also served as editor of The Messenger and Dawson Springs Progress. Before joining the newspaper industry, Hughes spent several years in the coal industry loading barges and five years with WBKR/WOMI radio in Owensboro.
“We are so excited to have Matt on our team,” said Deneatra Henderson, Chief District Engineer for KYTC District 2. “His media experience with both printed and radio formats will be a true asset to the function of the district.”
Each of Kentucky’s 12 highway districts is assigned a public information officer, charged with handling transportation-related media and public communications, promotional campaigns, special events, educational materials, a district website, and district social media.
Hughes graduated from Providence High School and Kentucky Wesleyan College. He and his wife, Shanda, have lived in Madisonville for the past 18 years and have one daughter.
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