Mountain Top Media
CSX Santa Train to make 84th run Nov. 21
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The CSX Santa Train will make its 84th run through Appalachia on Saturday, Nov. 21, continuing a holiday tradition that dates to 1943.
The train will follow its traditional route through Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, traveling 110 miles from Shelbiana to Kingsport, Tenn.
According to CSX and the North Pole Transportation Authority, the train will deliver more than 15,000 toys, gifts and winter accessories to thousands of families along the route.
“As we look ahead to a new year, we’re reminded that the CSX Santa Train is about so much more than a journey along the tracks,” said Tom Livingston, CSX vice president of government and community affairs. “It’s about bringing people together, creating moments of joy and carrying traditions forward from one generation to the next.”
The train’s official Santa Claus said the event has become a longstanding Appalachian holiday tradition.
“The Santa Train celebrates connection, creates lasting memories and continues a cherished tradition that together makes a lasting impact on the region,” Santa said.
The CSX Santa Train traditionally travels through communities in Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee, with people gathering along the route to see the train and receive holiday items.
Additional information, including updates and route information, is available through the CSX Santa Train’s social media accounts.
The schedule for stops is as follows:
| KENTUCKY | VIRGINIA | TENNESSEE |
| Shelby: 6 a.m. | Toms Bottom: 7:45 a.m. | Kingsport: 2:58 p.m. |
| Marrowbone: 6:20 a.m. | Haysi: 8:07 a.m. | * Please note that there are no gifts handed out from the train at this stop. Instead, the Kingsport Chamber hosts Santa’s Depot, the community Christmas event that includes fun holiday activities for all. |
| Elkhorn City: 7:05 a.m. | Clinchco: 8:40 a.m. | |
| Fremont: 9:08 a.m. | ||
| Dante: 10:08 a.m. | ||
| St. Paul: 10:53 a.m. | ||
| Dungannon: 12:03 p.m. | ||
| Ft. Blackmore: 12:48 p.m. | ||
| Kermit: 1:48 p.m. | ||
| Waycross: 2:20 p.m. |
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Lawmaker presents proposal to address Kentucky county jail costs
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Edmonson, presented a proposal Tuesday aimed at addressing the financial challenges facing Kentucky’s county jails.
Meredith brought the legislation, which he sponsored as House Bill 557 during the 2026 regular session, before the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary. The bill had more than 50 co-sponsors but did not receive a committee hearing during the budget session.
Meredith said the interim provides lawmakers an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing county jails, hear from local officials and consider potential changes before the 2027 regular session.
“We are at a crisis point amongst the county governments related to county jails,” Meredith told the committee. “We are open to listening to any ideas.”
According to the Kentucky Association of Counties, local governments transferred nearly $170 million from their general funds to support county jails during fiscal year 2025, a 76 percent increase over six years.
The average cost of operating a county jail is about $63.44 per inmate per day, while counties receive $35.34 per day for housing state inmates, according to the information presented by Meredith.
Meredith said increasing the state’s per-diem payment alone would not address the broader financial challenges facing counties.
“We have to be willing to look at the entire system and ask what makes the most sense for taxpayers and for public safety,” Meredith said. “We cannot continue to put more and more pressure on county governments and expect them to absorb those costs without consequences for other services.”
HB 557 would encourage counties to establish or participate in regional jail systems, change how counties are reimbursed for certain felony pretrial detainees and establish a new model for housing state inmates in county facilities.
Meredith said regional cooperation and greater state participation could help counties reduce duplication and operate more efficiently while maintaining appropriate standards for inmates.
“This is about finding a better way to use taxpayer dollars,” Meredith said. “If there are opportunities to share resources, reduce duplication and operate more efficiently, we should be willing to look at them.”
Lawmakers also discussed jail medical costs, regional jail operations, pretrial detention, the state’s responsibility for inmates and the role of elected jailers.
Meredith said the proposal is intended as a starting point rather than a finished product and encouraged lawmakers and local officials to continue offering ideas.
“We are not coming into this conversation believing we have every answer,” Meredith said. “But we do know the current system is putting a growing burden on county taxpayers, and we have a responsibility to address it. Doing nothing is not a fiscally responsible option.”
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