Episode S2026E08 of Hardin Local Weekly — and the original crew is back together!

⏱️ Jump to any segment:

0:00 – Intro & Announcements

11:14 – Business News with Nate

17:53 – Sandie's Story (Blue Oval SK)

41:44 – Events with Jon O'Brien

Special guest Sandie Yarborough joins Phil Taul, Scott Lucas, Jon O'Brien, and Nate Bryan to share her firsthand account as one of the 1,600 Blue Oval SK workers who lost their jobs when the Hardin County battery plant shut down last December. Sandie was recently featured in The New York Times and opens up about what the shutdown was really like, the UAW vote, what laid-off workers are experiencing now, and how she's rebuilding — including launching her own wellness tea business.

Segments this week:

0:00 – Intro, Announcements & Icebreaker

11:14 – Business News with Nate Bryan: General Pho's coming to Radcliff, Guadalajara replacing Tequila House at Lincoln Center, Fuel Fortress taking over the old Joann's space, Kilwins confirmed for E-Town, Sorting Spoon food truck update

17:53 – Special Guest Sandie Yarborough: The Blue Oval SK story from the factory floor — the excitement, the UAW vote, the shocking shutdown, and life after

41:44 – Local Events with Jon O'Brien: Hall of Fame Gala, Live Pro Wrestling in Upton, Spring Fling Craft Fair, North Hardin HS Seussical Jr., intro to beekeeping, and more

Find the New York Times article and all episode links at HardinLocal.com.

This episode is sponsored by TekTel — local technology solutions for business phone systems, cybersecurity, and practical AI tools for growing companies.