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Gov. Beshear: Fayette County Public School superintendent shouldn't get buyout
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - The Fayette County Public School Board placed Superintendent Demetrus Liggins on paid administrative leave Wednesday, one day after confusing information emerged about whether Liggins had resigned. Questions also arose about a potential separation…
Prehospital blood program already saving lives across central Kentucky
JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Four central Kentucky EMS agencies are already seeing life-saving results from a new prehospital blood transfusion program — and organizers hope to expand it statewide. Through a partnership with the Kentucky Blood…
A few scattered storms possible to end the week
It felt more like the heart of the summer season Thursday across Central and Eastern Kentucky as unseasonably warm and humid air stayed put over…
Former Lexington restaurant owner indicted on 23 counts in sexual assault of teen employee
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Fayette Circuit Court grand jury indicted a former Lexington restaurant owner on 23 charges, including 17 counts of third-degree rape and five counts of third-degree sodomy, after investigators say he sexually assaulted a…
Keeneland Library receives Kentucky Historical Society's top preservation award
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) — The Keeneland Library in Lexington has received the Thomas D. Clark Award of Excellence from the Kentucky Historical Society, the organization's highest honor for preserving and sharing the Commonwealth's heritage.…
Franklin County High School community mourning death of student following cancer battle
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Franklin County Schools community is now mourning the death of rising junior KeAaron Jones following a "courageous battle with cancer," the district said on social media Wednesday. According to FCS, Jones attended…
Jessamine County EMS mourns death of Advanced EMT after brain cancer battle
JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Jessamine County Emergency Medical Service is mourning the loss of Advanced EMT Rusty Day-Taylor, who died following a battle with brain cancer. The agency detailed that Day-Taylor served the citizens of Jessamine…
Fayette County sheriff's lieutenant named 2026 Kentucky DARE Officer of the Year
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lieutenant Antoine Palmer of the Office of the Fayette County Sheriff was named the 2026 Kentucky DARE Officer of the Year. The award was presented on Tuesday, at Great Crossing High School…
Hot and humid into the late week
We got a break from the active and wet weather pattern on Wednesday across much of Central and Eastern Kentucky following the significant rainfall here in the Bluegrass Tuesday.…
Lexington announces third wave of medical debt relief for thousands of residents
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lexington has announced a third wave of medical debt relief, eliminating more than $4.8 million in outstanding debt for 2,185 residents. Undue Medical…
Cherie DeVaux named to TIME100 most influential people in sports list
(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Horse-racing trainer Cherie DeVaux has been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in sports after the horse she trains, Golden Tempo, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. DeVaux is listed under…
Lexington activates Phase One of its heat plan as index forecast to hit 95 degrees
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lexington activated Phase One of its Heat Plan Wednesday as the heat index is forecast to reach 95 degrees. The activation runs from June 10 to June 11, and triggers a series of…
Lexington Urban County Council approves fiscal year budget for 2027
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council gave its final approval Tuesday for the city's 2027 fiscal year budget. According to a release, the budget includes almost $300 million allotted across public safety divisions…
Lexington City Council unanimously passes a moratorium on new data center approvals
Update: June 9 at 11 p.m. The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council unanimously passed a moratorium on new data center approvals, pausing permits, development plan acceptances and zone changes related to data centers until Oct. 31. 5th District Representative Liz…
2 teens charged in connection to Monday night robbery in Lexington
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Two teens have been charged in connection to a Monday night robbery on North Limestone in Lexington. According to Lexington Police, officers responded to the area of North Limestone and Church Street just…
Harlan County deputy named Kentucky's school resource officer of the year
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - A Harlan County deputy who grew up as a self-described at-risk youth is now being recognized as the best school resource officer in Kentucky. Deputy Josh Sargent, who serves at Wallins Elementary School,…
FCPS Board places Demetrus Liggins on administrative leave, appoints interim superintendent
Update: June 10 at 10 p.m. After a nearly three hour meeting Wednesday night, the Fayette County School Board moved unanimously to place Dr. Demetrus Liggins on paid administrative leave pending "review and resolution of information regarding the superintendent's employment."…
Heavy rain potential continues into the mid-week
With a tropical air-mass in place over the region and a wave of energy slowly sliding through, it turned out to be quite a wet Tuesday across parts…
Kentucky State University gets new academic structure as it transitions to polytechnic institution
(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - The Council on Postsecondary Education approved a new academic structure for Kentucky State University at its June meeting, marking a significant step in the university's transformation to a polytechnic institution under Senate Bill 185. …
Wilmore kicks off Salute to Service celebration with veteran memorial procession
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - The town of Wilmore in Jessamine County is marking a milestone-filled year with a three-day Salute to Service celebration that kicked off Thursday. "It's America's 250th [birthday], Wilmore's 150th [birthday],…
Lexington police investigating overnight shooting on Ohio Street
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lexington police are investigating an overnight shooting near that reportedly occurred on Ohio Street Friday. Police received a call at about 2 a.m. Friday on Ohio Street near downtown Lexington. When officers arrived,…
Gov. Beshear: Fayette County Public School superintendent shouldn't get buyout
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - The Fayette County Public School Board placed Superintendent Demetrus Liggins on paid administrative leave Wednesday, one day after confusing information emerged about whether Liggins had resigned. Questions also arose about a potential separation…
Former Lexington restaurant owner indicted on 23 counts in sexual assault of teen employee
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Fayette Circuit Court grand jury indicted a former Lexington restaurant owner on 23 charges, including 17 counts of third-degree rape and five counts of third-degree sodomy, after investigators say he sexually assaulted a…
Keeneland Library receives Kentucky Historical Society's top preservation award
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) — The Keeneland Library in Lexington has received the Thomas D. Clark Award of Excellence from the Kentucky Historical Society, the organization's highest honor for preserving and sharing the Commonwealth's heritage.…
Fayette County sheriff's lieutenant named 2026 Kentucky DARE Officer of the Year
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lieutenant Antoine Palmer of the Office of the Fayette County Sheriff was named the 2026 Kentucky DARE Officer of the Year. The award was presented on Tuesday, at Great Crossing High School…
Kentucky football announces kickoff windows, TV designations for 2026 season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) — Kentucky football's kickoff time windows and several television designations for the 2026 season were announced Wednesday by the Southeastern Conference. The Wildcats are scheduled to play at least four consecutive…
Lexington announces third wave of medical debt relief for thousands of residents
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lexington has announced a third wave of medical debt relief, eliminating more than $4.8 million in outstanding debt for 2,185 residents. Undue Medical…
Lexington activates Phase One of its heat plan as index forecast to hit 95 degrees
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Lexington activated Phase One of its Heat Plan Wednesday as the heat index is forecast to reach 95 degrees. The activation runs from June 10 to June 11, and triggers a series of…
Lexington Urban County Council approves fiscal year budget for 2027
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council gave its final approval Tuesday for the city's 2027 fiscal year budget. According to a release, the budget includes almost $300 million allotted across public safety divisions…
Lexington City Council unanimously passes a moratorium on new data center approvals
Update: June 9 at 11 p.m. The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council unanimously passed a moratorium on new data center approvals, pausing permits, development plan acceptances and zone changes related to data centers until Oct. 31. 5th District Representative Liz…
2 teens charged in connection to Monday night robbery in Lexington
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Two teens have been charged in connection to a Monday night robbery on North Limestone in Lexington. According to Lexington Police, officers responded to the area of North Limestone and Church Street just…
'Turn around don't drown': Flash flood warning issued for Lexington amid heavy rainfall
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The National Weather Service Louisville reported that a flash flood warning has been issued for Lexington, Athens, and Coletown Tuesday afternoon as the rain continues to fall in the region. In a critical push alert,…
Beshear extends gas tax cut for 33 Kentucky communities through end of June
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Gov. Andy Beshear has extended his executive order reducing the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon for 33 Kentucky cities and counties where local officials formally requested an extension. A press release…
$800K lawsuit alleges Town Branch Park misled donor over naming rights for Water Play Area
A Texas philanthropist has sued Town Branch Park, Inc. in Fayette Circuit Court, alleging the nonprofit and its executives misled her about naming rights for a planned Water Play Area in Lexington. Susan Naylor, chair of the Will Smith Foundation,…
UK Healthcare: Hands-only CPR can double or triple survival chances during cardiac arrest
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - Hands-only CPR can help bystanders save lives during cardiac arrest emergencies, according to a UK Healthcare expert. Jacob Stone with UK Healthcare said most people hesitate to perform CPR because…
Louisville man arrested after police chase, accused of robbing 2 Kentucky gas stations
MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A Louisville man is facing multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree robbery, after a police pursuit through two Kentucky counties ended with his arrest Monday. Kentucky State Police Trooper Ben Allen…
Bath County Memorial Library seed program offers free seeds to help address community food needs
BATH COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - The Bath County Memorial Library is the central hub for a seed library program that reaches 25 other libraries, helping residents grow their own food. Libraries are more than…
Nic 'Happy' Smith, a Kentucky Football Defensive Lineman, Dies
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 236 NEWS NOW) - On Monday, the University of Kentucky shared in a press release that Nic 'Happy' Smith, a redshirt Freshman on the football team, has died. The three-star recruit out of high school did not…
Kentucky State University gets new academic structure as it transitions to polytechnic institution
(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - The Council on Postsecondary Education approved a new academic structure for Kentucky State University at its June meeting, marking a significant step in the university's transformation to a polytechnic institution under Senate Bill 185. …
Wilmore kicks off Salute to Service celebration with veteran memorial procession
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - The town of Wilmore in Jessamine County is marking a milestone-filled year with a three-day Salute to Service celebration that kicked off Thursday. "It's America's 250th [birthday], Wilmore's 150th [birthday],…
Former Jessamine County prosecutor indicted on misconduct-related charges
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A former Jessamine County prosecutor was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday on misconduct-related felony charges, according to Attorney General Russell Coleman. According to a press release, a Jessamine County Grand Jury…
KSP searching for inmate who escaped from the Madison County Detention Center
MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Kentucky State Police are searching for an inmate who reportedly escaped from the Madison County Detention Center just before midnight on Thursday. 23-year-old Calain Myers of Lexington, is described by KSP as…
Franklin County High School community mourning death of student following cancer battle
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Franklin County Schools community is now mourning the death of rising junior KeAaron Jones following a "courageous battle with cancer," the district said on social media Wednesday. According to FCS, Jones attended…
Jessamine County EMS mourns death of Advanced EMT after brain cancer battle
JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Jessamine County Emergency Medical Service is mourning the loss of Advanced EMT Rusty Day-Taylor, who died following a battle with brain cancer. The agency detailed that Day-Taylor served the citizens of Jessamine…
Cherie DeVaux named to TIME100 most influential people in sports list
(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Horse-racing trainer Cherie DeVaux has been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in sports after the horse she trains, Golden Tempo, won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. DeVaux is listed under…
Lexington City Council unanimously passes a moratorium on new data center approvals
Update: June 9 at 11 p.m. The Lexington Fayette Urban County Council unanimously passed a moratorium on new data center approvals, pausing permits, development plan acceptances and zone changes related to data centers until Oct. 31. 5th District Representative Liz…
70-year-old man confirmed dead following Whitley County house fire, investigation underway
WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - A 70-year-old man is dead after a house fire Tuesday in the Rockholds community of Whitley County, according to Kentucky State Police. KSP detailed that firefighters found a man, identified as Eddie…
Beshear extends gas tax cut for 33 Kentucky communities through end of June
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Gov. Andy Beshear has extended his executive order reducing the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon for 33 Kentucky cities and counties where local officials formally requested an extension. A press release…
KSP: California woman dies after being struck by car on I-75 while chasing escaped pet in Rockcastle Co.
ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - A California woman died Monday after she was reportedly struck by a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Rockcastle County while trying to retrieve a pet that had escaped from her car following…
UK Healthcare: Hands-only CPR can double or triple survival chances during cardiac arrest
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - Hands-only CPR can help bystanders save lives during cardiac arrest emergencies, according to a UK Healthcare expert. Jacob Stone with UK Healthcare said most people hesitate to perform CPR because…
Louisville man arrested after police chase, accused of robbing 2 Kentucky gas stations
MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A Louisville man is facing multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree robbery, after a police pursuit through two Kentucky counties ended with his arrest Monday. Kentucky State Police Trooper Ben Allen…
Bath County Memorial Library seed program offers free seeds to help address community food needs
BATH COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) - The Bath County Memorial Library is the central hub for a seed library program that reaches 25 other libraries, helping residents grow their own food. Libraries are more than…
Emmy-winning actor Kelsey Grammer joins cast Kentucky based film 'Ethan Almighty'
BARDSTOWN, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) - Emmy-winning actor Kelsey Grammer, best known for his role as Dr. Fraiser Crane in "Cheers" and "Fraiser," has joined the cast of "Ethan Almighty," Deadline reports. The film is set to detail the…
Father arrested after toddlers found unsupervised near swimming pools in Knox County
KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — A Barbourville man was arrested after two toddlers were reportedly found wandering unsupervised near swimming pools while he was asleep inside the home. According to the Knox County Sheriff's Office, a deputy responded Saturday,…
Kentucky woman dies after crash involving tow truck on Highway 460 in Morgan County
WEST LIBERTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A West Liberty woman died after a rollback tow truck reportedly struck her vehicle on Highway 460 West near West Liberty Vet Clinic on Friday. Kentucky State Police reported that 66-year-old Linda…
Rob Sand rallies with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear as Democrats aim to flip Iowa governor seat
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Rob Sand rallied a crowd for the first time as the official Democratic nominee for Iowa governor on Sunday, kicking off a countdown to November with the support of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. The race…
KSP: Minnesota woman dies after losing control of 3-wheeled motorcycle in Anderson County
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A 61-year-old woman died Sunday after she reportedly lost control of her three-wheeled motorcycle on a sharp curve in Anderson County, Kentucky State Police said. KSP reported that Carol Jean Olson, of Faribault,…
Rob Sand to rally in Iowa governor bid with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear as Democrats eye a flip
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rob Sand will rally a crowd for the first time as the official Democratic nominee for Iowa governor on Sunday, kicking off a countdown to November with the support of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. The race for governor…
Pope to traffickers of migrants: Stop, repent or face God's wrath
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - Pope Leo XIV warned human smugglers on Friday that they will face God's wrath for exploiting the desperation of migrants, demanding they stop and repent during his final day in this epicenter of the…
Pope honors Barcelona's Sagrada Familia as masterpiece of stone, color and light on Gaudí centenary
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Sagrada Familia Basilica as a masterpiece of “stones, colors and light,” as he marked the centenary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, with a Mass on Wednesday to inaugurate its final…
Ex-Air Canada captain accused of flying for 16 years without proper license
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - A former Air Canada pilot has been charged after flying for years without a proper license, Canadian police said Tuesday. Geoffrey Wall, of Barrie, Ontario, is alleged to have operated as an airline captain…
US Army helicopter crashes near Strait of Hormuz; Trump says crew uninjured
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - A U.S. Army helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, but President Donald Trump said the two crew members aboard were not injured in the incident near the strategic waterway that Iran has effectively…
Pope meets with 6 clergy abuse survivors in Spain, hopes to improve response
MADRID (AP) — Pope Leo XIV met Monday with six survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Madrid and vowed to consider their suggestions for how the Catholic Church can improve its response to the crisis, the Vatican said. The meeting,…
Israel and Iran trade strikes, threatening to drag the region back into full-scale war
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Israel and Iran traded fire early Monday in their first attacks since the U.S. struck a ceasefire with Tehran two months ago. Hours later, Iran's military said that it would stop offensive operations. The…
Mirra Andreeva, 19, wins French Open to become youngest champion since 1992
(AP) - Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva was already a tennis phenom at age 15. At 19, she’s a Grand Slam champion. The eighth-ranked Andreeva ended the run of 114th-ranked Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska by 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open…
Spearfisher killed in Australia’s third fatal shark attack in 4 weeks
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A spearfisher was killed on Saturday in Australia’s third fatal shark attack in four weeks, police said. The 35-year-old man was spearfishing with family off Michaelmas Island near the port city of Albany in Western Australia…
Taipei Zoo welcomes a pair of red pandas from China, first in over a decade
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A zoo in Taiwan's capital received a pair of endangered red pandas from China on Saturday, in the first exchange of animals in more than a decade as tensions between the two sides run high. The…
Court overturns immigration restrictions that left thousands in legal limbo
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - A federal judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy enacted after the shooting of two National Guard members that made it harder for immigrants from dozens of countries to stay and enter…
Zelenskyy proposes direct meeting with Putin to discuss ending war
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday called for face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The letter, the first public message Zelenskyy has written directly to Putin since…
North Korea unveils a new plant to produce fuel for nuclear weapons
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday unveiled a new facility to produce nuclear bomb fuels, with leader Kim Jong Un announcing plans to bolster the country’s nuclear forces “at an exponential rate.” Some experts still question whether North Korea…
Patients find help with therapy donkeys at psychiatric hospital near Paris
NEUILLY-SUR-MARNE, France (AP) — Therapy donkeys are helping patients with mental health conditions recover in a psychiatric hospital unit outside Paris that's unique to France. The 19th century farm buildings and wooded surroundings are a haven within the Ville-Evrard hospital complex…
Kenyan president defends US Ebola quarantine center amid protests
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - Kenya's president on Monday defended the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility by the U.S., a move that led to protests despite a court order blocking the plan. President William Ruto on Monday night…
Cargo ship explodes off Iraq in latest Mideast maritime attack amid Iran war
The United States said Monday that it bombed radar and drone sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American drone over the weekend. Iran then said it targeted American soldiers in Kuwait with missiles, which the U.S. says it…
Israeli army captures strategic castle in Lebanon
(AP via SCRIPPS NEWS GROUP) - Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in the deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-century, the military said Sunday. The capture of…
Israeli army captures strategic castle in Lebanon
(AP) - Israeli troops have captured a strategic mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in the deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter-century, the military said Sunday. The capture of Beaufort castle, near the…
WHO chief reports 5 Ebola recoveries as a new treatment center opens in eastern Congo
(AP) - Five patients have recovered from a rare type of Ebola virus, the head of the World Health Organization said Sunday during a visit to Bunia in eastern Congo, a city at the heart of an outbreak. “Four people…
Joy and relief as rescuers evacuate survivors from Laos cave; 2 still missing
(AP) - Rescue workers in Laos said Saturday they have safely evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, the day after another one was successfully extracted. Two men remain missing. Lao and Thai rescue groups posted…
WHO chief visits Congo Ebola epicenter as cases surge
(AP) - The head of the World Health Organization Saturday arrived in eastern Congo’s Bunia, a city at the heart of an outbreak of a rare type of Ebola, where the virus still spreads faster than the response, despite better-organized…
