UPDATE: During a news conference in Laurel County, officials said they believe the body found earlier Wednesday near Exit 49, is that of suspected shooter Joseph Couch. Phillip Burnett, commissioner of Kentucky State Police said, “Laurel county can rest much easier, knowing that this manhunt has come to a conclusion.” Officials say evidence in the area is still being processed,…
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate by an unusually large half-point, a dramatic shift after more than two years of high rates helped tame inflation but that also made borrowing painfully expensive for American consumers. The rate cut, the Fed’s first in more than four years, reflects…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational. “By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient…
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington police are investigating a shooting that occurred this afternoon on the 300 block of Redding Road, near Kirklevington Park. Officers responded to the call shortly before 4 p.m. and found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover. At this time, no…
By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer Instagram is making teen accounts private by default as it tries to make the platform safer for children amid a growing backlash against how social media affects young people’s lives. Beginning Tuesday in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, anyone under under 18 who signs up for Instagram will be placed into restrictive teen…
BIG CREEK, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) are investigating the death of a Clay County woman, Angela “Toot Toot” Smith, whose remains were recently identified after being found in 2021. According to a release from KSP, Smith, 30, was reported missing by her family on March 27, 2016, in Big Creek, Kentucky. Nearly five years later,…
RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A tragic officer-involved shooting in Russell County on Monday evening has claimed the life of Deputy Josh Phipps, a three-year veteran of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation into the incident, which occurred on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs at approximately…
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A federal grant of more than $920,000 will allow the Lexington Fire Department to expand its emergency medical training for 27 firefighters, a move that officials say will strengthen the city’s ability to respond to medical emergencies. The funding, provided by the “Assistance to Firefighters Grant,” will cover training and overtime costs, according to…
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The search for 32-year-old Joseph Couch, the suspect in Saturday’s mass shooting on I-75, has entered its sixth day, with no new developments reported by authorities. Thursday morning, Governor Andy Beshear visited Laurel County to meet with law enforcement and provide an update to the community. Governor Beshear shared positive news regarding the…
By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman unveiled plans Tuesday to create a statewide drug prevention program, saying the youth-focused initiative would fill a hole in the Bluegrass State’s fight against an addiction epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives. Coleman presented the plan’s details to a state commission, which unanimously approved his request for a $3.6…
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The search for 32-year-old Joseph Couch continues as authorities enter the fourth day of the manhunt. Couch is wanted in connection with a shooting near exit 49 on I-75 that left multiple people injured. Couch, who is from Woodbine, is described as 5’10” and weighing 154 pounds. Law enforcement officials have been actively…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Nine Kentucky teachers were recognized as recipients of the 2025 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards, with the winners announced Tuesday. In the elementary school category, Scott Johnson from Red Cross Elementary in Barren County was honored. Jennifer Montgomery from Eminence Independent Middle School in Henry County took the award for middle school. In the high…
ANDERSON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Anderson County Middle School students were evacuated Tuesday, after administrators discovered an inappropriate and threatening comment written on a bathroom wall. As a precaution, local law enforcement was notified, and School Resource Officers (SROs) have called for secure instruction at other campus locations. During this time, students are being required to remain in…
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A daredevil billionaire rocketed back into orbit Tuesday, aiming to perform the first private spacewalk and venture farther than anyone since NASA’s Apollo moonshots. Unlike his previous chartered flight, tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman shared the cost with SpaceX this time around, which included developing and testing brand new spacesuits…
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93. His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed Jones died Monday morning…
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Kentucky State Police have announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Joseph Couch, who is currently considered armed and dangerous. Couch is described as 5’10” and 154 pounds. In addition to the KSP reward, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a private donor has contributed $10,000,…
LONDON (AP) — Kate, the princess of Wales, says she has completed chemotherapy and will return to some public duties in the coming months. The 42-year-old wife of Prince William is expected to undertake a light program of engagements until the end of the year. She announced in March that she was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer….
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Several school districts, including Laurel County Public Schools, are closed today as law enforcement continues to search for an armed suspect involved in a shooting near I-75. Districts that have closed as a precaution include: Laurel County Public Schools Rockcastle County Schools Whitley County School District Lincoln County Public Schools East Bernstadt Independent…
By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press LONDON, Ky. (AP) — As a grueling manhunt stretched into a third day Monday for a suspect in an interstate shooting that struck 12 vehicles and wounded five people, authorities vowed to keep up a relentless search as the stress level remained high for a rural area where some schools canceled classes. Authorities…
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Laurel County Public Schools have announced that classes will be canceled on Monday, September 9, 2024, as a precautionary measure due to an ongoing safety situation. In a statement, the school district emphasized that student and staff safety is a top priority. The decision to cancel school was made “out of an abundance…
By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — LaNorris Sellers threw two touchdown passes, Nick Emmanwori returned one of South Carolina’s two interceptions for another score and the Gamecocks held Kentucky to just 183 yards for a 31-6 victory to open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday. Raheim Sanders rushed for a 21-yard touchdown late in the third…
By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press LONDON, Ky. (AP) — A manhunt was underway early Sunday as police searched for a gunman in a rural area of southeastern Kentucky near Interstate 75, according to authorities who said seven people were hurt in the shooting and a vehicle accident that accompanied the violence. The shooting Saturday was followed by an intense search…
By JEFF AMY and JEFF MARTIN Associated Press WINDER, Ga. (AP) — The 14-year-old suspect in a shooting at a Georgia high school that killed four people and his father will both stay in custody following back-to-back court hearings Friday morning where their lawyers declined to seek bail. At 14-year-old Colt Gray’s hearing, the teen was advised of his rights…
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Four boaters were forced to swim to shore after a boating accident on Lake Cumberland Thursday evening, with one person being airlifted to a hospital for treatment. According to Russell County Search and Rescue, they were called around 8:30 p.m. to respond to a sinking boat near Campbell’s Landing Boat Ramp. The boat…