Kentucky Football Fan Day set for Saturday at Joe Craft Training Center

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Mark your calendars, Big Blue Nation! Kentucky Football has announced its 2025 Fan Day, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s team. The event is set for Saturday, August 2 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Joe Craft Football Training Center and is free and open to the public. Fans will…

Kentucky Children’s Hospital patients team up with tennis pros

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Some of Kentucky’s youngest champions shared the spotlight with tennis pros in a special match Friday at the University of Kentucky’s Boone Tennis Complex. The second annual Lexington Open Mini Pro-Am brought together current and former patients from Kentucky Children’s Hospital, who teamed up with professional players and UK student-athletes for a day of…

Terry Dam boat ramp is officially open

HARRISON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Boaters in Harrison County have a new place to launch, thanks to the opening of the Terry Dam Boat Ramp on the South Fork Licking River. The public ramp is now officially open and offers direct water access just in time for late-summer outdoor activities. The project was a collaboration between the Kentucky…

Six charged in multi-county drug bust involving cocaine, meth, heroin, and more

GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A major drug trafficking ring spanning several counties has been dismantled after a week-long investigation involving local and federal agencies. Authorities say the operation included the Garrard County Sheriff’s Office, Harrodsburg Police, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA. Together, the agencies seized large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana, and cash—describing…

Lexington firefighters rescue kitten from fire truck engine compartment

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Lexington firefighters got an unexpected call for help—this one involving a furry little stowaway. According to a post on the fire department’s social media page, crews from Engine 9 were preparing to head out when they heard a faint “meow” coming from under the hood of their fire truck. That’s when they discovered a…

Georgetown Fire Chief retires after 20 years of service

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A farewell in Georgetown, as Fire Chief Tim Thompson officially retired Thursday after 20 years of service with the Georgetown Fire Department. Thompson joined the department in 2005 and worked his way up through the ranks, ultimately becoming chief in 2022. Over the years, he earned the respect and admiration of his peers and…

Louisville officer won’t face charges in fatal crash

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Louisville Metro Police officer will not face criminal charges in connection to a deadly crash that happened earlier this year. According to ABC affiliate WHAS 11, a Jefferson County grand jury declined to indict Officer Alyssa Begel, who was involved in the April crash that killed 61-year-old Charles Briscoe. Officials say Begel was…

Kentucky approves first medical cannabis dispensary in Beaver Dam

BEAVER DAM, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky has officially approved its first medical cannabis dispensary for operation. State officials say “The Post Dispensary” will be located in Beaver Dam and is expected to open this fall. The facility marks a significant milestone in the state’s rollout of medical cannabis access for eligible patients. Leaders say the approval is a…

Fayette County educators launch new work group to explore collective bargaining

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A new collaboration in Fayette County aims to elevate the voices of educators and support staff within the school district. The Fayette County Education Association and the Educational Support Professionals Association are partnering with Superintendent Demetrus Liggins to create a new work group focused on exploring collective bargaining and strengthening communication between educators and…

Owingsville man confesses to sexually abusing 6-year-old child, police say

OWINGSVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A 25-year-old man is in custody after allegedly confessing to sexually abusing a young child in Bath County. According to Owingsville Police, officers were called to Mt. View Estates on July 30 following a report of possible child sexual abuse. Kentucky State Police also responded to assist with the investigation. After interviewing witnesses and…

Texas murder suspect arrested in Kentucky

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A man wanted for murder in Texas is now in custody in Kentucky. According to Mt. Sterling Police, 44-year-old Marco Martinez was located at a residence on Spencer Pike and arrested without incident. Authorities say Martinez was wanted in connection with a 2023 homicide in Dallas. The arrest was made in coordination with…

Lexington celebrates new school year and 250th anniversary with free family event at Horse Park

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Students and families are invited to a special “Back to Class and Big Cake” celebration this weekend at the Kentucky Horse Park, honoring both the new school year and the City of Lexington’s 250th anniversary. The free event takes place Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. and promises fun for all ages. Organizers say…

Hall of Fame coach named new athletics director for Fayette County Public Schools

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Fayette County Public Schools has named Jackie Duvall as the district’s new Director of Athletics. Duvall, a Hall of Fame track and field coach, will officially begin the position on August 18. District officials say she brings a wealth of experience from her time at Kentucky State University and Frankfort Independent Schools. She also…

Fancy Farm political picnic draws candidates to Graves County

GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Western Kentucky is preparing for a big political weekend as the annual Fancy Farm political picnic returns Saturday at the St. Jerome Catholic Church campgrounds in Graves County. The long-running barbecue fundraiser is a Kentucky tradition known for its fiery speeches and national attention, as politicians from across the Commonwealth try to leave…

Laurel County Sheriff’s Office opens new location in London

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office is opening the doors to its new location Monday (8/04) morning. The office, now located on State Road 192 East in London, will officially open at 8 a.m. Deputies say the new facility offers improved accessibility for the community, including handicap access and plenty of parking for visitors….

Boyle County man charged after two cats die in hot car

BOYLE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Boyle County man is facing serious charges after two cats died from apparent heat exposure inside his vehicle. According to the Boyle County Sheriff’s Office, 54-year-old Travis Wheeler has been charged with animal torture and cruelty. Deputies say Wheeler allegedly left his two cats inside his car for more than three hours…

Summer heat wave breaks to kick off August

Afternoon highs will be cooler into the low 80s with less humidity

After days of sweltering heat and humidity, a shift in the pattern is finally here! Thursday marked the beginning of the change as a cold front swept across Central and Eastern Kentucky, bringing a few scattered storms and helping to knock temperatures down just a bit. While some spots saw heavy rain and a good light show, others stayed mainly…