Summer heat and humidity roll along to end the week

A few isolated storms could provide some brief relief in spots

Thursday brought another classic late-July day across Central and Eastern Kentucky with blazing sunshine and plenty of heat. Afternoon highs surged into the upper 80s and low 90s and when you added in the high humidity, many spots felt closer to 100 degrees. Areas west of Lexington even climbed into the 105-degree range for “feels-like” temperatures, making it another day…

Nicholasville Police, U.S. Marshals executing high-risk arrest warrant

UPDATE: According to the Nicholasville Police Department, the US Marshals office asked for assistance in apprehending a person with several warrants. It was determined, based on reports they received, that they would need the SWAT team to assist. At 2:00 p.m., SWAT entered the house, but did not locate the suspect. At that time, the scene was cleared and roads…

Franklin County man accused of killing sons in house fire set for September trial

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Franklin County man accused of intentionally setting a house fire that killed his two sons and a family dog is now scheduled to stand trial. Court records show Dustin Fields is set for trial on September 22, with a status hearing scheduled for August 22. According to investigators, Fields allegedly set his…

Defendants in Amber Spradlin murder case return to court ahead of December trial

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Three defendants charged in connection with the death of Amber Spradlin were back in court Thursday for a status hearing ahead of their upcoming trial. Spradlin’s body was found in June 2023 at the Prestonsburg home of dentist Dr. Michael McKinney. His son, M.K. McKinney, is charged with her murder. Both McKinneys, along with…

Lexington group to stage ‘die-in’ protest against Trump administration budget proposal

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A local activist group is planning a symbolic street protest in downtown Lexington Thursday night in response to proposed federal budget cuts. Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance will hold a “die-in” demonstration at 7:30 p.m. outside the Robert F. Stephens District Courthouse. Organizers say participants will lie on the ground with handmade tombstone signs to represent…

Lexington rolls out heat plan as temperatures climb

Cooling centers open, services adjusted as heat index nears 95 degrees

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The ABC 36 Storm Team is reporting hot temperatures heading into this weekend. The heat is on for the Bluegrass, as many crank up the A/C and look to stay cool, the city of Lexington is rolling out Phase One of its heat plan for the rest of the week. “Phase one of…

Lexington man charged in second homicide now facing two murder counts

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A man already jailed for one Lexington murder is now facing charges in a second deadly shooting—and he’s back in court Thursday. Lexington Police say 25-year-old Deonte Carter has been charged in connection with the December 2021 shooting death of Devon Sandusky on Oak Hill Drive. Carter was already behind bars at the Fayette…

WEKU working to resolve broadcast issues caused by storm damage

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — WEKU Public Radio is still working to restore full service after weekend storms caused significant damage to its broadcasting equipment. According to station officials, engineers have already replaced several damaged components, but additional, more complex software and hardware problems have since been discovered. Those technical issues are slowing the station’s full return to air….

State Police investigating possible murder-suicide in Harlan County

HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky State Police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after a husband and wife were found dead outside their home in Closplint. According to investigators, the man allegedly shot and killed his wife Monday afternoon as she tried to run from the home. Troopers say the man then turned the gun on himself and…

Lexington Police department hiring school crossing guards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Lexington Police Department is now hiring school crossing guards to help keep children safe as they head back to school. According to the department, school crossing guards are part-time, non-sworn employees who assist students crossing busy streets near school zones. They typically work morning and afternoon shifts while school is in session. Anyone…

Another Hot and Humid Day Across the Commonwealth

Plenty of sunshine and heat now, with hit-or-miss storms by the weekend.

Dry Weather Holds, But the Heat is the Big Story We are locked into a classic late-July pattern across Central and Eastern Kentucky, with plenty of sunshine, just a few scattered clouds, and limited rain chances. High pressure stretching across the region has kept most of us dry, a nice change after the frequent daily storm chances earlier this month….