Summer heat rolls along this week

Heat index values will top the century mark at times during the afternoons

Hot, Humid, and Hanging AroundSummer made an official entrance late Friday—and it didn’t waste any time turning up the heat. Over the weekend, a strong ridge of high pressure surged into the Ohio Valley, ushering in the hottest stretch we’ve seen so far in 2025. Afternoon highs easily reached the low 90s, and when you factored in the humidity, it…

Military Honors Ceremony honoring our nation’s heroes

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A powerful evening of patriotism and remembrance is planned in Nicholasville this week as part of the annual Military Freedom Fest. The Military Honors Ceremony will take place Thursday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at Christ Embassy Church. Brigadier General Howard Hunt will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which will include…

Lexington’s extreme heat plan now activated

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — With dangerous heat expected this week, Lexington Emergency Management is activating Phase One of its extreme heat plan starting Monday through Friday, June 27. Our ABC 36 Storm Team Meteorologists say heat index values are expected to hover around 100 degrees. In response, cooling stations will open across the city to provide relief for…

Staying cool: how Kentucky’s outdoor workers handle the heat

Waste collectors, construction crews, and others must take extra precautions in the heat

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The high temperatures sweeping across the Commonwealth this week are taking a toll, especially on those working outside. Kentuckians are doing their best to stay cool as hot and humid weather settles over the Bluegrass. While many are cranking up the air conditioning, outdoor workers like Luke Robinson with Rumpke have to find…

The search is on for escaped inmate in Madison County

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky State Police are searching for an inmate who escaped from the Bluegrass Career and Development Center in Madison County. Authorities say 28-year-old Jarod Barnes walked away from the facility around 6:45 p.m. Sunday. He was last seen wearing a white tank top, black sweatpants, and white tennis shoes. Barnes has several tattoos on…

Driver crashes into Georgetown Save-A-Lot while fleeing police, officials say

UPDATE: GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A driver is facing multiple charges after crashing into the Save-A-Lot grocery store in Georgetown early Monday morning while allegedly fleeing from police. According to the Georgetown Police Department, the incident began around 1:50 a.m. when an officer spotted a vehicle traveling 71 mph in a 55 mph zone on McClelland Circle. As…

Police search for suspect in Meadowsweet Lane shooting

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Lexington police are searching for a suspect following a weekend shooting that left one man injured. According to officers, the shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Meadowsweet Lane near Kearney Creek Lane. A man told police he was shot while sitting in his car. The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening…

Drug trafficking suspect found parked on I-75 in Madison Co.

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Lexington man is facing multiple charges after deputies say they found a large quantity of drugs in his vehicle during a roadside check on I-75 in Madison County. According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, 55-year-old Robert Shirley is charged with trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in marijuana, and resisting arrest. Deputies say they…

Investigation after pickup collides with motorcycle in Mercer Co.

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Police in Mercer County are investigating a crash involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck. According to the Harrodsburg Police Department, the two vehicles collided around 2 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of College Street and Office Street. At this time, there’s no word on injuries or whether any charges will be filed. The…

Hot and very humid conditions continue

Afternoon highs will climb into the low-to-mid 90s on Monday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – It’s the kind of weather you expect in the middle of July, not June but here we are. A persistent ridge of high pressure remains anchored over the region, keeping central and eastern Kentucky locked into a hot and very humid weather pattern that will continue through at least Wednesday. A Heat Advisory…

Heat and Humidity Push Feels-Like Temps Past 100°

Heat Advisory in Effect Through Tuesday at 8 P.M. as Hot and Humid Conditions Grip the Region

Summer Heat Has Arrived in Full Force We wrapped up the weekend with a classic dose of mid-summer weather across Central and Eastern Kentucky—hot, humid, and mostly sunny. Sunday’s temperatures soared into the upper 80s and low 90s, with heat index values pushing into the triple digits in some spots. A strong area of high pressure is now firmly in…

Heat and Humidity Set to Move into the Region Next Week

Heat and humidity moving in this weekend bringing afternoon temps into the low 90s

Dry Skies and Building Heat This WeekendFor the first time in weeks we are enjoying a dry weekend from start to finish, and it couldn’t come at a better time. A strong ridge of high pressure is locking in across the eastern U.S., delivering plenty of sunshine and a big bump in temperatures. Highs Saturday topped out around 90°, with…

Heat builds in as we welcome the summer season

Afternoon highs will top out around 90 degrees this weekend

Friday wrapped up spring on a high note across Central and Eastern Kentucky, with a picture-perfect afternoon of sunshine and warm temperatures. After the recent parade of thunderstorms, this calmer and brighter finish to the week was more than welcome. Highs climbed into the mid-80s, setting the tone for what’s to come. And as the Summer Solstice officially hits at…

High water at Elkhorn Creek creating dangerous conditions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Emergency crews are warning the public to stay off Elkhorn Creek after recent heavy rainfall has made the popular waterway increasingly dangerous. Fast-moving currents, hidden debris, and high water levels—especially near spots like Stillwater Campground—are creating hazardous conditions for tubers, kayakers, and swimmers. Fire crews have already responded to several water-related incidents in recent…

Ribbon cutting for Appalachian Regional Healthcare mobile clinic

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Governor Andy Beshear joined Appalachian Regional Healthcare leaders in Frankfort Friday to unveil a new mobile clinic aimed at bringing medical care directly to rural communities across eastern Kentucky. The clinic—officially launched during a ribbon-cutting ceremony—is designed to improve access to healthcare for those who may struggle with transportation or live in areas with…

Harmful algae found at Herrington Lake

State officials urge caution around the water this weekend

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A warning is in place at Herrington Lake as harmful algae blooms have been detected in the water. State officials are advising anyone heading to the lake this weekend to be on the lookout for blue-green algae, which experts say can pose health risks to both people and pets. “Yeah, it can cause…

AAA expecting record-breaking 4th of July travel week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — AAA is forecasting a record-breaking travel week for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, with millions of Americans expected to hit the roads—and Kentucky highways are no exception. According to AAA, more than 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home. Of those, more than 61 million are expected to travel…