Versailles Police Searching For "persons Of Interest"
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Versailles police searching for “persons of interest”

Department asks public for help identifying persons of interest in Woodford County case
John Croft, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

VERSAILLES, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – In Woodford County, the Versailles Police Department is asking for help in the search for several people wanted for questioning. According to police, officers are seeking help identifying three individuals shown in photos shared with the public. Police say the three are considered “persons of interest” in an ongoing criminal investigation. If you…

Tg Futurecast
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Unseasonably cool across the region for the late week

Afternoon highs should stay in the 60s the next few days
T.G. Shuck,

After a stormy Tuesday that brought damaging winds and multiple rounds of heavy rain to Central and Eastern Kentucky, things finally calmed down on Wednesday. We traded the thunder and lightning for a quieter, cooler setup as a brisk west wind helped usher in more seasonable—if not chilly—air. Most areas stayed dry under a mix of sun and clouds, though…

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Is Now Available
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Disaster Unemployment assistance is now available

John Croft, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Governor Andy Beshear has announced that disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) is now available for workers in 37 Kentucky counties affected by the deadly storms in April. The program covers individuals who lost their jobs or had their work interrupted due to tornadoes, flooding, or landslides. Eligible applicants include farmers, the self-employed, and others not…

Laurel County Clean Up Complicated By More Rain
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Laurel County clean up complicated by more rain

Walker Simmons, John Croft,

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — As communities across southern Kentucky continue the long road to recovery after Friday’s deadly tornado, new storms Tuesday night brought fresh challenges — drenching debris, damaging already-vulnerable homes, and forcing some residents to evacuate once again. Lydia Hughes, who lives in Laurel County with her husband and six children, said the tornado struck…

Major Leslie Roger Leatherman
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Longtime Kentucky firefighter died in powerful storm while shielding his wife from danger

Associated Press, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

Note: The video attached to this story was produced by reporter Alex Suckow, from CNN Affiliate WLKY in Louisville. LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky firefighter Leslie Leatherman answered the call for help, rushing into harm’s way as he steadfastly did for decades, when a late-night tornado plowed through his community in the Appalachian foothills. It was his final act of…

Salvation Army Is Out Helping Kentuckians
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Salvation Army is out helping Kentuckians

Terry Allison, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services teams are on the ground in Laurel and Pulaski counties this week, supporting families impacted by last weekend’s deadly tornadoes. Crews are serving hot meals, drinks, and snacks to storm survivors, while also offering emotional and spiritual support to those who have lost loved ones, homes, or…

Nobody Hurt After A Tree Falls Onto A Home In Laurel County
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Tree crashes through Laurel County home during Tuesday storms; no injuries reported

Terry Allison, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Emergency crews responded to a close call Tuesday night after strong winds brought down a tree onto a home along Lawson Lane in Laurel County. First responders were called to the scene just before 10 p.m. and found that the tree had crashed through the roof of the house. Fortunately, everyone inside made…

Travel Advisory In Effect In Mount Vernon
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Travel advisory in effect in Mount Vernon

Terry Allison, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A travel advisory is in effect Wednesday in Mount Vernon as city officials respond to storm-related road hazards. Officials say several roads are waterlogged, and reports of loose gravel and debris have been received across town following recent heavy rains. Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and avoid flooded…

Things Quiet Down A Bit After Last Night's Severe Storms
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Isolated showers today with cooler temps

Angie Ragle,

With a low pressure to the north, we will have isolated shower chances today and tonight. Temperatures will be below average with highs near 70. Rain chances increase slightly Thursday as a shortwave sinks south, and highs dip to the low 60s. Friday and Saturday will be quiet and highs only peak in the mid 60s. Our next chance for…

Animal Torture Suspect Due In Court
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Animal torture suspect due in court

John Croft, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Pulaski County man accused of disturbing acts of animal abuse is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. According to court records, 22-year-old Zachary Rollins is facing charges of animal torture and is due for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Rollins was arrested on May 10 on Skyview Drive, after deputies responded…

Deadly Tornado Confirmed As Ef 4
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Deadly tornado confirmed as EF-4

John Croft, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The National Weather Service has officially rated the May 16 tornado that tore through Pulaski, Laurel, and Russell counties as an EF-4, confirming the storm packed maximum winds of 170 miles per hour and left a path of destruction more than 55 miles long. According to NWS officials in Jackson, the tornado was…

London, Somerset Lowe's Giving Free Tornado Recovery Supplies
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London, Somerset Lowe’s giving free tornado recovery supplies

John Croft, ABC 36 Digital Staff,

LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — In response to the recent tornado that devastated parts of southern Kentucky, Lowe’s is offering free cleaning supplies to help families with recovery and cleanup efforts. The company says buckets filled with essential recovery items will be available starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Lowe’s locations in both London and Somerset. Each bucket includes…

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Featured, Local Weather Headlines, Storm Team Weather Blog, Weather, Weather Forecast

Storms give way to cooler, unsettled weather mid to late week

Afternoon highs should remain below average the next several days
T.G. Shuck,

It was another active day across Central and Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, as strong to severe storms swept through the region once again. A potent low-pressure system and its trailing cold front triggered widespread thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, heavy rain, and even a few isolated tornadoes. With several rounds of downpours moving through, flash flooding was a concern…

Severe Weather
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Tornado survivors now brace for more severe storms

Residents still reeling from Friday’s destruction prepare for another round of potential dangerous weather
Walker Simmons,

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Some Kentuckians are facing a brutal double threat: the devastation from Friday’s tornado—and the possibility of another storm on the horizon. In hard-hit neighborhoods, the wreckage is still fresh. Homes are shattered, lives are upended, and now communities are bracing for more potential severe weather. Jay Sagoo and Linda Jones say they’re lucky…

Severe Weather
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Mandatory evacuation issued for parts of Laurel County ahead of more storms

ABC 36 Digital Staff,

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Governor Andy Beshear, along with county and city officials, has issued a mandatory evacuation order for two of the areas hardest hit by the May 16 tornado in Laurel County. The order applies to residents of the Sunshine Hill Subdivision and lanes off of Court Road, and will be in effect Tuesday from…

Laurel County Logo
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Laurel County schools end academic year early following tornado disaster

ABC 36 Digital Staff,

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Laurel County Public Schools has officially ended the 2024–2025 school year as of Friday, May 16, following the devastating tornado that impacted much of the community over the weekend. According to Superintendent Denise M. Griebel, district administrators have been in regular contact with the Kentucky Department of Education to determine the best course…