Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr responds to criticism about constituent accessibility

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr is responding to recent claims that he’s inaccessible to his constituents, following criticism during a rally protesting his support for President Trump’s policies. In a post shared on his official Facebook page, Barr emphasized his commitment to accessibility, highlighting that his office regularly answers phone calls and emails and holds…

Pleasant weather continues into the weekend

Saturday looks good before our rain chances return

After a chilly start to the morning, Friday brought a welcome return to spring with sunshine and highs climbing into the mid to upper 50s across Central and Eastern Kentucky. That warming trend sticks around as we head into the weekend, but changes are on the way by Sunday. A Picture-Perfect Saturday If you have outdoor plans, Saturday is the…

Former Irvine pastor found guilty in decades-old sexual assault case

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday that an Estill County jury delivered a guilty verdict in a decades-old sexual assault case involving a former Irvine pastor. According to the Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Unit, Samuel McKinney, 60, was convicted Wednesday on one count of first-degree rape involving a child under 12 years of age,…

Social media threat against FCPS middle school resolved, person identified

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – An alleged social media threat directed at Jessie Clark Middle School in Lexington prompted increased security measures and concern from families Friday morning. However, school officials now say the situation has been resolved safely. According to messages sent to families by Jessie Clark Middle School Principal Jennifer Kendall, the threat, which circulated widely on…

UPDATE: Lexington police arrest man after barricade situation; firearms, drugs seized

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Lexington man faces multiple charges after a domestic dispute led to a barricade situation Thursday night. Police responded just after 9:00 p.m. to a residence in the 2000 block of Cornerstone Drive for a domestic disturbance. Officers say when they arrived, the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Alvin McLaurin, retreated into the home and…

The keys to the game for Kentucky against Troy

Trojans branded for their toughness and are embracing the underdog role

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Friday is the day of Kentucky’s first chance to win an NCAA Tournament game in the Mark Pope era. Pope is looking for his first-ever March Madness win as the head coach is 0-2 in the tournament. Two appearances with BYU in 2020 and 2024 are a couple of his six overall postseason trips, in…

Gov. Beshear vetoes bill banning DEI programs at Kentucky universities

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Democratic Governor Andy Beshear has vetoed House Bill 4, a controversial measure that would ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at Kentucky’s public colleges and universities. The bill, passed last week by the Republican-controlled Senate and House, would require state-funded colleges and universities to dismantle their DEI programs by June 30 if it…

Search continues for family of elderly man arrested in Pulaski County

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Authorities in Pulaski County are continuing their search for relatives of a 71-year-old man arrested earlier this month. According to the Pulaski County Detention Center, Ernest Christopher was arrested on March 13 in Somerset on public intoxication charges. Officials say Christopher was unable to provide officers with a phone number or names of…

Suspect in custody after domestic dispute on Cornerstone Drive in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington police say one person is in custody after officers responded to a domestic dispute call Thursday night. Officers were sent to Cornerstone Drive just after 9:00 pm, following reports of a domestic disturbance. Police say the suspect initially refused to communicate with officers but was eventually taken into custody without further incident. Police…

Feeling more like spring today

Don’t let Friday’s early morning cold temperatures fool you, we will actually warm up to average temperatures this afternoon near the mid to upper 50s with sunshine.  Overnight we will have increasing clouds and breezy winds as a dry cold front approaches, and temps will be above average in the mid 40s.  Saturday will remain dry and breezy with highs…

No worries needed about Lamont Butler’s health versus Troy

UK point guard showing no signs of being slowed down by any injury

MILWAUKEE, WI. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Graduate point guard Lamont Butler is good to go for 3 Kentucky men’s basketball’s first of hopefully many games in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The March Madness veteran is showing all the signs of being fit for the Wildcats’ matchup with 14 Troy on Friday, March 21 at 7:10 p.m. ET. Butler looked sharp and…

Lexington invites residents to share personal stories for city’s 250th anniversary

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – As part of Lexington’s ongoing 250th anniversary celebration, the city will host StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording and preserving personal stories. StoryCorps aims to capture the voices and experiences of people from all backgrounds and beliefs, preserving their stories in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The initiative offers Lexington…

Temperatures rebound a bit to close out the week

It should feel more like spring again the next few days

After a brief taste of spring on Wednesday, a strong cold front moved through the region early Thursday, bringing gusty winds, scattered storms, and another dose of chilly air to Central and Eastern Kentucky. The arrival of spring at 5:01 AM may have been official, but it sure didn’t feel like it! Thursday turned out to be a raw and…

Cicada season is here

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Thursday marked the official start of spring and while that may bring warmer temperatures, it will also bring something else. Cicadas. This year, the 17-year cicadas will emerge from the ground. According to UK professor and Entomologist Jonathan Larson, this could happen around the end of April to beginning of May, or end…

Madison County man charged with rape, sodomy after alleged assault of intoxicated victim

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – A Madison County man has been arrested and charged with multiple sex-related felonies, according to a complaint warrant issued by the Madison County District Court. Ryan Worrix is facing charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and first-degree sexual abuse, according to the warrant. The document states that the alleged incident took place…

Lexington hosts NCAA tournament games for first time since 2013

Basketball fans fill the city as traffic advisory is issued

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The first round of the NCAA Tournament is underway, and for the first time since 2013—and the fifth time ever—Lexington is serving as a regional host. Fans from across the country have arrived, filling Rupp Arena and the surrounding areas. With large crowds expected downtown, the Lexington Police Department has issued a traffic…

Funeral arrangements set for Pulaski County family killed in house fire

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Funeral plans have been announced for three family members who died in a Pulaski County house fire earlier this week. According to Southern Oaks Funeral Home, visitation for 78-year-old Norma Putteet, her 55-year-old son Jerry Todd, and 17-year-old granddaughter BriLee will be held Friday at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Somerset. The…

Chilly start to spring

Thursday will be a blustery day with off and on rain showers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Spring may be officially here, but it sure doesn’t feel like it! A gusty cold front has swept through the region, leaving behind much colder temperatures, breezy conditions, and off-and-on showers today. Highs will struggle to climb out of the low 40s, and with a stiff westerly breeze, it will feel even colder….

Kentucky State Police investigating officer-involved shooting in Lewis County

TOLLESBORO, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Lewis County that left one man dead and a sheriff’s deputy injured. According to a release from KSP, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) requested the agency’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to investigate the shooting, which happened late Tuesday night near Tollesboro….