Charges dropped against two brothers accused in deadly Lexington shooting

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Charges have been dropped against two brothers previously accused in a deadly September shooting in Lexington. According to Fayette County District Court, Kevin Marquez-Chavez, 18, and Brian Marquez-Chavez, 21, were facing charges in connection to the death of 28-year-old Esmeralda Rodriguez-Perez and the injury of another man in the September 8, 2024 shooting on…

UPDATE: Lawsuit claims man with dementia was unlawfully arrested by Danville Police

DANVILLE, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — A new lawsuit has been filed against the City of Danville and the Danville Police Department following the arrest of 66-year-old John Hardwick in Walmart on October 15, 2024. Hardwick’s family says he suffers from dementia. According to the lawsuit, Hardwick and his wife Cindy Lou make weekly Walmart trips in Danville. The…

High winds knock out power across the Commonwealth

Montgomery Co. Schools canceled classes due to widespread power outages caused by high winds

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Strong winds have knocked out power for thousands across the Commonwealth, forcing Montgomery County Schools to cancel classes Wednesday. Wind gusts reaching a reported 40 to 50 miles per hour, damaged utility lines, leaving parts of Mount Sterling in the dark. Wednesday morning, many residents woke up without electricity as crews worked…

Somerset student dies after collapsing at track practice, coroner says

SOMERSET, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A 15-year-old Somerset student has died after collapsing during track practice, according to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office. The coroner identified the student as James Phillippe, who collapsed at Meece Middle School in Somerset on Monday (3/03). He was initially taken to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital before being transferred to the University of Kentucky…

Firefighters battle intense vehicle fire, fueled by high winds in London

LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Firefighters in London responded to a fully involved vehicle fire late Tuesday night, battling high winds that intensified the flames. According to a Facebook post from the London City Fire Department, crews arrived at the scene to find the car engulfed in flames, with strong winds making the situation more challenging. Firefighters acted quickly…

Gusty winds usher in cold temperatures and even some snow

Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet has the latest in your full ABC 36 Storm Team forecast

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – After a round of strong winds overnight, gusty conditions will continue through your Wednesday as colder air settles into the region. A Wind Advisory remains in effect through 7 PM this evening as wind gusts of 40-50 mph remain possible, especially through the late morning and afternoon hours. These strong winds will be…

Two men arrested in University of Kentucky sexual assault case

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Two 18-year-old men have been arrested in connection with a sexual assault case at the University of Kentucky. According to university officials, UK student Angus Thompson and Addison Adkins, who is not enrolled, were taken into custody by Lexington police. Adkins faces charges of first-degree rape and second-degree strangulation, while Thompson is charged with…

Plenty of wind and some rain on tap through the mid-week

Winds may gust over 50 miles per hour at times through Wednesday

It was a milder Tuesday across Central and Eastern Kentucky with some sunshine and breezy conditions as a strong storm system approached from the west. Winds out of the southwest gusted over 30 miles per hour at times, helping to push milder air into the region as afternoon highs surged into the mid-60s in most locations. These strong winds will…

New traffic signal on Citation Boulevard in anticipation for new Publix opening

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Drivers in Lexington should be aware of a new traffic signal going into operation this week. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, a new signal will be activated at the intersection of Citation Boulevard and Remington Way on Wednesday at 9 a.m. The signal will include a five-phase system, with a protected flashing yellow…

How decisions in Washington D.C. could affect Kentuckians

Senator Rand Paul speaks on DOGE, tariffs and Senator Mitch McConnell

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Department of Government Efficiency is continuing its layoffs of federal employees. Government-paid workers received an email last week which received heavy backlash. “Some of the people were squawking because they were asked to put down five things they did in the past week,” Senator Rand Paul said. “Most people in the private…

Coroner identifies 16-year-old Henry Clay High School student killed in overnight Lexington shooting

UPDATE 2: The Fayette County Coroner’s Office says the victim was 16-year-old Arsenio Jackson, Jr. The coroner says Jackson died from gunshot wounds, but says the actual number of those wounds is not being released right now. Jackson’s body has been taken to Frankfort, where an autopsy is scheduled to be performed Wednesday by the State Medical Examiner’s office.  …

Funeral arrangements for 11-year-old killed in ATV crash

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Funeral arrangements have been announced for an 11-year-old Harrodsburg boy who died in an ATV crash last week in Washington County. According to the coroner, Benton Lester passed away Friday following the crash on Deep Reed Road. Walden Funeral Home has scheduled two visitations before his funeral. The first will be Thursday, March 6,…

Flu and COVID-19 cases decrease

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Health officials in Lexington report a decline in flu and COVID-19 cases. According to the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, 362 lab-confirmed flu cases were recorded for the week ending February 22, down from 530 the previous week and 782 the week before that. COVID-19 cases also saw a decrease, with 68 lab-confirmed cases reported…

Strong winds & a line of storms late Tuesday night

Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet has the latest in your full ABC 36 Storm Team forecast

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – A powerful storm system is set to bring strong winds, showers, and a few storms to central and eastern Kentucky late tonight before a sharp temperature drop midweek. Gusty Winds Ahead of the Front A Wind Advisory will take effect this afternoon and continue through Wednesday as wind gusts could reach 40-50+ mph…