Menifee County man charged with child sexual exploitation offenses, KSP says

DENNISTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentucky State Police have charged a Menifee County man with multiple child sexual exploitation offenses following an undercover investigation. According to KSP, 18-year-old Johnny Ray Shoopman was arrested on August 7, 2025, by the agency’s Electronic Crime Branch, which investigates online crimes against children. The arrest stems from an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children…

Lexington police seize 600+ pounds of marijuana, $210K in vape shop drug bust

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Lexington police say they’ve seized more than 600 pounds of marijuana and hemp flower following a series of raids at local vape shops earlier this week. According to the Lexington Police Department, detectives with the Narcotics Enforcement Unit executed search warrants on August 6, 2025, at four different vape shop locations suspected of trafficking…

Body recovered from lagoon in Frankfort identified

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has identified a man found dead in a lagoon earlier this week as 50-year-old Dwayne Chadwell, a resident of Frankfort. Officials say Chadwell’s body was recovered just after p.m. Monday, August 4, from a small lagoon at the Farmdale Sanitation District on Peach Tree Lane. There’s no word yet…

McDonald’s app orders support Ronald McDonald House Charities on RMHC Digital Day

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Ordering through the McDonald’s app today does more than just get you lunch — it helps families in need. As part of RMHC Digital Day, 20% of all app-based sales at participating McDonald’s locations will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Each RMHC chapter — including RMHC of the Bluegrass — will receive…

Deadline approaching for Kentuckians to apply for FEMA tornado assistance

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Kentuckians impacted by the May 16–17 tornado outbreak have just 14 days left to apply for FEMA assistance. The application deadline is Thursday, August 22. Homeowners and renters in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg, and Union counties who suffered uninsured property damage are eligible to apply. Officials emphasize that applying for FEMA aid is…

Sunshine, Heat, and a Few Pop-Up Showers Ahead

Warm August days continue with mostly dry weather before storm chances return next week.

High Pressure Brings a Quiet FridayAs we wrap up the week, a high pressure drifting in from the west will set the stage for another pleasant day across central and eastern Kentucky. Expect a mix of sunshine and a few fair-weather clouds, with highs climbing into the upper 80s to around 90°. While most of us stay dry, we could…

Fugitive wanted for rape and child molestation in Louisiana arrested in Kentucky

GRAYSON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A man wanted in Louisiana on serious sex crime charges has been arrested in Kentucky, according to the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say 45-year-old Juan Chavez-Trevizo was taken into custody Wednesday at a home on Cave Mill Road in Leitchfield. He was wanted out of Louisiana on charges of rape and child…

Three arrested on drug trafficking charges after Pulaski County home search

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Three people have been arrested on drug charges following a search of a home in the Bronston community, according to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say 41-year-old Eric Gosser, 51-year-old Keith Taylor, and 33-year-old Megan Bennett were taken into custody Wednesday. All three are facing drug trafficking and possession charges. During the…

$1.5 billion uranium enrichment facility coming to Kentucky

PADUCAH, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Governor Andy Beshear is celebrating what he called a major milestone for economic development in Western Kentucky, as General Matter and the American Uranium Enrichment Company move forward with plans to build a $1.5 billion uranium enrichment facility in Paducah. The project, described as the largest investment in the region’s history, is expected to…

Green’s Toyota of Lexington gives back to local students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Green’s Toyota of Lexington is helping local families gear up for the new school year by donating backpacks to students at Yates Elementary as part of a nationwide giveback effort. The dealership handed out supplies to 400 students through Toyota’s annual summer giveback program, which is part of a national partnership with the Kids…

Rotary Club of Lexington presents $25,000 check to Baby Health Services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Rotary Club of Lexington has donated $25,000 to Baby Health Services, the 2025 beneficiary of its annual Dancing with the Lexington Stars fundraiser. The nonprofit provides free medical care to children without health insurance, including well-child checkups, school physicals, sick visits, and medications—serving children through high school. Originally founded in 1914 as Mothers’…

Drier weather on tap as temperatures climb to end the week

Look for sunshine and highs around 90 degrees the next few days

After a couple of stormy days across Central and Eastern Kentucky, Thursday gave us a well-earned break for some folks across the area but unfortunately not everyone. Morning sunshine along with some instability helped fuel some heavy rain producing and very slow moving storms right over Lexington and the heart of the metro area during the early part of Thursday…

ATF arrests suspect in arson of historic Kentucky building

ANNVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Federal authorities have arrested a woman in connection to a fire that destroyed a historic building in Annville, Kentucky. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Shelia Clemons has been charged in federal court with arson of property affecting interstate commerce. The charge follows an investigation into what officials say…

Lexington unveils ONE Lexington strategic plan during Cities United visit

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Lexington welcomed national nonprofit Cities United this week as part of its Leading the Way Tour, which supports community-driven efforts to reduce violence. The visit, according to the Mayor’s Office, also included the release of the updated 2025–2028 ONE Lexington Strategic Plan. Cities United is investing more than $100,000 into local youth violence prevention…

Wayne County woman arrested for assaulting grandfather, drug charges added, sheriff says

WAYNE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Monticello woman is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting her grandfather during a dispute over the use of his car, according to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron. Deputies were called to a residence on American Legion Road around 5:43 p.m. on August 6 for an assault in progress. When they arrived, they…

Apple to invest $2.5 billion in Kentucky plant for iPhone, Apple Watch glass production

HARRODSBURG, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Apple is making a major investment in Kentucky, announcing a $2.5 billion expansion of the Corning manufacturing facility in Mercer County. Apple CEO Tim Cook says the investment will significantly boost production of cover glass for iPhones and Apple Watches, with all new devices soon to feature glass made at the Harrodsburg plant. “I’m…