YouTube to stop providing streaming data to Billboard charts

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – YouTube will no longer provide streaming data to Billboard’s music charts beginning next month. The announcement was made Wednesday by YouTube’s global head of music, who said the company disagrees with how Billboard weighs different types of music streams when compiling its charts. According to YouTube, Billboard’s current formula does not place enough value on ad-supported…

The Federal Trade Commission reaches $60 million settlement with Instacart over deceptive practices

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement with grocery delivery company Instacart over allegations of false advertising and deceptive practices that harmed consumers. The FTC announced Thursday that Instacart will pay $60 million in refunds to customers who were charged for services without their written consent. According to the agency, the refunds will go to…

Rosemont Garden closure extended

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington drivers in the Rosemont Garden area should prepare for an extended road closure. According to city officials, Rosemont Garden from Lafayette Parkway to Cherrybark Drive will remain closed for several more months. The city says the current closure has been extended until early February as crews continue work to upgrade a sanitary sewer…

Board votes in support of Superintendent’s recommendations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Fayette County Public Schools leaders have voted on the future of the STABLES program at the Kentucky Horse Park and the district’s STEM academies. According to the district, the Fayette County school board voted Tuesday night to support Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins’ recommendation to keep the STABLES program open for at least another year….

Details on U.K.’s winter commencement ceremonies

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Today is graduation day for University of Kentucky students, with commencement ceremonies scheduled at Rupp Arena. According to the university, ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. at the downtown Lexington venue. Officials say nearly 1,300 graduates are registered to participate. UK says both ceremonies will be livestreamed on…

Details on a FREE community Christmas dinner

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Jessamine County Homeless Coalition is hosting a free community Christmas dinner later today in Nicholasville. According to the organization, the event will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Jessamine County Public Library. Organizers say more than 750 meals are expected to be served during the event, which is open…

Ten Commandments monument returns to capitol grounds in Frankfort

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A historic Ten Commandments monument has been returned to the Kentucky State Capitol grounds in Frankfort. According to state officials, the monument was reinstalled earlier this week and is now permanently displayed in Monument Park. The monument had been placed in storage during construction projects in the 1980s and was recently restored before being…

Another windy, cold day to endure before a mild weekend

Friday starts frigid with little improvement through the day A strong cold front moved through last night, bringing the Bluegrass downpours and thunder. It brought many nearly an inch of rain, and here in Lexington, we saw nearly half an inch. 1.43″ was recorded at the Bluegrass Airport. We got a few tenths of an inch more early this morning…

Gil Gerard, star of “Buck Rogers,” dies at 82

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Sad news out of Hollywood: actor Gil Gerard, best known for his role as sci-fi hero “Buck Rogers,” has died. According to a statement from Gerard’s wife, he passed away Tuesday in hospice care while battling cancer. He was 82 years old. An Arkansas native, Gerard first rose to fame in 1979 starring in the film…

Lexington Police seek help identifying man connected to December incident

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Lexington Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify a man they would like to speak with regarding an incident that occurred on Dec. 4, 2025. Police have not released additional details about the incident but say the individual may have information that could assist investigators. Anyone who recognizes the man…

Bluegrass Crime Stoppers wanted person of the week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington police are asking for the public’s help in locating this week’s Crime Stoppers Wanted Person of the Week. Police are searching for 19-year-old Denis Gutierrez-Villanueva, who has active warrants for first-degree reckless endangerment involving a firearm and participation in organized crime. Authorities urge anyone with information that could help locate Gutierrez-Villanueva to contact…

Lily man arrested after domestic disturbance in Laurel County

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Lily man was arrested Tuesday night following a reported domestic disturbance in Laurel County. According to authorities, deputies arrested 54-year-old Kenneth Joseph Chapman around 11:04 p.m. on Braxton Lane after responding to a call about a possible domestic incident in progress. Deputies say their investigation determined Chapman allegedly held a woman down…

Kentucky Supreme Court denies London City Council appeal to remove Mayor Weddle

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Kentucky Supreme Court has denied the London City Council’s appeal seeking to remove Mayor Randall Weddle from office. Earlier this year, the London City Council filed a notice of appeal challenging a judge’s decision that reinstated Weddle as mayor following his impeachment in September. Weddle was removed from office after a city…

Gov. Beshear Cuts Executive Branch Budget by Nearly $80 Million

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Governor Andy Beshear is cutting the executive branch’s General Fund budget by nearly $80 million in an effort to address the commonwealth’s budgetary shortfall. The reduction represents a three percent cut to the executive branch’s enacted budget. According to the governor, improved economic activity across the state led the Consensus Forecasting Group to revise…

A quick return to winter cold on tap for Friday

Temperatures will be back in the 30s to close out the week

We’ve enjoyed some unseasonably mild temperatures the last couple of days across Central and Eastern Kentucky, which has been a great change from the deep freeze earlier in the week and Thursday was no exception. With a cold front dropping into the Ohio Valley, winds picked up out of the south with gusts over 30 miles per hour at times….

Danville Police search for suspects after drug store burglary

ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Danville police are searching for two people in connection with a burglary at a local drug store early Wednesday morning. According to police, surveillance video shows two individuals forcing their way into the basement area of Bluegrass Drug Store just after 4 a.m. The suspects fled the scene shortly after entering the business. Officers say they…

Six displaced after apartment fire in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Six people were displaced Wednesday night after a fire at an apartment complex in Lexington. According to the Lexington Fire Department, crews were called to Patchen Drive around 8:20 p.m. for a reported structure fire. When firefighters arrived, officials say they saw smoke coming from the building. Fire crews were able to quickly knock…

California threatens temporary ban on Tesla sales over “autopilot” claims

(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – California regulators are threatening to halt sales of Tesla vehicles in the state for 30 days over claims that the automaker’s use of the term “Autopilot” amounts to false advertising. The California Department of Motor Vehicles alleges Tesla’s driver-assistance system does not live up to the name “Autopilot” because the vehicles are not capable of operating…