House Standing Committee on Judiciary considers HB3 regarding juvenile justice

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — On Wednesday, before the committee meeting, state representatives Lisa Willner and Keturah Herron highlighted legislation with the aim to help improve the juvenile justice system in Kentucky. Shortly after, the House Standing Committee on Judiciary met to consider HB3 and heard from many including a woman who went through the juvenile justice system and says she’s…

UK students process shots fired alert one day after mass shooting at Michigan State University

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – University of Kentucky students processing not only the mass shooting at Michigan State University on Tuesday but an alert for a shooting on their own campus just over 24 hours later. “It’s like becoming way too frequently and it’s like, I think it’s just something that needs to be cut down,” says UK senior Harris Altherr….

Strong storms possible into Thursday

Multiple rounds of rain and storms will be possible as an are of low pressure and a cold front move through the region with a few strong/severe storms in play

It felt more like early May instead of mid-February across Central and Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday as a strong southwest wind pushed afternoon highs into the upper 60s to low 70s. A few mid to high level clouds snuck into the area a few hours earlier than expected so that slowed our warm-up a touch but obviously it was nothing…

Advocates rally for LGBTQ fairness rights at the Capitol

Kentucky leaders, fairness advocates, and LGBTQ students and their parents let their voices be heard, pushing back against nine anti-LGBTQ bills in Kentucky that have already been filed in the general assembly

FRANKFORT, Ky (WTVQ)- Hundreds gathered inside the state Capitol rotunda Wednesday advocating for LGBTQ rights. It was all part of the 2023 Ky Fairness Rally. Kentucky leaders, fairness advocates, and LGBTQ students and their parents let their voices be heard, pushing back against nine anti-LGBTQ bills in Kentucky that have already been filed in the General Assembly. “They’re taking rights…

Hawkins-Taylor funeral home, a staple in Lexington for decades

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Just last year a staple in the Lexington community celebrated 100 years of service. The Hawkins-Taylor Funeral Home was first started in the 1920s by Reverend John Taylor’s grandfather, John T. Hawkins. “He and my grandmother Miss Vinyl May Hawkins did great work in the community,” said Reverend Taylor. Taylor says his grandfather started the business…

Rowan Co. teacher accused of sexual misconduct with student

MOREHEAD, Ky. (WTVQ) — A Rowan County Senior High School teacher is on leave and charged with rape after allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student. Andrew Zaheri is accused of having an “ongoing” sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student and admitted it to a detective, according to the arrest citation. He was arrested Wednesday morning. A now-deleted Facebook…

Warm Wednesday ahead of severe storm threat Thursday

Meteorologist Dillon Gaudet has a look at your Wednesday forecast

Near-record warmth is in the forecast for your Wednesday ahead of a severe threat on Thursday. Afternoon highs on Wednesday will reach the low-to-mid 70s. The daily record high temperature in Lexington is 76° and was set back in 1945. That could be broken today as warm air surges into central and eastern Kentucky ahead of overnight rain and storms….

Historic Palmer Pharmacy building finds new life with United Way

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The keys to the historic Palmer Pharmacy building in Lexington are now in the hands of United Way of the Bluegrass. It’s going to find a new life as the Marksbury Family WayPoint Center. WayPoint centers provide vital programming for people living in underserved neighborhoods. The organization says the space will be used as a busy…

Kentucky Right to Life opposes bill that could criminalize women for abortions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — Kentucky Right to Life is “concerned” about a newly proposed bill that would allow women to be charged with homicide for having an abortion. In a Wednesday statement, Kentucky Right to Life said while its anti-abortion stance remains, it ” never advocated” for laws that would penalize women. “Kentucky Right to Life and all the mainstream…

Bill would make prosecuting abortions as homicide legal in Ky.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — A new bill filed in the state House Tuesday could make it legal to prosecute abortions as homicides in Kentucky if passed. The Courier Journal reported that GOP Rep. Emily Callaway filed House Bill 300, which would let the state prosecute a person for criminal homicide if they get an illegal abortion. Abortion is banned in…

Healing, comfort felt by students at Asbury ‘outpouring’ in wake of Michigan State University’s mass shooting

WILMORE, Ky. (WTVQ) – In the wake of the tragedy at Michigan State University, many college students across the country may be on edge when it comes to public gatherings or even walking about campus, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at Asbury University in Wilmore. Peace, unity, healing and comfort are a few of the words used…

Officials with Beshear’s administration ask committee members for funding and new laws to help Juvenile Justice System

FRANKFORT, KY. (WTVQ) — As all eyes continue to focus on the rise in violence inside juvenile detention facilities across the state, Governor Beshear’s administration is calling on lawmakers to help fix the troubled system. Those with the administration placing blame on a lack of funding and staffing shortages throughout the system mainly in detention facilities, it comes as HB3…

City of Ashland, Ky. says water is still ‘safe to drink’ after Ohio train derailment

ASHLAND, Ky. (WTVQ) — The City of Ashland, Kentucky says its water is still safe to drink after a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio last week. Boyd County, where Ashland is located, sits partially on the Kentucky-Ohio border. The city released a statement Tuesday. “Based on current data, the spill on the Ohio River in northeast Ohio does not…