From severe storms to snow squalls here in the Bluegrass

Severe storms exit as colder air rushes in A powerful cold front is sweeping across the Bluegrass region early Monday morning. Severe storms exited early on, leaving behind a few showers in far eastern Kentucky that will exit through the mid-morning. Behind the front, conditions will change quickly as much colder air pours into Kentucky. Winds will remain strong, gusting…

Windy Sunday ahead of overnight storms and a sharp temperature drop in Kentucky

Strong winds up to 50 mph and a line of storms late Sunday night could bring damaging gusts before colder air rushes in and rain briefly changes to snow

A Beautiful Start to the Weekend Saturday turned out to be a really nice day across central and eastern Kentucky. Sunshine dominated the skies through the afternoon, helping temperatures climb comfortably into the 60s and even the low 70s in some locations. This mild weather was thanks to a warm front gradually lifting north through the region. That same front…

‘It was the worst day of my life’: Mom sues FCPS after son with autism escapes classroom

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — A Fayette County mother is suing the Fayette County Public Schools district after she says her young son, who is on the autism spectrum and mostly nonverbal, slipped out of his classroom unnoticed and ended up on one of Lexington’s busiest roads. “It was the worst day of my life,” Leslie Weston said, referring…

Fertility vaccine for eastern KY wild horses will cut down on over-foraging, safety and health issues for herd

MAGOFFIN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — Once-domesticated horses abandoned on old mining sites in eastern Kentucky have been roaming free for decades, and their growing population is now straining the land, threatening wildlife and causing serious accidents on rural roads. The Kentucky Humane Society is responding with a new fertility vaccine program aimed at bringing the population under control….

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy fired, charged with misconduct following KSP investigation

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — A former Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy is facing charges of first degree official misconduct, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of public trust following an investigation by Kentucky State Police, the agency reports. According to a release, the KSP Drug Enforcement Special Investigations Branch received a misconduct tip regarding the conduct of then-deputy…

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes House Bill 1, blocking tax credits for private schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 News Now) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed House Bill 1 of the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly in its entirety. Beshear signed the veto on Friday, citing the Kentucky Constitution’s requirement that public dollars only be used for public education. In his veto message that was posted on social media, Beshear said the…

Estate files lawsuit after deadly Knott County officer-involved shooting

KNOTT COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The estate of Travis Pratt has filed a lawsuit in Knott County Circuit Court following a deadly officer-involved shooting in 2024. The lawsuit names a trooper with Kentucky State Police and a deputy with the Knott County Sheriff’s Office. Attorneys for the estate say that on September 8, Pratt’s mother called Kentucky State…

A quiet start to the weekend before more active weather kicks in

Another round of strong storms followed by cold is on the horizon

It was definitely one of those “hang onto your hat” days across Central and Eastern Kentucky on Friday as another round of strong and gusty winds impacted the area. The southwest winds gusted 40 to 50 miles per hour at times during the heart of the afternoon as a weak frontal boundary moved through the commonwealth. This front didn’t haven’t…

Fayette County coroner finds family of man who died in pickup truck after public outreach

LEXINGTON, KY (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has located relatives of a man who died last month, after a public outreach effort helped identify his next of kin. Thomas Stanley McManus, 66, died Feb. 24 in a pickup truck off Versailles Road. His death was from natural causes. McManus was a widower with no permanent address….

One hospitalized after early morning house fire

WINCHESTER, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – One person was taken to the hospital after a house fire early Friday morning in Winchester. According to the Winchester Fire Department, crews were called around 5:08 a.m. to a home near Melbourne Street and Cook Avenue. Firefighters say they arrived to find heavy flames coming from the house and a victim who had already…

KSP investigating the death of a woman in Floyd County

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police are investigating the death of a 32-year-old woman found in Floyd County. Troopers say Trishanna Anderson of Garrett was discovered unresponsive near railroad tracks on Mulberry Lane in Hueysville on March 7. According to officials, Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Floyd County Coroner’s Office. Authorities say…

A Rowan County man arrested on child sexual exploitation charges

ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Rowan County man has been arrested following an investigation into the distribution of child sexual abuse material. According to Kentucky State Police, 35-year-old Bobby Joe Mocabee of Morehead was arrested after an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation determined he was allegedly sharing illegal images online. Troopers say a search warrant was…

Gusty conditions end the work week ahead of a mild weekend

Gusty winds across the Bluegrass Strong winds will sweep across the Bluegrass region as a powerful low pressure system moves through the Great Lakes. Southwest winds will increase through the morning and afternoon, with gusts reaching 40 to 45 mph across parts of northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. In a few spots, especially in higher terrain, isolated gusts near 50…

Windy weather returns as we close out the week

Gusts could be over 30 miles per hour with dry conditions expected

After a warm, windy, and stormy Wednesday across Central and Eastern Kentucky, it was a quieter Thursday weather wise as much cooler air filtered in behind the departing cold front. It may have been a shock to the system for some as temperatures started the day in the mid-30s with enough of a breeze to put our “feel-like” temps down…

Murray man arrested in child sexual abuse material investigation

CALLOWAY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Murray man has been arrested following an investigation into the distribution of child sexual abuse material. According to Kentucky State Police, 32-year-old James Kylen Johnson of Murray was taken into custody after investigators determined he was allegedly sharing illegal images online. Troopers say a search warrant was executed at a residence on…

Crash involving semi shuts down outbound lanes of Newtown Pike in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A crash involving a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle has shut down lanes on Newtown Pike in Lexington. According to the Lexington Police Department, all outbound lanes of Newtown Pike are closed just before Citation Boulevard. Officials say traffic is being diverted to Newtown Springs Drive while crews respond to the scene. Drivers are…

Governor Beshear hosts 58th annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in Frankfort

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Andy Beshear hosted the 58th annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning in Frankfort. The event began at 7:30 a.m. at the William Exum Center on the campus of Kentucky State University. This year’s theme was “Fostering Unity and Love.” The keynote speaker was Stephen Boyken, leader of the Hope Initiative. During the breakfast, the…

FCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Houston Barber announces September retirement

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The deputy superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools has announced plans to retire from public education later this year. According to a release from the district, Dr. Houston Barber will retire September 1 after nearly three decades of service across Kentucky. District leaders say they are grateful for the experience and leadership Barber has…

FCPS launches student auto program partnership with Jubilee Jobs and Valvoline

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Fayette County Public Schools is launching a new partnership designed to give students hands-on experience while helping members of the community. Officials say the Drive Center at The Hill will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at 1 p.m. alongside Jubilee Jobs, powered by Valvoline Global. Through the partnership, students in the district’s automotive technology…

Kentucky lawmakers consider Alyssa’s Law to add panic alert systems in schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky lawmakers are considering a new proposal they say could help make schools across the Commonwealth safer. The legislation under discussion is called Alyssa’s Law, which would help school districts install silent panic alert systems in schools. The bill is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old who was killed during the 2018 shooting at…