Wildcats Blue and White Scrimmage tickets on sale

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Big Blue Nation, the countdown is on! Tickets go on sale this Friday for the BBN United Blue-White Game, featuring both Kentucky’s men’s and women’s basketball teams at Historic Memorial Coliseum. The event tips off Friday, October 17, at 7 p.m. Reserved seating starts at $29.65, with premium courtside options available. Children two and…

Bluegrass Kayak Anglers honor Peyton Hughes

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Bluegrass Kayak Anglers are honoring one of their own after the tragic loss of 21-year-old Campbellsville student Peyton Hughes. Hughes went missing on Sept. 24 while pre-fishing for a Bassmaster event in Texas. His body was recovered days later at Toledo Bend. To honor his memory, the Bluegrass Kayak Anglers are hosting a…

City of Lexington still searching for Christmas tree

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington city leaders are searching for this year’s holiday showstopper tree. Officials are asking residents to consider donating a large, healthy evergreen that could serve as the centerpiece of downtown’s holiday celebrations. The selected tree will be decorated and lit, bringing cheer to the entire community. Anyone who believes their tree might be the…

Man arrested in standoff makes court appearance

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Madison County man is set to appear in court Wednesday after an hours-long standoff with deputies earlier this month. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Joshua Botkin was arrested in early September behind a home on Brassfield Road. Deputies had responded to reports of a man armed with a gun and making…

Devine Carama speaks out on the shooting

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The recent shooting in Lexington has left the community shaken, and the director of One Lexington is speaking out. Devine Carama, who leads the city’s youth violence prevention initiative, says he personally knew the victim and described him as “a kid he loved.” In a message posted on social media, Carama wrote, “My heart…

Cherlynn Stevenson speaks out on government shutdown

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – In the wake of the government shutdown, Kentucky Sixth District candidate Cherlynn Stevenson is placing blame on Republicans in Washington. Stevenson says the shutdown will hit Central Kentucky hard, affecting veterans waiting on benefits, farmers relying on support programs, and families already struggling with rising costs. She claims Republicans chose politics over people, while…

Andy Barr calls for the End Government Shutdowns Act

FRANKFORT, KY (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – In response to the overnight government shutdown, Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr is introducing legislation aimed at preventing future shutdowns. Barr has proposed what he’s calling the End Government Shutdowns Act. Under the bill, if Congress fails to pass a budget on time, federal funding would automatically continue at 99 percent of the previous year’s…

Human remains found in woman’s yard lead to arrest

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Mount Vernon woman is facing multiple charges after Kentucky State Police say human remains were discovered outside her home. Troopers say 40-year-old Tausha Flores Mejia was arrested Sunday at her home on Disputanta Road during a search for a person who had been reported missing. According to investigators, the remains were found…

Inmate found unresponsive in cell dies, foul play is suspected

MORGAN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police say foul play is suspected after an inmate at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty was found dead. Troopers say 27-year-old Ryan Rayburn was discovered unresponsive in his cell Tuesday afternoon. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. According to investigators, another inmate…

Search and rescue teams save hikers who fell 45 feet

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Two hikers are in the hospital after falling about 45 feet from Courthouse Rock in the Daniel Boone National Forest. According to Powell County Search and Rescue, the hikers were located Tuesday using GPS coordinates and live cell-phone video after the fall. Multiple rescue teams were called to assist in the operation. Crews…

Fall wildfire hazard season begins

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky’s fall wildfire hazard season is underway, and runs through Dec. 15. Under state law, outdoor burning is not permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. if it is within 150 feet of woods, brush, or fields. Officials say the seasonal restrictions are put in place every fall and spring to…

October begins and dry conditions continue

Preparing for your Wednesday We’ve got yet another pleasant day ahead. You can expect lots of sunshine and very few clouds, so make sure to keep the sunglasses handy. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s by late afternoon. Ragweed allergens are at medium levels, which isn’t too bad, but can still affect you. Be sure to take allergy medication…

Contractor killed in accident on EKU campus

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A contractor has died after a workplace accident Tuesday at Eastern Kentucky University. According to the Madison County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as 61-year-old Edwin Burton II of Illinois. The coroner says Burton was working on an air conditioning unit in the basement of Telford Hall when it fell on him….

Former UK professor files lawsuit after termination tied to equine drug testing lab

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A former University of Kentucky professor has filed a lawsuit against university officials and national horse racing regulators, alleging defamation and wrongful termination following his dismissal last month. According to the complaint filed in Fayette Circuit Court, Dr. Scott Stanley — who previously directed UK’s Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab (EACL) — claims that university…

London city council files appeal after judge reinstates Mayor Randall Weddle

LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The London City Council has filed a notice of appeal, challenging a judge’s decision that reinstated Randall Weddle as mayor after his impeachment earlier this month. Weddle was removed from office on Sept. 5 following a council vote citing misconduct, including allegations of misusing police resources. Council members also voted to appoint Tracie Handley…

County Sheriff’s office receives several grants

HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Harlan County Sheriff’s Office says new gear is boosting deputy safety and saving taxpayers thousands of dollars. According to the department, nearly $35,000 from the Spirit of Blue Foundation provided patrol rifles, optics, accessories, and life-saving tourniquets. Additional grants from the Office of Attorney General Russell Coleman were used to update ballistic…

Convicted man in Crystal Rogers case appeals to Kentucky Supreme Court

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A man convicted in the murder of Crystal Rogers is taking his case to Kentucky’s highest court. According to ABC affiliate WHAS 11 News, Joseph Lawson—who was sentenced earlier this month to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence—has filed an appeal directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court. His father…

Two men arrested in connection to copper thefts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Two men are in custody after police say they were caught trying to steal copper wire from a Louisville interstate. According to investigators, officers arrested 54-year-old Robert Kelly and 42-year-old Daniel Bentley on Saturday near I-65 and I-265. Police say the men were tracked down thanks to a device attached to the wire. When…

Kayaker rescued in Green River

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A kayaker is safe after a late-night rescue on the Green River near the Green–Taylor county line. According to Campbellsville Fire-Rescue, crews responded Sunday night alongside multiple Green County agencies after the kayaker became lost and stranded. Dispatchers used a cell phone ping to shrink the search area from 15 miles to just one….