Fayette County grand jury indicts two men in connection with murders of Lexington teens

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Fayette County grand jury has indicted two men in connection with the deaths of two Lexington teenagers whose disappearances earlier this year sparked a massive search effort across Central Kentucky. According to the indictment, Jesus Reyes-Ocampo is charged with two counts of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Jesus Reyes-Rodriguez, 47, is charged…

Fayette County free flu shot clinics begin October 1

LEXINGTON, KY (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Fayette County Health Department is hosting free flu shot clinics this fall to help protect the community. Starting October 1, the clinics will provide flu shots from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or until supplies run out. Clinics will be held at four locations throughout the county. Health officials recommend that attendees register…

IRS to phase out paper tax refund check

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The IRS will phase out paper tax refund checks for individual taxpayers starting September 30. The change comes as a result of an executive order requiring all federal payments to transition to electronic methods. Officials say the move is designed to protect taxpayers and speed up the refund process. The IRS advises taxpayers to…

August home sales hit highest level since January 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Sales of newly built single-family homes surged nearly 21 percent last month, reaching the highest level since January 2022, according to government data. The increase exceeded most economists’ predictions. Analysts say lower mortgage rates and aggressive efforts from homebuilders may have contributed to the boom, though some experts caution that August’s strong showing could…

Wet and unsettled weather continues into Thursday

Several rounds of showers will move through with some heavy rain possible

It was a wet and stormy Wednesday across Central and Eastern Kentucky with a slow moving area of low pressure pulling a trailing cold front into the region. The rain gear came in handy from time to time with pockets of moderate to heavy rain on occasion. The good news is that the overall severe threat stayed low so we managed…

Some lanes back open after semi-truck overturned and caught fire on I-75

UPDATE: WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Traffic remains backed up on I-75 in Whitley County after a semi-truck overturned and caught fire Wednesday morning near mile marker 23, just south of Corbin. Latest updates from KYTC and first responders: All southbound lanes of I-75 reopened shortly before noon. On the northbound side, the right lane reopened near mile…

First Lady Britainy Beshear announces childhood cancer donation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – First Lady Britainy Beshear announced a $500,000 donation to support childhood cancer patients and their families. Officials say the funds, from the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Trust Fund, were given to the Markey Cancer Foundation to support pediatric cancer research as well as patient and family services. The First Lady emphasized that Kentucky continues…

F.C.P.S. calls special meeting to discuss possibilities of an outside audit

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Fayette County Public Schools is taking steps to prevent another budget deficit after approving its final working budget earlier this week. FCPS held a special-called audit meeting to discuss potential requests for proposals for special auditing services. Members of the audit committee said they need more information before moving forward. The meeting comes after…

Overnight closure extended on North Limestone

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Drivers in Lexington are being advised that the overnight closure on North Limestone, between Rosemary Avenue and New Circle Road, has been extended through September 30. The road will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday, to allow for sanitary sewer construction. Detours are in place: New Circle traffic can…

Tips for driving during bad weather conditions

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – With recent heavy rain hitting Kentucky, experts are warning drivers to closely monitor weather conditions. Officials say the rain is reducing visibility and increasing the risk of hydroplaning and flooding. Drivers are urged never to attempt to drive through high water and to exercise extra caution on wet roads. Motorists are reminded to slow…

Man arrested in connection to a stabbing

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Police say a man is under arrest after his father was stabbed Monday morning. Officers responded to a home on Clem Haskins Boulevard around 8:30 a.m., where they found 72-year-old Terry Miller with a stab wound. Investigators later arrested his son, 37-year-old Terrance Miller of Campbellsville. He is charged with first-degree assault, domestic violence,…

Remembering retired Lexington Sergeant Donald Lee

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington police are mourning the loss of retired Sergeant Donald Lee, whose death was announced Tuesday by the department. Lee served the Lexington community for 27 years before retiring at the rank of sergeant. His visitation and funeral services were also held Tuesday, as family, friends, and former colleagues gathered to honor his life…

Garrard County Animal Shelter issuing a Code Red

LANCASTER, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Garrard County Animal Shelter has issued a Code Red after announcing its kennels are completely full, and staff are urgently seeking adopters. The shelter says they currently have a variety of dogs available — some that get along well with other pets, while others need to be the only animal in a household….

Community and Veterans Care Expo event happening today

SOMERSET, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Happening today in Somerset, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Community-Based Services are hosting a Community and Veterans Care Expo. The event is taking place at the Center for Rural Development from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. This free expo connects family caregivers, veterans, and the broader community with important…

A new John’s Run-Walk Shop is coming

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Exciting news for Hamburg shoppers: John’s Run-Walk Shop is expanding with a new location. Later this fall, the store will open at 3090 Helmsdale Place, marking the third location for the locally owned business. Customers can expect the same expert service, high-quality products, and wide selection they have come to know and love from…

Charles Booker Leaving Governor Andy Beshear’s administration

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Former U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker is leaving Governor Andy Beshear’s administration. Booker announced Tuesday was his final day as head of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Community Involvement — a role he has held since 2023, following his unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate. In a statement, Booker said, “Working with…

First Lady Britainy Beshear visiting Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – First Lady Britainy Beshear joined Kentucky legislators and health leaders this morning at the University of Kentucky to highlight state funding for pediatric cancer research. The event took place at 9:30 a.m. inside Karpf Auditorium at UK Chandler Hospital, where September was proclaimed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The group showcased recent grants from the…

Flash flooding possible after multiple rounds of rain

Rain, rain, go away! At first, we welcomed the rain as relief for our dry grass, but now many are ready for it to go. Bad news: We’re not quite done seeing showers. We’ll have several rounds of rain moving through today. First is this morning, where we’ll see widespread showers across the Bluegrass with opportunities for torrential downpours. Then,…

Online petition urges lawmakers to pass “Jayden’s Law”

BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – An online petition is calling for lawmakers to pass “Jayden’s Law” to better protect children from abuse and murder. The Change.org petition was launched in honor of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, whose body was found in August inside a plastic tote buried in the woods near Canoe Road in Jackson. Spicer had been reported…