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…

More beneficial rain on tap into the mid-week

Look for an additional 1" to 2" possible through Thursday

It was just what the doctor ordered to begin the week Monday as multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms moved across central and Eastern Kentucky bringing a healthy dose of much needed rainfall to the area. Most locations picked up a solid 1″ to 1.5″ of rain as a mid-level wave pushed through the region. We did have a bit…

Aspire Appalachia honors Jayden Spicer

BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A new community program is keeping alive the memory of 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, whose life was tragically cut short in August. Aspire Appalachia has launched “Jayden’s Birthday Closet,” an initiative that provides gifts to children in foster care so they can celebrate birthdays that might otherwise go unnoticed. Community members have already stepped…

Person of Interest wanted in connection to theft

KNOX COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a man wanted in connection with a theft at Howard’s Market. Troopers say 47-year-old Daniel Arthur was spotted Tuesday evening near a barn close to the KCEOC building in Cannon. Witnesses reported he was painting and changing decals on a vehicle believed…

Shelter needs help with fostering or adopting pets Lexington animal shelter overcrowded after 17 dogs surrendered from one home

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control shelter says it is overflowing after officers recently took in 17 dogs and puppies surrendered from a single home. Officials are urging responsible pet ownership, stressing the importance of spaying and neutering to help prevent overcrowding. But for now, they say the need is urgent — fostering or…

Scott County Humane Society breaks ground for new facility

SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Scott County Humane Society held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new $1.5 million adoption center that will expand services for one of Kentucky’s fastest-growing counties. The 3,600-square-foot facility will be built on Lexington Road and is fully funded through donations and grants. Board members say the Humane Society has operated out…

Lexington to begin recycling and yard waste cart audits next week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – City officials will begin rolling out recycling and yard waste audits in Lexington neighborhoods next week, checking carts for contamination as part of an effort to improve waste collection. Staff will not dig through carts but will lift the lids at the curb to check contents. Officials are reminding residents that plastic bags do…

Jefferson County schools face $188 million budget deficit by 2026

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Jefferson County Board of Education is facing a major budget crisis, with leaders warning the district must close a $188 million deficit by the 2026–27 school year. According to ABC affiliate WHAS 11 News, district financial officers caution that if current spending continues, JCPS could run out of cash by October 2026 —…

Rider killed in Whitley County motorcycle crash on I-75

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky State Police are investigating a deadly motorcycle crash that happened Monday morning on I-75 in Whitley County. Troopers say the crash occurred near mile marker 13, close to Williamsburg. Investigators say 48-year-old Scott Szczesny lost control of his motorcycle, went off the roadway, and crashed into a wooded area. Szczesny died from…

Kentucky leaders watch Florida vaccine debate as school requirements questioned

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A new debate is brewing over school vaccine requirements, with parents, health leaders, and advocacy groups divided over whether mandates should be strengthened or scaled back. The Associated Press reports that Florida’s Department of Health is moving to drop several school vaccine requirements — including chickenpox, hepatitis B, Hib, influenza, and certain pneumococcal vaccines….

Morning storms and afternoon showers ahead

This morning We’ve seen some storms and showers moving through much of the area this morning. By late AM, many of these will have dried up and moved out of the Bluegrass. This will leave behind mostly cloudy skies and some drizzle in a few areas. This afternoon and evening Throughout the afternoon, we may see isolated pockets of heavier…

Rowan County community mourns mother and daughter killed in Morehead

ROWAN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Rowan County community is mourning the deaths of 13-year-old Kennedi McWhorter and her mother, 37-year-old Kayla Blake, who were found murdered inside their Morehead home last Friday. Police were called to the South Spring Street residence after one of Blake’s co-workers went to check on her when she didn’t show up for…

Wet weather returns to the area as the fall season arrives

You'll need the umbrella for a change on occasion this week

The fall season officially arrived at 2:19 PM Eastern on Monday and the change of seasons clearly had an impact on our weather Monday and should continue to do so over the next several days. After very little in the way of rainfall over the last 5 weeks dating back to mid-August, scattered showers and storms returned to the commonwealth for the…

Juvenile killed in Lincoln County golf cart accident

LINCOLN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A golf cart accident in Lincoln County has left one juvenile dead and another injured. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened Sunday around 4:30 p.m. on South Fishing Creek Road. Investigators say a female juvenile was driving the golf cart when it left the roadway and overturned. A male…

Elementary students “swimmingly” take water safety training

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – More than 100 Frankfort elementary students took part in hands-on water safety training Monday thanks to a partnership between Swim With Purpose and the YMCA of Central Kentucky. Around 115 second- and third-grade students from Second Street School participated in safety lessons and introductory swim sessions at two YMCA locations in Lexington. Organizers say…