Kentucky lawmaker pushes to limit ultra-processed foods in schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky schools could see a major change in the cafeteria menu under a new proposal from State Representative Steve Doan. Doan presented the plan this week to the legislature’s Make America Healthy Again Task Force. The measure would restrict ultra-processed foods containing certain dyes, preservatives, and chemical additives from school cafeterias, vending machines, and…

Crackdown on vape and smoke shops leads to citations in Central Kentucky

WINCHESTER, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A major crackdown on vape and smoke shops took place this week in Central Kentucky, according to Winchester Police. As part of a nationwide “surge effort,” Winchester officers joined multiple agencies to inspect businesses selling vape and smoke products. While several locations were found to be in compliance, three stores were cited for violations:…

Rep. Thomas Massie urges transparency on Epstein victim list, says names should be released

WASHINGTON (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie is calling for more transparency from federal investigators after saying the FBI has received at least 20 names from Jeffrey Epstein victims that have not been made public. Massie told reporters that the list of names given to investigators has not been released and suggested two possibilities for why: either the…

Lexington teen charged with murder appears in court

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – An 18-year-old accused of murder was back in court Friday in Lexington. According to investigators, Micah Carter is charged in the October 2024 shooting on Tates Creek Road that left 20-year-old Jayden Sleet dead and another victim injured. Police say the second victim survived. Carter was arrested Sunday in Georgetown and later booked into…

Festival Latino de Lexington kicks off this weekend

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The annual Festival Latino de Lexington is set to bring music, dance, and culture to downtown this weekend as part of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. According to organizers, the festival begins at 5 p.m. Friday at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, featuring live music and dance performances. The celebration continues Saturday from…

Sunshine and warmth hold on as weekend nears

Warm sunshine continues into the weekend before rain chances make a return late Sunday.

A Comfortable Start to Friday Friday morning started off mild and pleasant, with overnight lows in the mid to upper 50s and some spots dipping into the low 60s. Skies stayed mostly clear, and that sunshine will carry us through the day once again. This afternoon, temperatures will climb into the upper 80s, with a few locations likely reaching into…

More dry weather on tap heading into the home stretch of summer

Afternoon highs should stay in the upper 80s into the weekend

It’s been a tranquil week of weather across central and Eastern Kentucky with dry and very warm conditions across the area daily and Thursday was no exception. With high pressure continuing to dominate, we saw plenty of sunshine along with afternoon highs in the upper 80s across the Bluegrass with the southeastern mountains seeing mainly low to mid-80s. This lengthy…

Person shot in Lexington neighborhood; life-threatening injuries, say police

UPDATE: 1:00 p.m. LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A man is in the hospital after being shot late Thursday morning in north Lexington. Police say the shooting happened just after 11 a.m. near Winburn Drive and McCullough Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Investigators…

Investigation underway after juveniles suffer medical episodes in McCreary County

MCCREARY COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The McCreary County Sheriff’s Office says a multi-agency investigation is underway after reports of juveniles suffering medical episodes possibly tied to illegal substances. Deputies say search warrants were served at two Pine Knot businesses — Good to Go and Hazel Mart. The case now involves Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control, the DEA, and ICE….

Officials warn of spike in drug overdoses across central Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Kentucky Drug Overdose Alert System is warning of a recent spike in suspected non-fatal overdoses in central Kentucky. Since September 11, local emergency departments have reported 67 visits tied to suspected overdoses, according to the alert system. Officials urge residents to take precautions, including carrying naloxone and avoiding using drugs alone. They emphasize…

Low-cost rabies vaccination clinic set for Thursday in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but the disease is fully preventable with vaccination. With more local cases appearing in wildlife, officials are urging pet owners to protect their animals now. A low-cost rabies clinic will take place Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Douglass Park. Vaccinations will be just $5…

Saint Joseph Health hosting Cancer Survivorship Day in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Saint Joseph Health is inviting the community to come together for its annual Cancer Survivorship Day celebration. The free event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Saint Joseph Cancer Center on Blazer Parkway in Lexington. It will feature vendors, activities, and uplifting programs honoring cancer survivors and their families. Organizers say…

Dining Out for Life brings record number of restaurants to support HIV services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Dining Out for Life is back in Central Kentucky, with more than 60 restaurants—the largest number yet—donating at least 25 percent of their sales to AVOL Kentucky. The nonprofit provides HIV prevention, care, housing, and support services across the region. The fundraiser runs all day, from breakfast through dinner, with participating restaurants giving back…

Phoenix Park reopens with new playground, dog park, and family features

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Phoenix Park in downtown Lexington is officially open again after more than a year of construction. The one-acre park, located at Main Street and Limestone, has been completely redesigned with new amenities for families and visitors. The upgraded space features swinging benches, picnic tables, a dog park, and a three-story climbing playground. There’s also…

Sunshine sticks around with summerlike warmth

Warm, dry days continue before rain chances return late this weekend.

A Warm September Morning Thursday morning started off mild, with lows in the mid to upper 50s and some areas waking up in the low 60s. Skies stayed mostly clear overnight, and that sunshine will carry us through the day. This afternoon, highs climb into the upper 80s with a few spots possibly hitting the low 90s. Tonight, we’ll cool…

Bluegrass Crime Stoppers revisits 1998 Lexington homicide

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – It’s a homicide that has remained unsolved for nearly 28 years, and Bluegrass Crime Stoppers is once again asking for tips to help bring answers in the killing of Linda Rutledge. On November 7, 1998, Lexington police responded to a business at 121 Malibu Drive for a fire call. According to the Lexington Police…

Dry and unseasonably warm conditions roll along

Afternoon highs will remain in the upper 80s to around 90 degrees

It was the same ole song and dance weather-wise across Central and Eastern Kentucky with more sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures on Wednesday. With such a dry ground given the lack of rainfall over the last month, the sun’s efficiency with warming the surface during the course of the day is pretty high, even with shorter days and a lower…