Beshear delivers State of Commonwealth address with eye on American Dream, 2028 speculation
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address Tuesday evening, focusing heavily on restoring the American Dream.
Headlines for Jan 7, 2026
61 stories
No injuries reported after Wednesday afternoon bus crash in Fleming County
No injuries have been reported following a Wednesday afternoon bus crash in Fleming County, Superintendent Brian Creasman said in a statement to social media.
Unsettling details emerge as 1998 Lexington cold case is finally solved
After nearly three decades, the Lexington Police Department has identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the serial killer responsible for the 1998 murder of Linda Rutledge, after matching DNA evidence from the crime scene to shell casings and…
Unsettling details emerge as 1998 cold case is finally solved
After nearly three decades, the Lexington Police Department has identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the serial killer responsible for the 1998 murder of Linda Rutledge, after matching DNA evidence from the crime scene to shell casings and…
Kentucky abortion law in focus after homicide charge dropped in Wolfe County case
A first-degree homicide charge against a Wolfe County woman was dropped days after she was accused of a self-induced abortion and burying the infant's remains on her property.
Former Kentucky attorney general officially enters US Senate race
Former Attorney General Daniel Cameron of Louisville announced Wednesday afternoon that he filed to run for Senate in the next election in November.
Former Kentucky Attorney General announces campaign to enter Senate race
Attorney General Daniel Cameron of Louisville announced Wednesday afternoon that he will be running for Senate in the next election in November.
Wednesday Evening Look Ahead
Good evening, everyone. It’s full steam ahead toward a major pattern change in the coming days. This change means a wild weather ride is in store with heavy rain, strong storms, near record highs to end the week to light snow and wicked wi…
Kentucky rep introduces bill to create back-to-school sales tax holiday
If passed, House Bill 175 would eliminate state sales tax "on many clothing and personal items" starting at 12:01 a.m. the first Friday of August until midnight the following Sunday.
University of Kentucky doctors seeing rise in flu cases: When to seek help
Health officials are seeing an earlier rise in flu cases in central Kentucky, with some people being seriously ill, and the best protection against the flu is vaccination, though it is not always 100% protective.
Above-normal flu cases reported this season. Doctors weigh in, let you know when to seek help
Health officials are seeing an earlier rise in flu cases in central Kentucky, with some people being seriously ill, and the best protection against the flu is vaccination, though it is not always 100% protective.
Mother charged in 1991 cold case, baby's body found in Richmond dumpster
Kentucky State Police has cracked a cold case that dates back to 1991 and arrested a mother who's accused of disposing of her baby in a dumpster at Eastern Kentucky University.
3 pets killed, 2 displaced in Lexington house fire
The Lexington Fire Department responded to a house fire on Woodhill Drive, resulting in the death of three dogs and the displacement of two adults, with the cause of the fire still under investigation. Select
Community donates to GoFundMe after son loses his mother in deadly Rockcastle County house fire
ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — Nicholas Benge is beginning the difficult process of rebuilding after a deadly house fire on Saturday claimed his mother's life and destroyed their home in Rockcastle County. The fire destroyed everything…
Family loses $810 in rental scam after roof collapse forces emergency move
A local family caring for a handicapped family member and a 10-year-old child fell victim to a rental scam that cost them $810 after their roof partially collapsed.
Kentucky lawmaker files bill to protect medical privacy and reproductive health care
FRANKFORT, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – During the first day of the 2026 legislative session, State Rep. Lindsey Burke filed a bill aimed at protecting medical privacy and preventing the criminalization of reproductive health care. According to…
Cable thefts amid rising copper prices having wide impact in Kentucky communities
From June 2024 to June 2025, there were more than 15,000 destructive attacks on domestic communication networks around the country, according to the television and internet industry trade group NCTA.
'They will pay for what they did': Family pleads for answers in daughter's 34-year-old unsolved murder
A mother's plea for justice echoes through Bell County 34 years after her daughter's brutal murder remains unsolved.
Lexington Police chief addresses 2025 violent crime as it continues to trend downward
Preliminary numbers show a significant drop in violent crime for the fourth consecutive year, with community violence down 60% since 2021, according to data released last week.
KSP makes arrest in connection to 1991 cold case involving unidentified female infant
Kentucky State Police has made an arrest in connection to a 1991 cold case in which an unidentified female infant was found dead at the former Richmond Landfill.
Man pronounced dead following Hopkins County vehicle crash
The Kentucky State Police in Hopkins County is investigating a Tuesday fatal vehicle crash.
GoFundMe created for 2 adults displaced following house fire on Woodhill Drive
Three dogs are dead and two adults have been displaced following an afternoon fire at a home in Lexington.
2 adults displaced following afternoon fire on Woodhill Drive
Three dogs are dead and two adults have been displaced following an afternoon fire at a home in Lexington.
3 dogs dead, 2 adults displaced following afternoon fire on Woodhill Drive
Three dogs are dead and two adults have been displaced following an afternoon fire at a home in Lexington.
New Capital City Museum in Frankfort employees are a purr-fect fit
Hazel and Moose with tabby markings, have officially joined the museum staff as temporary supervisors. But their job description goes beyond typical office duties.
Doctors offer suggestions for avoiding the hospital as flu rips through Kentucky
With both strains of the flu ripping through central Kentucky as briskly as it is right now, doctors at the University of Kentucky felt the need to address the matter.
Lexington sees drop in violent crime, but police say work isn't finished
The city of Lexington has recorded its lowest homicide total in a decade. Police say the numbers are encouraging, but Chief Lawrence Weathers cautions that there is still work to be done.
Rep. Savannah Maddox files bill to return driver's license offices to county level
Representative Savannah Maddox announced on Wednesday that she has filed HB 162 to "fix Kentucky's broken driver’s license system and put a stop to the frustration that so many...have experienced."
Gov. Andy Beshear delivers State of the Commonwealth address
Gov. Andy Beshear is set to deliver his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening.
Gov. Andy Beshear to deliver State of the Commonwealth address
Gov. Andy Beshear is set to deliver his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening.
LEX 18 Spanish report for Wednesday, Jan. 7 with Radio Vida
Aquí están los titulares de noticias de LEX 18 en español para el miércoles 7 de enero con Radio Vida.
Lexington cold case solved after 27 years tied to serial killer
After 27 years, Lexington police have identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the suspect in the 1988 murder of Linda Rutledge, after DNA evidence from the case matched the profile from the "Yogurt Shop Murders."
Lexington police solve 1998 homicide of Linda Rutledge after 27 years
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Lexington Police Department says it has solved a homicide case that had gone unanswered for more than two decades. In a release issued Wednesday, police announced detectives have officially solved the…
27-year-old Lexington murder case solved through connection to notorious Texas crime
Lexington police have solved a 27-year-old homicide case, identifying the killer of Linda Marie Rutledge through advanced DNA and ballistic evidence.
Lexington police solve 27-year-old homicide linked to Austin's 'Yogurt Shop Murders'
Lexington police have solved a 27-year-old homicide case, identifying the killer of Linda Marie Rutledge through advanced DNA and ballistic evidence.
Minneapolis mayor says ICE officer’s killing of a motorist was ‘reckless’ and wasn’t self-defense
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown on a major American city — a shooting that federal officia…
How to contact Kentucky lawmakers, read bills during 2026 regular session
The session would normally be accessible to the public, but renovations to the Capitol building have led legislators to meet in temporary chambers without a gallery for public viewing.
Fayette County Public Schools seeks public input to name new elementary school
LEXINGTON, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Fayette County Public Schools is asking for the public’s help in naming its newest elementary school, which is currently under construction. According to district officials, community members are invited t…
Daniel Cameron files to run for U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky
FRANKFORT, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron officially filed paperwork Wednesday morning to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by longtime Senator Mitch McConnell. Cameron filed his candidacy…
Perry County man arrested after allegedly attempting to meet minor
PERRY COUNTY, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A Perry County man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he attempted to meet with a minor for sexual activity. According to the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, 63-year-old Greg Sizemore was arre…
Kentucky bill seeks to stop criminalizing reproductive care after abortion arrest
“The purpose of HB 23 is simple: no one should fear surveillance, arrest, or professional retaliation for making deeply personal medical decisions with the help of their medical provider," Burke said.
Lexington Police name Josef McLean as this week’s Wanted Person of the Week
LEXINGTON, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The Lexington Police Department is asking for the public’s help to locate this week’s Wanted Person of the Week. Police are searching for Josef McLean, who has active warrants for probation violation and t…
First-ever civic assembly to review Lexington city charter this spring
For the first time ever, a civic assembly is being created in Lexington, thanks to nonprofit CivicLex.
Kentucky lawmaker files bill aiming to protect reproductive health care privacy
A Kentucky House Democrat filed legislation Tuesday aimed at protecting medical privacy and preventing the criminalization of residents who seek reproductive health care outside the state.
Car crashes into home on Woodland Avenue, no injuries reported
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A car crashed into a home on Woodland Avenue, causing structural damage, according to the Lexington Fire Department. LFD District Chief Wes Watts says crews were called for a “vehicle into a structure” and…
New dietary guidelines urge Americans to avoid processed foods and added sugar
Americans should eat more whole foods and protein, fewer highly processed foods and less added sugar, according to the latest edition of federal nutrition advice released Wednesday by the Trump administration. Health Secretary Robert F. Ke…
Kentucky launches new mobile ID app for smartphones
(ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky has launched a new mobile ID program that allows residents to access a digital version of their driver’s license or identification card on their smartphones. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, res…
Owensboro Health Implements Visitor Restrictions Amid Respiratory Virus Surge
OWENSBORO, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Owensboro Health Regional Hospital says it is implementing visitor restrictions due to a high number of admissions related to respiratory viruses. According to a social media post from the hospital, the re…
FCPS asking community's help naming new elementary school
Fayette County Public Schools is asking for the community's help naming the newest elementary school in Lexington.
Fetal homicide charge dropped for Kentucky woman indicted following abortion
Attorneys claimed that if the defendant acted "under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance," then there are no grounds to prosecute or convict Spencer.
Motion filed to dismiss fetal homicide count against Kentucky woman indicted in infant's death
Attorneys claimed that if the defendant acted "under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance," then there are no grounds to prosecute or convict Spencer.
Drivers urged to avoid KY 1247 after multi-vehicle crash in Burnside
PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Drivers in Pulaski County are being asked to avoid part of KY 1247 after a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday morning. According to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bobby Jones and the Burnside…
Driver hospitalized after early morning crash on I-75 on-ramp in Lexington, ramp reopens
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — One person was taken to the hospital after an early morning crash on a busy interstate on-ramp in Lexington. According to the Lexington Police Department, officers were called around 4:15 a.m. to the on-ra…
Emergency ordinance keeps services running in London
LONDON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Several City of London agencies are thanking city leaders after an emergency ordinance was passed that allows them to stay on the job following months of budget uncertainty. Multiple departments — including t…
Newly proposed Kentucky bill would establish ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ on activist's birthday
Kentucky legislators have introduced a bill to establish October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day in the Commonwealth, honoring the conservative activist who was assassinated in September 2025.
Kentucky launches new digital ID mobile app: Here's how it works
On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced a new app for traveling and shopping that also helps protect the user's private information.
Driver removed from crashed car by bystander near Lexington I-75 ramp
A driver has been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being removed from their car by a bystander following a crash near the Paris Pike on-ramp leading to I-75 South.
Driver fights for life after being removed from crashed car by bystander near Lexington I-75 ramp
A driver has been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after being removed from their car by a bystander following a crash near the Paris Pike on-ramp leading to I-75 South.
From Warm Temps and Strong Storms to Winter Weather
Good Wednesday to one and all. We have a front draped across the state, leading to a big temperature swing out there today. This boundary goes back to the north with VERY mild and VERY windy weather moving in. That’s ahead of a big time ch…
As CDC scales back childhood vaccine guidance, local pediatrician questions decision
Dr. Elizabeth Hawse at Commonwealth Pediatrics said she doesn't understand why the CDC made this reduction.