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‘It blew me away’: Veteran reacts to seventh-graders honoring him with hundreds of letters
A class of seventh-graders in the Fort Zumwalt School District spent Veterans Day honoring a St. Louis area Vietnam veteran.
Today's Stories 60 stories · Updated 03:03 PM
Gov. Andy Beshear vetoes Senate Bill 251 over execution protocol concerns
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) -- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed Senate Bill 251 in its entirety, citing concerns that the legislation bypasses established legal procedures for implementing execution protocols. The veto message, signed and received by the Office of the Senate Clerk on April 13, outlines the governor's constitutional concerns regarding the bill. Beshear noted that both...
Local journalists talk about ARC investigation and coverage
Journalists discuss challenges investigating alleged fraud at Kentucky's largest rehab center
WSAZ+ | Morning headlines for April 14
Shannon Litton has a look at some of your top stories for Tuesday, April 14.
High school & credit union partner to teach students money management before graduation
A Copper State Credit Union branch inside the halls of one Phoenix high school is helping students get hands-on education with money management.
Shooting leads to arrest after family dispute
Man charged with wanton endangerment, domestic assault
‘Psychological brother’ accused of starving 11-year-old girl to death while others ate full meals in front of her
The "psychological brother" of an 11-year-old girl is accused of starving her to deth while others ate full meals in front of her.
Amber Alert issued for 15-year-old suspected of being kidnapped
Adriana Hernandez was last seen in the 6400 block of Bruce Lane in Milton, Florida, on April 7.
Kentucky opens grants for local stormwater infrastructure fixes
FRANKFORT - Following last year's historic flooding, Gov. Andy Beshear has announced that local governments can apply for grant funding to improve stormwater infrastructure and protect the health and safety [...]
Model Laboratory educator 1 of 50 nationwide helping build an AI teaching framework
RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) -- An English teacher from Model Laboratory Schools in Richmond is one of 50 educators from across the country that will come together to build a guidance for how to use AI in the classroom. Angela Hardin teaches English, where some of the reading and writing has turned into AI and typing. ...
Federal grant provides $13.6 million to replace 8 aging Bath County bridges
BATH COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) -- Along U.S. 60 in Bath County, eight bridges have connected the community for decades, and the wear of carrying so many travelers is apparent. Bath County EMS Director Gary Bealert grew up driving these roads and said road conditions can make a difference when lives are on the line. "It...
New Orleans father defies ALS prognosis, celebrates life beyond a five-year diagnosis
Brian Jeansonne has built a following of over 400,000 people on TikTok, where he shares his journey living with ALS
Breaking the cycle of child abuse starts earlier than you think.
In Kentucky, more than 14 of every 1,000 children will suffer abuse each year, nearly double the national average. While that number is alarming, we are making progress, lowering it [...]
Dog greets astronaut Christina Koch after she returned home from moon mission
Christina Koch's dog gave her a heartwarming greeting when she returned home from seeing the moon.
Bluebird Blues
Every season a pair of bluebirds nest under the eve of my house, which I allow because I enjoy having them around. They are pretty things with an appetite for [...]
Dragons break out of slump as Varner pitches a no-hitter
The Harlan Green Dragons and senior ace Baylor Varner broke out of an early-season slump in a big way Monday in an 18-1 five-inning blowout Monday at Middlesboro in the [...]
KY Hospital Association CEO out after decades with organization. No explanation given.
After more than four decades with the Kentucky Hospital Association, Nancy Galvagni is no longer CEO of the organization, which has not said why. The association has not publicly announced the news but a spokeswoman confirmed to the Lantern that Galvagni “is no longer serving as CEO of KHA” and that the board has named [...]
Kentucky Democrats debate key issues in the race for US Senate
Candidates discussed issues ranging from the economy and healthcare to immigration and foreign policy.
Teonni Key, Tonie Morgan Selected in the 2026 WNBA Draft
Teonni Key is the first Wildcat off the board in the 2026 WNBA Draft! Find out who is headed where after Monday night's draft, and if any other Kentucky connections were selected
In veto message, Beshear cites warning that budget bill would force cutbacks on KY courts
Decrying what he characterized as underfunding and unfunded mandates, Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday issued line-item vetoes on budget bills passed by the General Assembly. Beshear’s vetoes include judicial branch allocations the chief justice has warned would not be enough to keep all court services running. Lawmakers return to Frankfort Tuesday and Wednesday to wrap [...]
KY’s Beshear gives veto pen a workout but GOP has votes to override
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has issued more than two dozen vetoes of bills approved by Kentucky’s Republican-controlled legislature ranging from Medicaid copays to lowering the legal age to carry a concealed firearm. The GOP supermajority has the votes to override Beshear’s objections Tuesday and Wednesday, which are the final days of the 2026 legislative session. [...]
Perry County wildfires threaten homes as crews battle fires
As of Monday morning, Perry County had a total of 13 fires either active or contained.
Ethics complaint against KY lawmaker alleges improper payments from lobbying interests
FRANKFORT — Emily Brook Benningfield, the secretary of the Louisville Democratic Party, has filed a sworn complaint with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission asking for an investigation of Sen. Julie Raque Adams' compensation from a nonprofit called Kentucky Strong Inc. which has been funded exclusively by lobbying interests in recent years. Benningfield said in the [...]
Free black lung screenings offered Thursday in Whitesburg
WHITESBURG, Ky. -- Federal health officials are offering free black lung screenings for coal miners in Eastern Kentucky. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will host the screenings on April 16 at the Whitesburg Medical/Dental Clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program is open to all current and former coal miners, including those who worked underground, on the surface, or as c
KYCOM awarded grant to expand simulation lab
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to support the expansion and modernization of its clinical simulation lab. ARC uses congressionally appropriated funds to invest in Appalachia’s economic and community development through grants. The ARC grant program provides financial as
Seven Puppies
Matthew 25: 40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these [...]
death notices
Betty Ann Smith, 66, of Baxter, died April 5, 2026. Larry Patton "LP" Eldridge, 76, of Smith, died April 4, 2026. Velma Lee Williams, 72, of Baxter, died March 18, [...]
15th Region baseball standings – April 13, 2026
Here is our weekly 15th Region softball standings. Let us know if you agree or if we should shake things up! Stay tuned to our Mountain Top Sports website and Facebook page for our weekly ranking updates. As of April 13, 2026: The post 15th Region baseball standings – April 13, 2026 appeared first on Mountain Top Media .
15th Region softball standings - April 13, 2026
Here is our weekly 15th Region softball standings. Let us know if you agree or if we should shake things up! Stay tuned to our Mountain Top Sports website and Facebook page for our weekly ranking updates. As of April 13, 2026: The post 15th Region softball standings - April 13, 2026 appeared first on Mountain Top Media .
Crider wins national dance competition, named 'rising talent'
ORLANDO, Fla. - Prestonsburg student, eight-year-old Blakelynn Crider, competed this past weekend in dance competitions in Orlando, bringing home a national award and other honors. The Prestonsburg Elementary third-grader represented Dance Etc. in the Stage 8 Dance Nationals in the jazz solo division. When all was said and done, she emerged the national champion. But that wasn't the only accomplis
Man accused of taking child with him to steal refrigerator
ROBINSON CREEK, Ky. -- A Pike County man has been arrested after police say he was caught in the act trying to steal a refrigerator from a home. Kentucky State Police was called Sunday afternoon to Collins Highway over a report of a burglary in progress. The property owner told police he saw a man and child entering the house on his security camera, so he went to the location and blocked the drive
Woman awaiting sentencing in federal drug case arrested for meth trafficking
META, Ky. -- A Letcher County woman who pleaded guilty a federal meth distribution conspiracy charge last month has been arrested for meth trafficking again. Just before 1 a.m., Saturday, a state trooper pulled over a truck traveling 35 miles an hour along U.S. 119 near the Zebulon exit. The driver, 39-year-old Britia Noel Johnson, of McRoberts, turned over her license and registration, and the of
Zilisch holds off Larson for thriller at Bristol, Allgaier nets $100K bonus
by ROD MULLINS BRISTOL, Tenn. - Connor Zilisch rediscovered his winning form Saturday night at Bristol Motor Speedway, parlaying a bold pit strategy into a victory in the Suburban Propane 300. While Zilisch celebrated in Victory Lane, veteran Justin Allgaier walked away with a $100,000 O’Reilly Auto Parts Dash 4 Cash bonus, finishing fourth as the highest-placing eligible driver. The race turned o
Community partners raise record funds for UK children's health
LEXINGTON - The Children's Miracle Network (CMN) announced on Friday that its partners raised a record $1.7 million for the Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Kentucky in 2025. [...]
Game Warden Recruitment Opens for Statewide Posts
FRANKFORT - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) says they are currently accepting applications to fill game warden positions in a dozen counties. Applications will be accepted [...]
KY lawmakers could still pass a housing bill but its prospects are complicated
Kentucky lawmakers worked against the clock and late into the night before breaking April 1 to send a pile of legislation to the governor’s desk, including reserving a spot in the statehouse for a statue of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and banning sales of the herbal supplement kratom. One thing that didn’t make it under [...]
Kentucky State Police investigate fatal crash in Knott County
On April 7 at approximately 12:11 a.m., troopers conducted a motorist assist on KY-80 near Sylvester Branch in the Emmalena community.
Magoffin man still wanted by police
LAKEVILLE - Magoffin County Sheriff Bill Meade tells Mortimer Media Group law enforcement is still looking for one of two men who fled a Magoffin County residence on Lakeville Road during an execution of a search warrant recently. The search warrant was the result of a three-year investigation. Authorities are still looking for Eddie McFarland [...]
Man arrested on a DUI with child in car
WEST MAPLE ST. - In Salyersville, David Austin Dotson, 29, of Sugar Camp Road, in Salyersville, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and wanton endangerment after authorities say they found him under the influence with a child inside the vehicle. Salyersville Police Department officers received a call in the area of West [...]
Candidate withdraws from election
SALYERSVILLE – A candidate in the local county clerks race officially has withdrawn from upcoming election, though his name will still appear on the ballot. Magoffin County Clerk Renee Shepherd announced on Tuesday this week that Justin Williams had withdrawn as the Republican candidate in the Magoffin County court clerk race due to Williams taking [...]
City council holds special meeting
SALYERSVILLE – The Salyersville City Council met briefly on Wednesday, April 1, passing a budget amendment and discussing the status of the sewer projects. A representative with Big Sandy Area Development District told the council they have now received the grant agreement from the Department of Local Government, showing the city is now in compliance [...]
Special Olympics Area 39 Track and Field Meet Returns to Paintsville Saturday
Paintsville, Ky. – The Special Olympics Kentucky Area 3&9 Track and Field Meet will return to Johnson Central High School in Paintsville on Saturday, April 11. The Area 3&9 Meet includes more than 150 athletes from Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Fleming, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Perry, and Rowan Counties. The event will [...]
TACO trades
It's a great week when the leaves pop out and Meat & Tater pop in. They've been on the road since Mardi Gras.
We’ve launched a new battle against a different type of addiction
For more than a decade, the fight against opioid addiction has been all-consuming. Progress has come — not enough and far too slowly — but every life saved makes the effort worthwhile.
Adios coal tax?
The eggs have been in the coal basket for a very long time, which allowed coal-producing counties to reap the benefit of a severance tax on coal produced. Now that the eggs are broken, coal production is down significantly and counties are getting less tax revenue; will a bill in
Pike jailer claims ARH’s $3M lawsuit unfounded
Appalachian Regional Healthcare filed a lawsuit against Pike County and the Pike County Detention Center in December; however, the county jailer claims the detention center is not liable for medical services in excess of $3.2 million.
KSP troopers arrest two on drug trafficking charges in separate incidents
Two men are facing drug trafficking charges after unconnected incidents on April 8 and April 9.
Kentucky business owners navigate increasing fuel costs amid Iran war
Moore said filling up the truck costs $130 to $140 each time, and he fills up two or three times a week.
Publix announces three new locations in Kentucky
Publix is set to open locations in Richmond, Versailles and Bowling Green
Club helps move books into Fleming-Neon Library
More than a dozen members of the Neon Lions Club were at the Fleming-Neon Public Library to help move books into the newly renovated building. The library took on more than five feet of water during the flood of 2022, destroying the interior and its contents. The library district has been buying books and accepting donations since then, cataloging books, [...] The post Club helps move books into F
Road plan calls for $40 million to be spent on Letcher projects
Letcher County is slated to receive more than $40 million in highway improvements over the next three years under Kentucky’s newly approved six-year road plan, with additional major projects lined up beyond 2028. The funding is part of House Bill 502, which establishes the state’s 2026–2028 Biennial Highway Construction Plan, part of a broader transportation budget totaling about $3.41 billion [..
Jenkins council: Cops can help ICE
The Jenkins City Council has voted to sign a task force agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing Jenkins City Police to be deputized as federal immigration officers. ICE has also approached the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office about joining the 287(g) program, but Sheriff Billy Jones said the office is still reviewing the proposal. It is unknown whether [...] The post
Ex-fire chief can’t escape conviction, appeals court rules
The Kentucky Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of a former Kingscreek fire chief who was sentenced to five years in prison for first-degree sexual abuse. Robert Wayne Meade, also known as Bill Meade, was 81 years old when he was convicted on September 9, 2024. Meade was the longtime chief of the Kingscreek Volunteer Fire Department, and some [...] The post Ex-fire chief can’t escape convi
Players loved strength coach
Pat Etcheberry, a native of Chile, was a Southeastern Conference javelin champion at Kentucky in 1966. He later served as an assistant track coach at UK from 1967–79 and head coach from 1979–84. He also worked as the strength and conditioning coach for all UK teams from 1973–89, where his innovative methods helped numerous athletes and played a major role [...] The post Players loved strength coac
Lady Cougars pick up wins to improve to 7-6 softball mark
The Letcher County Central Lady Cougars fast-pitch softball team improved to 7-6 on the season after picking up wins Monday at Hazard and earlier in the week in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Statistics for the Lady Cougars’ 5-4 win over Hazard were not available at press time. Letcher Central also earned a decisive 15-0 victory over Lake Center Christian of [...] The post Lady Cougars pick up wins
Lady Cavs start strong
The Jenkins Lady Cavaliers fast-pitch softball team is off to a strong start, carrying a 6-1 record into Wednesday night’s home game against Hazard. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jenkins picked up two recent wins, including an 11-1 victory in five innings over Knott County Central on April 6. Ariana Brown led the Lady Cavs at the plate, [...] The post Lady Cavs start strong first appeared on
LCC boys improve to 8-5
The Letcher County Central Cougars baseball team picked up back-to-back wins to improve to 8-5 on the season. The Cougars, coached by Chris Amburgey, opened their 40-game schedule on March 20 and have gained momentum with recent victories over Powell County and Magoffin County. Letcher Central’s latest win came Monday at Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, where the Cougars [...] The post LCC boy
IndyCar driver hosts fundraiser for veteran service dogs in Bowling Green
IndyCar driver Sting Ray Robb hosted a fundraiser at NCM Motorsports Park to support Freedom Service Dogs of America, which provides specially trained service dogs to veterans and people with disabilities at no cost.
