Today's Stories 63 stories · Updated 03:38 PM

One killed in Floyd motorcycle crash

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- A man is dead following a motorcycle crash Thursday in Floyd County. According to Kentucky State Police, Shane Allen was operating a 2008 Honda Silver Wing along Route 1428 near Cow Creek just after 6:30 Thursday evening, when his motorcycle left the road and struck a utility pole. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The incident remains under investigation. T

Fatal crash under investigation

The crash occurred on Kentucky Route 1428 in the Prestonsburg community of Floyd County.

Cause of fatal fire revealed

The Ashland Fire Department has revealed the cause of a fatal fire that resulted in the death of a 13-year-old girl on Tuesday, March 24.

WSAZ+ | Google data center coming to Putnam County + more morning headlines

WSAZ’s Kimberly Keagy has more details in your morning headlines for March 27.

First in State

Braelyn Meade, from Johnson County, won first place at the state level for her Conservation Art entry, up against students from the 121 conservation districts across the state. The Johnson County Conservation District Awarded Braelyn with a trophy, plaque and monetary prize for her hard work. Braelyn is the daughter of Justin and Angelica Meade, [...]

Lexington Recycle Center closed due to equipment failure

The center will be shut down Friday, March 27, and Monday, March 30.

WSAZ+ | Cold and rainy conditions move into the region

After warm temperatures impacted much of Wednesday and Thursday, the region is now seeing a return of cold and rainy conditions this Friday.

Retired principal leads program to address child hunger in Vermont

Volunteers in Vermont pack bags of food to provide weekend meals for students who might not have enough to eat at home. Barb Hyde, a retired principal, started the local chapter of Food4Kids.

Google to build data center in Putnam County

Google has purchased land in Putnam County and received approval for a multibillion-dollar High Impact Development Project.

Economic, cultural barriers lead to disparities in type 2 diabetes rate

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing diseases in the world. We examine why diabetes is such a pervasive problem and explore how many people can reverse their risk for type 2 diabetes using diet and exercise.

Billionaire-inspired bill would separate KY workers from their rights

Affordability is the biggest problem facing Kentuckians today. Household costs are out of reach in part because pay has stagnated and worker benefits have eroded. The playing field is tilted against employees because of policies that undermine worker power and a failure to enforce laws that protect them. House Bill 732 will worsen that trend. [...]

HB 312 allowing adults under 21 to bear arms sent to governor

FRANKFORT - Members of the General Assembly voted to approve HB 312. This bill, sponsored by State Representative Savannah Maddox of Dry Ridge, is a straightforward but important statutory update [...]

Hampton measure to modernize criminal history records, delivered to the Governor

Frankfort, Kentucky - Members of the General Assembly voted to approve HB 448. The measure, sponsored by State Representative Tony Hampton, would clarify and modernize the sharing of criminal history [...]

First Lady leads new Kentucky human trafficking task force

FRANKFORT, Ky. - First Lady Britainy Beshear announced the formation of the Human Trafficking Awareness Coalition. Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order establishing the 15-member coalition, with experts in [...]

Convicted child molester receives maximum life sentences

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Thursday that a Perry County man previously convicted of sexually assaulting multiple children received three life sentences with no possibility [...]

City board approves 2025 audit, sets graduation date for May 16

By Aaron Rowe Harlan Enterprise The Harlan Independent Board of Education voted to approve the 2025 district audit during the monthly central office board meeting on March 24. The board [...]

KY auditor would get appointments to utility regulator board with last-minute bill changes

FRANKFORT — The Republican state auditor would get two appointments to an expanded Public Service Commission (PSC) under changes made to an advancing bill in the final days of this year’s regular legislative session. Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Smith, would expand membership of the utility regulator’s board from its current three members [...]

Man on parole for shooting officer arrested on drug trafficking charges

Powers was convicted of shooting at Prestonsburg Police Officer Adam Dixon in 2015.

KY chief justice warns drug, mental health courts would be wiped out by budget proposals

FRANKFORT — Kentucky judges and advocates issued a warning Thursday that, without more funding in the judicial branch budget, the state’s specialty courts could be closed. Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts said the General Assembly’s two-year budget, as it now stands, would underfund court system operations by $33 million. Courts at risk are drug, [...]

Kentucky Republican calls for McConnell’s statue to be added to state Capitol rotunda

FRANKFORT — A top GOP leader is calling for a statue of longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell to be added to the Kentucky Capitol rotunda. Senate President Robert Stivers, of Manchester, said Thursday that he planned to file a resolution to request the Historic Properties Advisory Commission consider adding McConnell’s statue to the rotunda. [...]

Omnibus elections bill upping political donation limits passes Kentucky Senate

FRANKFORT — A routine “elections cleanup bill” that morphed into omnibus legislation making significant changes — like having county clerks verify U.S. citizenship and raising political donations limits — is nearing final passage in the Republican-controlled Kentucky General Assembly. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear criticized the measure, telling reporters that making “voting harder is un-American.”

Knott County family rescues injured owl with help from wildlife rehabilitator

After bringing the owl home, the family researched how to get the animal proper help. They found Mountain View Wildlife Rehabilitation, a nonprofit based out of Hazard.

Senate unanimously approves transition of Kentucky State University into polytechnic

FRANKFORT — A day after a plan was unveiled to shave Kentucky State University’s academic offerings and assign it a new polytechnic mission, senators unanimously passed the measure as a way to move the institution forward. Senate Bill 185 received a vote of 38-0 Thursday afternoon in the state Senate, sending it on to the House. [...]

Kentucky bill toughens school violence disciplinary actions

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - A Senate bill to protect teachers and school staff from violent students passed the Kentucky House on Wednesday, advancing an effort to require stricter disciplinary action [...]

Kentucky Senate approves cameras on school bus stop arms

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - The Kentucky Senate has given approval to legislation that would allow the use of cameras on school bus stop arms, to catch those drivers who pass [...]

Perry man given three life sentences for incest, sodomy

HAZARD, Ky. -- A Perry County man has been given three life sentences for charges related to the sexual abuse of children. Harrison Cress, 58, of Slemp, was found guilty two counts of first-degree sodomy, one count of incest, and three counts of first-degree sexual abuse back in October. All of the charges dealt with victims younger than 12 years old. Prosecutors say Cress groomed multiple childre

Dickenson School Board approves annual budget

by RODERICK MULLINS CLINTWOOD, Va. -- The Dickenson County School Board met recently to discuss administrative business, financial reports, and student recognition for achievements. Reports were heard from representatives of the Dickenson County Education Association (DEA) regarding budget negotiations and upcoming conventions. In the Good News segment from county schools, Supt. Haydee Robinson re

Dickenson BOS approves grant applications, administrative matters

by RODERICK MULLINS CLINTWOOD, Va. -- The Dickenson County Board of Supervisors met March 24, addressing various administrative actions, grant approvals, resolutions and personnel matters. Supervisors approved a $30,000 grant application for new body cameras, with a county match of $7,302 in addition to approving the 2026 Cumberland Plateau Regional Waste Management Authority user agreement. The b

Floyd deputies arrest man for meth trafficking following chase through woods

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- Deputies responding to a report of a domestic disturbance ended up taking a man to jail on drug trafficking charges. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office was called Wednesday night to a home at Spurlock. When they arrived, they spotted one of the suspects allegedly involved in the disturbance -- Shawn Spurlock, 34, of Staffordsville -- running behind the home and up a hill. The c

Pike man pleads guilty to federal drug charge involving 7.5 lbs. of meth

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A Pike County man has entered a guilty plea to a federal drug charge involving pounds of meth. Adam Lee Little Jr., 51, of Elkhorn City, appeared in Frankfort federal court on Wednesday, where he entered a guilty plea to possession of more than 500 grams of meth with the intent to distribute before a magistrate. Police raided Little's home on April 21, 2021, where they seized nea

Eastern Kentucky man advocating for fire department funding after losing home

Jacobs said he is grateful for the three volunteer fire departments that responded, all of which are volunteer.

Paintsville Tiger Luke Stratton throws a perfect game for their fourth win in a row

Paintsville baseball player Luke Stratton just achieved what every pitcher strives for. The junior right-handed pitcher was perfect on the mound Monday night against Shelby Valley. He threw six shoutout innings, struck out 11 batters, and did not allow a baserunner all night, and he did this only throwing 62 pitches with 51 strikes! He also ended the night with 2 RBI to help lead his team to a 10-

Man on parole for shooting officer arrested for drug trafficking

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. -- A man who was convicted of shooting a Prestonsburg police officer back in 2015 has been arrested once again, this time for drug trafficking. Robert L. Powers, 38, of Sitka, was arrested Tuesday morning, after he was pulled over for suspected DUI and police found meth, marijuana and other drugs, along with drug sales paraphernalia inside his vehicle. He and a passenger, Hillary

A new kind of golf takes flight in Jenkins

In golf, there are links courses, parkland courses and desert courses — and, of course, putt-putt. But down a muddy trail scattered with fallen limestone and sandstone from an old railroad cut, a completely different kind of course is taking shape in Jenkins. When finished, the Boulder Run Disc Golf Course will wind through the woods and climb the side [...] The post A new kind of golf takes fligh

Superintendent stepping down after eight years

Letcher County Schools will have a new superintendent this fall. Denise Yonts, who has served in the position for the past eight years, announced this week that she will retire at the end of June after 33 years in the district. The Letcher County Board of Education work with the Kentucky School Boards Association to conduct a search for her [...] The post Superintendent stepping down after eight y

Work on coal plant may cost Ky. Power customers extra $$

As residents across eastern Kentucky struggle with rising electric bills — and worry about the next increase — Kentucky Power has asked state regulators to approve a nearly $200 million project at a coal-fired power plant that helps supply electricity to the region. The utility filed an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) earlier this year seeking permission [...] The pos

Turkey numbers up statewide, but what about here?

Turkey populations may be improving statewide, but harvest numbers in Letcher County tell a different story. With Kentucky’s 2026 spring turkey hunting season arriving soon, state officials say recent data shows turkey populations have rebounded in recent years, offering encouraging signs for the 2026 spring season. However, harvest numbers in Letcher County have declined over the past several yea

Kentucky’s next Rondo? He’s already here

Eighth-grader Pierre Rondo made his state tournament debut last week for North Oldham, and it’s clear he’s already ahead of schedule. Now in his second varsity season, Rondo averaged 14 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range. Of course, the name sounds familiar. His father, former University of Kentucky standout and NBA star Rajon [...] The post Kentucky’s nex

When the dogwoods bloom, it’s time to fish for crappie

At last, it’s starting to feel like spring. We may still have a few scattered frosty mornings, but I believe the snow is probably behind us. I’m ready to get my garden started, get my boat ready, and head out for some early spring crappie fishing. There’s an old saying that when the dogwoods bloom, it’s time for crappie to [...] The post When the dogwoods bloom, it’s time to fish for crappie first

Pikeville Independent Schools open after threat investigation, juvenile in custody

Superintendent David Trimble confirmed the warning with WYMT, saying there was an online threat that named Pikeville High School and specific students.

Medicaid bill in Kentucky raises concerns for cancer patients

House Bill 2 addresses Medicaid, specifically the maximum charge for a copayment as well as requirements to be eligible for the program.

Hearts on display

Landfill is history but Pike County is still a dump

We, the people of Pike County, raised enough cane on Facebook, TikTok and in fiscal court lately to get a controversial landfill voted down, but I’m not ready to celebrate. Rural Pike County is still a public dump.

Man pleads guilty to murder in Pike County shooting death; second man pleads guilty to lesser charge

A Pike County man has pleaded guilty to his role in the death of a Virginia man in a shooting incident last year.

Couple charged with child endangerment

A Pike man and woman are facing charges, including child endangerment, after Kentucky State Police responded to a report of an assault.

Pike woman pleads guilty in federal child porn case

A Pike County woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to two charges of production of child pornography.

Fiscal court sets increased salaries for county attorney, coroner

The Pike County Fiscal Court voted to increase the salaries for the county attorney and county coroner. The raises will be effective — following the current election cycle — in Jan. 2027.