State News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Covington
Richmond Rallies to Aid Storm-Stricken Neighbors
Richmond is collecting disaster relief items at the Recycling Center to help storm-affected communities, spearheaded by Recycling Director Aaron Vaughn.
Bardstown Bourbon Boom: Trail Visitors Hit 2.7M in 2025
Kentucky's Bourbon Trail drew a steady 2.7 million visitors in 2025 despite national tourism dips, fueled by over a dozen new distilleries including fresh openings in Bardstown. The surge underscores bourbon's role as an economic powerhouse, spanning 27 counties and boosting local agritourism. Industry leaders hail the resilience as a testament to Kentucky's distilling heritage.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Kentucky Teens' Vaping Plummets 40% After Flavor Bans, Campaigns
Kentucky health officials hail a record low in teen vaping rates, with a stunning 40% drop following strict flavor bans and school education drives. New data from LEX 18 reveals the statewide push is paying off amid a national decline. For families from Louisville to Lexington, it's a breath of fresh air in the battle against youth nicotine addiction.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Louisville Bats Blast Off in 12-5 Triple-A Opener at Slugger Field
The Louisville Bats, Cincinnati Reds' top farm club, unleashed a fireworks show with three home runs in a dominant 12-5 victory over the Nashville Sounds to kick off their Triple-A season. Fans at Louisville Slugger Field erupted as the Bats thrilled Kentucky baseball faithful in the home opener. This explosive debut signals big potential for Reds prospects in the River City.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Humana's $500M Lexington Campus Targets 1,200 Health Tech Jobs
Insurance giant Humana is planting its health innovation flag in Lexington with a half-billion-dollar investment designed to create a new tech campus focused on AI-driven healthcare solutions. The expansion marks a significant bet on Kentucky's emerging role in the biotech and health technology sectors.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Western Kentucky Declares Emergencies as Flash Floods Overwhelm Hopkinsville
Severe thunderstorms and catastrophic flooding swept across western Kentucky counties this past weekend, forcing first responders to rescue residents from homes and prompting Gov. Andy Beshear to declare states of emergency across the region. The National Weather Service warned of a "dangerous and historic rainfall event" that could trigger unprecedented flash flooding from Christian County to the Ohio River valley.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
UK Men's Hoops Lands Elite 2026 Recruiting Targets in Lexington Push
University of Kentucky men's basketball, under Coach Mark Pope, is aggressively pursuing a top-tier 2026 recruiting class, with eyes on five-star talents like Tony Bryant. Fresh commitments and new names on the radar signal the Wildcats' return to national title contention. Lexington fans are buzzing as staff ramps up in-state and regional hunts.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Kentucky's Labor Market Struggles as Manufacturing Contracts
Kentucky's unemployment rate stands at 4.5% as of December 2025, but the state's manufacturing sector continues to hemorrhage jobs, contradicting reports of a sector boom. The state's jobless rate remains stubbornly higher than the national average, reflecting broader economic headwinds across the Commonwealth.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Louisville Police Nab Suspect in Eastern KY Bank Robbery Spree
A 34-year-old man is in custody, accused of terrorizing rural eastern Kentucky with five armed bank heists over the past month. Louisville Metro Police made the arrest, ending a wave of brazen crimes that rattled small-town communities. Details emerge on the suspect's alleged methods and the manhunt's end.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Kentucky Joins Federal School Choice Program After Veto Override
The Kentucky Legislature defied Gov. Andy Beshear's veto in March to opt the state into a federal tax credit scholarship program, making Kentucky the 28th state—and the first to do so without gubernatorial approval. The move allows Kentucky families to use scholarships funded by tax-credited donations for private school tuition and other educational expenses.
Sunday, May 3, 2026