Kentuckians! Help me out! For a story: Do you have to travel far for medical care? Are you a health care provider experiencing burnout? Talk to me! My email is: kendallstatonjournalism@gmail.com

City council member Denise Gray announced her resignation from Lexington’s governing body Wednesday, effective July 31. Her term was set to end in 2027. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Lexington elected official resigns, leaving vacancy on city council

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has 30 days to appoint someone to fill the open position.

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Private companies want to build solar farms in Fayette County, but they can’t. There are no local laws prohibiting solar farms in Lexington. There are also no laws allowing them. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/busines...

Solar farms face an uphill battle in Lexington. ‘Agricultural economy at risk.’

There are no local laws prohibiting solar farms in Lexington. But there are also no laws allowing them.

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The Lexington city council has added nearly $1 million in funding to Mayor Linda Gorton’s proposed budget to support transportation, technology and pedestrian safety. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...

Lexington city council adds nearly $1 million to budget. Here’s what’s new

The $540.2 million budget is the largest in the city’s history.

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6th District Councilmember Denise Gray just announced that she is *not* running for re-election in 2026. She cites the media cycle around her allegations of sexual assault against then 4th District Councilmember Brenda Monarrez as a major reason why she is stepping away.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to lower the price of groceries on his first day in office. A five month analysis by the Herald-Leader shows groceries are actually more expensive in Lexington. ++ Story by me with help from @piperjhansen.bsky.social www.kentucky.com/news/busines...

President Trump promised lower grocery prices. Has he delivered in Lexington?

Since January, the Herald-Leader has been tracking prices monthly to see if Trump’s pledge is coming to fruition. Our finding: Local grocery prices are actually higher.

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The National Weather Service in Louisville began tracking the storm at 5 a.m. over Hart County. That was between 50-75 miles away from the suspected tornado that hit Washington County around 6:50 a.m., meteorologist Chase Graham said. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/weather...

‘Unfortunate, perfect combination of ingredients’ in storm slams Central KY

Meteorologists had been tracking the “marginal” storm system that slammed into Washington County Friday morning, killing at least one and injuring seven.

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Days after her husband unexpectedly died in March 2020, Anita Courtney and her children went to Hisle Farm Park in north Lexington to find peace. Instead, she said, she was met with people clad in camouflage, yelling and holding guns. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Rubber guns and paintball: UK’s ROTC training disturbs Lexington park, citizens say

“I don’t feel like the parks are an appropriate place for military exercise,” citizen says.

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“These invaluable spaces are perfect for enjoying the outdoors and serve as a powerful reminder of why protecting our natural land in rural Fayette County is so important,” Councilmember Hil Boone said. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Calling all kayaks and canoes: Lexington opens first park with public river access

The 30-acre park has been in the works since 2019. It provides public access to the Kentucky River.

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Connie Hajash played tennis for most of her life, from grade school until her 40s. But after she retired from her job as a pharmacy technician a few years ago, she needed something to do. That’s when she found pickleball. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

‘It’s an addiction.’ Lexington opens new pickleball courts near Fayette Mall

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America.

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The Hope Center is adding 72 units to its property on Loudon Avenue, expected to open in July. CEO Jeff Crook said the expansion will “drastically decrease” service delays for people who need help. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Lexington homeless shelter to open expansion after burst pipe caused delay

The Hope Center, which opened in 1993, runs many programs to help the homeless population in Lexington.

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Lexington's newest park officially has an opening date. www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Gatton Park on the Town Branch in Lexington sets grand opening date

The park behind Rupp Arena has been in the works for nearly a decade, and will feature an amphitheater, playground, walking trails, public art, splash pad and more. Construction started in 2023.

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Lexington city officials say a new state law means they can no longer consider public comment in new developments. But the state lawmakers who passed said law see things differently. From @kendallstaton.bsky.social with an assist from @austin-horn.bsky.social:

Does a KY law mean Lexington has to end public comment on new developments?

Lexington officials say a new state law eliminates the city’s ability to consider public input during the development process. Kentucky lawmakers who passed the bill say that isn’t so.

kentucky.com

Crystal Miller, who has over 20 years of experience in public health, will start as the health commissioner in July. She takes over from interim commissioner Steve Davis, who has been in the acting role since October. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/health-...

Lexington has a new health department director after 7 months of searching

The Lexington Fayette County Health Department has struggled to retain a leader since 2021.

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Lexington has to change its zoning laws to be in compliance with new state regulations by July 1. City council started discussing the legislation last week but, after nearly four hours of discussion, no changes have been approved. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Five things to know about why Lexington is changing its zoning laws

Lexington has to make changes to how it approves new construction projects to comply with state law. And right now, few support the vision.

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“It has put us in a difficult position,” Council member Emma Curtis said. “We are all looking for the best bad option.” Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Why no one is happy with state-mandated overhaul of Lexington zoning ordinances

Kentucky General Assembly passed HB 443 in 2024. The bill directed Lexington to make all planning processes objective and allow for staff review.

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Lexington will raise parking ticket prices for “safety violations” as part of its annual budget. That includes increased fines for such things as parking in a fire lane or intersection, or obstructing traffic. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Lexington to increase parking fines, monthly garage parking rates

Fayette County will increase fines for such things as parking in a fire lane or intersection, or obstructing traffic.

kentucky.com

The museum has been on Short Street since its founding in 1990. Over the past five years, it has seen more than a 25% increase in yearly patrons. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Lexington Children’s Museum looks to move for the first time since founding

Executive Director Colby Ernest said Tuesday there are no concrete plans for when or where the museum will move, but programming has outgrown the museum’s current footprint, and it needs more space.

kentucky.com

In March, a child traveling through the state was diagnosed with the disease at a health care facility in Kentucky. They are not a U.S. resident, but because they received a diagnosis in the commonwealth, it will be counted as a Kentucky incident. www.kentucky.com/news/health-...

Second Kentucky measles case confirmed by state health officials

The person diagnosed is not a resident of the U.S., but because they received a diagnosis in Kentucky, it will be counted as a Kentucky incident.

kentucky.com

If you’ve had trouble updating your Kentucky license to be REAL ID compliant, you’re not alone. Limited appointment availability and long wait times have hindered Kentuckians trying to update their Kentucky driver’s licenses to REAL IDs. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...

Kentucky officials ask federal government for REAL ID extension in the state

Limited appointment availability and long wait times have hindered Kentuckians trying to obtain new state-issued REAL ID cards by May 7 deadline.

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House will participate in a student-organized program to replace the canceled events. “This is a way to celebrate the particular obstacles that a lot of minority graduates go through while in university,” he said. Read more: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...

KY author Silas House says UK seems ‘eager’ to cancel diverse grad programs

Students are organizing their own events to celebrate diversity after the University of Kentucky confirmed last week it canceled graduation programs honoring LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation student...

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UK will no longer host programs that honor LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation graduates to be “in accordance with state and federal law,” spokesperson Jay Blanton told the Herald-Leader. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/politic...

UK cancels events for LGBTQ, Black grads amid Kentucky, Trump anti-DEI pressure

The University of Kentucky canceled the ceremonies to be “in accordance with state and federal law,” spokesperson Jay Blanton said.

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Negotiations with the Lexington Opportunity Fund could take months. If a deal is not reached, the city could choose another company or close the bid and go back to square one. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

After decades of trying, Lexington is one step closer to a new city hall

The Fayette County government is negotiating the terms of moving to a new government center in downtown Lexington

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The new facility at New Vista will help treat vulnerable populations and bridge the gap between emergency care and outpatient mental health care. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/health-...

Kentucky’s second mental health emergency room opens in Lexington

The facility is open to people dealing with addiction, depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, mood swings, or hallucinations.

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The Community Paramedicine Program responds to non-emergent 911 calls, like when someone falls and needs help getting up. The program takes the burden off EMS, which responds to over 45,000 calls annually, cutting runs by around 6% Read more: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Federal funding cuts could be ‘detrimental’ to Lexington emergency response program

The program helps take the burden off of Lexington’s ambulance service, which responds to over 45,000 calls annually.

kentucky.com

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton Tuesday presented her proposed $539.2 million budget to city leaders. It includes more money for snow plows, $19.2 million for street safety and a 3% pay increase for non-union employees. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Lexington mayor: We need more money for snow plows, park improvements & street safety

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton presented her proposed budget Tuesday, which includes $3.4 million to improve snow plowing and $19.2 million to improve street safety.

kentucky.com

Lexington Public Library has canceled its annual Teen Pride Prom as part of an effort to cut back on programming. The library is getting rid of programs deemed to be “under-performing,” said spokesman Dan Koett. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

LGBTQ+ community fears exclusion as Lexington library cuts Pride event

LGBTQ+ programming is not going away – only Pride Prom, a Lexington Library spokesperson said.

kentucky.com

The Lexington Transit Center located downtown on Vine Street, which is where Lextran city buses make their connecting stops, will be closed for renovation starting this week. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/local/c...

Transit Center closes for renovations, relocates downtown bus loading

This is the first major renovation project at the Lexington Transit Center since it opened 34 years ago. Updates will include renovations to the restrooms, employee break room and customer service spa...

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The declaration allows Fayette County officials to provide and coordinate aid with other counties throughout the state and apply for federal aid if needed. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/news/weather...

Lexington declares state of emergency as more storms expected over the weekend

More heavy rain is expected for at least the next three days, with the potential for Lexington to see an additional 6 inches.

kentucky.com

As Lexington gets ready for the 17th-annual pride festival this summer, the celebration is moving back outside after being held inside Central Bank Center for two years. Read more at: www.kentucky.com/entertainmen...

After two years inside, one of Lexington’s largest festivals is moving back outside

Over 15,000 people attended last year, according to the Lexington Pride Center which hosts the festival.

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