The Lexington Times

Free, AI-powered local news for Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington man indicted on federal weapons charges after house explosion

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A Lexington man was indicted on federal weapons charges after an April 12 house explosion and fire led authorities to discover he illegally possessed firearms despite a prior felony conviction.

Giuffre family continues fight for Epstein survivors at Capitol

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Virginia Roberts Giuffre's family honored her memory one year after her death, continuing her fight for justice for Epstein and Maxwell survivors by advancing legislation to remove the statute of limitations for trafficking victims and expanding support services through her nonprofit organization.

US sanctions Chinese refinery, 40 shippers over Iranian oil trade

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The Trump administration has sanctioned a major Chinese oil refinery and 40 shippers over Iranian oil transactions, targeting Hengli Petrochemical and its role in generating hundreds of millions in revenue for Iran's military.

Flight cancellations rise as jet fuel costs surge; here's what travelers need to know

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Airlines are canceling thousands of flights due to rising jet fuel costs amid Middle East tensions, prompting travelers to understand passenger protection rules that vary widely by region and country.

Tech giants cut thousands as AI spending surge reshapes industry

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Meta is cutting 8,000 jobs while Microsoft offers buyouts to thousands of U.S. employees as major technology companies restructure amid massive artificial intelligence spending requirements.

London man charged with kidnapping after earlier meth allegation

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A London man facing kidnapping charges allegedly broke into a woman's home and forced her into her vehicle Thursday. The arrest marks a second alleged violent incident against the same victim within months.

Thousands of Americans seek Canadian citizenship under new law

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A new Canadian law allowing citizenship by descent through grandparents and more distant ancestors has prompted thousands of Americans to apply, with immigration lawyers in both countries reporting overwhelming caseloads.

Appeals court blocks Trump asylum suspension order

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A federal appeals court blocked President Trump's executive order suspending asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border, ruling that immigration law gives people the right to apply for asylum and the president cannot override that authority.

Majority of singles see big spenders as red flag, survey finds

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A survey of 1,000 single Americans shows that over 60% view excessive spending as a dating red flag, with half preferring low-cost date ideas as inflation reshapes romance.

FDA accelerates review of psychedelic drugs under Trump directive

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The FDA announced it will expedite review of three psychedelic drugs for treating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following President Trump's executive order to speed research on the controlled substances.

DOJ drops investigation into Fed Chair Powell ahead of transition

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The Justice Department has ended its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, replacing it with an inspector general review ahead of Powell's term expiration and Kevin Warsh's nomination as the next Fed chair.

Record $10.5M colt named Zedan joins Baffert's stable

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A record $10.5 million colt named Zedan has joined trainer Bob Baffert's stable at Santa Anita, making it the second-highest price ever paid for a 2-year-old thoroughbred in North America.

US deploys third carrier to Middle East, dims hopes for European support

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The Pentagon deployed a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is not counting on European military support in its conflict with Iran, which has seen a naval blockade tightened around Iranian ports.

Powerful tornado devastates Enid, Oklahoma; homes reduced to rubble

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A powerful tornado devastated Enid, Oklahoma, on Thursday, destroying homes and causing widespread damage near Vance Air Force Base with no immediate fatalities reported, though residents were trapped in debris and required rescue.

UK students weigh in on Barnhart's retirement announcement

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University of Kentucky students are reacting to athletic director Mitch Barnhart's announcement that he will retire in June rather than transition into a new executive role, with many expressing hope that the university makes a thoughtful choice in selecting his successor.

Kentucky baseball's Jelkin set to start against South Carolina

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Kentucky baseball's Jaxon Jelkin will start Friday against South Carolina as the Wildcats continue conference play, with the pitcher having led the team to six wins this season.

Raiders select Mendoza with top pick in 2026 NFL Draft

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The Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, where he will learn from veteran Kirk Cousins and mentor Tom Brady.

Scott County farm builds legacy raising heritage-breed pigs

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A Scott County couple launched Tulip Hayes Farm to raise heritage-breed Berkshire pigs on pasture, naming the operation after their two young children as they work to build a family legacy in agriculture.

World Cup final tickets soar to $2.3M as resale market explodes

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Premium seats for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final are listed for resale at $2.3 million each on FIFA's official platform, while cheaper tickets purchased directly from FIFA start at nearly $11,000.

Morehead builds children's library to boost literacy rates

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The City of Morehead is building a children's little library at Morehead City Park to boost literacy rates in Rowan County, where only 28% of elementary students currently meet reading proficiency standards.

Louisville extends Brohm through 2033 with $8.1M average salary

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Louisville has extended football coach Jeff Brohm through the 2033 season with an average annual salary of $8.1 million, rewarding the coach after he led the Cardinals to 28 wins in three seasons including an ACC championship game appearance.

Trump weighs taxpayer takeover of Spirit Airlines with plan to resell

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President Trump is considering a government-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy again in November 2024, with plans to resell the carrier once oil prices drop. The proposal has drawn bipartisan skepticism from lawmakers while receiving support from the airline's pilot union.

UK defends law school dean hire amid criticism from Beshear, students

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University of Kentucky officials defended their hiring of Federal Judge Greg Van Tatenhove as law school dean Thursday, insisting the selection followed proper procedures despite criticism from Gov. Andy Beshear and others.

Special forces soldier arrested over $400K Maduro raid betting profits

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A U.S. special forces soldier was arrested for allegedly wagering $32,000 on a prediction market that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro would be removed from power, netting $400,000 in profits after the military successfully captured him in a covert operation.

Eastern Kentucky boy enters remission from advanced leukemia

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A young Eastern Kentucky boy has entered remission from advanced leukemia one year after his emergency diagnosis, transitioning from intensive chemotherapy to maintenance treatment and returning to normal childhood activities.

Man charged in fatal Frankfort hit-and-run appears in court

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A 25-year-old Frankfort man was charged with manslaughter after striking a pedestrian and leaving the scene Monday night. His bond was set at $1 million.

NTSB: LaGuardia firetruck crew didn't know who ordered them to stop

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A firetruck crew member heard an air traffic control command to stop moments before an Air Canada plane struck the vehicle at LaGuardia Airport, but was uncertain who the order was directed at, according to NTSB preliminary findings.

Trump announces 3-week extension of Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

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President Trump announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon following White House talks, signaling continued U.S. diplomatic efforts despite ongoing military exchanges and Hezbollah's rejection of the agreement.

Lexington drivers frustrated by 28-cent gas price swings

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Lexington drivers are frustrated by gas price variations exceeding 28 cents per gallon at competing stations as summer driving season approaches, with prices ranging from $3.91 to $4.19 for regular unleaded at nearby locations.

Ticketmaster to resell Harry Styles tickets after blocking scalpers

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Ticketmaster will resell tickets to Harry Styles' Madison Square Garden concerts after canceling fraudulent purchases made by scalpers using fake accounts and multiple identities.

Raiders set to draft Mendoza at No. 1 pick in 2026 NFL Draft

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The Las Vegas Raiders will use the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday's 2026 NFL Draft to select Indiana's Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who will learn under Kirk Cousins and Tom Brady. The draft begins at 8 p.m. ET and airs on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network.

FCPS seeks loan after audits reveal years of misstated finances

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Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins announced the district will seek a short-term loan after preliminary audits revealed finances have been misstated for years, with multiple investigations underway into potential violations of federal and state requirements.

Bengals trade 10th pick to Giants for Pro Bowl DT Lawrence

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The Cincinnati Bengals traded their No. 10 overall draft pick to the New York Giants for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, marking the franchise's first top-10 pick trade since the common draft era began in 1966.

At least 10 injured in targeted shooting at Baton Rouge mall

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A targeted shooting at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge left at least 10 people injured Thursday, with authorities indicating the incident began as a conflict between two groups in the food court.

Pope urges US, Iran to resume peace talks; condemns capital punishment

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Pope Leo XIV urged the US and Iran to resume peace negotiations while condemning capital punishment and calling for a culture of peace during a press conference returning from Africa.

Kentucky distributes $34M in opioid settlement grants to combat drug crisis

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Kentucky awarded more than $30 million in opioid settlement grants to over 100 organizations Friday, bringing total distribution to $100 million since the program began. Two Lexington nonprofits received funding to support addiction recovery and youth prevention programs.

Trump's 'Gold Card' visa program has only 1 approval so far

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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Congress that Trump's 'Gold Card' visa program, which allows wealthy foreign nationals to pay $1 million for U.S. residency, has approved only one applicant despite hundreds of applications under review.

Man sentenced to 9 years probation for cutting Fleming County deputy

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Billy Hall was sentenced to nine years probation for cutting a Fleming County deputy with a knife outside a hospital emergency room in July 2024. The incident occurred during a mental health crisis following methamphetamine use.

Remains of 3 children discovered in Memphis may have been there for years

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Authorities in Memphis discovered remains of three children, ages 3 to 7, that may have been in a wooded drainage area for years. Police are seeking the public's help identifying the children.

UK Athletics Director Barnhart to fully retire, scraps post-retirement role

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Mitch Barnhart will fully retire as UK Athletics Director on June 30, abandoning a planned $950,000-per-year post-retirement role that had drawn criticism from state officials and university stakeholders.

Man arrested in Florida over alleged plot to attack New Orleans festival

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A man from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was arrested at a Florida hotel with a handgun and ammunition after authorities identified him as a suspect planning a mass shooting at a major New Orleans festival during Jazz Fest.

DOJ Inspector General Audits Handling of Epstein Files Release

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The DOJ Inspector General is auditing the Justice Department's handling of records released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, examining whether the agency properly identified, redacted and released documents as required by law. The review comes amid bipartisan criticism over allegations the department selectively shielded powerful figures through redactions.

Richmond man charged with child abuse after DCBS investigation

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A 27-year-old Richmond man was arrested and charged with child abuse after a Department for Community Based Services investigation revealed injuries to two children in his home.

Warner Bros. shareholders approve $81B Paramount takeover

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Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved a sale to Paramount Global valued at $81 billion, though the deal still faces regulatory scrutiny. The merger has drawn opposition from entertainment industry professionals and policymakers concerned about media consolidation and potential job losses.

Bipartisan bill seeks to allow SNAP to cover rotisserie chicken

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A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act to expand SNAP benefits to include hot prepared foods like rotisserie chicken, which have been prohibited under the program for decades.

Murder retrial begins in deputy's shooting of Black man in Ohio

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A former Ohio deputy's retrial for the 2020 killing of Casey Goodson Jr., a Black man shot multiple times in the back, began Thursday with opening statements. The case centers on conflicting accounts of whether Goodson was holding a gun when he was fatally shot.

Two killed in head-on collision on KY-15 in Breathitt County

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Two people died in a head-on collision Wednesday on KY-15 in Breathitt County when a southbound Dodge Avenger crossed the center line and struck a northbound Toyota Camry. The crash also involved a commercial vehicle.

Autopsy: Singer D4vd's teen victim died from stab wounds

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An autopsy report released Wednesday shows that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez died from stab wounds to her upper body. Alt-pop singer D4vd has been charged with her murder, with prosecutors alleging he killed her to prevent her from reporting an illegal sexual relationship that began when she was 13.

Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' mine-layers in Strait of Hormuz

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President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to use lethal force against anyone placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while the military seized an Iran-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean as tensions escalate in the region.

Trump administration reclassifies medical marijuana to less restrictive category

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President Trump's acting attorney general reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, reducing federal restrictions and providing major tax benefits to medical cannabis operators in 40 states with approved programs.

Missing Prestonsburg woman's remains identified in Floyd County

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The remains of a 38-year-old Prestonsburg woman reported missing have been identified after being found near a river in Floyd County on Tuesday. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of death.

Senate advances DHS budget plan focusing on ICE, Border Patrol

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The Senate voted 50-48 early Thursday to advance a $70 billion budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol for three years, seeking to reopen the Department of Homeland Security shuttered since mid-February over Democratic demands for federal immigration enforcement reforms.