Articles by Mike Berk's Profile | WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY) Journalist

ONE Lexington awards $200,000 to 20 organizations fighting gun violence

Jul 07, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — ONE Lexington awarded roughly around $200,000 in grant money to 20 partner organizations working to combat gun violence in Lexington, as the city surpasses 150 days without a criminal homicide. Devine Carama, who founded ONE Lexington as a one-person operation with a limited budget, said the milestone reflects what the community has built together. "To be able, with the help of the community, to build this from the ground up, has been great," Carama said.

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Lexington firefighters urge grill safety as central Kentucky marks America's 250th birthday

Jul 03, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — As central Kentucky gets ready to join the rest of the nation in celebration of America's 250th birthday, the Lexington Fire Department is hoping to avoid a slew of alarms due to accidents related to the grill. "A lot of time we hear that on fire runs, people will say, 'I only turned by back for a couple of seconds, and I turned back around, and the back deck was on fire,'" District Chief Brett Gavin said.

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Christian Appalachian Project responds to flooding in Jackson and Madison counties

Jul 01, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

(LEX NEWS) — The Christian Appalachian Project is already on the ground in two Kentucky counties hit hard by flooding over the weekend. CAP team members spent Monday in Jackson County, where the town of McKee was hammered by flooding. The organization also has resources in Madison County, where three people were killed by the storms. CAP President Jennifer Stolo said the organization doesn't wait to see how bad things get — it prepares for the worst from the start.

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Carlisle marks 5 years since devastating flood that killed one and reshaped the city

Jun 29, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

NICHOLAS COUNTY, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Five years ago this week, many of the streets and businesses and homes in downtown Carlise were covered in water. Those places where the water had receded were caked in mud for weeks and some even months. Cars were strewn across yards, backyard trampolines looked as If they had been trampled. Some of the homes were even knocked right off their foundations.

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UK patient recovering well after region's first robotic kidney transplant

Jun 26, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Jeff Johnson is just shy of 60 days removed from undergoing a historic kidney transplant at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. "It went relatively smoothly, I think I took one-half of a pain pill when I was in the hospital, and I have not taken one since I left the hospital, so I'm happy," Johnson said. For the first time in a four-state region, robotics were used to execute the transplant. "Dr. (Matthew) Black told me it was going to be relatively easy.

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UK Chandler Hospital completes first robotic kidney transplant in 4-state region

Jun 22, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Surgeons at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital have successfully completed a kidney transplant using robotic technology, marking a first for a region that includes Kentucky, Southern Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee. Transplant surgeon Dr. Matthew Black performed the procedure and said his patient is recovering well.

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Wilmore kicks off three-day Salute to Service celebration with veteran memorial procession

Jun 12, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The town of Wilmore in Jessamine County is marking a milestone-filled year with a three-day Salute to Service celebration that kicked off Thursday. "It's America's 250th [birthday], Wilmore's 150th [birthday], Thompson Hood Veterans Center 35th [anniversary] and the 9/11 25th [anniversary]," Mayor Harold Rainwater said. A procession of bikers escorted a pair of memorials representing Vietnam and 9/11 from Nicholasville into Wilmore.

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One Lexington summer camp returns, offering mentorship to teens impacted by gun violence

Jun 09, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Devine Carama has launched the first session of his annual One Lexington summer camp in Lexington, bringing together dozens of teens impacted by gun violence for six weeks of mentorship, life skills, and community building. The camp, which was delayed this year due to school-year extensions caused by winter weather, meets every Tuesday and Thursday. It is free of charge and limited to around 55 to 60 students per week.

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Lexington's Share Fair collects lightly used school supplies to keep waste out of landfills

Jun 05, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Lexington is using its Electronics Recycling Center for a different kind of recycling initiative — collecting lightly used school supplies to redistribute to students and teachers ahead of the next school year. The city's second annual Share Fair allows residents to drop off children's school supplies they no longer need so other students and teachers can use them.

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Lexington Mayor Gorton honors emergency management teams during national recognition week

Jun 03, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — June 1-5 marks Emergency Management Professionals Week, and on Wednesday, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton wanted to make sure her city’s first responders understood just how important those teams are to the people of the city. “Our division of emergency management works tirelessly to keep everyone safe,” Gorton said, before proclaiming this week for the emergency management teams. Rob Larkin is the city's director of emergency management.

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Lexington parks department launches 10-year master plan with $8 million in voter-approved funding

May 29, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Lexington Parks and Recreation is developing a new 10-year master plan — and this time, it comes with $8 million in voter-approved funding and a call for community input on the future of the city's green spaces. The department creates a master plan every decade to guide the direction of parks, trails, pools, and recreation programming across the city.

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Beattyville's Squatch Fest returns after years of floods and pandemic setbacks

May 27, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Five years after a historic flood destroyed most of downtown Beattyville, a popular summer festival is returning early in June. Squatch Fest, a spinoff of the Three Forks River Festival, is scheduled for June 5-7. The festival celebrates the portion of the river known as the birthplace of the Kentucky River — a waterway that has brought both pride and devastation to this economically depressed area.

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Vietnam veteran reflects on survival at Lexington Cemetery Memorial Day service

May 25, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Brian Engle and his wife took their familiar spot inside Lexington Cemetery on Memorial Day, attending the annual service to honor fallen heroes Monday. "It's a wonderful, honorable ceremony that's very nicely done," Engle said. Engle served as a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, completing multiple tours of duty — not because he was drafted, but by choice.

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Sonny's BBQ raises money for Lexington officer who lost arm in traffic stop

May 21, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Sonny's BBQ locations in Lexington, Nicholasville and Richmond are donating 20% of their sales Thursday to help Officer Kevin Van Wert recover after he suffered catastrophic injuries during a traffic stop near Fayette Mall last month. Van Wert's injuries were so severe doctors could not save his right arm. Officers from the Lexington Police Department began filing into the Lexington Sonny's location soon after it opened Thursday morning.

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Early in-person voting begins, 2026 Kentucky primary could see record turnout

May 14, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Early in-person voting began Thursday morning for Kentucky's primary election, with polls opening at 8:30 a.m. and voters already turning out at locations across Lexington. Fayette County Clerk Susan Lamb said voter turnout is expected to be very high, citing absentee voting numbers that have already surpassed previous primary elections and the significance of several races on the ballot. "Because we have a Senate seat that's opened.

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Fayette County clerk expects record primary turnout as voters 'chomp at the bit'

May 13, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Fayette County Clerk Susan Lamb said early voting indicators point to higher-than-average turnout for this year's primary election, driven by competitive open races and voter enthusiasm over key national issues. "Fayette County registered voters are really chomping at the bit to vote this time," Lamb said. More than 1,000 additional absentee ballots have been requested compared to the last election cycle.

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Valvoline's best technicians compete in 'Oilympics' in Lexington

May 12, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The nation's top oil change technicians gathered in Lexington on Tuesday for Valvoline's annual "Oilympics" competition, bringing together competitors from 39 locations across the country. Valvoline, headquartered in Lexington, has hosted the competition for 32 years. Technicians are judged on speed, accuracy, and safety. Dannielle Tereschenko, a technician from Virginia who won last year's competition with a perfect score, said the bar is set high.

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Golden Tempo skips Preakness Stakes, renewing calls to reshape the Triple Crown schedule

May 08, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

(LEX 18) — Golden Tempo's connections have decided to skip the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the horse's Kentucky Derby victory — a decision that is reigniting a broader conversation about whether the sport's most prestigious series needs a new schedule. The move mirrors what happened last year, when Sovereignty's team bypassed the Preakness Stakes after winning the Kentucky Derby.

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Lexington's 'Be the Change' scholarship awards $5,000 each to 12 high school seniors

May 06, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Twelve Lexington high school seniors are heading to college with a little extra help after being named winners of the "Be the Change" scholarship, each receiving $5,000 toward their tuition. One Lexington director, Devine Carama, honored the students during a ceremony inside Lexington's Government Center. Carama often tells the young people he works with to "stand on business" — to develop a belief in something positive and put it to work.

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'Move over kings': Golden Tempo and Cherie DeVaux make history at the Kentucky Derby

May 04, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

(LEX 18) — From her home in Saratoga, New York (which happens to be another hotbed for thoroughbred horse racing), Shona Rotondo watched history unfold, but it didn’t really surprise her all that much. “Not at all unexpected. We had so much faith in her,” Rotondo said of Cherie DeVaux’s win at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Golden Tempo’s win made Devaux the first female to ever train the derby winner.

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'We had a very good example': Remembering P.G. Peeples

Apr 30, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — P.G. Peeples, the president of the Lexington Urban League and a longtime civil rights activist, died Tuesday night at the age of 80. His death has left scores of heartbroken community members mourning the loss of a leader whose impact will be hard to replicate. Peeples dedicated his career to bringing the community together and improving the lives of people in underserved communities, with affordable housing solutions at the top of his priority list.

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Drivers frustrated with varying prices in gas at stations across Lexington

Apr 23, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Gas prices in Lexington have been all over the place as of late, and the stations at the corner of Georgetown and Mercer Road is a perfect example. As of Thursday morning, the gas at Speedway is $3.91, but right across the street, Shell is charging $4.19 for a gallon of regular. Some variation is normal from retailer to retailer, but a difference of 28 cents a gallon is catching some drivers off guard. "It's strange," said driver Roushdan Nurideen.

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Carrying the torch: Lexington man planning to honor deceased loved ones at annual Peace Walk

Apr 22, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — This month marks 12 years since Ricardo Franklin watched his mother receive the worst possible news a mother can receive. But, perhaps, more importantly, he watched how she reacted to that news. “To lose her son and then to turn it into an event like this to help the community, it means the world to me. It meant the world to her. It means the world to my family,” he said.

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Kentucky doula works to prevent Black maternal deaths at 5th annual health fair

Apr 17, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — According to the state’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Kentucky Maternal Mortality Report of 2025, Black women in the commonwealth are three to four times more likely to die during and after giving birth. The state report revealed 82% of pregnancy-related deaths between 2017 and 2022 were preventable. Tiffany Bellfield El Amin is a doula who works with pregnant women during pregnancy, the birthing process and the postpartum months.

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Recent motorcycle crashes in central Kentucky highlight road safety concerns

Apr 16, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

(LEX 18) — Motorcycle season in central Kentucky is off to a rough start. A crash Thursday morning in Lexington on Winchester Road was at least the sixth the city has had in the past month. That means the area is maintaining last year’s rate. "Over 1,500 crashes that involved motorcycles (last year)," Lori Weaver-Hawkins of AAA Blue Grass said of the numbers kept by Kentucky State Police.

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London Mayor Randall Weddle pleads not guilty to excessive campaign contributions to Gov. Beshear

Apr 15, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LONDON, Ky. (LEX 18) — London Mayor Randall Weddle pleaded not guilty to four counts pertaining to excessive contributions he allegedly made to the campaign of Governor Andy Beshear. Before the plea, attorneys for both parties argued the merits of a change of venue motion previously filed by Weddle’s lawyer, Guthrie True. True argued the law does not allow for the trial to take place in Laurel County.

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Kaydence Carpenter appears in court as her lawyer argues self-defense in pedestrian crash

Apr 14, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — 20-year-old Kaydence Carpenter appeared in Fayette District Court on Tuesday morning for a pretrial hearing after being charged with striking four people with her car on March 22 in Lexington. The case has been bound to the grand jury. Carpenter faces charges of wanton endangerment, four counts of assault, DUI, and reckless driving. Police said the incident sent four people to the hospital with various injuries.

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University of Kentucky seniors face a challenging job market as graduation approaches in just one month

Apr 13, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — University of Kentucky seniors are facing a challenging job market as graduation approaches in one month. The economic challenges experienced across the country are landing on the doorstep of off-campus apartments and homes near the university. Nicole Keenan, director of the UK Stuckert Career Center, leads a team of career guidance counselors who are navigating different waters this spring.

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Nicholasville City County Park opens all-inclusive playground, and it's a hit

Apr 09, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — It was still a little chilly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, yet the playground at the City/County Park in Nicholasville was already teeming with kids. “It is getting a lot of use. All day long you'll see kids. I was here at around 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon and there were about 50 kids playing,” said Anessa Snowden, the Jessamine County Director of Parks and Recreation.

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Lexington volunteers provide free spring break lunches to students as grocery and gas prices stay high

Apr 08, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Students, teachers, and administrators are on spring break this week, but the need for meals in Lexington does not take time off. With school not in session, community members who normally benefit from the school lunch program are receiving free meals at several locations across the city, including the Charles Young Center. The service is especially critical given the state of the economy, high gas prices, and grocery costs.

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Local Lexington distillery avoids tariff impacts, explores new overseas distribution opportunities

Apr 03, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — While large-scale distilleries continue to deal with the issues of doing business within the framework of retaliatory tariffs, a local distiller is experiencing a more positive impact. Jeff Wiseman at Barrel House Distilling Company has not had to raise his prices. "We're made here and sold in Kentucky, so it hasn't been a terrible effect for us," Wiseman said.

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Greenhouse effect: Tates Creek Middle School opens greenhouse on campus

Apr 02, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The new greenhouse at Tates Creek Middle School is officially open following a ribbon cutting ceremony for the facility on Thursday morning. This project was the idea of Avery Adams, a three year alumni at the middle school. “It's just beautiful to see, and I’ve always loved sustaining life. And I’ve always wanted to give back to my community,” Adams said after the ceremony.

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Kentucky officials promoting the Safe Teen Driving Challenge to help reduce teen crashes

Apr 01, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky officials are urging young drivers to focus on the road ahead of the summer months through the second annual Safe Teen Driving Challenge. According to data from the state’s highway agency, more than 49,000 wrecks have involved a teen driver in recent years, resulting in 197 fatalities.

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Bourbon County first responders and high school students conduct mass casualty drill for emergencies

Mar 30, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

BOURBON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — First responder agencies across Bourbon County conducted a mass casualty drill simulating a devastating tornado to prepare for real-life emergencies. The exercise took place Monday inside an old building at Legion Park. It featured a triage unit set up outside, vapor smoke and debris on each level, and specific simulated injuries for each victim.

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Lexington job fair helps people recovering from addiction find work and fresh starts

Mar 27, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The second annual "Look Good. Feel Good" job fair in Lexington connected people recovering from addiction and those returning from jail with employment opportunities. More than 30 employers and staffing agencies attended the event, with some interviewing candidates and offering jobs on the spot. The job fair also provided free haircuts and clothing on-site to help attendees prepare for interviews and their first day of work.

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The Kentucky Shop printing George Rogers Clark merchandise after state titles

Mar 26, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — George Rogers Clark High School made history last weekend when both its boys' and girls' basketball teams won the Sweet 16 state championships. Now, a local alumnus is helping the school celebrate and raise money for championship rings. Rick Payner, owner of the Kentucky Shop warehouse in Lexington, is designing and printing special t-shirts to commemorate the rare double victory. He plans to donate 25 percent of the retail sales directly to the GRC athletics department.

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Unusually warm March weather triggers an early start to seasonal allergies in Central Kentucky

Mar 25, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — An unusually warm March has triggered allergens and caused Kentucky's famous seasonal allergy season to get off to an early start. Kristen Evans, an advance practice registered nurse with Blue Grass Allergy Care in Lexington, said the climate and geography are contributing factors. Central Kentucky has a bowl effect that traps pollen and mold spores.

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Lexington's Shriners Children's Hospital celebrates 100 years of providing pediatric care to families

Mar 24, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington’s Shriners Children's Hospital will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Nov. 1, marking a century of providing pediatric care to patients. The hospital relies exclusively on benefactors to carry out its mission. This funding model eliminates waiting periods for insurance company approvals or denials, allowing doctors and nurses to execute treatments based solely on the best interest of the pediatric patient.

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'Gone too far': Family of Jordan Morgan responds to pretrial hearing in Shannon Gilday case

Mar 20, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

RICHMOND, Ky. (LEX 18) — The family of Jordan Morgan was in court once again, for what most are hoping was the final pre-trial hearing before jury selection begins for the trial of Shannon Gilday. “That’s what they do. These public defenders, all they do is delay, delay, delay,” said Jordan’s father, C. Wesley Morgan. “I totally agree with the right to a defense, but this has gone too far,” he added. C.

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Hazard High School basketball returns to Rupp Arena for the Sweet 16 after a six-year tournament absence

Mar 19, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Hazard High School boys' basketball team returned to Rupp Arena for the Boys' Sweet 16, marking the school's first appearance in the state tournament in six years. School officials canceled classes in Hazard on Thursday so the community could make the two-hour trip to Lexington to support the team. They hope to cancel classes again on Friday.

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TSA workers at Blue Grass Airport keep showing up despite missed paychecks

Mar 18, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lauren Simmerman, Community Relations Manager at Blue Grass Airport, said the airport has not experienced the long security lines seen at airports across the country. TSA agents working America's airports have already missed at least one paycheck, and a second cycle without one appears virtually certain as the partial government shutdown continues.

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Kentucky Women in Business Summit weathers surprise snowstorm for 15th annual gathering

Mar 17, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — More than 100 business professionals and entrepreneurs gathered Tuesday for the 15th annual Kentucky Women in Business Summit, pushing through an unexpected morning snowstorm to network, share ideas, and hear from keynote speakers about their experiences in the business world. Devanny King, who organized the event, said a business degree isn't a prerequisite for entrepreneurial success.

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Judge grants restraining order blocking KSP from sharing records in Doug Harless case

Mar 16, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Franklin Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the family of Doug Harless Monday, granting a temporary restraining order that blocks the Kentucky State Police from transferring investigation records to the city of London before the family has a chance to review them. Judge Thomas Wingate granted the motion after neither the London city attorney nor a KSP representative appeared in court for the hearing.

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YMCA and Swim with a Purpose bring swim safety lessons to Franklin County fourth graders

Mar 13, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As we approach the summer pool season, officials with the YMCA and Kentucky’s Swim with a Purpose organization are stressing that simply knowing how to swim isn’t always enough. “One of the first things we teach here is when you see somebody drowning, do not go in the water to help them. Sounds counterintuitive, but you're going to drown too,” said Swim with a Purpose Founder, Sam Taylor.

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'I grieve every day': 5 years later, father still seeking justice in son's murder

Mar 12, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — It’s been a long five years for Elijah Persley, and time hasn't necessarily done much to heal this wound. “I grieve every day,” Persley said. “I do. I really do." Elijah’s son, Kobe, was 20 years old when he was shot and killed in Lexington’s Meadowbrook Park in January of 2021. Police have made no arrests, and while the investigation hasn’t gone “cold,” they don’t have much to go on right now. Elijah was recently offered an update by detectives.

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How sweet it is: Girls' round of 16 tips off at Rupp Arena

Mar 11, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — While the Kentucky Men’s basketball team began its post-season run in Nashville at the SEC tournament, 90 minutes earlier and three hours north, the girls from Kentucky’s 16 best high school teams began their full court press towards a state championship. Sports Frederick Douglass High School (FDHS) on Winchester Road in Lexington was first up against Henderson County in the Round of 16. It’s the Broncos second straight trip to this stage of the tournament.

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Rising diesel prices hit owner-operators hard, but moving companies hold the line on in-state rates

Mar 10, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As prices rise at the fuel pumps, with diesel fuel shooting up faster than other kinds, there is growing concern that anything and everything delivered by truck will cost more, so that drivers and logistics companies can offset the difference. But, as it turns out, it’s a little premature to be worrying about that. “Our rate is kind of a solid rate already.

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Kentucky gas prices top $3 a gallon, and experts warn it could get worse

Mar 09, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky drivers are facing a sharp rise at the pump, with gas prices topping $3 per gallon across much of the state — and experts say the increases may not be over. According to AAA, Kentucky's average price for a gallon of regular fuel is $3.13. In Lexington, GasBuddy puts the average at $3.14. Jason Boggs, who commutes daily from Richmond to Lexington, said his fill-up cost him $20 more than it did last week. "Oh yes, definitely it adds up over the week.

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Jessamine County man says he's a 'walking miracle' after wife and son perform life-saving CPR

Mar 06, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — A Jessamine County man is crediting his family with saving his life after his wife and teenage son performed CPR during a heart attack. Shawn Murphy suffered a heart attack at home in October. His wife and teenage son performed CPR until paramedics arrived, following instructions from a 911 dispatch operator who talked them through the process. Paramedics and doctors at Baptist Health then took over his care.

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Iran war could shake up Kentucky's midterm elections, political expert says

Mar 03, 2026 |

By Mike Berk

| WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — America's war with Iran could have significant consequences at the ballot box this fall, according to a Kentucky political expert. Bob Babbage, Kentucky's former Secretary of State, said the duration and outcome of the conflict will likely determine how much it shapes this year's midterm elections. "A majority of Americans say they want an internal focus; a focus on their expenses and their ability to own a home and have a future," Babbage said.

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