Mike Berk
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Articles by Mike Berk
Kentucky health officials remain confident as measles cases remain below 100 mark
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The state of New York has declared a state of emergency. In Pennsylvania, the number of measles cases has now topped 1,000. However in Kentucky, the number of cases still remains below 100. In 99% of those cases, health officials say the virus is spreading among those who haven't been vaccinated. "We have eradicated some diseases through vaccination. Polio is not something we worry about now.
Why Lee Anne Pope is urging Kentuckians to set screens, not for basketball but for cancer
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Lee Anne Pope heard about Kentucky's mortality rate when it comes to cancer, and she knew something had to be done. "My family history kind of stinks," she said of cancer. Mrs. Pope joined Markey Cancer Center director, Dr. Mark Evers, inside Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena to share her new "Set Your Screen" initiative. Mark and Lee Anne Pope She's hoping it'll get Kentuckians to take action towards scheduling their age-appropriate cancer screenings.
Kentucky sawmills face mounting closures as tariffs and fuel costs rise
WALINGFORD, Ky. (LEX News) — More than 70 sawmills in Kentucky have closed in recent years due to the exorbitant cost of doing business, according to a business owner. James Wells is co-owner of Greentree Forest Products in Fleming County, a fourth-generation family business. He and his siblings employ 80 workers. Wells said the current crisis traces back to 2018. "This really started in 2018 with the first round of tariffs," Wells said.
Fist-bump Friday: FDHS basketball team welcomes Dixie Magnet students
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX News) — Fist bumps all around on a Friday morning at Lexington's Dixie Magnet Elementary School, where the students were greeted by the members of the Frederick Douglass boys' basketball team. "I wanted our guys to be more involved in the community, and I feel this is the best way to do it," Broncos head coach Shawn Smith said.
Bracing for The Breeders' Cup: Lexington gears up to welcome racing fans
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX News) — October is just 5 days away, and it'll be a busy month in Lexington, especially for horse racing fans and the industry as a whole. "We've got quite an opportunity here as a city to put our best foot forward. The fall meet starts next Friday, followed by the Breeders' Cup," said Leslie Miller, the Vice President of Marketing for Visit Lex. Miller and her staff have been preparing for this, essentially since the last time Lexington hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2022.
Man takes plea deal for sexually abusing teen after victim testifies years later: 'I wanted some justice'
Abby Freeman sat in a Beattyville courtroom while the man she accused of sexually abusing her as a teen 11 years ago was just a few feet away. Tommy Wilburn accepted a plea deal on lesser charges of wanton endangerment, assault, and false imprisonment. A 62-count indictment includes charges of rape, sodomy, and sexual abuse covering a period from 2017-2018. "I wanted some justice, so that's why I took the plea deal.
Nicholasville downtown revitalization brings new restaurants, retailers and a performance park
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Downtown Nicholasville is experiencing a revival, with new restaurants, retailers and a performance park drawing residents and visitors to a Main Street that not long ago lacked both activity and amenities. At the center of the transformation is Seoul on Main, a restaurant that opened 364 days ago. Owner Carrie Gabrielson and her husband launched the business as part of a broader wave of new ventures taking root along Main Street.
How this EKU professor uses a 9/11 relic to make sure students never forget
RICHMOND, Ky. (LEX News) — Inside the Ashland building for Fire Prevention and Paramedecine Science, a piece of history serves as a sobering reminder on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America. "Every time I pass by it, multiple times a day, it always reminds me of that day and the sacrifices made by first responders, as well as all of the lives lost across all of the events of 9/11," said William Hicks, the chair of this department at Eastern Kentucky University.
Local Kentucky farmer discusses challenges on the ranch
CARLISLE, Ky. (LEX News) — Perry Harrison grew up in the business and saw the problems coming years ago. To get ahead of them, he purchased some land near his Nicholas County farm and built the Harrison Harvesting processing center. He then added the first of four Bourbon Barrel Beef retail locations. "I have wiggle room because we'll just shrink our margins if prices are too high," Perry said last week. Because of his on-site processing and retail operations, he has that luxury.
'We can't be numb to this': 2 killed in weekend shootings across Lexington
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX News) — Six months of relative calm have given way to a somewhat chaotic situation across Lexington. Two more people were killed over the weekend, which saw four different shooting incidents early Sunday morning.
Kentucky cattle farmers face climate, disease, and import policy uncertainty
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — From extreme weather conditions, to disease affecting the cattle and economic policy, there's growing concern and uncertainty among America's cattle farmers. "It's been extremely difficult, the last decade to grow a cow herd in the United States," said Jim Akers with Blue Grass Stockyards. "You've had natural disasters in the west.
Madison County rebuilding her life after addiction, one scent at a time
MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — 13 years ago, Brittany Berry knew she had to do something. She was disgusted with what she had allowed her life to become. "I was doing things that I'd never in a million years thought that I would do, and I was living on the street. My family wasn't doing anything, you know, to help me. They enabled me, basically. I didn't want them to. I wanted to get out of that, so I just started imagining a better life," she explained.
As city recovers from weekend mass shooting, ONE Lexington helps students return to school
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Sydni Taylor was this close to leaving the house for the Lexington East End Day. "Soon as I walked out of my back door to head that way, I got a call. (They said) 'Just go ahead and stay in the house, don't even come," Taylor said after watching her kids head to school on Monday morning, less than 48 hours after Lexington was the latest city to become victim to a mass shooting. Five people were shot and teen was killed at Charles Young Park Saturday afternoon.
New residence hall to accommodate nearly 700 University of Kentucky students
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Politicians, educators and Lexington residents assembled in the lobby of the University of Kentucky's latest addition: The Kirwan-Blanding Hall dormitory has officially opened after a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the occasion. "It stayed in budget and on time. It was a very successful project," said Gina Dugas, the university's Senior Vice President for Finance.
Kentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperatives donates record $19K in goods to Ronald McDonald Houses
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The Ronald McDonald House of Lexington is usually the one helping families in need. On Monday, it was on the receiving end of some much-needed support. Kentucky Touchstone Energy Cooperatives donated $19,000 worth of goods to Ronald McDonald Houses in Lexington and Louisville — the organization's largest collection of donations yet.
New car prices are soaring as dealers working to reduce payments
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Sticker shock is taking on a whole new meaning at auto dealerships across America. According to Kelley Blue Book, the online service that values cars, the average price of a new vehicle has topped $49.000. That kind of money forces dealerships to get creative with their sales methods. "The one thing that they do: offering the 0% interest. That is key," said Vickie Kain Fister, whose father founded Jack Kain Ford on Versailles Road in Lexington.
4th annual Jubilee Jobs Fair in Lexington helps break down barriers to employment
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — The 4th annual Jubilee Jobs Fair in central Kentucky is connecting job seekers with employers — including people with criminal backgrounds, substance abuse disorders, or other possible barriers to employment. Mason King, CEO of Jubilee Jobs, said the event is designed to eliminate the obstacles that stand between a person and a job offer. "Absolutely. Employers say, 'we need people.' Well, I've got the people to find," King said.
Clark County business races to the front: Wild Protein Snacks brings NASCAR to Winchester in celebration
CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — What started as one man's quest to find a healthier alternative to potato chips has grown into one of Clark County's largest employers and now has a presence on the NASCAR track. Jason Wright, the founder of Wilde Protein Snacks, launched his company in 2018 with a simple mission. "I love potato chips, but they didn't love me back, so I made it my mission to replace the potato with chicken breast," said Wright. That idea has paid off in a big way.
Expert: Don't wait for 3% mortgage rates to buy a home
(LEX NEWS) — If you are contemplating a home purchase but waiting for interest rates to dip to those pandemic-era levels of 2.5 to 3.5 percent, don't. "3 percent? I don't think I'm going to see it again in my lifetime," said veteran real estate agent Christine Dudek of Lexington. Dudek said it's more likely you'll never buy a home if you wait for the rates to go that low again, and in Lexington, she thinks now is as good a time as any for taking that leap.
ONE Lexington awards $200,000 to 20 organizations fighting gun violence
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.
Lexington firefighters urge grill safety as central Kentucky marks America's 250th birthday
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.
Christian Appalachian Project responds to flooding in Jackson and Madison counties
(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.
Carlisle marks 5 years since devastating flood that killed one and reshaped the city
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.
UK patient recovering well after region's first robotic kidney transplant
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.
UK Chandler Hospital completes first robotic kidney transplant in 4-state region
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.
Wilmore kicks off three-day Salute to Service celebration with veteran memorial procession
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.
One Lexington summer camp returns, offering mentorship to teens impacted by gun violence
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.
Lexington's Share Fair collects lightly used school supplies to keep waste out of landfills
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.
Lexington Mayor Gorton honors emergency management teams during national recognition week
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.
Lexington parks department launches 10-year master plan with $8 million in voter-approved funding
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.
Beattyville's Squatch Fest returns after years of floods and pandemic setbacks
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.
Vietnam veteran reflects on survival at Lexington Cemetery Memorial Day service
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.
Sonny's BBQ raises money for Lexington officer who lost arm in traffic stop
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.
Early in-person voting begins, 2026 Kentucky primary could see record turnout
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.
Fayette County clerk expects record primary turnout as voters 'chomp at the bit'
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.
Valvoline's best technicians compete in 'Oilympics' in Lexington
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.
Golden Tempo skips Preakness Stakes, renewing calls to reshape the Triple Crown schedule
(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.
Lexington's 'Be the Change' scholarship awards $5,000 each to 12 high school seniors
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.
'Move over kings': Golden Tempo and Cherie DeVaux make history at the Kentucky Derby
(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.
'We had a very good example': Remembering P.G. Peeples
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.
Drivers frustrated with varying prices in gas at stations across Lexington
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.
Carrying the torch: Lexington man planning to honor deceased loved ones at annual Peace Walk
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.
Kentucky doula works to prevent Black maternal deaths at 5th annual health fair
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.
Recent motorcycle crashes in central Kentucky highlight road safety concerns
(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.
London Mayor Randall Weddle pleads not guilty to excessive campaign contributions to Gov. Beshear
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.
Kaydence Carpenter appears in court as her lawyer argues self-defense in pedestrian crash
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.
University of Kentucky seniors face a challenging job market as graduation approaches in just one month
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.
Nicholasville City County Park opens all-inclusive playground, and it's a hit
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.
Lexington volunteers provide free spring break lunches to students as grocery and gas prices stay high
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.
Local Lexington distillery avoids tariff impacts, explores new overseas distribution opportunities
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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