Lexington voters faced a steady line on the first day of early voting for Kentucky’s midterm election at Tate’s Creek Library, with the wait to check in reaching about an hour and 15 minutes. Secretary of State Michael Adams said he expected the three-day voting period to run smoothly, citing the same facilities and staffing as in 2022. Early voting continues Friday and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at six Lexington Public Library locations.
Spendthrift Farm is welcoming visitors during Breeders’ Cup week as the event returns to Central Kentucky. The races are putting a spotlight on Kentucky’s breeding industry and the farms that help power horse racing.
Midterm candidates in Alaska, Kansas and Texas are touting endorsements from officials and voters across party lines, while Republicans say they expect similar crossover support. Texas Politics Project research director Joshua Blank said such voting typically involves a small share of the electorate and rarely changes outcomes. It could matter in close races, several of which have recently polled as statistically tied.
Republican congressional candidate Ralph Alvarado spent Election Day in Winchester. He urged supporters to cast ballots on Nov. 3, emphasizing voter turnout.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and community partners have launched the 14th annual Diana Ross Coat Drive in Lexington, collecting winter coats throughout November. The drive honors Ross, a longtime advocate for domestic violence victims in Central Kentucky, and provides free, professionally cleaned coats to anyone who requests one. Donations are accepted at seven Lexington locations, including Republic Bank branches, The Spa at Wellington and Chico’s. Call (859) 252-1771 to arrange a pickup or
Daryll Russell, 53, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the 2022 shooting death of 18-year-old Darian Webb in Lexington, but a judge probated the sentence for five years. Russell will not have to serve the prison term if he commits no crimes during that period. He pleaded guilty in May to reckless homicide, being a felon in possession of a handgun and fourth-degree domestic violence assault.
A total of 135,901 Kentuckians cast ballots on the first day of early voting, about 65% more than on the first day in 2022, according to the State Board of Elections. More than 66,000 voters were Democrats and nearly 61,000 were Republicans; Fayette County recorded nearly 7,300 votes, while Jefferson County had about 25,000. Secretary of State Michael Adams said voting was running smoothly statewide. Early voting continues through Saturday.
Lextran launched Lextran Connect, a city-funded, on-demand transportation service, Oct. 27 in Northwest Lexington. The 12-month program is designed to complement fixed-route buses and improve access to jobs, health care and essential services. Riders can book through an app 20 to 30 minutes before departure, and trips to or from bus stops in the service zone are free. Wheelchair-accessible vans are available.
The Breeders’ Cup returns to Keeneland in Lexington for the fourth time in 2026, featuring 14 races and $34 million in purses and awards. Racing is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, with the first races at 11:55 a.m. Friday and 11:15 a.m. Saturday; Saturday’s program ends with the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 6:16 p.m. The event is expected to bring heavier traffic, and WKYT will begin live coverage from the track at 5 a.m. Friday.
No. 9 Kentucky football enters its bye week at 7-1 after beating Vanderbilt 34-17. Kentucky volleyball hosts Missouri tonight at 7 p.m. after back-to-back losses, while the men’s basketball team closed its preseason with an overtime win over UCF. Drew and Jake also discuss a weekend of college football upsets.