The Fayette County Clerk’s Office in Lexington said it made three uploads of election results to the state’s website Tuesday night, beginning at 7:14 p.m. The uploads reported 36.97% of votes, then all but results from two libraries, with the final library results submitted at 9:13 p.m. Clerk’s office liaison Quinn Welch said the office was frustrated that results were not appearing on the state system; local write-ins were to be uploaded Wednesday.
Santa Claus “woke up” at Fayette Mall in Lexington on Wednesday during a “Wake-Up Santa” show, joined by special characters for the holiday kickoff. Mall senior marketing director Rabiya Syed said a Christmas tree, Santa’s workshop and other decorations are being installed. Santa will greet visitors in Dillard’s Court through Christmas Eve; visits are free, with hours varying by day and photo packages available for purchase.
Front Runners Lexington held its first annual memorial run Wednesday in Lexington, honoring club member Mia Ibrahim, who was struck and killed by a car while running three years ago. Participants wore reflective and glowing gear to light up the night and raise awareness of pedestrian safety. Ibrahim was pursuing a Ph.D. in music education; a scholarship in their name is offered through the University of Kentucky’s College of Fine Arts.
Fayette County Public Schools has 17 campuses on this year’s America’s Healthiest Schools list, more than double the eight recognized last year. The schools received recognition banners Wednesday; they are among nearly 1,400 selected nationwide and 142 in Kentucky. District healthy schools specialist Angela Stark said student health and wellness support learning, attendance and behavior, and benefit staff as well.
Lexington’s Mobile Market, a 60-foot grocery trailer serving neighborhoods without full-service stores, is in its third year of operation. Kroger, God’s Pantry Food Bank and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government launched the program in 2023; shoppers can pay by card or SNAP/EBT. God’s Pantry reports about $120,000 in sales across 7,000 transactions, while Mayor Linda Gorton says 2026 sales topped $117,000 through early October.
First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, Ky., has stopped holding services in its 175-year-old building after cracks and movement made its tower unsafe. Engineers linked the damage to the tower’s weight and mid-century alterations; West Main Street is closed around the church. Crews plan to dismantle the tower over three to four months, salvaging historic materials, while congregants worship with nearby South Frankfort Presbyterian Church.
Lexington residents can drop off campaign yard signs and stakes at 16 designated locations through Nov. 27; the items cannot go in blue recycling carts or dumpsters. Drop-off sites include community centers, the city government center and participating businesses across the city. Residents with large quantities can email LiveGreen@lexingtonky.gov to arrange a special drop-off.
Kentucky voters changed two congressional seats Tuesday: Democrat Zach Dembo defeated Republican Ralph Alvarado by 9% in the 6th District, according to unofficial results, giving Democrats the seat for the first time in more than a decade. Republican Andy Barr won the U.S. Senate seat held by Mitch McConnell for more than four decades. Former officials said Dembo’s win reflects attention to voters’ concerns, while Barr will take office with less seniority than McConnell.
Kentucky has made a move to pursue Jermire Roberts, a safety from Texas. The headline does not specify whether the Wildcats have offered him a scholarship or provide further details about his recruitment.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — When no candidate is on the ballot, a Kentucky office will still be filled, often through a registered write-in campaign or an appointment. Fayette County land surveyor Gary Roland is running as a write-in after a paperwork mishap with his original filing; he first won the office that way in 2018. If no write-in candidate runs, most vacancies are filled by appointment, while state and federal legislative vacancies are filled through special elections.