Kentucky
What will weather be like for Thunder Over Louisville, Kentucky Derby? Latest forecast
Kentucky Derby Festival Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show
The 30-minute fireworks show was part of the kickoff 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival.
By Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal, Louisville Courier Journal
Thunder Over Louisville is here, and the 150th Kentucky Derby isn’t too far off. While some individuals may plan to attend rain or shine, others may look to the forecast to sway their decision.
Here’s what is expected for Saturday.
Thunder Over Louisville 2024: The full air show lineup is here! Check out who’s coming in 2024
Thunder Over Louisville weather forecast
According to Louisville’s National Weather Service, Saturday will be sunny with a high near 60. West winds between 7-13 mph with gusts up to 21 mph are expected.
Saturday should be mostly cloudy with a low near 40. Northwest winds 6-8 mph are expected.
Temperatures around fireworks time should be in the upper 50s with cloudy skies.
Kentucky Derby weather
According to the monthly forecast for Louisville from Accuweather, Kentucky Derby day is expected to be cloudy with a high near 78 and a low near 61.
The Weather Channel reported different findings in its monthly forecast, predicting clouds and rain, with a high near 77 and low around 58.
When is Thunder Over Louisville 2024?
Thunder Over Louisville is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, with the theme “Celebrating Derby 150,” according to the Thunder Over Louisville website.
Where is Thunder Over Louisville?
Thunder Over Louisville takes place at Waterfront Park, 129 E. River Road, in downtown Louisville.
What is Thunder Over Louisville?
Thunder Over Louisville is a beloved community event that kicks off the Kentucky Derby Festival each year. The annual event is hosted in downtown to kick off Kentucky Derby celebrations and festivities. The Kentucky Derby Festival offers more than 70 events ahead of the Run for the Roses, beginning with Thunder, with a stunning firework display and aircraft show.
When did Thunder Over Louisville start?
The first official Thunder Over Louisville took place in 1991. The year prior, “opening ceremonies” were hosted at Cardinal Stadium to kick off the celebration for the Kentucky Derby, featuring a firework show and artist Janie Fricke. Over time, the event developed into what it is today, one of the nation’s best fireworks displays and air shows.
When is the 150th Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is slated for Saturday, May 4, 2024. Times are currently unavailable.
Where is the 2024 Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is hosted at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby, commonly called the “Run for the Roses,” began in 1875. The annual horse race takes place at Louisville’s Churchill Downs and marks the first leg of the Triple Crown. The other two races include the Belmont Stakes in New York and the Preakness Stakes in Maryland. With the Kentucky Derby also comes weeks of festivities around Louisville leading up to race day, put on by the Kentucky Derby Festival.
Kentucky
Body found in Ohio River in northeast Kentucky ID’d as Columbus man
Top headlines of the week, May 8 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
Authorities said a body recovered May 4 from the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky has been identified as a Columbus man, Dispatch news partner NBC4/WMCH-TV reported.
Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens said the body has been identified as Jason D. Frisbie, 38, of Columbus. Bivens said authorities in Kentucky worked with Ohio officials to identify Frisbie this week.
Bivens said Lewis County took a call around 4:30 p.m. May 4 about a body in the river in Vanceburg, Kentucky, a few miles south of Ohio’s Shawnee State Park. Bivens said responding agencies took the body to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Lewis County authorities asked for public help identifying the body. On May 9, Bivens confirmed Frisbie’s identity after working with Ohio officials and local responders.
Bivens said the death remains under investigation, and authorities did not offer information about a suspected cause.
Kentucky
Two ‘dangerous’ inmates escape Kentucky detention center, sparking multi-agency manhunt across region
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped Friday evening from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt, police said.
The Morehead Police Department warned the surrounding community that two inmates had “walked away” from the Rowan County Detention Center.
Investigators said multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for the escapees, with Kentucky State Police leading the investigation.
“These inmates should be considered dangerous,” police said, warning the community not to approach anyone suspicious or unfamiliar.
KENTUCKY DAD RAGES AFTER COURT-APPROVED RELEASE OF REPEAT OFFENDER LEADS TO FAMILY’S KIDNAPPING
Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. (Morehead Police Department)
One of the inmates was identified as Michael Fogleman, 29, who is described as 6 feet tall and 188 pounds.
He has short or closely shaved hair and a short beard along his jawline and chin, according to police.
The second inmate was identified as James Smallwood, 52, who is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 215 pounds.
MANHUNTS ACROSS AMERICA IN 2025: FIVE CASES THAT LEFT CITIES, CAMPUSES AND TOWNS ON EDGE
Michael Fogleman, 29, is one of two inmates who escaped from a Kentucky detention center, police said. (Morehead Police Department)
He is described as having a medium to stocky build with gray facial hair around the mouth and chin area.
Smallwood was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans and possibly a hat, police said.
James Smallwood, 52, is one of two inmates on the run after escaping from a Kentucky jail, authorities said. (Morehead Police Department)
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious or have information about the escapees.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Law enforcement agencies are searching for two escaped inmates in Kentucky, authorities said. (Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service)
Investigators said they will provide more information as it becomes available.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kentucky State Police and Rowan County Detention Center for comment.
Kentucky
Kentucky Girls Jumpers Surge as State Records Come Into Range
The Kentucky high school 2026 outdoor track and field season has been exceptional, especially the girls competition.
In particular, the sprints and horizontal jumps.
Long Jump Leaders Set the Pace
First, the long jump.
Christian Educational Consortium’s Jade Hartlage, a rising superstar of track and field in its totality, has the state’s leading jump, 19feet, 9 inches, set March 26. She is partially homeschooled and not eligible for in KHSAA postseason.
Hartlage’s mark is followed by Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard (19-0, March 26). Howard is another standout athlete. She was selected as a 2025 All-State Honorable Mention in soccer. Howard won the 3A indoor title in early March, recording a mark of 18-7 1/4.
Howard, Svidal Among Top Contenders
Walden School senior Natalie Svidal sailed to an 18-4 1/2 mark at the Walden Small School Championships May 5. That ties her for third in the state with Taleigha Nash of Great Crossing High School.
Triple Jump Competition Tightens
In the triple jump, Howard is atop the performance list. She leapt 40-5, April 25.
However, Svidal is close. She recorded 40-2 1/4 this past week.
Multi-Sport Stars Making Impact
Teigh Yeast, yet another standout athlete, who helped George Rogers Clark win a state basketball title in March and is a Robert Morris University basketball commit, logged a 40-0 1/2 jump April 21. Yeast was last season’s 3A champion at 39-5.25.
How Kentucky Stacks Up Nationally
Perspective and context need to be applied here. Here’s how Kentucky compares nationally.
National Benchmarks Set the Bar
Parker Coes of Morton Ranch High School (Katy, Texas) has surpassed 21 feet twice in 2026. Abigail Mecklenburg of Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa) is approaching the 21-foot threshold.
Coes’ marks were achieved in the early indoor season. The Texan has jumped 20-10 1/2 outdoors (April 3) but her last mark was 18-11 3/4, May 2.
Mecklenburg is yet to replicate her indoor marks outdoors.
The top outdoor jump so far in 2026 is 42-7.5, set by Daniela Hughes of Los Altos High School (Los Altos, California).
A significant challenge for the Bluegrass jumpers to surpass. But if there is a season for top-10 national rankings or records.
State Records Within Reach
With that said, the Kentucky state records are potentially breakable in the next two weeks. The current records are 20-4 (Maxine Graham, Fleming County High School, 1975) and 41-7 (Sophie Galloway, Marshall County High School, 2021).
Each has the speed and explosiveness to challenge those marks.
Follow
-
Minneapolis, MN55 seconds agoINTERVIEW: Doors Open Minneapolis
-
Indianapolis, IN7 minutes agoIndianapolis Race Results: May 9, 2026 (INDYCAR) – Racing News
-
Pittsburg, PA13 minutes agoHornets Fall in MIAA Tournament Title Match to #5 Pittsburg State
-
Augusta, GA19 minutes agoHistoric Masters landmark purchased and renovated by local resident
-
Washington, D.C25 minutes agoCandidates for mayor and D.C. congressional delegate outline vision for District’s future
-
Cleveland, OH31 minutes agoUSS Cleveland arrives in namesake city for commissioning
-
Austin, TX37 minutes agoAPD responds to barricaded subject in E Austin
-
Alabama43 minutes agoAlabama softball vs Texas today: recap, score and highlights