Kentucky
Recovery efforts underway in Kentucky county after deadly tornado
Recovery efforts continue for a community that was hit by a deadly tornado in Kentucky.
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>> PHOTOS: Severe storms, tornadoes rip through parts of Kentucky
As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Austin Chaney went to Laurel County, Kentucky and spoke with people impacted by the devastating tornado.
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Day two of cleanup has come to a close in London, Kentucky, but the community is still unrecognizable.
At least 17 people, 10 women and seven men, were killed due to severe weather in Laurel County, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
“The whole house just started shaking, it was roaring,” Edwina Wilson said.
>> Storm Center 7 surveys damage in hardest hit Kentucky county
Edwina and Zach Wilson miraculously survived this storm despite their home being reduced to a pile of debris.
“The roof was lifted off and the walls just fell in on us,” Edwina said. “A lot of my friends and family here are gone. They not only lost their home but lost their lives.”
The National Weather Service will be surveying damage to determine how strong the tornado was.
Storm Center 7’s Austin Chaney saw bark ripped from trees and homes reduced to the foundation slab.
Crews from all over the state are working on the recovery process.
“We’re coming through and just trying to clean up anything that won’t affect homeowners and families,” lineman Ricky Skidmore said.
Others are coming together to volunteer their time to help people affected.
“We go and cook for people, those that have suffered great loss,” Gunny Cole said.
“We have a group of our varsity football players trying to give back to the community, trying to give back whatever we can do,” South Laurel High School Assistant Football Coach Tim Roark said.
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Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky
Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Kentucky
Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

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