Kentucky

Final gargoyle returned to its perch atop rehabbed Kentucky cathedral modeled after Notre Dame

Published

7 days ago

April 1, 2026

Final gargoyle returned to its perch atop rehabbed Kentucky cathedral modeled after Notre Dame

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — The last stone gargoyle has been returned to its perch as part of a two-year restoration of a Kentucky cathedral with a facade modeled after Notre Dame in Paris.

The rehab project at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption was sorely needed to repair deteriorated stone, metal and glass that adorns the limestone exterior. The project included 32 recreated gargoyles along with repairs of deteriorated finials, arches and balustrades.

The 125-year-old church, in Covington just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, offers the experience of a European gothic cathedral in the Midwest, said the Very Rev. Ryan Maher, the cathedral’s rector. The cathedral has an “intimate connection to what is really the most popular and most well-known cathedral outside of Rome itself,” he said.

“I think it’s very special and very unique,” said Maher, who watched from the sidewalk as the last gargoyle was raised to top of the facade on Monday.

The renovation price tag was nearly $8 million, and most came from donations, Maher said.

Brian Walter, CEO of Trisco Systems, the contractor, said the final gargoyle going in was “a symbol of the accomplishment of all our facade work.”

“That’s a big, monumental occasion for not only people here, but for us. That kind of symbolized the last stone we’re putting in,” Walter said.

Restoration plans grew out of Maher’s discovery in 2018 of a large piece of stone that fell from the exterior.

“We realized at that time that we needed to investigate not only the source of that one piece of stone that had fallen, but to take a look at the overall facade of the cathedral,” Maher said.

Workers will continue with smaller tasks around the facade, including the installation of chimeras that sit on the roofline, but the heavy lifting has been completed, Walter said.

“This is kind of a once or twice in a lifetime project,” Walter said.

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Kentucky

Kentucky State Police looking for missing teen in Clay County

Published

30 minutes ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky State Police looking for missing teen in Clay County

CLAY COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky State Police is asking for help to find a missing teenage girl.

16-year-old Gracie Smith was last seen Tuesday night at Jacks Branch Bible Church in Manchester. Troopers believe she was picked up by an unknown person in a blue passenger car near the church.

Gracie was last seen wearing a white shirt, light pink jacket and pink pajama pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kentucky State Police Post 11.

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Kentucky

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Former Kentucky Transfer Portal Target Magoon Gwath Re-Enters Free Agency

A familiar name will be back in the transfer portal when the official window opens at midnight. Magoon Gwath is once again testing the free agency market.

Gwath was a player BBN kept a close eye on early in the 2025 transfer portal cycle. Kentucky and Michigan were considered the top potential destinations for the 7-footer when he surprisingly announced a return to San Diego State. When the San Diego Union-Tribune reported his return to the Aztecs on April 1, the lede was “This is not an April Fool’s joke.”

The decision was so surprising because of Gwath’s resume. He arrived in San Diego as an unranked recruit. During his first season with the Aztecs, the 7-footer averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Ahead of his return, head coach Brian Dutcher noted that Gwath was taking a pay cut to show his loyalty to the program that gave him a shot. That gamble did not pay off for either side. San Diego State missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six seasons, as Gwath’s minutes per game slightly dipped to 19, tallying 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 2025-26.

It’s unclear if Kentucky will take another swing at the lengthy 7-footer during this transfer portal cycle. What is clear is that there will be no shortage of chaos when the free agency period officially tips off at midnight. We’ll be locked in every step of the way.

Want more Kentucky Transfer Portal Coverage? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy transfer portal season for the Kentucky basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club right now for 50% off an annual subscription.

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Kentucky

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Published

2 days ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Our top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as Run for the Roses 2026 nears

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade tops our list of the leading contenders for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.
Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox, joins the top five after a commanding victory in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.

After the final weekend of major prep races, we have a projected field for the 152^nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Further Ado (Blue Grass), So Happy (Santa Anita Derby) and Albus (Wood Memorial) clinched their spots in the Kentucky Derby with victories on Saturday.

The top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard are eligible to run, though there usually are injuries and defections in the weeks leading up to the race.

Buy tickets for Kentucky Derby 152 here

Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland will offer 20 qualifying points to the winner, though that’s not expected to be enough for any of the competitors to jump into the Kentucky Derby field.

With four weeks to go until the Kentucky Derby, here’s our ranking of the top five contenders:

Owners: Robert and Lawana Low; Repole Stable (Mike Repole).

Trainer: Todd Pletcher.

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 125 (No. 3)

Career earnings: $1,031,500.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28 at Oaklawn Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Wathnan Racing (Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: Flavien Prat.

Sire: Into Mischief.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 150 (No. 1).

Career earnings: $1,017,339.

Last race: Won Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owners: OGMA Investments LLC (Gustavo Delgado); JR Ranch (Ramiro Restrepo); High Step Racing LLC (Randy Guy, Joe Noble, Kevin Avera, Jim Ferreira, Todd Perry).

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado.

Jockey: Javier Castellano.

Sire: Essential Quality.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 106 (No. 6).

Career earnings: $442,280.

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Likely next race: Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Owner: Spendthrift Farm (Eric Gustavson).

Trainer: Brad Cox.

Jockey: TBA.

Sire: Gun Runner.

Road to Kentucky Derby points: 135 (No. 2).