Kentucky

Here’s where, when, and for how long you can see the total solar eclipse in Kentucky

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

Here’s where, when, and for how long you can see the total solar eclipse in Kentucky

Kentuckians, it’s time to start preparing for the 2024 solar eclipse, taking place this April. Some won’t even have to leave their home city to get a good view of the rare, celestial occurrence, as part of the state is located along the path of totality.

Here’s what we know about the upcoming event:

When is the 2024 solar eclipse?

The solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8. According to NASA, Mexico’s Pacific coast will first experience the eclipse around 11:07 a.m. PDT. The eclipse path will then enter the U.S. in Texas, traveling through the states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Main. Some parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also experience the phenomenon.

From there, the eclipse will enter Canada in Southern Ontario, traveling through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting North America on the Atlantic coast around 5:16 p.m. NDT in Newfoundland, Canada.

Where will the 2024 solar eclipse be visible in Kentucky?

According to a news release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the total eclipse will last around one to three minutes in the state, with major cities on the path including Paducah, Morganfield and Henderson.

Areas more directly located in the path of totality, like Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, will see about four minutes of totality.

When, and where is the solar eclipse visible in Kentucky? How long is the total eclipse visible in Kentucky?

See the eclipse in Paducah

According to the City of Paducah, the city will see around two minutes of totality, as Paducah sits on the edge of the path. The eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. with totality starting at 2 p.m. Totality will end at 2:02 p.m. and the eclipse will end at 3:18 p.m.

The city is also hosting an “X Marks the Spot: Paducah Eclipse Festival” on April 7-8, with a street fair featuring vendors, programming, etc. in the downtown area. It will go from noon until 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 8.

Recommended and free viewing spots in the area include:

Bob Noble Park
Kolb Park
Ohio River Boat Launch
Pat & Jim Brockenborough Rotary Health Park
Riverfront and Schultz Park
Stuart Nelson Park

See the eclipse in Morganfield

According to Eclipse2024.org, Morganfield will experience over two and a half minutes of totality. The eclipse begins at 12:44 p.m., with totality starting at 2:01 p.m. and lasting two minutes and 42 seconds.

See the eclipse in Henderson

In Henderson, the eclipse will begin at 12:45 p.m., according to Eclipse2024.org. The city will see two and a half minutes of totality, beginning between 2:02 and 2:03 p.m.

Kentucky prepares for increased traffic during upcoming total solar eclipse

What is a solar eclipse?

According to National Geographic, a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, creating a shadow on our planet called an umbra.

There are also different kinds of eclipses. A total eclipse occurs when the moon blocks out the entire sun and a partial eclipse occurs when the moon only blocks part of the sun.

Total solar eclipse 2024 Where to get eclipse glasses to experience the eclipse safely in Kentucky

What is a total solar eclipse?

According to the IU official website, a total eclipse takes place when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth, placing the Earth in its shadow. The time it takes place, as well as the duration, are influenced by factors like the distances between the sun, moon and Earth, the moon’s phase and the axial tilt of the Earth and moon.

How often do solar eclipses occur?

Solar eclipses take place pretty frequently, occurring two to five times per year, according to the Natural History Museum. However, a total solar eclipse typically takes place every 18 months, around a year and a half apart.

How can viewers stay safe during the solar eclipse?

Transportation officials recommend the following safety precautions for eclipse watching:

Get eclipse-viewing glasses early. Regular sunglasses are not safe.
Fill up your gas tank before traveling in the event of traffic delays.
Do not stop along highways or emergency shoulders.
Do not take pictures while driving. Exit the highway to view or photograph the event.
Turn on headlights.
Drive alert and watch for pedestrians.
Come early, stay late. This will help minimize major traffic delays.
Plan ahead. Book accommodations early and select a viewing destination before you travel. Locations with restrooms and food will be in high demand.
Travel with enough food and water for everyone in your vehicle. Expect lines at restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores.
Check the local weather.

When is the next solar eclipse?

According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. following the April occurrence won’t be until Aug. 23, 2044.

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Kentucky

Kentuckians deserve honesty about McConnell’s health | Letters

Published

10 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Kentuckians deserve honesty about McConnell’s health | Letters

Letter to the Editor
| Louisville Courier Journal

Like many Kentuckians, I have been following the recent questions surrounding Senator Mitch McConnell’s health and ability to carry out the responsibilities of his office. Every elected official deserves privacy regarding personal medical matters. But when legitimate questions arise about an officeholder’s ability to serve, the public deserves transparency.

Unlike the presidency, the Constitution provides no mechanism for addressing the incapacity of a sitting member of Congress. That makes accountability even more important. At a time when every vote and committee decision can have significant consequences, Kentucky cannot afford uncertainty about whether one of its two senators is fully able to represent the Commonwealth.

Governor Beshear, Senator Rand Paul and Kentucky’s six members of the U.S. House should insist on transparency on behalf of their constituents. Kentuckians deserve an honest assessment of whether Senator McConnell is able to fulfill the duties of the office to which he was elected.

If he is well enough to continue serving, that should be communicated clearly. Weeks of unanswered questions are not fair to Senator McConnell, nor are they fair to the people he was elected to serve. I hope my fellow Kentuckians will join me in urging our elected officials to be transparent and put the interests of Kentucky first.

— Kate Caverno, 40245

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Kentucky

US 51 Cairo bridge to remain closed for period of time

Published

20 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

US 51 Cairo bridge to remain closed for period of time

By West Kentucky Star staff

Jul. 07, 2026 | 10:07 PM
| PADUCAH

The US 51/Cairo Bridge will remain closed for a period of time.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Tuesday the connector between Wickliffe and Cairo was closed Monday as crews conducted a special inspection and identified a problem with a bearing pad on the Kentucky approach.

A bearing pad shifted out of place, causing the bridge deck to become misaligned by approximately two to three inches at an expansion joint. A repair is needed.

Bearing pads function like cartilage between joints, supporting steel beams while accommodating the bridge’s natural expansion and contraction.

There are no concerns about the bridge’s overall structural integrity.

The repair will require crews to lift a heavy section of the bridge deck to replace the bearing pad. State engineers are working with the contractor and design team to finalize a repair plan as quickly as possible.

There is currently no estimated timeline for reopening the bridge. Motorists should continue to use alternate routes and expect the bridge to remain closed until the necessary repairs have been completed.

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Kentucky

Former Kentucky guard Quade Green joins La Familia

Published

1 day ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Former Kentucky guard Quade Green joins La Familia

La Familia has added another familiar face to its roster, as former Kentucky point guard Quade Green is set to make his debut with the Wildcats alumni team in the 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament (TBT).

Green will be participating with La Familia for the first time as the program enters its third summer competing in the $2 million winner-take-all event. He joins a roster already featuring Kentucky alumni Andrew Harrison, Archie Goodwin, Kahlil Whitney, Reid Travis, and Willie Cauley-Stein.

In addition to the former Wildcats, three non-Kentucky players also appear on La Familia’s official roster: guards James Mainor-Bell and Chase Audige, along with forward Chris Coffey. While the trio has not been officially announced by the team, each is currently listed on La Familia’s website.

Green arrived at Kentucky in 2017 as a 5-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American. During his freshman season, he averaged 9.3 points and 2.7 assists while starting 13 games and helping lead the Wildcats to the Sweet 16. As a sophomore, he averaged 8.0 points before transferring midway through the season.

Following Kentucky, Green continued his career at Washington before playing professionally overseas. He most recently competed internationally after beginning his professional journey in Europe.

With another experienced playmaker now in the backcourt, La Familia continues to strengthen its roster ahead of another run at the TBT championship. Green’s addition brings veteran leadership, scoring ability, and another former Wildcat eager to represent Big Blue Nation this summer.

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