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Kentucky awards final dispensary business licenses

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1 year ago

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Kentucky awards final dispensary business licenses


(LEX 18) — Kentucky awarded its final dispensary business licenses 15 days before the state’s medical marijuana program goes live.

Gov. Andy Beshear and the Office of Medical Cannabis announced dispensary business license winners for Jefferson and Fayette counties and the Bluegrass and Kentuckiana regions at the lottery headquarters in Louisville. Three weeks ago, licenses were awarded for most other counties in Kentucky.

In October, licenses were awarded to cultivators and processors. The reason those licenses were selected first was to give the businesses some extra time before the medical marijuana program goes live on Jan. 1, 2025. However, Beshear warns that supply may be limited in the early weeks of the program.

“It’s my hope that we’ll see it in Q1 of next year – product on the shelf,” said Beshear.

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“Certainly, it’s going to take a little bit of time to ultimately get the dispensaries open and to get that product there,” he added.

Part of Kentucky’s program requires all products to be grown in the Commonwealth. So, is there a product currently being grown? The governor’s answer was unclear.

“There’s an ability to bring in seedlings, which is going to help it be grown faster in Kentucky,” he said. “Certainly, our cultivators have been licensed now – for what – about a month, and I know are working as quickly as they can towards that. And there’s at least one cultivator that was Kentucky-based before any and all of this.”

Beshear emphasized that Kentucky is still currently ahead of its original schedule. The initial law that created the medical marijuana program did not allow the state to even take business applications until Jan. 1, 2025.

There has been some criticism over Kentucky’s method of selecting businesses for licenses. Many of the selected companies are owned by out-of-state groups and some local businesses have questioned why current Kentucky businesses were not prioritized.

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Sam Flynn, the executive director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Marijuana, defended the state’s lottery system, calling it the “most fair and transparent” way to provide licenses given the limited number available.

Beshear added that he gets the criticisms. He said the lottery system is the state’s way to avoid lawsuits. He said other states’ medical marijuana programs have been delayed due to lawsuits. That’s something Kentucky wanted to avoid.

“We set up this process with the patient in mind, believing that they should be able to get their medical cannabis as quickly as they can,” said Beshear.





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Kentucky

EXCLUSIVE: A Kentucky Derby-Inspired Movie Filmed at Churchill Downs Is Coming to Hallmark

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6 hours ago

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January 28, 2026

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EXCLUSIVE: A Kentucky Derby-Inspired Movie Filmed at Churchill Downs Is Coming to Hallmark


Hallmark has revealed it is teaming up with Churchill Downs to make a Kentucky Derby-inspired movie filmed at the historic racetrack.

The network shared exclusively with TODAY that its new original film, “Kentucky Roses,” will honor the “pageantry, tradition, and enduring spirit of the Kentucky Derby.” The movie will premiere on Hallmark Saturday, May 2, the same day of the 2026 Kentucky Derby. The sporting event is famously held the first Saturday in May every year at Churchill Downs.

“Kentucky Roses,” which will also stream the next day on Hallmark+, will star Andrew Walker and Odette Annable, as well as Ally Ledford, Peyton Meyer, Brynn Thayer and Gregg Henry.

The film’s storyline will take place across two timelines. Sadie Moore, played by Annable, will be at the center of the story in present day. She works at a Churchill Downs greenhouse and dreams of becoming a florist and following in her great-grandmother’s (Ledford) footsteps by supplying the Derby with a display of roses. Sadie then meets Ash Taylor, Walker’s character, who is the son of the Churchill Downs CEO (Henry). Ash has to repair one of the racetrack’s iconic Twin Spires after it is damaged in a storm.

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Sadie and Ash develop a connection, but it could be cut short after they discover “a bittersweet love story from the past that threatens to repeat itself.”

Speaking about the collaboration between Hallmark and Churchill Downs, Jessica Callahan, vice president at Hallmark Media, said in part, “Together, we’re thrilled to bring audiences an inspiring story of community, courage and time-honored traditions.”

Along with the romantic flick, Hallmark and Churchill Downs are also partnering to release a collection of jewelry inspired by “Kentucky Roses.” The jewelry will be sold in Hallmark Gold Crown stores.



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Kentucky vs Vanderbilt score today, UK basketball game updates

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18 hours ago

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January 27, 2026

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Kentucky vs Vanderbilt score today, UK basketball game updates


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NASHVILLE — The phrase, “The only constant is change” aptly describes Kentucky basketball’s starting lineup this season.

In 20 games since the 2025-26 campaign began, the Wildcats have sported nine different starting fives — an altered look nearly every other outing. The reason for the fluidity has been the story of Mark Pope’s two seasons as coach: UK simply can’t avoid injuries.

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In 56 games since taking over at his alma mater, Pope has had his full complement of scholarship players available just 10 times — and only five occasions in 41 matchups versus high-major foes.

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But UK forges on.

Another SEC showdown awaits tonight, squaring off with Vanderbilt in Nashville.

“It feels like we’ve been having to adapt every game to (a new roster) and new rotations,” said Kentucky sophomore guard Collin Chandler, who has started 15 times this season. “So, I think it’s just a credit … to everybody in finding roles, finding ways to win.

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“That’s the biggest thing — we’re just finding ways to win.”

That’s all the Wildcats (14-6, 5-2 SEC) have done the past few weeks; after a 73-68 home loss to Missouri on Jan. 7, UK has won five straight. The Commodores (17-3, 4-3) are no stranger to winning streaks this season, either, as they started 16-0.

Despite its recent run of success, Kentucky remains unranked in both the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25. A victory over Vanderbilt (No. 15 coaches, No. 18 AP) might do the trick for UK when the newest rankings are released next week.

Courier Journal sports reporter Ryan Black is at Memorial Gymnasium and will have live updates throughout the game — here and on X, formerly known as Twitter — and complete coverage after. You can follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

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Follow along with live updates from today’s game between the Wildcats and Commodores below:

Kentucky has the same starting five for the second straight outing.

Here’s the lineup:

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The game between the Wildcats and Commodores will air nationally on ESPN.

Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.

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Those without cable can access ESPN via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.

Stream Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt on ESPN

Betting odds: Kentucky is a 6½-point underdog (-110) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 159½ points (-110).

Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.

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You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.

  • Oct. 17: Blue-White game (Click here to read takeaways from the intrasquad scrimmage.)
  • Oct. 24: exhibition vs. Purdue (Rupp Arena) ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 78, Purdue 65
  • Oct. 30: exhibition vs. Georgetown University (Rupp Arena) ∣ SCORE: Georgetown 84, Kentucky 70
  • Nov. 4: Nicholls (Rupp Arena) ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 77, Nicholls 51
  • Nov. 7: Valparaiso (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 107, Valparaiso 59
  • Nov. 11: at Louisville (KFC Yum! Center) | SCORE: Louisville 96, Kentucky 88
  • Nov. 14: Eastern Illinois (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 99, Eastern Illinois 53
  • Nov. 18: vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic; Madison Square Garden, New York) | SCORE: Michigan State 83, Kentucky 66
  • Nov. 21: Loyola University Maryland (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 88, Loyola Maryland 46
  • Nov. 26: Tennessee Tech (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 104, Tennessee Tech 54
  • Dec. 2: North Carolina (Rupp Arena; ACC/SEC Challenge) | SCORE: North Carolina 67, Kentucky 64
  • Dec. 5: vs. Gonzaga (Bridgestone Arena; Nashville) | SCORE: Gonzaga 94, Kentucky 59
  • Dec. 9: North Carolina Central (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 103, North Carolina Central 67
  • Dec. 13: Indiana (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 72, Indiana 60
  • Dec. 20: vs. St. John’s (CBS Sports Classic; State Farm Arena, Atlanta) | SCORE: Kentucky 78, St. John’s 66
  • Dec. 23: Bellarmine (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 99, Bellarmine 85
  • Jan. 3: at Alabama | SCORE: Alabama 89, Kentucky 74
  • Jan. 7: Missouri (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Missouri 73, Kentucky 68
  • Jan. 10: Mississippi State (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 92, Mississippi State 68
  • Jan. 14: at LSU | SCORE: Kentucky 75, LSU 74
  • Jan. 17: at Tennessee | SCORE: Kentucky 80, Tennessee 78
  • Jan. 21: Texas (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 85, Texas 80
  • Jan. 24: Ole Miss (Rupp Arena) | SCORE: Kentucky 72, Ole Miss 63
  • Jan. 27: at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m.
  • Jan. 31: at Arkansas, 6:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 4: Oklahoma (Rupp Arena), 9 p.m.
  • Feb. 7: Tennessee (Rupp Arena), 8:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 14: at Florida, 3 p.m.
  • Feb. 17: Georgia (Rupp Arena), 9 p.m.
  • Feb. 21: at Auburn, 8:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 24: at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
  • Feb. 28: Vanderbilt (Rupp Arena), 2 p.m.
  • March 3: at Texas A&M, 7 p.m.
  • March 7: Florida (Rupp Arena), 4 p.m.

Record: 14-6 (5-2 SEC)

  • Denzel Aberdeen (guard, senior)
  • Collin Chandler (guard, sophomore)
  • Mouhamed Dioubate (forward, junior)
  • Brandon Garrison (forward, junior)
  • Braydon Hawthorne (forward, freshman)
  • Walker Horn (guard, senior)
  • Andrija Jelavić (forward, sophomore)
  • Jasper Johnson (guard, freshman)
  • Jaland Lowe (guard, junior)
  • Malachi Moreno (center, freshman)
  • Trent Noah (forward, sophomore)
  • Otega Oweh (guard, senior)
  • Reece Potter (forward, junior)
  • Jayden Quaintance (forward, sophomore)
  • Zach Tow (forward, senior)
  • Kam Williams (guard, sophomore)

Click here to view the Commodores’ complete schedule.

Want to learn the Commodores’ roster?

Click here for player bios and more.

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.



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Kentucky State Police

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2 days ago

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January 26, 2026

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Bear Branch, KY (January 24, 2026) – On Friday, January 23, 2026, at approximately 6:58 p.m., Kentucky State Police Post 13, Hazard, was notified of a structure fire on Turkey Foot Road in the Bear Branch community of Leslie County.

Kentucky State Police, along with Leslie County Fire Services and the Leslie County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene. After the fire was extinguished, the body of a deceased individual was discovered inside the residence. Detectives were notified and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings indicate the deceased is believed to be the resident, Rex Smallwood, 68, of Bear Branch. Mr. Smallwood was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Leslie County Coroner’s Office.

At this time, no foul play is suspected. The remains have been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. This incident remains under investigation by Detective Darrell Hicks.

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