Kentucky
Kentucky basketball’s John Calipari pushes back on critics: ‘They’re not fans’ of UK
Kentucky basketball in March Madness: Calipari on Selection Sunday
Kentucky coach John Calipari speaks with reporters at his home after the 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket is announced March 17.
LEXINGTON — Less than an hour after Kentucky’s latest NCAA Tournament berth was revealed, John Calipari didn’t mince any words when it came to — in his mind — so-called “supporters” of the Wildcats.
“When we’re going into this or any other tournament, (you say), ‘We gotta win this. You gotta play your best,’” Calipari said Sunday evening. “That’s how you want me to coach? Now there are people (who) do that. (They say), ‘If they don’t do this, and they don’t do that.’ They’re not fans of this program. Or these kids.”
But he wasn’t finished. Far from it.
“What they’re trying to do is put more pressure on them so they don’t play well, so they can double down on what they’ve said,” Calipari continued. “I don’t buy into it. My job is to get them fresh and loose, and then be focused and locked down when we practice. And then let’s see where it goes.”
His comments came after criticism flooded social media following UK’s latest early flameout at the SEC Tournament. Kentucky lost its opening game to Texas A&M, the second straight time Calipari’s club went one and done at the event — and the third time in four seasons the Wildcats failed to advance at a tournament the coach has won six times.
“If anybody has those things, (saying), ‘What if (this)? What if (that)?’ They’re not a fan,” Calipari said. “And they’re trying to get this off point. So I’m good.”
Which mirrors the way he feels about his team, which begins its NCAA journey as the No. 3 seed in the South Region Thursday night, facing No. 14 seed Oakland in Pittsburgh.
“I think I got a good team,” he said. “But they’re going to have to go perform.”
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Kentucky
Six Kentucky hospitals to receive portion of $105 million in FEMA funds
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Kentucky has secured $105 million in FEMA disaster funds for six hospitals.
The awards are for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to May 11, 2023.
The hospitals include:
- AdventHealth Manchester
- Appalachian Regional Healthcare
- Baptist Health
- Pikeville Medical Center
- T.J. Samson Community Hospital (Glasgow)
- UofL Health
- Kentucky Emergency Management
The governor said the funding is much needed years later.
“What our hospitals did during the pandemic is nothing short of heroic, and my administration worked hard to make sure the reimbursements they were owed under the president’s emergency declaration were delivered,” Beshear said. “While this funding is being received years later, it couldn’t come at a better time, as our hospitals face challenges due to federal Medicaid cuts. This $105 million will make a difference for these hospitals and the Kentucky families who depend on them, which is why today’s news is so great.”
Sentiments echoed by the commonwealth’s emergency management director.
“Our first responders and hospitals went to great lengths to protect the lives of Kentuckians during the pandemic, and I am grateful that we were able to secure this funding and provide the reimbursements these hospitals and our team deserve,” said Eric Gibson. “We are processing the funds as quickly as possible so teams can put those dollars to good use as they continue to care for and protect people across our commonwealth.”
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
Chase Lumpkin planning visit to Kentucky Basketball
Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope and his staff have been busy on the recruiting trail during the Memphis Nike EYBL session, and now the Wildcats are beginning to line up official visits with top prospects.
According to Jacob Polacheck of KSR, class of 2027 4-star shooting guard Chase Lumpkin is planning to visit Kentucky in the near future as his recruitment continues to take off nationally.
Lumpkin, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard from Powder Springs, Georgia, has quickly become one of the hottest names in the 2027 recruiting class following a strong recent stretch of play on the EYBL circuit. He currently holds nearly 20 scholarship offers, including Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Louisville, and several others, with more programs expected to enter the mix soon.
Kentucky officially offered Lumpkin in late April after new assistant coach Mo Williams visited his school. However, the Wildcats had already been building a relationship with the talented guard since last summer. Lumpkin also made two visits to Lexington during the 2025-26 season.
“They showed a lot of belief in me,” Lumpkin tells Polacheck of KSR. “They watched me last session and, of course, were here today. It’s just showing that I can come in and make an impact as a freshman. Hopefully, I can do that one day.”
Lumpkin added that his recruitment remains open and other schools still have time to make a push as his stock continues to rise nationally.
Kentucky
KSP investigating fatal collision in Eastern Kentucky
GREENUP COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky State Police are investigating a deadly collision that took place Wednesday.
State police said at 9:25 p.m., troopers responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision at Industrial Parkway and County Road 1630 in Greenup County.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Abigail Miller of Vanceburg crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle head-on.
Miller was pronounced dead at the scene by the Greenup County Coroner.
The individuals in the other vehicle were transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.
The investigation into the collision is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
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