Kentucky
Kentucky dedicating ‘Day of Compassion’ to mark 4 years since first COVID-19 case
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WBKO) – State and local government officials are expected to join Kentucky families Thursday at the Kentucky State Capitol to mark the fourth anniversary since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the state.
According to state officials, since the start of the pandemic, COVID-19 has contributed to the deaths of more than 19,650 Kentuckians.
“Our fight against this once-a-century global pandemic was marked by loss – so many of our family members and friends taken far too soon. It’s important that we continue to be there for our families and communities that are hurting,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
As part of Wednesday’s ceremony, Governor Beshear will issue a proclamation officially marking Wednesday, March 6, 2024, as “A Day of Compassion” in the commonwealth.
“Another important legacy of this time is how Kentuckians everywhere came together and cared for one another. From our health care heroes and first responders to our educators, farmers, factory workers and more, our people showed up to help their neighbors time and time again,” Gov. Beshear said.
Dr. Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said the spirit of community helped Kentucky fight the pandemic.
“On this anniversary, I am reminded of the role Kentuckians’ compassion played in getting through this time,” Dr. Stack said. “I am grateful for what we accomplished together as Team Kentucky and believe we showed how much more we are capable of when we work together.”
Thursday’s ceremony begins at 1 p.m. EDT at the COVID-19 Memorial on the Capitol Grounds with the chiming of bells by Kandie Adkinson, who retired from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.
Early in the pandemic, the governor asked Kentuckians to unite by ringing bells at 10 a.m. each day so that those who were feeling alone would know we were with them.
Throughout the pandemic, each weekday at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda, Adkinson rang her father’s bell 120 times to honor those lost in each county.
Rowena Holloway, whose late partner, Virginia Moore, was a prominent ASL interpreter and advocate, said our losses should inspire us create a better world.
“In their memory, let love and kindness be our roadmap,” Holloway said. “Let leadership move us forward into a brighter future for all of us in Kentucky and the world, knowing we are supported by the angels among us!”
Gov. Beshear, Dr. Stack and Holloway will provide remarks, along with LeRoy Mitchell of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Rev. Jack Brewer of Frankfort and Rabbi David Wirtschafter of Temple Adath Israel in Lexington will offer prayers. The program will include vocal performances by Christopher Burchett, baritone, of the University of Kentucky School of Music.
The ceremony will take place in the Rotunda of the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort.
Copyright 2024 WBKO. All rights reserved.
Top headlines of the week, May 8 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
Authorities said a body recovered May 4 from the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky has been identified as a Columbus man, Dispatch news partner NBC4/WMCH-TV reported.
Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens said the body has been identified as Jason D. Frisbie, 38, of Columbus. Bivens said authorities in Kentucky worked with Ohio officials to identify Frisbie this week.
Bivens said Lewis County took a call around 4:30 p.m. May 4 about a body in the river in Vanceburg, Kentucky, a few miles south of Ohio’s Shawnee State Park. Bivens said responding agencies took the body to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Lewis County authorities asked for public help identifying the body. On May 9, Bivens confirmed Frisbie’s identity after working with Ohio officials and local responders.
Bivens said the death remains under investigation, and authorities did not offer information about a suspected cause.
Kentucky
Two ‘dangerous’ inmates escape Kentucky detention center, sparking multi-agency manhunt across region
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped Friday evening from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt, police said.
The Morehead Police Department warned the surrounding community that two inmates had “walked away” from the Rowan County Detention Center.
Investigators said multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for the escapees, with Kentucky State Police leading the investigation.
“These inmates should be considered dangerous,” police said, warning the community not to approach anyone suspicious or unfamiliar.
KENTUCKY DAD RAGES AFTER COURT-APPROVED RELEASE OF REPEAT OFFENDER LEADS TO FAMILY’S KIDNAPPING
Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. (Morehead Police Department)
One of the inmates was identified as Michael Fogleman, 29, who is described as 6 feet tall and 188 pounds.
He has short or closely shaved hair and a short beard along his jawline and chin, according to police.
The second inmate was identified as James Smallwood, 52, who is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 215 pounds.
MANHUNTS ACROSS AMERICA IN 2025: FIVE CASES THAT LEFT CITIES, CAMPUSES AND TOWNS ON EDGE
Michael Fogleman, 29, is one of two inmates who escaped from a Kentucky detention center, police said. (Morehead Police Department)
He is described as having a medium to stocky build with gray facial hair around the mouth and chin area.
Smallwood was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans and possibly a hat, police said.
James Smallwood, 52, is one of two inmates on the run after escaping from a Kentucky jail, authorities said. (Morehead Police Department)
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious or have information about the escapees.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Law enforcement agencies are searching for two escaped inmates in Kentucky, authorities said. (Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service)
Investigators said they will provide more information as it becomes available.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kentucky State Police and Rowan County Detention Center for comment.
The Kentucky high school 2026 outdoor track and field season has been exceptional, especially the girls competition.
In particular, the sprints and horizontal jumps.
Long Jump Leaders Set the Pace
First, the long jump.
Christian Educational Consortium’s Jade Hartlage, a rising superstar of track and field in its totality, has the state’s leading jump, 19feet, 9 inches, set March 26. She is partially homeschooled and not eligible for in KHSAA postseason.
Hartlage’s mark is followed by Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard (19-0, March 26). Howard is another standout athlete. She was selected as a 2025 All-State Honorable Mention in soccer. Howard won the 3A indoor title in early March, recording a mark of 18-7 1/4.
Howard, Svidal Among Top Contenders
Walden School senior Natalie Svidal sailed to an 18-4 1/2 mark at the Walden Small School Championships May 5. That ties her for third in the state with Taleigha Nash of Great Crossing High School.
Triple Jump Competition Tightens
In the triple jump, Howard is atop the performance list. She leapt 40-5, April 25.
However, Svidal is close. She recorded 40-2 1/4 this past week.
Multi-Sport Stars Making Impact
Teigh Yeast, yet another standout athlete, who helped George Rogers Clark win a state basketball title in March and is a Robert Morris University basketball commit, logged a 40-0 1/2 jump April 21. Yeast was last season’s 3A champion at 39-5.25.
How Kentucky Stacks Up Nationally
Perspective and context need to be applied here. Here’s how Kentucky compares nationally.
National Benchmarks Set the Bar
Parker Coes of Morton Ranch High School (Katy, Texas) has surpassed 21 feet twice in 2026. Abigail Mecklenburg of Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa) is approaching the 21-foot threshold.
Coes’ marks were achieved in the early indoor season. The Texan has jumped 20-10 1/2 outdoors (April 3) but her last mark was 18-11 3/4, May 2.
Mecklenburg is yet to replicate her indoor marks outdoors.
The top outdoor jump so far in 2026 is 42-7.5, set by Daniela Hughes of Los Altos High School (Los Altos, California).
A significant challenge for the Bluegrass jumpers to surpass. But if there is a season for top-10 national rankings or records.
State Records Within Reach
With that said, the Kentucky state records are potentially breakable in the next two weeks. The current records are 20-4 (Maxine Graham, Fleming County High School, 1975) and 41-7 (Sophie Galloway, Marshall County High School, 2021).
Each has the speed and explosiveness to challenge those marks.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Colorado6 minutes agoColorado man sentenced to over 40 years in prison for murder of ex-girlfriend
-
Connecticut11 minutes agoBody recovered from Connecticut River near Chester-Lyme Ferry, DEEP says
-
Delaware18 minutes agoFormer Delaware police officer accused of raping woman he met on dating app
-
Florida24 minutes agoFlorida man taken into custody related to call threatening business
-
Georgia30 minutes ago
Leschber Named to 2026 ACC All-Tournament Team
-
Hawaii36 minutes agoFlames engulf van on H-1 Freeway near Punchbowl
-
Idaho41 minutes agoDay use state park fees waived for Idaho residents on July 4 to celebrate America250
-
Illinois48 minutes agoMan arrested after barricading himself inside vape shop in Des Plaines, Illinois, police say
