Kentucky

Kentucky Health Commissioner stresses importance of measles vaccine

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

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Kentucky Health Commissioner stresses importance of measles vaccine

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – We are seeing more reports of measles in the U.S.

Just last month a case was confirmed close to Kentucky, in Ohio.

The state’s health department put a warning out that people may have been exposed at the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky Airport.

While no cases are confirmed in Kentucky, Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says the risk is there.

“In 2000, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S., and the only way you could get it was to go to another country that still had it,” Dr. Stack said.

That is no longer the case in the U.S. The country is beginning to see more cases.

So far this year, the CDC has confirmed 45 measles cases in 17 states, including Ohio and Virginia.

In 2023, the CDC confirmed 58 cases for the whole year in 20 states. In 2022, 121 cases in just six states.

“Unfortunately now our vaccination rates have dipped. In Kentucky, they’re about 90% of kindergarteners who have been fully vaccinated for measles,” said Dr. Stack.

Dr.Stack believes the pandemic has further slowed vaccination rates.

“I think it’s all gotten caught up in the COVID pandemic in the narrative and the ideologies that have been associated with public health and medical science,” said Dr. Stack.

Dr. Stack says two doses of the measles vaccine are 97% effective. He also says getting the vaccine protects those who cannot.

“It’s not simple enough to say it is just individual risk because if you have a child that’s six months old and can’t be immunized and they get measles and get severely ill and have seizures for the rest of their life, that’s a really big deal,” said Dr. Stack.

WKYT will have more with Dr. Stack on this Sunday’s edition of Kentucky Newsmakers at 10 a.m. on the CW Lexington and at 11:30 on WKYT.

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky claims 4 titles at Class 3A indoor track state meet

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

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Northern Kentucky claims 4 titles at Class 3A indoor track state meet

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association indoor state track meet rolled on on Wednesday, March 4. One day after Beechwood claimed the Class 1A boys team title, three Northern Kentucky big schools combined for four individual state titles in Class 3A.

Cooper’s Paul Van Laningham won the 3,200-meter run in 9:09.49 and took second place in the 1,600-meter run in 4:07.88. It was a reversal of his results at the 2025 indoor state meet and earned him his fifth overall state title. He scored all of Cooper’s points, good for ninth place in the team standings with 18 points.

Van Laningham’s teammate, Ava Dunn, got the day started with a shot put title, throwing the 8.82-pound ball 39 feet, 3.25 inches.

Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard won the long jump with an attempt of 18 feet, 7.25 inches, then claimed the triple jump title with a distance of 37 feet, 4.25 inches. It is her second straight indoor long jump title and third overall as she also claimed the 2024 outdoor title. Taking fifth place in the 55-meter dash, she scored all 24 points for SK, finishing in a tie for eighth place. Cooper was right behind with 22 points.

Finally, Conner’s Avery Vanlandingham win the 800-meter run in 2:17.55, out-leaning North Oldham’s Millie Huang at the line.

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Kentucky

Arkansas women’s basketball blown out by Kentucky in season-ending loss at SEC Tournament | Whole Hog Sports

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16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

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Arkansas women’s basketball blown out by Kentucky in season-ending loss at SEC Tournament | Whole Hog Sports

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Kentucky

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.

After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.

When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.

With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.

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