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Kentucky Senate Democrats reelect caucus leadership • Kentucky Lantern

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Kentucky Senate Democrats reelect caucus leadership • Kentucky Lantern


Kentucky Senate Democrats voted to retain their caucus leaders ahead of the 2025 legislative session. 

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas and Senate Democratic Whip David Yates were reelected to their positions, a Senate Democratic Caucus press release said Thursday. 

“The Kentucky Senate Democrats are proud to have selected a strong, united team to guide us over the next biennium,” Neal, of Louisville, said in a statement. “Our caucus is committed to standing up for the values we share with our constituents and fighting for a brighter future for all Kentuckians.” 

The press release said the caucus leaders “will play a critical role in advancing the minority’s legislative agenda such as expanding economic opportunities throughout the state, improving public education, protecting access to healthcare, embracing diversity and addressing the day-to-day challenges facing Kentucky families.”

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After the 2024 general election, Democrats continue to hold seven seats in the Senate, compared to the Republican supermajority of 31. 

Meanwhile, House Democratic Leadership changed as former Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson lost her election in November and two leaders — former Floor Leader Derrick Graham and Democratic Whip Rachel Roberts — did not seek reelection. Last month, the caucus elected House Democratic Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, House Democratic Caucus Chair Al Gentry and House Democratic Whip Lindsey Burke to their new roles. 

House Democrats hold 20 seats to the Republicans’ 80-seat supermajority. 

On the Republican side, the House and Senate caucuses named their leaders last month. In the Senate, Republicans elected Senate Republican Floor Leader Max Wise and Republican Caucus Chair Robby Mills to their positions. Senate President Robert Stivers, President Pro Tempore David Givens  and Majority Whip Mike Wilson were re-elected to their positions. 

House Republicans reelected their leaders: Speaker David Osborne, Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade, House Republican Floor Leader Steven Rudy, House Republican Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, House Republican Whip Jason Nemes.

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Lawmakers reconvene in Frankfort on Tuesday, Jan. 7.



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

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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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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.

Stream Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt

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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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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