Kentucky
Louisville officials stress safety precautions for Derby festivities
Kentucky Derby Week 2026’s updated schedule
Churchill Downs announced significant changes for the 152nd Kentucky Derby Week, including the return of Sunday racing and new Opening Day schedule.
Louisville residents and tourists are encouraged to take safety precautions while celebrating the 152nd Kentucky Derby May 2.
During an April 28 news conference, Mayor Craig Greenberg, joined by multiple city officials and Churchill Downs leadership, discussed safety, security, traffic planning and parking ahead of the event. First responding agencies, including Louisville Metro Police and the Louisville Fire Department, will be at the track.
“We have partners from local, state and federal agencies that come together to make the greatest two minutes in sports possible,” Churchill Downs Senior Director of Safety, Security and First Aid Dustin Clem said. “We want everyone to have a safe time while they’re at the track.”
Ahead of the event, Clem encouraged people to look at the Kentucky Derby website for information on parking and routes and download the Churchill Downs app to receive updates throughout the day.
LMPD Assistant Chief Bryan Edelen said officers will be “high visible” as they work across the city to ensure safety and keep traffic moving. Though the department wants residents to have fun, Edelen also emphasized the necessity of following the law and warned against street racing.
“While Churchill Downs is certainly the centerpiece, Derby is in every single neighborhood across this community. So are we,” he said. “If you choose to be reckless, the consequences will be real.”
Following reports of fighting at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, Greenberg said the city has “zero-tolerance” for teenagers looking to disrupt the event, and law enforcement is “prepared.”
“All of the Kentucky Derby Festival events [and] all of the events at Churchill Downs are intended to be safe, fun, family-friendly events, and we will not tolerate this type of behavior,” he said. “You will continue to see this, whether it’s a Kentucky Derby Festival event or otherwise. Our entire city deserves to be able to celebrate to enjoy these wonderful events safely.”
LFD will also have first responders throughout the city as well as during Thurby, the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. Firefighters are tasked with responding to fire alarms and fires, assisting with crowd control and medical emergencies, and identifying hazardous materials.
Fire Chief Brian O’Neill said that the number of responders at the track represents the third largest fire department in Kentucky on those days.
“If you think about 150,000 plus people in one place, if there is an event that happens, we’re not going to be able to get resources in, so we pre-stage everything,” he said.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services Deputy Director Kelly Jones encouraged residents to sign up for LENSAlert to receive emergency notifications. Visitors from out of town can text “Derby” to 67283 to receive notifications during Derby week.
Jones also suggested residents write down where they park their car, understand the prohibited items at the track and bring an extra phone charger.
Though Jones said crime at the track is “very minimal,” he encouraged people to take precautions, including keeping bags zipped to prevent theft. He also said people should “look for things that look out of place” to help prevent human trafficking.
“A young girl that could be inappropriately dressed for her age, someone who looks like they’re being led around by an older person, [or] someone who can’t speak for themselves in a conversation,” Jones said. “If it doesn’t look right to you, there’s a good chance that maybe it’s just not right, so find a first responder.”
Kentucky
Kentucky Cares, Lexington Humane Society offer free pet food after floods
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky Cares has partnered with the Lexington Humane Society to offer free pet food to residents affected by recent flooding.
The nonprofit said it is focused on providing family-friendly service opportunities to anyone who needs them across Central Kentucky.
Players with Kentucky Baseball Club volunteered to distribute food to pet owners in need on Monday.
One volunteer said the experience was meaningful.
“Just happy to help people who can’t afford food for their animals and glad to help animals that sometimes don’t get to eat every day,” Clayton Johnson said. “It just feels good.”
A representative with Kentucky Cares said the event reflected the value of community service for young people.
“We’re just really thankful to them,” said executive director Madison Carey said. “I think we all feel better when we serve and this is a really great example of how kids can have fun and help others at the same time.”
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Kentucky
Northern Kentucky parents sentenced for shooting death of their toddler by his brother
COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – Two Northern Kentucky parents were sentenced Monday for the shooting death of heir toddler at the hands of their other child.
Khalil Adams, 2, was shot and killed by his 3-year-old brother in January 2024 at the family’s Covington home. The 3-year-old found the gun in an unsecured dresser.
At the time of the shooting, Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said the Tashaun Adams and Selena Farrell were asleep in the afternoon when their 3-year-old shot his little brother.
Farrell took off and was found hiding at a hotel in Florence. She told police at the time she was trying to avoid arrest on a warrant so she could attend Khalil’s funeral.
The couple originally faced a murder charge. Farrell was also charged with abandonment of a minor, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Adams was also charged with hindering apprehension, for allegedly not telling police where Farrell was.
Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said the pair was convicted of reckless homicide in April.. Farrell was also convicted of abandonment of a minor. Sanders believes it to be the first time in Kentucky that a jury has held parents criminally responsible for their failures to secure their gun and supervise their children.
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The jury had recommended a seven year sentence for Farrell and a five year sentence for Adams, which is what the judge handed down.
Kentucky
Missing teen Marly Kinney ID’d as body found in Kentucky lake days after vanishing from boat party
The body of a missing teen was recovered from a Kentucky lake during an extensive search days after she mysteriously vanished from a boating party, according to authorities.
The remains of Marly Kinney, 19, were pulled from Grayson Lake around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday — five days after she disappeared while partying on a rented pontoon boat with at least 10 friends, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Kinney, of Ashland, was last seen around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, before she went overboard to use the bathroom. Her group of friends didn’t initially realize she was missing, according to investigators.
Multiple law enforcement agencies deployed sonar, thermal detectors, helicopters, K-9 teams, heat-seeking, and underwater drones in the hunt for the missing teen, last seen in a pink, orange and white bikini.
More than 50 volunteers joined the search, despite scattered rain showers hampering efforts to find the girl. It’s unclear how Kinney’s body was eventually found.
The pontoon boat’s driver, Cameron P. Conley, 23, was taken into custody for boating under the influence after Kentucky State Police responded to the call to help find Kinney on Wednesday, WOWK 13 previously reported.
A trooper reportedly smelled alcohol and saw that Conley’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy while speaking to him. He failed a breathalyzer test and was transported to the Carter County Detention Center.
Kinney’s family has been notified, and the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort will now determine the cause of her death.
Smokin’ J’s Rib and Brewhouse, where Kinney worked, announced it would be closed for the next two days so her coworkers could mourn her loss.
“The Smoking J’s Family is saddened by the loss of one of our own, Marly Kinney,” the Ashland restaurant wrote in a Facebook Post.
“Marly was a model employee loved by all. Always with a friendly smile and a kind word. She was loved by her fellow coworkers and friends, many who have been volunteering over these last few days,” the statement added.
“Our love and prayers go out to Marlys’ family and friends through this tragic loss.”
This case remains under investigation, authorities said.
Anyone with information on Kinney’s disappearance is urged to contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement at 800-25-ALERT (25378) or Kentucky State Police Post 14 at 606-928-6421.
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