Kentucky
Parasitic Crypto outbreak identified in Northern Kentucky
The Northern Kentucky Health Department is investigating an outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis, better known as crypto, within the Northern Kentucky area this week.
The cryptosporidium parasite causes a gastrointestinal illness marked by abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, low-grade fever, vomiting and nausea.
As of Friday afternoon, there are a dozen confirmed cases and “numerous” probable cases. About half of the confirmed cases are associated with Silverlake Water Park in Erlanger, the health department said.
Health department spokesperson Skip Tate said the water park has been very cooperative, having “super-chlorinated” their pool. The park remains open, Tate added.
The water park did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tate said the other half of the cases came from other sources, such as one person who was kayaking in the Little Miami River.
Those impacted range from 2 years old to adult, he added.
As part of the outbreak response efforts, the Northern Kentucky Health Department is investigating, providing related guidance to facilities and individuals, and taking associated actions to reduce risks.
What are the symptoms?
Crypto is a gastrointestinal illness. Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, low-grade fever, vomiting and nausea. These conditions can lead to dehydration and similar concerns.
However, a person’s symptoms can vary and some may not show any symptoms.
Who is at risk?
Crypto parasites can infect humans and animals and are shed in their feces. Young children and people immunologically suppressed are at increased risk for more severe illness.
Individuals who are directly exposed to water, food, soil, or surfaces contaminated with feces and then swallow the microscopic oocysts of the parasite can become infected. Inadequate handwashing is a common means of spreading crypto, which is extremely resilient to disinfectants and tougher to kill than most disease-causing organisms in the environment.
Common levels of chlorine disinfection measures have limited effect on the parasite, and alcohol hand sanitizers are ineffective. However, persistent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces can help reduce exposure, particularly in bathrooms and other high-risk areas.
What should you do if you’re experiencing symptoms?
The incubation period for Crypto is two to 10 days, with most people developing symptoms within seven days of exposure. In otherwise healthy individuals, symptoms usually subside within a couple of weeks with supportive care to treat the symptoms and avoid dehydration. Crypto can be transmitted for two weeks or more after symptoms subside.
- Individuals with confirmed crypto, loose stool or watery diarrhea, or who have had such conditions should not use swimming pools or other public bathing facilities for at least two weeks after symptoms have stopped.
- Diaper changing should take place in bathrooms or otherwise designated locations and not on pool decks, chairs or tables. It is recommended that children, who are not potty trained or are still in diapers, should not be in public swimming pools as this increases the risk of transmitting the illness if infected.
- Handwashing with soap and water should be done after using the restroom, changing diapers, before handling food items or eating, and after touching animals.
Additional information on cryptosporidium can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. The health department recommends you see your medical provider if you or your children have symptoms or believe you need testing for crypto.
Kentucky
Ronald Exantus being transported back to Kentucky
OCALA, Fla. (WKYT) – The man convicted in the stabbing death of a 6-year-old who was arrested in Florida while serving mandatory re-entry supervision is headed back to Kentucky.
In a press conference on Tuesday that included Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, officials announced that Ronald Exantus is being transported back to Kentucky.
Ronald Exantus was charged with stabbing and killing Logan Tipton in 2015. While he was found not guilty of the child’s murder by reason of insanity, Exantus was convicted on three assault charges for stabbing other members of Logan’s family.
The court sentenced Exantus to a combined 20 years in prison.
On October 1, The Department of Corrections released Exantus on mandatory re-entry supervision, overriding the parole board’s recommendation that he complete his full sentence behind bars. Exantus chose to service his mandatory re-entry supervision in Florida.
Exantus was arrested in Marion County, Florida on October 9. In a release, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Exantus failed to register as a felon with the sheriff’s office within 48 hours as required by law.
WKYT is working to learn more details about the situation.
This is a developing story.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
Andre Woodson, Mike Hartline help Cutter Boley break through at Kentucky
It hasn’t been pretty for the Kentucky Wildcats on the football field this season, but one obvious bright spot comes in the form of a 6’5″ redshirt freshman quarterback out of Hodgenville in Cutter Boley. He entered the game late vs. Ole Miss and has started every outing since with one win and four losses, but steady growth leading to a breakthrough against Tennessee this past weekend.
Boley racked up 330 yards and five touchdowns on 26-35 passing with 31 rushing yards on seven carries, hitting marks matched by only four other SEC quarterbacks in the last 30 years. Tim Couch is the only other Kentucky gunslinger to throw for at least 330 yards and five touchdowns on 74-plus percent passing in a single game.
“He’s really done a phenomenal job with his presence in the pocket, and each and every week, he’s getting more and more confident in that,” Mark Stoops said during his call-in show Monday evening. “The other thing I think he’s really doing at a high level right now is he’s been exceptional at throwing the ball with accuracy on the move. Under duress, he’s gotten way better since the first game of the year this year that he started, and then in trusting that he’s going to have some protection. …
“He’s been hanging in there when he has to hang in the pocket, but he’s escaping at times, and then he’s been remarkably accurate when he’s on the move.”
Seeing so many quarterbacks torch the Kentucky defense this year, along with coming up with game plans for all of the opposing greats to come and go over the years, Stoops is grateful to have an elite one on his sideline that others have to figure out.
“Cutter is a tough young man, and he’s getting bigger and stronger. He has a very good feel for that pocket right now. That’s been fun because, as a defensive guy, to coach a lot of defenses, that’s very aggravating when you feel like you got things matched up really well and pretty decent pressure, and you escape and make something happen.”
What if I told you not one, but two former Wildcats are helping Boley in that ongoing breakthrough?
Andre Woodson, who threw for 9,360 yards and 81 touchdowns as a two-time All-SEC selection in his four-year career in Lexington, has built a relationship with the redshirt freshman as he’s found his footing. From one in-state kid to another, the Radcliff native has been in Boley’s shoes and wants to help him live up to that superstar potential in the blue and white.
“I know Andre reached out to him and talked to him, and I appreciate that. With Andre — you know, these guys care about Kentucky. They care about how we play and want to see a guy like Cutter develop. It’s been good.”
It’s not just Woodson, though. In fact, there is a former player in that building taking Boley under his wing as a hands-on mentor — the guy who actually followed No. 3 in Lexington, suiting up from 2007-2010. Mike Hartline, who threw for 5,680 yards and 38 touchdowns during his time at Kentucky, is now an offensive quality control coach on Stoops’ staff.
What Bush Hamdan doesn’t have time for as offensive coordinator, Hartline steps in to do the heavy lifting with Boley’s development. Without him, we don’t see the current on-field success for the kid from Hodgenville.
“Another one that has made a big difference for him is Michael Hartline,” Stoops said. “I tell you, Michael does a really good job. Bush has a lot on his plate and a lot to work on, and we’re up there all hours, day and night, but a lot of times when Cutter comes in, he spends one-on-one time with Michael. He’s really done a good job, he’s been a great addition to our staff.
“It’s another UK guy that cares about this place, and I’m very impressed with him. He’s a great coach, and he’s really helped us, and he’s helped Cutter.”
Two great Kentucky quarterbacks, but can Boley be better? He’s already up to 1,553 yards and 11 touchdowns with five games to go as a redshirt freshman — then three more years of eligibility.
Things are starting to stick for the kid.
Kentucky
LSU fires Brian Kelly, owes $53 million buyout
The dominoes are falling in the SEC, the latest potentially impacting Kentucky in terms of candidates should the Wildcats move on from Mark Stoops. LSU has fired head coach Brian Kelly, according to On3’s Pete Nakos, coming off the Tigers’ 49-25 loss to Texas A&M to fall to 5-3 on the season.
It’s been an all-day back-and-forth leading to the breakup Sunday night, conversations taking place earlier regarding staff changes and a potential parting of ways, Nakos ultimately reporting Kelly’s status was “in limbo” and “in flux” in Baton Rouge. Those “high-level discussions” included officials within the athletic department, executives at the university, and even Gov. Jeff Landry.
Kelly was in his fourth season at LSU after signing a 10-year, $95 million deal back in 2021. With a combined record of 34-14 and 19-10 in the SEC, including 10-win seasons in each of his first two seasons, he will be owed a $53 million buyout — the second-largest in college football history, behind only former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
He joins James Franklin (Penn State) and Billy Napier (Florida) as Power 4 coaches fired during the 2025 season with 12 total FBS jobs already open.
What does that mean for Kentucky, now 2-5 on the year and 0-5 in conference play coming off an embarrassing 56-34 loss to Tennessee? Lane Kiffin has been a rumored target for not only Florida, but also LSU — the latter potentially more of a threat to reel him in from Oxford. Where would the Gators go from there? Franklin and Kelly are free agents, but Louisville’s Jeff Brohm is a name that has been tossed around. Would Oregon OC Will Stein return home to coach at his alma mater as a former Card? That would take a big-time target for the Wildcats off the table. Where does Jon Sumrall fit into all of this? Does UF go after the Tulane head coach? Does he replace Kiffin at Ole Miss?
Needless to say, the coaching carousel is spinning out of control with Kentucky potentially in the market for a new leader.
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