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Pump prices decline ahead of Memorial Day holiday; Kentucky average falls, but remains above 2023 – NKyTribune

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Pump prices decline ahead of Memorial Day holiday; Kentucky average falls, but remains above 2023 – NKyTribune


Like a slowly deflating party balloon, the national average for a gallon of gasoline continued its descent this week, falling four cents since last week to $3.59. The primary reasons are weak domestic demand and oil costs dipping below $80 a barrel.

“Barring some unforeseen event impacting oil prices, this slow descent in pump prices is not likely to change anytime soon,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “Although Kentucky isn’t one of them, there are seven states with county gas averages below $3 a gallon. This trend will likely accelerate as more gas outlets east of the Rockies drop their prices.”

(NKyTribune file)

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose modestly from 8.79 million b/d to 8.87 last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased slightly from 228 to 227.8 million barrels. Lackluster pre-Memorial Day demand and steady or falling oil prices could lower pump prices as travelers look ahead to Memorial Day holiday road trips.

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Today’s national average is $3.59, 7 cents less than a month ago but still 6 cents more than a year ago.

Today’s average in Kentucky dropped another penny overnight, now at $3.34. That’s 8 cents lower than one week ago, but still 8 cents higher on the month. Today’s average is still 5 cents higher than a year ago.

The average gas price in Lexington has seen an even more dramatic drop since last Friday. The average price for a gallon of regular fell 2 cents overnight to land at $3.40. Lexington’s current gas price average is 11 cents lower than the average just one week ago but still 20 cents higher than a month ago. Today’s price remains 8 cents higher than a year ago.

Going against the current trend, Ashland’s average gas price rose 9 cents overnight, currently $3.36. That’s still 3 cents less than the average a week ago. Ashland’s average price is trending about 16 cents lower than a month ago and 4 cents lower than a year ago.

Around the commonwealth, the lowest county-level average gas price can be found in Simpson County at $3.00. The highest countywide average price of gasoline in the commonwealth can be found in Pendleton County, averaging $3.59.

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Checking nearby, the average price for a gallon of regular today in Ohio is at $3.50, West Virginia $3.51, Virginia $3.41, Tennessee $3.17, Indiana $3.56, Illinois $3.89 and Missouri $3.21.

Across the nation, the high spot for gas prices is California, now averaging $5.22 for a gallon of regular. Hawaii follows at $4.80.

The low spot in the nation can be found in Mississippi, averaging $3.06 for a gallon of regular.

(Click for larger graphic)

Quick stats

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• Since last Friday, these 10 states have seen the largest weekly changes in their averages: Colorado (+16 cents), New Mexico (+12 cents), Tennessee (-9 cents), Kentucky (-8 cents), Utah (-8 cents), California (-8 cents), Indiana (-7 cents), Nevada (-7 cents) and Arizona (-6 cents).

• The nation’s top 11 least expensive markets are Mississippi ($3.06), Arkansas ($3.12), Oklahoma ($3.12), Louisiana ($3.14), Kansas ($3.15), Texas ($3.17), Tennessee ($3.17), Alabama ($3.20), Missouri ($3.21), South Carolina ($3.22) and Iowa ($3.22).

Oil Market Dynamics

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by 61 cents to settle at $78.87 a barrel. Prices rose as the EIA reported that crude oil inventories had decreased by 2.5 million barrels from the previous week. At 457.0 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 4% below the five-year average for this time of year.

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Kentucky

Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard

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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in  backyard


A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.

Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was charged with fetal homicide after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy in Kentucky, where that is illegal. Kentucky State Police

After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.

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Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.

Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”

Cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag in her backyard. AP

It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.

An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.

In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.

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The deadly offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. Getty Images

There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.

Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.

The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.

Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.

Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.

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Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.

“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.

After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.

Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.

“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.

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No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.

Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.

“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.

Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County


GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.

“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.

According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.

NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.

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Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.





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