Kentucky
We’ll see you online: Getting rural Kentucky connected
(LEX 18) — Internet connectivity can be an issue in many parts of the Commonwealth. In Somerset, the Center for Rural Development is hoping to change that.
The center services 45 counties in rural Kentucky, equating to about 1 million people getting connected.
“Why can’t our kids in Eastern Kentucky, these rural parts of America, not have what kids in New York City or Los Angeles have? Why is that?” said Richard Taylor, who works on the broadband projects at the center.
Center director Lonnie Lawson says their goal is equal opportunity.
“Many times the rural areas get forgotten, all of the loud voices come from the urban areas where all the population centers are, but if you look at all the tragedies that have happened in this country over the years, the majority of them are in rural areas,” said Lawson. “Your emergency responders have to be just as trained, your leaders have to be just as trained.”
The center has been pushing for more internet access since 2005, but Lawson said it’s really taken off in the last couple of years.
In April in Rockcastle County, they were able to get 120 homes online, but they have their sights set much bigger. They’re currently working on a plan for 16 fringe counties in Eastern Kentucky to get connected; about 25,000-30,000 homes.
“They take medical appointments, there are public safety aspects to it, there’s education, there’s work from home, all of those come off the table if you don’t have a good broadband connection,” said Taylor.
Taylor said one of the challenges of getting broadband out into rural areas is Kentucky’s limestone. It’s hard to drill through and very costly, which creates a barrier.
He said they’re still full steam ahead, though, via their two programs, Move The Needle and Broadband Is A Service.
“Making certain that no one gets left out, internet for all is what we are calling it, internet for all,” said Lawson.
To learn more about the Center for Rural Development, click here.
GRAYSON, Ky. (WSAZ) – New information has been released in the search for a missing woman at Grayson Lake.
According to game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Marly Kinney, 19, of Ashland, was last seen at Grayson Lake on Wednesday afternoon.
They say search efforts are focused on the water at this time and include Kentucky State Police aerial support, drones, boats, and K9 assistance.
Crews suspend search for missing teen for the night
The search is now into its third day, with officials saying on and off rain has hindered their search and that a group of 50 volunteers are walking the banks of the lake to help in the search.
Search and rescue boats have been seen at the lake as well.
Officials say there are still many questions, including if Kinney is still alive and where exactly she went missing.
They also say they’ve been using a variety of equipment, including sonar and thermal detectors, as well as helicopters and underwater drones.
WSAZ received a statement from Kinney’s family Friday afternoon:
“We are very appreciative of the absolute surplus of support from law enforcement, search and rescue, 1st responders, and all of the community and its volunteers that are here with us and for us searching for Marly. We do not even know how to express our absolute gratitude to you all. We continue to have faith she will be found and brought back to us. We know we have the very best people doing all they can to bring her home.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
We are still working to get more information.
Previous coverage can be found here.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and YouTube for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Iowa7 minutes agoA new facility in Marshall County could spark more conservation on Iowa farms
-
Kansas10 minutes agoChicken chain expanding to Kansas and five other Midwest states
-
Kentucky22 minutes agoOfficials identify missing woman as search enters third day
-
Louisiana25 minutes agoAASHTO Journal – Louisiana DOTD Completes I-20 Rehabilitation Project
-
Maine30 minutes agoAmtrak train strikes, kills man in Old Orchard Beach, Maine
-
Maryland37 minutes ago
Celebrate America 250 at Maryland State Parks with Fun Events Planned All Weekend
-
Michigan40 minutes agoUniversity of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker apologizes after investigation confirms
-
Massachusetts45 minutes agoCrash disupts traffic on Interstate 195 in Seekonk
