Kentucky
Will the groundhog see his shadow this year? What to know about Groundhog Day 2024
Are you hoping for a long, cold winter or an early spring? Soon enough, a four-legged friend of ours will emerge from his burrow, dictating exactly that.
Groundhog Day, taking place Friday, Feb. 2, is right around the corner. With much anticipation, residents across the state of Kentucky are patiently waiting, hoping for some warm weather after a cold front rocked the area in January.
When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is observed in the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 2 every year and falls on a Friday in 2024.
Will the groundhog see his shadow this year?
After a cold front swept through the state during January, Kentucky residents are ready for plenty of warm weather and sunshine, but will their wishes be granted?
According to Old Farmer’s Almanac Groundhog Day predictions, everyone might just luck out this year with no more wintry weather. Cloudy skies are anticipated on Feb. 2, meaning everyone’s favorite four-legged friend is unlikely to see his shadow, predicting an early spring.
It’s believed if the groundhog sees his shadow, six more weeks of a long winter will occur, while not seeing his shadow means spring is near.
How to watch Groundhog Day: Punxsutawney Phil isn’t the only star of holiday
Why do we celebrate Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is a unique tradition dating back to European and ancient times. According to Old Farmer’s Almanac, the day was originally a Celtic festival called Imbolc. The celebration signified the Sun was halfway to the spring equinox, meaning a new season and light were nearby.
The day is also often referred to as St. Brigid’s Day, referring to the Celtic goddess Brigantia, as well as Ireland’s patron saint, also a Christian saint, Brigid of Kildare.
Christian festival Candlemas is also observed on Feb. 2, named after the lit candles, and larger significance of light over dark.
Historically, a bear or a badger was used to dictate an early spring or a long winter, but when German immigrants traveled to the U.S. in the 1800s, they were difficult to find. However, there were lots of groundhogs, becoming the new face of the tradition.
Ready to kiss winter goodbye? Here’s when the first day of spring is in 2024.
What’s happening in Kentucky for Groundhog Day 2024?
Second Chances Wildlife Center, a Kentucky nonprofit animal rehabilitation and education center, is hosting their Groundhog Gathering from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 2, according to their website. For $5 per person, attendees can meet Josie Burrow, the center’s groundhog and “licensed educational ambassador”, according to their website.
Other inclusions are a brief educational presentation, groundhog-themed crafts and snacks, and access to the gift shop.
Second Chances Wildlife Center is located at 487 Gentry Lane in Mount Washington and tickets can be purchased through the organization’s website via Eventbrite.
Kentucky
Tale of The Tape, Predictions: Louisville vs. Eastern Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville (7-5, 1-1 ACC) is set to face Eastern Kentucky (6-6, 0-0 ASUN) on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 12:00 p.m. EST at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. Here’s how the Cardinals stack up against the Colonels:
*Mobile users can scroll left and right on the tables below*
E. Kentucky |
Louisville |
|
---|---|---|
AP/USAT |
NR/NR |
NR/NR |
SOS |
183rd |
9th |
SOR |
200th |
62nd |
BPI |
254th |
60th |
NET |
198th |
53rd |
RPI |
227th |
26th |
KenPom |
227th |
50th |
Torvik |
154th |
46th |
EvanMiya |
231st |
53rd |
E. Kentucky |
Louisville |
|
---|---|---|
Points |
Devontae Blanton (16.4) |
Chucky Hepburn (15.3) |
Rebounds |
Devontae Blanton (6.1) |
J’Vonne Hadley (7.8) |
Assists |
Devontae Blanton (3. 8) |
Chucky Hepburn (5.1) |
Steals |
George Kimble (2.9) |
Chucky Hepburn (2.9) |
Blocks |
Yvens Paul (1.6) |
James Scott 0.8 |
E. Kentucky |
Louisville |
|
---|---|---|
Points Per Game |
77.0 |
78.0 |
Field Goal % |
41.9% |
43.3% |
FGM/FGA Per Game |
28.2/67.3 |
26.2/60.4 |
Three Point % |
31.8% |
29.8% |
3PTM/3PTA Per Game |
9.4/29.6 |
9.6/32.2 |
Free Throw % |
66.5% |
71.7% |
FTM/FTA Per Game |
11.3/16.9 |
16.1/22.4 |
E. Kentucky |
Louisville |
|
---|---|---|
Rebounds Per Game |
38.3 |
37.3 |
Off. Reb. Per Game |
15.8 |
12.4 |
Def. Reb. Per Game |
22.5 |
24.9 |
Rebound Margin |
0.1 |
3.6 |
E. Kentucky |
Louisville |
|
---|---|---|
Opp. Points Per Game |
75.0 |
71.3 |
Opp. FG% |
46.8% |
45.1% |
Opp. 3PT% |
35.6% |
35.8% |
Steals Per Game |
9.8 |
7.3 |
Blocks Per Game |
3.7 |
2.8 |
Turnovers Forced Per Game |
15.6 |
14.6 |
E. Kentucky |
Louisville |
|
---|---|---|
Assists Per Game |
13.5 |
13.4 |
Turnovers Per Game |
11.2 |
12.1 |
Turnover Margin |
4.4 |
2.5 |
Assist/Turnover Ratio |
1.2 |
1.1 |
– ESPN Prediction: Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Louisville has a 95.6 percent chance to win against Eastern Kentucky. The Cardinals have a BPI rating of 9.8 (60th overall), whereas the Colonels have a BPI rating of -5.3 (254th overall).
– KenPom Prediction: Per KenPom.com, the Cardinals have a 94 percent chance to take down the Colonels, with a projected final score of 86-69 in favor of UofL. Louisville has an adjusted efficiency margin of +15.05 (50th overall), whereas Eastern Kentucky has an adjusted efficiency margin of -5.07 (227th overall).
– Torvik Prediction: Per BartTorvik.com, the Cards have a 90 percent chance to take down the Colonels, with a projected final score of 85-69 in favor of UofL. Louisville has a “Barthag” of .8412 (46th overall), whereas Eastern Kentucky has a “Barthag” of .5033 (154th overall).
– Personal Prediction: Louisville 91, Eastern Kentucky 73.
(Photo of Khani Rooth: Sam Upshaw Jr. – Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter/X and @mattmcgavic.bsky.social on Bluesky
Kentucky
New laws coming to Kentucky starting in 2025
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — With the new year comes new legislation, and for Kentucky, a number of laws will begin affecting Kentuckians starting on Wednesday, January 1.
Starting in 2025, all Kentucky drivers seeking to renew their license will need to pass a vision screening.The exam will be the same as the one used for first time drivers. Free screenings are provided at driver license regional offices around the state.
The screening takes about a minute, and they do not require additional appointments.
“The important thing is we want you to be able to see well while driving, whether you need corrective lenses or not,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins with AAA Bluegrass.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 19 states already have a similar law as a measure to cut down on accidents.
“We know that vision, having clear vision, is important for drivers to be able to successfully maneuver through traffic and to reduce that incidents of traffic crashes,” said Hawkins.
Also starting January 1, retailers will only be able to sell certain vape products. It’s part of House Bill 11, which was passed in April of this year to curb vaping among young people.
Jerry Wayne, who manages Magic Vape in Jessamine County, said the new law will severely impact his business.
“We will be firing 25 employees, closing 8 locations, and taking that money what we can,” said Wayne, “Basically, we will be out of business.”
The bill states that the FDA must approve vape products that have nicotine, and if they’re not approved, they can’t be sold. Wayne said it cuts the product he can sell from 300 to two.
Medical marijuana can start being sold in 2025 as well. Two lotteries have already happened for growers and distributors. All products must be grown in the Commonwealth.
Kentucky
Alleged Kentucky deadbeat dad who owes over $100K in child support arrested getting off cruise ship in Miami
An alleged deadbeat dad who was on the run and owed more than $100,000 in child support was arrested last week as he exited a cruise ship in Miami, authorities said.
Dominic Weaver, a Kentucky resident, had been on the lam for more than 10 years when his holiday vacation ended after being taken into custody and brought back to Louisville, WDRB-TV reported.
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Detectives from a local child support division flew to Miami and eventually brought Weaver back to the Bluegrass State.
“I don’t know when he left, but he fled the jurisdiction, and from the date of his sentence until today, and even today, he’s not paid one cent of child support,” Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell said.
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Weaver, 47, owes somewhere between $114,000 and $120,000 in child support, according to O’Connell.
O’Connell said Weaver has a total of four cases with the child support division.
“Two more of those are ready for indictment again of more felonies,” O’Connell said.
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O’Connell said he planned to ask a judge to revoke Weaver’s original sentence and ask that he be sentenced to four years in prison.
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