Several new reports on education show Kentucky as one of the worst states in the country for teacher pay. According to the National Education Association, the national average teacher salary is $69,544. In Kentucky, the average is far less at $56,296. Kentucky dropped from 40th to 41st in the nation with the latest stats. The average salary for new Kentucky teachers is $39,204, ranking 45th in the country. Education Support Professionals (ESPs) like bus drivers, janitors, and paraeducators have an average salary of $27,053 in Kentucky, 47th in the U.S. According to the report, of the seven sur ..read more

Artificial intelligence is a controversial topic in today's society. The risks associated with it are concerns that are often voiced. However, experts believe the technological advancement comes with great potential. Leaders at Northern Kentucky University believe that potential and risks should be studied. So, the school is the first university in the Commonwealth to offer a degree track in AI. An Artificial Intelligence minor through NKU's College of Informatics will be offered beginning in the fall semester of 2024. "Students are coming to universities now and many have lots of experience w ..read more

As people across the Bluegrass get ready for the 150 th running of the Kentucky Derby, organizations across the state are also getting ready to celebrate. Echoes of Our Ancestors is one of those organizations. Its mission works to educate and promote Black heritage and culture across Kentucky. The organizations media and marketing director, Desiree Cross, explains, "Echoes of our ancestors really strives to not only put their foot, their footprint in Lexington, but in the Kentucky area." As the countdown to the Kentucky Derby winds down, Echoes of Our Ancestors is hosting its second "Soul of T ..read more

Nearly seven months after FCPS officer Anthony Daulton was injured in a nearly fatal car crash, his school excitedly welcomed him back to work on Thursday morning. Eastside Technical Center students are used to greeting Daulton every morning at the door with a fist bump. But one October morning, Daulton wasn't at the door. He was in a serious crash on his way to work, which left him with extensive injuries. As he worked to recover, students and staff felt his absence deeply, as he has worked there since 2019. But Thursday morning, the wait was finally over. Staff applauded as Daulton walked up ..read more

You've heard of "Signing Day" for future college athletes, but on Thursday morning, future teachers got their turn in the spotlight. Fayette County Public Schools honored 24 seniors for making a commitment to a career in education. Two of them also received college scholarships, including Jaden-Bush Maltsby. He's graduating from the Carter G. Woodson Academy at Frederick Douglass High School and attending Kentucky State University. He told LEX 18 he's excited for his next chapter, inspired by his family and former teachers. "Shoutout to Harrison Elementary," he said. "That's where I first star ..read more

Thousands of people will likely be attending their first Kentucky Derby this Saturday, and many of them may never have even been to a horse race before. Others will be placing their first wager on a horse, and that can be a little daunting, especially at a place like Churchill Downs. But, it can be fun experience, and it certainly adds a little excitement to the races if you remember a few key pieces of advice. Keep it to the basics. Win, place and show wagers, or an exacta box, said Jim Goodman, the Director of Wagering Development for Keeneland. Dont go shooting for the pick 4, pick 5s and p ..read more

Tapit Jenallie has scratched from the Kentucky Oaks, according to trainer Eddie Milligan Jr. As a result, Churchill Downs says Our Pretty Woman will enter the race ..read more

It's been nearly two months since the murder of a Lexington teenager and the suspect is still on the streets. LEX 18 attended Wednesday's Bluegrass Crimes Stoppers meeting where detectives push for people to come forward with any new leads. 17-year-old Kenlon Johnson was shot and killed around 3:30 a.m. in the Masterson Station area on March 8. "Like the sun shining today. He was joy, full of life, goofy, funny, loveable," reminisces Zanobia Simpons, Johnson's mother. "He definitely lets us know that he's with us and he's watching over us, absolutely." Bluegrass Crime Stoppers held a press con ..read more

After the first public release of body camera footage in three years, some community members are curious about how the Lexington Police Department decides when to release video. LPD shared the interaction leading up to the arrest of council member Tanya Fogle on March 10 on their social media platforms on Tuesday. It was just hours after a judge decided to dismiss charges against her. The post says it was in response to multiple requests from media. The last time LEX 18 could find they released body camera video was about three years ago in 2021, a month after a police cruiser hit a teen with ..read more

From Lexington to Louisville, there's a special connection between a small instrument maker and Churchill Downs. Pickett Brass brought Blackburn Trumpets to Lexington in 2016, and they supplied the bugle for the call to the post in this year's 150th Kentucky Derby. The man responsible for the iconic call to the post for the Kentucky Derby is Steve Buttleman. "We reached out to him last year when we learned about the Kentucky Derby 150th anniversary and thought it would be a great opportunity to try to create a new instrument for him," said Peter Pickett. Buttleman is a longtime friend of Pick ..read more