Lexington's Morning News: Shooting Investigations, Community Support, and New Park Openings

Good morning, this is Lexington Local Pulse for Thursday, May 29th, 2025. We wake up to a busy morning in our city, with showers moving through and a chance for storms later this afternoon, so keep an umbrella handy. The outlook stays wet through the weekend, so outdoor plans may need a backup. Kicking off with breaking news, Lexington police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened overnight on Nicholasville Road. Details are still emerging, and officers ask anyone with information to come forward. In another overnight incident downtown, a woman was shot near East High Street and South Limestone just after 2 a.m. She is expected to recover, and police say there's no ongoing threat to the public. On the community front, several families are recovering after a string of house fires over the weekend, especially on Richmond Avenue. While homes were lost, we’re grateful no injuries were reported, and neighbors have already started organizing relief efforts. City hall is in session today, with the Planning Commission holding a work session that includes updates on new housing developments and zoning proposals. It comes as the Fayette County School Board prepares to propose an increase in the occupational license tax, aiming to address a significant budget shortfall. If approved, the rate would rise from one half to three-quarters of a percent, which impacts workers and businesses citywide. For sports and recreation, our city just opened brand new pickleball and tennis courts at Shillito Park. This project brings access to 20 pickleball and eight tennis courts, making it the largest facility of its kind in Lexington. With Cardinal Run Park North nearing completion, public courts will be available in 13 parks for pickleball and 15 for tennis, helping meet growing demand. Looking ahead to this weekend, the DiverCity Festival returns to downtown, celebrating Lexington’s vibrant cultural diversity through music, food, and family-friendly activities. Downtown will also host a special delivery drive from UK Athletics and LEX18, providing supplies to families affected by recent tornadoes. The job market sees steady activity, with the city posting new positions in public works, parks, and city services. Real estate remains active, particularly in neighborhoods near Chevy Chase and Hamburg, with homes moving quickly and prices holding steady. On the education front, Lexington will host Kentucky’s first statewide AI summit for educators at Marriott Griffin Gate, bringing teachers and tech leaders together to shape the future of learning. Congratulations to University of Kentucky art student Millie Robinson, whose whimsical illustrations are featured in a new children’s book released this week. And a shout-out to the Fayette County Public Schools robotics team, who clinched a top ten finish in the state finals. Finally, a feel-good story for our Thursday: Kelley's Landing, our newest riverside park, just opened with a ribbon cutting on Old Richmo This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.