radioNOVO News for Frankfort: May 18, 2026

RNN FRANKFORT 05/18/26          DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH IS IN KENTUCKY TODAY FOR TWO MAJOR STOPS. HE WILL FIRST PRESIDE OVER A PURPLE HEART AND RE-ENLISTMENT CEREMONY AT FORT CAMPBELL. LATER, HEGSETH JOINS TRUMP-BACKED PRIMARY CHALLENGER ED GALLREIN FOR A CAMPAIGN EVENT IN HEBRON, JUST ONE DAY BEFORE KENTUCKY VOTERS HEAD TO THE POLLS.  TICKETS FOR THAT EVENT SOLD OUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.            A EARLY MORNING CRASH SUNDAY IN BREATHITT COUNTY HAS LEFT ONE MAN DEAD AFTER A TRUCK COLLIDED WITH AN AMBULANCE. KENTUCKY STATE POLICE SAY 41-YEAR-OLD JOHN SOUTHWOOD OF LOST CREEK WAS KILLED, WHEN HIS PICKUP TRUCK CROSSED THE CENTER LINE ON ROUTE 15 AND STRUCK A PERRY COUNTY AMBULANCE. AUTHORITIES NOTED SOUTHWOOD WAS NOT WEARING A SEATBELT. TWO AMBULANCE CREW MEMBERS WERE TAKEN TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION, AND THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.          PAPA JOHNS FOUNDER JOHN SCHNATTER HAS SETTLED HIS MULTI-YEAR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MARKETING FIRM THAT LEAKED THE 2018 CONFERENCE CALL LEADING TO HIS OUSTING. AFTER SIX AND A HALF YEARS, FOURTEEN-THOUSAND PAGES OF COURT FILINGS, AND A MASSIVE BATTLE OVER REDACTED MEDICAL RECORDS, THE CASE WAS DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE IN A KENTUCKY FEDERAL COURT FOR AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT.