Good morning, Frankfort.

WKYT invites residents to email their good questions (like who to call if a tree falls) to [email protected] for local advice on emergency contacts, with responses coming soon.

Early Thursday morning, a child who smelled smoke helped a family escape a house fire sparked by lightning in Franklin County+firefighters arrived at 5:30 a.m. and contained the flames to the attic.

Grand Theatre at 308 St. Clair hosted an open house Wednesday after closing mid-January for renovations including new seats + lighting, sound upgrades, and a new HVAC system.

The venue will host children’s events, camps, and a summer film series in July ahead of its grand reopening on Aug. 1.

Liberty Hall-er is an America250 Music Festival set for Friday, July 3 in Frankfort.

It will be held at Liberty Hall Historic Site and River View Park (featuring local bluegrass music, history narratives, civic exhibits, family activities and shuttle service) as part of Independence Day weekend celebrations.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate reached 4.5% in May, up from 4.3% in April but 0.2 points lower than last year, with 93,384 unemployed and 2,003,656 employed (excluding self-employed and agricultural jobs) as wholesale employment declined amid a 0.4% drop in nonfarm jobs compared to last May.

Last month, the McConnell Foundation awarded $31,000 to five teachers for the Extra Mile Award, with Tom Marshall receiving $15,000 and FCHS’ Londa Tester receiving $10,000.

Nominations ran from March to April 30 for educators in Frankfort (Franklin County) to show extra effort.

Today in Frankfort, leaders from Fayette County Public Schools testified before state lawmakers about budget issues and steps taken to improve financial oversight; officials noted that while audits were previously clean, spending practices are now under review.

Flash flood warnings remain in effect today as strong storms and heavy rains impact central and eastern Kentucky, with calmer, cooler weather expected later tonight and more storms forecast for Sunday into Monday.

Over 57,000 customers remain without power in the Commonwealth — crews are working to restore service, according to Kentucky Power Outages.

The FDA approved the first generic baloxavir marboxil tablet — a one dose flu treatment — in Frankfort for use during the upcoming flu season of 2026 and 2027; it will help patients aged 5 and older manage influenza and serve as post-exposure prophylaxis.

Juniper Hill Aquatic Center remains a popular summer destination — it welcomes visitors Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a refreshing break.

Music in the Garden featuring River & Rail

6:30-9 p.m. — Liberty Hall Historic Site — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful evening of Indie Folk/Americana music with the duo River & Rail.

Liberty Hall-er America 250 Music Festival

2-10 p.m. — Downtown Frankfort Inc — Admission details coming soon — Celebrate with live music and historic vibes at a major birthday bash.

West Sixth Farm Tour

2-3 p.m. — West Sixth Farm — Reservations encouraged — Explore a scenic farm with brews and a peek into the farm's future goals.

2026 Summer Concert Series

6:30 p.m. — Downtown Frankfort Inc — Free entry — Enjoy incredible live music, great food, and vibrant summer nights on the riverfront.