2026 in Kentucky
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Incumbents
State Government
Events
- January 1 – A Wolfe County woman is charged with fetal homicide for allegedly inducing her own abortion using abortion pills.[1]
- April 30 – A bank robber kills two employees of a U.S. Bank in Berea. An 18-year-old man is arrested.[2]
- May 2 – The 2026 Kentucky Derby, the 152nd Kentucky Derby, takes place at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville. Golden Tempo wins the race; his trainer Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.[3][4]
- May 11 – the Kentucky's 4th congressional district republican primary (between Thomas Massie and Ed Gallrein) becomes the most expensive U.S. House primary in American history, with over $25.6 million in ad spending beating the prior record of $25.2 million from the Democratic Primary for New York's 16th congressional district in 2024.[5] By May 17, ad spending exceeded $32 million, with pro-Israel interest groups accounting for over $9 million of the spending against Massie.[6]
- May 18 – The Lexington Fire Department reports that a house on Needlerush Drive in Lexington was damaged by a fire, displacing five people including a neighbor.[7][8][9]
- May 19 – Kentucky's 4th congressional district republican primary, Thomas Massie loses to Ed Gallrein.[10]
- June 13 – The Louisville Kings beat the DC Defenders 27–20 to win the 2026 United Bowl in the Kings' first season.[11]
- June 27 – Four people are killed by heavy flooding in Madison and Jackson Counties.[12]
- July 28 – Governor Beshear issues an ultimatum to Senator Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized since June 14, demanding McConnell prove he is able to serve or resign from office.[13]
- August 15 – A teenager is killed and four people injured in a shooting at a Lexington park during a community event.[14]
Scheduled events
- August 20 - Kentucky State Fair is scheduled to take place.[15]