Good morning, Lexington! In today’s edition: A fudge maker’s $60k lunch-debt push, the first baby of 2026, BourbonCon, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Confections for a cause: Lexington fudge maker Adam Dahl aims to double his 2026 fundraising to $60,000 to tackle student lunch debt, and believes he can pay off FCPS debt even as needs grow — learn how he’s raising funds.

A special delivery story: Lexington’s first baby of 2026 was born at Baptist Health on New Year’s Day, as Meeko Ray Haggins continues a family tradition at the hospital — get all the details.

Tracking this season’s spread: Central Kentucky doctors report Baptist Health treating more RSV, flu, and COVID patients as illness rises. Statewide activity remains low, but they advise staying home if sick, handwashing, and masking — learn what doctors recommend.

Big love for shelter pets: A 7-year-old nicknamed Avery Claus delivered two carloads of supplies to the Lexington Humane Society. Family and friends helped, and an Amazon driver used a cart for all the deliveries — see what she delivered.

New eyes on nature: Kentuckians started 2026 with birding resolutions, gathering at Lexington Cemetery with Central Kentucky Audubon Society and Lexington Bird Cult members. A newcomer saw a red-tailed hawk and learned from experts — learn about community birding events.

Give your rooms a glow-up: When your space needs more than a candle and a prayer, My Favorite Things has art, wall decor, pillows, and the finishing touches you crave, plus friendly design help if you want it. Refresh now, and winter nesting will feel way better.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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💃 Shimmy & Shine Annual Fundraiser 2026 @ Arabesque World Dance | Monday (1/12) at 7:00 PM – Trade the treadmill for a shimmy, learn two belly dance choreographies, and perform at the Pam Miller Black Box for a cause. In-studio or online, no experience needed, and proceeds go to The Nest. Finish on World Belly Dance Day with workshops, lunch, and sparkle.

🎶 Winter Choir Concert @ Singletary Center for the Arts | Monday (1/12) at 7:00 PM – Clear the calendar and hear SCHS and GCHS team up for a winter choir show, with eighth graders from Georgetown, Royal Spring, and Scott County Middle adding sparkle. Expect big harmonies, proud-parent sniffles, and the small-town magic where half the room knows the soloist.

🎨 Public Paint Night @ Man O’War Harley-Davidson of Lexington | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:00 PM – Revving into Man O’ War Harley-Davidson with a paint night that’s more paint than pavement, fewer bugs in your teeth. For $35, Ashley guides an 11×14 canvas, your bike pre-sketched, plus snacks, Logan’s Vineyards wine for purchase, 21+ event, preregistration required, not at the studio.

🎤 Etta May @ Comedy Off Broadway | Thursday (1/15) at 6:30 PM – Etta May is rolling into town, bringing her American Comedy Awards Comic of the Year chops, big hair, and bigger punchlines. The Polyester Princess serves up Southern sass, real-life grit, and laugh-till-you-snort stories. It’s date night, girls’ night, and therapy, all in one.

🕵 Murdered To Death @ Studio Players at The Carriage House Theatre | Thursday (1/15) at 7:30 PM – If your idea of a wild night is a body on stage, questionable alibis, and a room full of suspects, this one’s for you. Carriage House Theatre is staging Murdered To Death, delivering whodunit vibes, sharp dialogue, and the joy of calling the killer early.

🥃 BourbonCon @ Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa | Friday (1/16) at 10:00 AM – Call off Dry January and head to Griffin Gate for a weekend where 40+ distilleries, bourbon-paired bites, and exclusive bottles share a roof. Slip into the VIP speakeasy, hit the mobile cigar lounge, get tips on the golf simulator, and swap stories with master distillers.

🍷 Wine Guild Tasting @ Fasig-Tipton Co Inc | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Join Steve Mancuso and the Holly Hill Wine Guild for their monthly tasting, with January’s theme, Sonoma Unbound. Show up early for the optional buffet, then sip, swirl, and pretend you always knew the difference between Russian River and Sonoma Coast. Good company, zero pretense.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Lexington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 57°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 68%

Rain showers likely. Cloudy. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 49 in the afternoon. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm, then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 34°F – Low: 22°F – Precip: 20%

A slight chance of snow showers before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Most popular house this week

Sophisticated townhome in Lexington with custom detail and an inviting flow. An entry leads to a dining room with fireplace and built-ins, a home office with full bath, and a designer kitchen with island and butler pantry opening to the family room. An enclosed breezeway links to a private courtyard and an oversized two-car garage.

Upstairs, a primary suite with walk-in closet, heated floors, and steam shower joins two bedrooms, a bath, and laundry. Two more bedrooms and a bath occupy the third floor. A lower-level media room, solar, tankless water, security, and generous storage complete things. Minutes to downtown, Chevy Chase, and Woodland Park.

Take a peek inside →