The Conversation U.S. asked gastrointestinal oncologist Christopher Lieu and cancer researcher Andrea Dwyer to explain what’s known about early-onset colon cancer and what young people can do to protect themselves. Why are more young people getting colorectal cancer? Researchers have identified a number of factors associated with increasing numbers of young people developing colorectal…

By Jonathan GreeneUniversity of Kentucky UK HealthCare is launching a Food as Health program across Kentucky, a new initiative that delivers “food is medicine” services to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations across Kentucky. The program has secured contracts with three Medicaid managed care organizations in Kentucky — Passport by Molina, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) and Aetna…

By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News It’s almost time to “spring forward” one hour into daylight saving time, which can take some adjusting to with the loss of an hour of sleep. Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. local time. Sleep expert Dr. Sudha Tallavajhula, with the University of Texas Health…

New, cutting-edge bridge will replace previous structure that dates back to 1936 COVINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined state and local officials for a controlled demolition of the existing KY 8 Licking River Bridge, marking a major project milestone toward construction of a modern, signature design bridge to connect Covington and Newport. The controlled blast was carefully…

By Jennifer O’Bryan Many individuals are surprised to learn that diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar; it also greatly increases the risk of developing heart disease. The good news is that there are many steps individuals can take to protect their hearts, and small changes truly can make a big difference. This heart-healthy diabetes…

By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security has issued a warning that a new synthetic opioid named cychlorphine has been detected in Central Kentucky. The public safety advisory, which was posted on the agency’s Facebook page, said cychlorphine is about 10 times stronger than fentanyl and is contributing to overdose…

This story was produced as part of a joint Equitable Cities Reporting Fellowship for Rural-Urban Issues between CivicLex and Next City. When Lucy Becker got a letter addressed from LFUCG, she had a hunch about what was inside. Just a couple of weeks prior, she had read an article in CivicLex about her local government’s new…

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2026) — Applications are now open for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. Eligible applicants include sophomores, juniors and seniors (based on credit hours) enrolled in a degree‑granting program, as well as graduate and professional students. Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character across…

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2026) — CURE-KY, a consortium dedicated to expanding the impact of infectious disease research across Kentucky, will host its annual Infectious Disease Research Day March 19, bringing together scientists from across the university to share breakthroughs that directly protect the health and economy of the Commonwealth. The event, 8 a.m. to…

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 2, 2026) — For Jonny Ochoa-Suarez, his love of vintage pieces began with his first pair of LeBron sneakers, which his mom bought for him when he was in the third grade. Now a freshman studying Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Ochoa-Suarez has cultivated that love into an upcycling…